Where to eat in Copenhagen—from boutique bakeries to New Nordic cuisine

National Geographic

23-02-2025

With 26 Michelin stars found across its historic streets, Copenhagen is undeniably a culinary powerhouse. The city is home to some of the world's most innovative restaurants — including Alchemist, a theatrical dining experience headed by Rasmus Munk, the reigning World's Best Chef — yet, there's no need to break the bank on a visit here. There are plenty of affordable restaurants showcasing traditional Danish cuisine, as well as first-rate bakeries, where you'll find delights like the 'Viennese' (a pastry named after the city in which its Danish creator found inspiration). On a winter visit, join the locals on a quest to find the city's best fastelavnsboller — seasonal cakes that liven up bakery windows from January onwards. From street-side food vendors to rustic waterfront breweries, this is how to experience the best of Copenhagen's food scene. Copenhagen's must-try local dishes
For breakfast, hit one of the city's bakeries. With stores across Copenhagen, Hart is known for its sourdough, while Albatross & Venner is famed for its classic cheese rolls. For those with a sweet tooth, Juno, in the neighbourhood of Østerbro, draws queues around the block for its cardamom buns. Wherever you go, be sure to take the time to check out all the different varieties of Danish pastries that are loaded upon the counter — among the classics is one called a 'snegl' (meaning 'snail' in Danish).
Try traditional smørrebrød for lunch: a buttered piece of dark, nutty rye bread piled high with toppings, ranging from battered fish and marinated herring to slices of potatoes or hand-peeled prawns. Sample a selection at Selma, where Swedish chef Magnus Pettersson does picture-perfect modern takes on the classic. Smørrebrød is a popular lunch dish served with a variety of toppings. This variation from Polly in Frederiksberg features avocado, fresh cheese, pickled onions and pumpkin seeds. Photograph by Daniel Rasmussen
The New Nordic movement, which focuses on using traditional Nordic ingredients that are locally-sourced and in-season, has been championed all over the world for its innovative, minimal-waste approach. Kadeau, a two-star Michelin restaurant in Christianshavn, has a strong tradition of preservation and fermentation and offers a charming ambience for a special dinner. Situated on the city's quayside, Barr also embraces Nordic food traditions with a focus on fresh fish. One other aspect of Nordic dining to note: if you're eating out in Copenhagen, make sure you've booked in advance as very few restaurants allow walk-ins. Coffee culture
While there are plenty of museums, galleries and boutiques to explore in Copenhagen, no matter where you go, there's always time to stop for coffee. The city has a thriving specialist coffee scene and is known for its 'light roast' blend. Many of the coffeeshops roast their own beans and sell them in specialist packaging, making for a great souvenir. La Cabra is one of the city's finest, but don't miss chic Coffee Collective and arty Lille Fugl. Found in the basement of the GL Strand gallery, Lille Fugl was recently voted one of the best coffeeshops in the Danish capital. Copenhagen is known for its specialist coffee scene and stellar bakeries. Visit Rondo in the Nørrebro neighbourhood to try these decadent buns filled with almond paste and whipped cream. Photograph by Daniel Rasmussen Street food and late-night snacks
Hot dogs were first introduced to Denmark in the 1920s and the street food has since become a key part of Danish culture. Go local at DØP, a hot dog stand at the foot of the Round Tower, which sells organic hot dogs topped with crunchy fried onions and plenty of pickles. Or keep an eye out for vendors on street corners — you'll find these little mobile food wagons everywhere. In Nørrebro, visit 1990s-style cafe Diamond Slice for huge slices of New York-style pizza topped with Danish cheeses. There's also a stellar menu to get through at Gasoline Grill, one of the city's top burger outlets. Serving freshly ground, 100% organic beef patties in the setting of a former petrol garage, it's Copenhagen's answer to Shake Shack. Microbreweries and cocktail bars
Carlsberg may be Copenhagen's best-known export. You can visit the brewery and visitor centre at Home of Carlsberg if you're a real fan, but it's not the only thing to drink in the city. Craft brewery Mikkeller serves up beers with distinctive flavours — from chocolate to chilli — that are often stronger than you might expect. Meanwhile, Nørrebro brewpub Brus invites visitors to try the local To Øl beer. Alongside its dining room, Nordic restaurant Barr is also home to a 30-seat bar, which serves a wide variety of beers on tap and by the bottle. Photograph by Mellanie Gandø Copenhagen's colder months are an ideal time to explore the city's welcoming cafes, restaurants and cocktail bars. Photograph by Daniel Jensen
Aside from its breweries, Copenhagen is awash with dimly lit, designer cocktail bars. Visitors are spoilt for choice, with hidden spots like 1105 and the jazz-infused Bird, as well as the historic harbourfront bar, Ruby. Alternatively, try the newly opened rooftop bar Victory, a recent addition to the city's drinking dens. And after an evening of bar hopping, consider a (very cold) morning swim in the harbour — locals swear by its revitalising effects. Plan your trip
Direct flights are available to Copenhagen Kastrup Airport from several cities in the UK, including Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and London. From the airport, visitors can take the 13-minute, high-speed metro to reach Kongens Nytorv in the heart of Copenhagen. For more information, go to visitcopenhagen.com This paid content article was created for VisitCopenhagen. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs.
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