Sælhunden

Top choice


This handsome old black-and-white inn is by the riverfront, with outdoor seating by the Johanne Dan boat. Sælhund means seal, so it’s no surprise there's quality seafood in traditional Danish guises, including lunchtime smørrebrød (Danish open sandwiches). Try the delicious house speciality stjerneskud (one fried and one steamed fillet of fish served on bread with prawns and dressing).

Above the restaurant are pretty rooms (single/double including breakfast 650/750kr).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Johanne Dan

0.01 MILES

Johanne Dan is an old sailing ship designed with a flat bottom, which allowed it to navigate through the shallow waters of the Ribe Å; an onboard visit is…

2. Stormflodssøjlen

0.04 MILES

Along the riverfront is Stormflodssøjlen, a wooden flood column commemorating the numerous floods that have swept over Ribe. The ring at the top indicates…

3. Historic Ribe

0.09 MILES

For a leisurely stroll that takes in some of Ribe’s handsome half-timbered homes and idyllic cobbled lanes, head along any of the streets radiating out…

4. Ribe Domkirke

0.11 MILES

Dominating Ribe’s skyline is the impressive Ribe Cathedral, which dates back to at least 948 (the earliest record of the existence of a bishop in Ribe) –…

5. Den Gamle Rådhus

0.14 MILES

This is the oldest town hall (1496) in Denmark and was used as a courthouse until 2006 – these days it’s a popular spot for civil weddings. As well as…

6. Kannikegården

0.14 MILES

This award-winning building on the main square houses the church office. Through windows you can see the results of excavations in the area; these found…

7. Taarnborg

0.19 MILES

This 16th-century manor house was once home to the town bishop. It's charmingly skew-whiff: no corner is 90 degrees. Next door at No 5 is a half-timbered…

8. Sankt Catharinæ Kirke

0.2 MILES

Founded by Spanish Blackfriars in 1228, St Catharine’s Church was originally built on reclaimed marshland, but it eventually collapsed. The present…