If you have traveled to Copenhagen before, you know exactly why this capital is one of my FAVORITE cities in Europe. One of my best friends Emilie, a native of Copenhagen, has shared some of her favorite hidden gems of the city with me, and as much as I want to gate keep, I won’t. Having visited Copenhagen in the dead of winter and in the middle of spring, I am happy to share some of my favorite recommendations for the best thing to do in Copenhagen: eat!
Copenhagen has the most incredible food scene and the city currently has the largest concentration of Michelin starred restaurants of anywhere in the world! Whether you prefer a casual beer and some smorrebrod (traditional Danish open faced sandwich) or a 7 course set dinner menu, be prepared to try some of the best food you’ve EVER tasted.
Here are some of my recommendations:
gasoline grill
I consider myself a bit of a burger aficionado, so take my word when I say that the cheeseburger at Gasoline is one of my top 5 favorite burgers ever. The city has multiple locations (and one in the airport!), but the OG is located inside of an old gas station in Landgreven, right in the city center.
atelier september
I know, it’s basic. However, waiting in the queue for this restaurant is an absolute must. Be sure to try my favorite, the morning plate, featuring butter from the iconic mound of fresh butter in the window, fresh sourdough bread, a soft boiled egg, blueberry jam, and thin sliced comté cheese. It’s popular for a reason!
torvehallerne
If you are traveling with a group with different tastes, be sure to check out this food hall filled with Danish specialties, trendy treats, and fresh baked goods. This is an amazing place to try smorrebrod, and it’s conveniently located in the city center in the neighborhood of Norreport.
grod
I am an oatmeal girlie, so when I visited this specialty porridge restaurant I was immediately wowed. Grod (meaning porridge in Danish) serves sweet and savory specialty porridges with an option to customize your toppings. This is the most comforting breakfast or quick meal in the Danish winter!
lilo wine bar
This small, cozy wine bar serves amazing Italian food and curates an impressive wine list. Lilo is the perfect place to relax inside during the winter months or enjoy a bottle of orange wine on the patio tables during the summer.
hidden dim sum
There is no better way to escape a cold Copenhagen winter than cozying up inside of a small dim sum restaurant. This restaurant is small and perfect for taking a break from the cold or just enjoying a delicious meal. Be sure to try the scallion pancakes and the Peking duck!
juno the bakery
A bakery concept serving my personal FAVORITE cardamom buns in Copenhagen, Juno was created by a former chef from Noma and is a social media favorite for fresh baked goods and inventive pastries. Pro tip: order more cardamom buns than you think… they are addictive.
delphine
This restaurant is popular for good reason! Delphine is a chic and fabulously decorated hotspot that serves shared plates of some of the best Mediterranean food I have tried. Go with a friend or a group and order as many plates as possible to sample all the delicacies Delphine has to offer.