Food and drink

Bobe’s founder and chef, Bo Bech, blends Nordic fare with global flavours from this spot in Copenhagen’s cobbled Grabrodretorv square. Dishes of greens, fish and meat done well (not well-done) add to the allure of this vibrant space which hums with chatter. Copenhagen-based studio Atelier Axo supplied bespoke furnishings that contribute to the venue’s warmth and sense of intimacy, with integrated seating and wooden features.
restaurantbobe.com

The charming Vaernedamsvej, a street that connects Copenhagen’s Vesterbro and Frederiksberg districts, is a destination in its own right. Lined with independent boutiques, florists and restaurants fitted with outdoor seating areas, it has long been a popular hang-out spot. Among the top establishments is Italo Caffé: an Italian-inspired cafe serving anything from croissants and espressos in the morning to mortadella panini and frittata slices for lunch. The minds behind the concept include industry veterans chef Levent Engin, who initially made his mark at the nearby Italo Disco, and Martin Gjesing, former CEO of Acne Studios in Denmark. 

This small and welcoming restaurant in Copenhagen’s Nørrebro offers a thoughtfully curated menu of Korean-inspired dishes for both breakfast and lunch. It was opened by Swedish-American chef Joel James, who has trained at numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, and his Danish-Korean partner Nina Lee, who has a background in fashion design. The couple intended to create an original and tasteful space within a well-designed setting. The menu, which is crafted entirely in-house, includes whipped yoghurt with rhubarb compote and black-sesame granola, as well as hand-cut sesame noodles in a hearty peanut sauce. A favourite is the cheese-filled, korokke bun served with jam, an original take on the classic Danish breakfast bun with cheese.
etceteracph.com

“Our food is local and playful – it’s created to delight and excite,” says Fiskebar’s Michelin-trained head chef, Jamie Lee, and it’s easy to see his expert hand at work in the dishes here. Using seasonal vegetables and foraged ingredients to complement top-notch seafood, Lee turns out favourites such as trout tartare with rye emulsion, capers and burnt onion; and scallops, peas, wild mushrooms and anchovy. It’s also one of the best places to enjoy a summer evening – staff set up deckchairs in the car park out the front.

Founded by four top baristas, The Coffee Collective was one of the first venues to emphasise ethical beans and quality processing. “We wanted to show how well coffee could be sourced, roasted and brewed,” says co-owner Klaus Thomsen. The roasters now have seven locations across Copenhagen but our favourite has to be the café situated in a Fritz Koch telephone booth outside Nørreport station. Perfect for observing the bustling crowds on Fiolstræde.

The Meatpacking District (Kødbyen) isn’t short of cool places to eat and drink but this venue, which was once a meat-processing plant, really exploits the open-plan layout of the former Karriere Bar to create a funky, relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for serving punchily flavoured small plates. Try the 10-course option, which roams a familiar “dirty gourmet” repertoire of brisket sliders, lobster rolls, Korean hot dogs and pig-tail chips.