The story
At the top of Köpmansgatan in central Båstad, couple Henrik and Louise have built something quietly singular: a French bistro that doubles as a declaration of love — to France, to the Bjäre peninsula, and to the idea that honest cooking is enough. Bistro Grodlår & Timjan describes its own cooking as bistronomie — classic French cuisine with echoes of former French colonies and a grounding in the flavours of Skåne.
The White Guide, Sweden's most respected restaurant guide, puts it plainly: visiting Henrik and Louise is like choosing to be in France all year round, and it is "sannerligen värt resan" — well worth the trip.
Forty seats, including a chambre séparée for up to ten, in a space that the White Guide describes as having the warm, easy atmosphere of a living room. Guests have called it "Båstad's cosiest French" and noted that you feel welcome before you've even sat down. The tables are close, the acoustics good, and the service attentive without being formal.
Hidden within the bistro is Divebar 1001, a cocktail bar that stays open as long as guests want to linger.
The menu is kept deliberately short and changes often to follow the season — the kitchen's stated goal is to put the raw ingredient first. Two dishes have become permanent fixtures and say everything about the kitchen's direction: escargots de Bourgogne served on sourdough bread, and biff à la minute — a tenderised sirloin with frites, béarnaise and a Dijonnaise tomato salad. Both are French bistro classics executed without compromise.
From the neighbouring farm at Munka-Ljungby comes a whole chicken, served with baby carrots and a cream sauce — a dish the White Guide singles out as a flavourful choice. Desserts include a chocolate fondant with house-made vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis, and a crème brûlée served with the evening's sorbet.
When seasonal produce arrives in limited quantities, it appears on a daily board alongside the regular menu.
The kitchen prioritises Swedish ingredients, with a preference for produce from Skåne. When local supply falls short, the team looks to France or to Arctic waters for fish — but only when quality, not cost, is the reason. They work with compost, minimise waste, and sort all their rubbish, carrying habits from an earlier KRAV-certified operation.
True to the bistro's French character, the wine list leans firmly towards France. An Alsace Riesling is the White Guide's pairing of choice — a pointer to the kind of considered, regional selections on offer.
The restaurant has been part of the White Guide since 2006 under previous ownership; Henrik and Louise brought it back into the guide in 2019 and have held their place since, earning a Fine level recognition in the 2026 edition. For a 40-seat bistro in a small coastal town, that continuity speaks for itself.
Recognition
Ambience
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History
At the very top of Köpmansgatan, you can visit France year-round with the couple Henrik and Louise. It is truly worth the trip. The bistrot is a love letter to both the Bjäre region and France, and on the menu, the two meet in dishes such as escargots de Bourgogne on sourdough bread, and biff à la minute with fries and Dijon-dressed tomato salad. The venue isn't the largest, seating just 40 guests including a private dining room, but it exudes a warm, family-like, everyday atmosphere. We were well looked after, and the whole chicken from the neighboring Munka-Ljungby farm, served with spring carrots and a creamy sauce, was a flavorful choice. The wine list leans heavily toward France as well, and we paired our meal with an Alsace Riesling. Don't forget to visit the restroom before you say your final goodbyes—it’s a unique experience in itself.
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