Villa Skärtofta

The story

Villa Skärtofta – Fine Dining in a Historic 1897 Villa, Saltsjöbaden

A Villa with a Greeting Above the Door

Above the entrance to Villa Skärtofta, carved in stone, reads Salve amice domus — "Welcome, friend, to my house." Built in 1897 as one of Saltsjöbaden's first and most exclusive residences — equipped at the time with electricity and a private electric lift, both firsts for a private home in Sweden — the villa has always been a place apart. Today it sits within the Vår Gård estate, roughly 30 minutes from central Stockholm, where the archipelago air and open water views are a constant presence. The White Guide recognised the result with a "Very fine level" award for 2026, noting that the recent transformation has been carried out in a way that is "stylish, consistent and ambitious" — the grandeur of the turn-of-the-century era present in every room, while modern art and contemporary design make the space feel alive rather than preserved.

Kitchen with Conviction

The food philosophy at Vår Gård is stated plainly: it should give a good feeling, inside and out. The kitchen works with a pared-back, well-composed menu that follows the seasons strictly — what is available and at its best determines what is served. Locally sourced and organic ingredients take priority, and everything on the table, from the restaurant to the bakery, is made from scratch on site. The estate even maintains its own herb garden and beehives, contributing to both the kitchen's larder and local biodiversity.

Vegetarian cooking is taken seriously here. Starters are often entirely plant-based, and the kitchen actively develops full meat-free menus as demand from guests grows. Food waste is tracked with equal seriousness: the team weighs everything discarded and aims to stay below 60 grams of waste per guest — well under the industry average of 80 grams.

The kitchen has produced competition-level talent. Cook Albin Petersson, who joined the team in 2017, went on to win gold at the Culinary World Cup 2018 in Luxembourg as part of Stockholm Culinary Team, taking home the title of world's best regional team.

The Setting and the Experience

Villa Skärtofta functions as the fine dining and event centrepiece of the wider Vår Gård property. The space hosts art exhibitions and private gatherings, and can be booked exclusively for private celebrations or corporate events. Alongside the villa, the estate includes Bistron & Köket for everyday dining, a wine café, and a bakery — each with the same commitment to quality and seasonal produce.

The White Guide's assessment captures what makes the place worth the journey from Stockholm: the atmosphere speaks of a gilded era, yet the surroundings feel genuinely welcoming. Grand, but also like someone's home.