Our pre-Christmas trip to Copenhagen wasn’t only filled with festive food and Christmas markets; it was also a chance to explore the food and drink scene of the city and to visit some famous dining hotspots that we’ve heard so much about over the years.
We ate A LOT during this trip (but when do we not?!) and it was honestly one of the only city breaks of my life where I can say that I didn’t eat a single bad meal the whole time we were there.
Seriously.
I went with zero expectations about the food scene in Copenhagen and although prices are high (no more so than central London, though), the quality was consistently good, meaning that we never felt as though we’d been ripped off.
Here are some of my personal recommendations for eating and drinking in Copenhagen no matter what the budget, occasion or time of day.
Breakfast / Brunch / Pastries
Sct Peders Bageri
This small historic bakery always draws a crowd with its baked goods, but never more so than on Wednesdays, when it dishes out huge, warm cinnamon rolls.
The snegl (“snail”) rolls are much tastier than your average Cinnabon and come topped with either icing or sugar. They’re only available on Wednesdays from around 10am onwards but be warned: they sell out very fast.
- Sankt Pedersstræde 29
Laura’s Bakery
Laura’s is a bakery chain that focuses on producing bread and cakes using traditional methods. This means that most of their loaves and cinnamon rolls are made with wholegrain flour for a distinctly different appearance and taste.
We went to the one inside the modern food market Torvehallerne, but there are a couple of others dotted around the city too.
- Torvehallerne, Frederiksborggade 21
Lagkagehuset
Lagkagehuset is another bustling bakery chain, with locations all around the city. They are a great place to pop in for a croissant, cookie, or, if you’re visiting around Christmas time like us, a honnighjerter (honey heart). These soft, spiced gingerbread-style cakes are covered in chocolate and are very similar to German lebkuchen.
Don’t expect to sit and relax in the city centre locations though – it’s best to grab your pastries and go.
- Located on Vesterbrogade, Ostergade, Kultorvet, Sroget and in Central Station
Coffee
Coffee Collective
Coffee Collective has garnered somewhat of a reputation in the UK (well, at some of the independent coffee shops in Manchester, anyway) for producing great coffee.
And I have to say that it didn’t disappoint. Not only do they sell espresso-based drinks and filter coffee (both smooth as silk), but also coffee kombucha, coffee cocktails and coffee beers.
There’s a few locations around town, but the best IMHO is the Bernikow location which inhabits an old brown bar-style bodega.
- Kristen Bernikows Gade 2
Democratic Coffee
This cool coffee shop opens up to the public library, which makes it the perfect location for people-watching, getting some work done on your laptop, or, if you can read Danish, reading lot of free books and magazines.
They take their baked goods almost as seriously as their coffee (but alas, I never tried them, hence why it isn’t listed in the pastry section up top); even Paul Hollywood would be amazed by the lamination achieved on their homemade croissants and pain au chocolats.
Go here if you want to surround yourself with stylish locals, succulents and the smell of baking pastry.
- Krystalgade 15
Lunch and Dinner
DOP
DOP (stands for Den Okologiske Polsemand) have revolutionized the humble Danish hotdog by using healthy, organic ingredients and combining unusual flavours.
They serve delicious vegetarian/vegan sausages as well as more diverse meats like goat, chicken and spicy beef (plus the regular pork variety, of course). Toppings include sauces, remoulades, pickles, kale and mashed roots and the bread is freshly-baked wholemeal.
- Outside the Rundetaarn (Kobmagergade) and the Church of the Holy Ghost (Stroget)
Aamanns Deli
You can’t visit Copenhagen and not eat smorrebrod at least once for lunch. Aamanns Deli is the perfect place to grab a delicious modern version of these open-faced sandwiches in a relaxed setting (there’s a full sit-down restaurant next door with a larger menu, but if you’re just in the market for the sandwiches, then it’s much easier to eat here).
They don’t skimp on the toppings and sell a variety of both hot and cold sandwiches, all made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Be sure to wash it down with a glass of their homemade schnapps – we sampled their special Christmas variety that was made with spices and certainly warmed us up after a few hours of sightseeing.
- Oster Farimagsgade 10
Smagsloget
This place is a mecca for huge, reasonably-priced sandwiches. It was a recommendation from a member of staff at our hotel, otherwise we never would have found it.
It is in essence just a sandwich shop with a few seats, but the sandwiches are huge (the photo doesn’t do it justice) and over-stuffed with fillings. In fact, the second time we ate there we just split a sandwich between the two of us because we just wouldn’t have been able to finish a whole one each.
They are also open until late – around 10pm – so if you’re in need of a quick but filling dinner, then this should be the place you go.
- Norregade 38
Jacobsen Brewhouse and Bar
This is the on-site restaurant at the Carlsberg Experience, so it’s a little way out of town, but the perfect place to eat if you’re visiting the brewery.
I have to say that I had no real expectations of what the food would be like here, because restaurants at attractions (especially ones where the beer is flowing) can often be underwhelming at best, but I was pleasantly surprised by the high standard of food.
The menu is small and changes with the seasons – I had a crispy pork sandwich that is only served around Christmas time – but the flavours were wonderful and Scott’s fishcakes were crammed with fresh fish (no stodgy potato filler here).
- Visit Carlsberg, Gamle Carlsberg Vej 11
Tommi’s Burger Joint
Tommi’s is located in the hip meatpacking district and is akin to the ultimate US-style burger dive bar. It gets pretty cramped and noisy inside and it’s definitely a sight to behold during the festive season (with presents and neon lights strung from the ceiling) but their vegetarian burger was perhaps the best one I’ve ever eaten, buoyed by the fresh brioche bun and hot, crispy fries.
The shakes are pretty delicious, too.
- Hokerboderne 21-23
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