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Dining & Food

A Country Store Frozen in Time

A Country Store Frozen in Time
… from the house Get directions

Gårdby Kafé & Lanthandel on Öland’s east side has been a village general store since 1923 — and stepping through the door still feels like stepping back in time. Run by Marie Persson since 2007, it’s now a charming combination of traditional country store, café, interior décor shop, and clothing boutique, all in and around the original shop building.

The café serves homemade cakes, pastries, berry pies, biscuits, and sandwiches — classic Swedish fika at its best. There’s a lovely garden courtyard for outdoor seating in good weather. The adjacent shop sells interior décor, clothing, and traditional general store goods. Ranked among the top restaurants on Öland on TripAdvisor despite being primarily a café.

Practical Details

  • Distance from the house: ~18-20 km southeast, about 20 minutes by car
  • Address: Gårdby 115, 386 92 Färjestaden
  • Hours: Tue-Sat 10:00-16:00 (closed Sun-Mon) — hours vary seasonally
  • Phone: +46 485-330 06
  • Open year-round (unusual for Öland — but check hours before visiting)

Good to Know

  • Summer closure weeks 30-33 (late July to mid-August) — this falls during peak vacation season, so plan accordingly.
  • Call ahead to confirm hours — they change seasonally, and social media is more current than tourism listings.
  • A great fika stop when exploring the east side of the island or driving south towards Ottenby.
  • Payment by card accepted.
  • The garden courtyard is the place to sit on a warm day.

Worth the short detour from the main road — perfect for a relaxed afternoon fika in a genuinely old-fashioned setting.

Instagram: @gardby_kafe_lanthandel