Short answer: Yes – but far fewer than in winter, and varying from village to village in Sälenfjällen. Three venues are open all year round: Gammelgården at Hemfjället, Restaurang Elgen at Olarsgården in Lindvallen, and Bullans in the village of Sälen. A few more open during the autumn half-term, and the winter restaurants open from the start of December. Below is what we’ve been able to verify from the restaurants’ own websites – good to know before a day out hiking on the trails. Details of what else autumn has to offer – trails, berries, what’s open month by month – can be found in autumn in Sälen, and all the restaurants open all year round in restaurants in Sälen.
Open all year round – even in autumn
| Restaurant / café | Area | Days and times | Type of food |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gammelgården | Hemfjället, near Sälfjällstorget | Every day, all year round; waffle hut Friday–Saturday 12.00–16.00 | game, home-cooked meals, waffles |
| Restaurang Elgen, Olarsgården | Lindvallen | Lunch buffet every day 11.30–14.00; waffles and potato pancakes until 17.00 | home-style cooking, à la carte |
| Bullans Café & Restaurant | Sälens village, Sälen Shopping Centre | Monday–Thursday 08.00–18.00, Friday–Saturday 08.00–21.00, closed on Sundays | café, lunch of the day |
Open in the summer (June–August)
In addition to the three mentioned above, SkiStar’s summer venues in Lindvallen are open from Midsummer until the start of August: Snögubben, the top restaurant in Lindvallen, serves daily from 29 June to 9 August, and Café Von Paul at Experium serves breakfast daily throughout the summer. Gustav Grill & Bar in Lindvallen is open during the summer according to its own website, though no specific dates are published. The restaurants at Experium do not publish their opening seasons – please ring ahead before visiting. The rest of the summer’s offerings: summer in Sälen.
Open during the autumn half-term (24 October–1 November)
| Restaurant | Area | Open | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gustav Grill & Bar | Lindvallen | 23–31 October: Friday 5.00 pm–1.00 am, Saturday 11.00 am–11.00 pm, Monday–Thursday 11.00 am–10.00 pm | barbecue, bar |
| The Brasserie | Stöten | from 29 October, Thursday–Saturday, 6.00 pm–10.00 pm | brasserie |
| Halster Bar & Bistro | Kläppen | 29 October–1 November, lunch 11.30–14.00 | bistro |
Torgkrogen at Sälfjällstorget and the restaurants at Högfjällshotellet will open for the first time with the start of the winter season in December.
Where are food and cafés open in autumn?
Most activity can be found in Lindvallen, Sälfjällstorget and Sälen village. Lindvallen has year-round options for breakfast, coffee and lunch - perfect after a hiking or bike ride. Up at the Högfjället several restaurants are open Thursday-Saturday, often with menus that highlight game, char and local produce. Sälfjällstorget varies between weekday closures and weekend openings, but is gearing up for the autumn holidays with longer evening service. In Sälen village there are also several places where locals eat themselves - convenient for weekday dinner, take away or coffee after an outing.
When in autumn is supply at its peak?
September is thankful - many pubs still run summer weekends with plenty of space. In October, the schedule becomes sparser, but the weekends live on. During the autumn holidays (week 44), the whole area comes alive: children's menus, longer opening hours and more evening service days. From mid-November, winter menus start to take shape. Follow local social media accounts - many update Instagram faster than the website - and book a table in advance, especially Thursday-Saturday or if travelling with children.
Tips for good food even when everything is calm
The charm of autumn lies in its flexibility. In Lindvallen, there are deli counters and ready-made dishes to take home - perfect for a rustic dinner in the cottage. Several bakeries offer weekend bread and breakfast packages, so you can get by without stress. Want to add some luxury to your evening? Make a booking private chef in Sälen who cooks and serves the food in the cabin. An intermediary is catering or take away - a convenient way to end a hiking with a warm autumn stew and local bread without leaving the sofa corner.
Practical advice
Autumn darkness falls quickly, so book earlier seating if you are walking. Check children's menus and seating in advance. If you have electric car you can recharge at the accommodation and walk to the restaurant - fresh mountain air makes every step worthwhile. Do you choose to stay at home in the chalet? Houses like Sälengodset, Fjällgodset and Olarslodgen have large kitchens and dining areas where cooking becomes part of the experience.
Executive summary
Yes, there are restaurants open in Sälen in autumn - but the offer is selective and follows the rhythm of the season. Keep an eye on the current opening hours, book in advance and have a backup plan in the form of takeaway, catering or a private chef. That way, every dinner will be as memorable as the day in the mountains, whether you're travelling in the still light of September, the crispness of October or the hustle and bustle of the autumn holidays.