Bars and restaurants
Lille, Refshaleøen
Not only a top-drawer destination for freshly baked pastries and sourdough loaves, Lille is also a great go-to for hearty lunches, all made using produce from Danish suppliers. The light-filled loft level is a fine space in which to while away a few hours with a paperback in hand. Tip: you can warm up in a sauna at nearby café and restaurant La Banchina, ideal during the harsh Scandinavian winters.
Bobe, Indre By
It is tough to resist the romantic pull of Bobe: meals by candlelight, a log fire in the corner, the homely feel of the heritage-protected house. Chef Bo Bech, an elder statesman of the Danish cooking scene, creates dishes that appear more like abstract compositions than dinner – the overlaid avocado wafers and the arrangement of raw langoustine with hibiscus and yuzu are emblematic of the kitchen’s progressive style.
Et Cetera, Nørrebro
Swedish-American chef Joel James opened this small, welcoming restaurant with his South Korean-Danish partner, Nina Lee, focusing on freshly produced fare. Tucked away in a residential pocket of Nørrebro, it serves a regularly changing Korean-inspired menu for breakfast, lunch and dessert. A staple is the korokke fried bun with vesterhavsost cheese and jam – a Korean take on a Danish breakfast classic.
Haraldsgade 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
Amator, Østerbro
Chef Mati Pichci, who honed his skills at Noma and café Atelier September, opened Amator to create a “home dining place” – a fitting move in leafy Østerbro. The seasonal vegetable-focused menu is unfussy yet inventive. Start your day with the house omelette then go for the signature Full Moon tart flavoured with blood orange and lime. A collection of records and a turntable at the back of the dining space add to the relaxed ambience.
Atelier September, Nordhavn
Chef Frederik Bille Brahe is widely credited with popularising the hipster café thanks to his cult-hit spot Atelier September. There are four locations across the city, all of which are populated with bright young things who come for excellent coffee and brunch classics, such as the Comté omelette with sourdough bread, and the almond pancake with blueberry jam and cream. There’s often a long queue at the location on Kronprinsessegade, so get in line early.
Juno the Bakery, Østerbro
It would be remiss to skip Juno the Bakery, a place that’s earned a dedicated following for its impeccable knot-shaped cardamom buns. There’s also a mean selection of bread and seasonal specials. The rhubarb tart – often available in late spring – is worth adding to your haul.
Admiralgade 26, City Centre
An intimate corner restaurant in a repurposed house from 1796, Admiralgade 26 has a homely feel. The cosy setting is flush with a medley of mismatched furniture and its Japanese-influenced menu is centred around vegetables and seafood. On Saturdays, from 11.30 to 14.00, the kitchen serves choushoku (breakfast), featuring rice, fish, miso soup and greens.
Lumskebugten, City Centre
Denmark boasts the richest food traditions in Scandinavia, with its signature smørrebrød an all-time favourite. This compact historic restaurant, just steps from the waterside and the headquarters of shipping giant Maersk, features wooden walls reminiscent of a Danish summer house. It offers an extensive menu of open-faced sandwiches topped with fresh meats, fish and vegetables.
Bar Vitrine, City Centre
This popular drinking and dining spot, set up in partnership with lifestyle brand Frama, occupies a corner lot resembling a glass display case, a feature that the venue’s name nods to. Drink options includes a selection of low-intervention wines and dishes are crafted by former Noma chef Dhriti Arora, who often draws on her Indian heritage when composing the global-inspired menu.
Auren’s Cornerstore, Frederiksberg
Secluded in a residential pocket of Frederiksberg, this small neighbourhood grocer and deli offers a selection of regional and international produce from a tight selection of suppliers. It’s ideal for picking up pantry goods – perhaps blood oranges in late winter or honey from Kysøko – and wine to take back to your base.
Fasangården, Frederiksberg
Fasangården is a historic 18th-century pheasant farm in the leafy Frederiksberg Have park, which has been transformed into a restaurant blending Danish and international influences. With a focus on seasonal ingredients and simple yet refined dishes, it offers an elevated dining experience in sophisticated surroundings, reflecting the estate’s rich history and grand interiors.
Esse, Nordhavn
At Amass, which closed in 2022, chef Matt Orlando raised the profile of zero-waste cooking. His follow-up has added serious kudos to Nordhavn’s growing dining scene and continues his zero-waste commitment, as shown in dishes such as the fermented potato bread and the roasted fish-collar taco.
Jatak, Nørrebro
In one of the city’s most sophisticated kitchens, Asian influences harmonise with the Danish larder. Summer menus have listed tomatoes with wheat noodles and wagyu-beef heart; in winter, there might be rabbit dumplings, which riff on tortellini en brodo and wonton soup. Book a counter seat so you can witness the craftsmanship up close.
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