The story
Next to a car park on the Bohuslän coast stands a low, barrack-like building that punches well above its weight. Café Västbacken, run by host Johan Hasselskog, has earned a White Guide recommendation — and the story behind that recognition is as compelling as the food itself.
A few years ago, the original summer restaurant burned to the ground. What rose in its place is deliberately unpretentious: planked walls, a bar and tables built from weathered grey timber, and windows that frame an open view of the sea. The atmosphere is relaxed and genuinely convivial — when the room fills up, the mood tends to follow.
The kitchen leans hard on locally sourced produce, though the occasional ingredient from further afield earns its place. The daily menu rotates around three anchors: Dagens början — a starter that has featured silky duck liver on brioche with Marsala-poached raisins — a meat dish such as slow-roasted lamb rump, and a fish of the day. Then there is the fish stew, now firmly a house classic and reason enough for a return visit.
Whether you arrive by car or pull up by boat, Café Västbacken rewards the effort. It is the kind of place where local cooking, honest materials, and a sea view combine without fuss — exactly the combination that caught the attention of the White Guide judges.
Recognition
Details
History
Next to the parking lot stands a newly built, barracks-like house. A little gem with sea views well worth an extra trip by car or boat. A couple of years ago, the former summer restaurant tragically burned down. Fortunately, the "barracks" has now been rebuilt and restaurateur Johan Hasselskog is up and running at full speed. The style remains the same as before. The interior features wooden planks on the walls, while the tables and bar are crafted from weathered boards. Locally sourced is the watchword here, although occasionally some ingredients from other origins may make an appearance. Take "The Day's Start", for instance: delicious duck liver on brioche with raisins cooked in Marsala wine. Each day also offers Today's Meat, which might be a slow-roasted lamb joint, and Today's Fish. The third option is the fish stew – now a classic here. The enthusiasm for food and drink is contagious, and the atmosphere is lively whenever the place fills with guests.
