Copenhagen, Denmark — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Copenhagen, Denmark
Restaurants
Expensive
Alberto K at the Royal
Alberto K is the centerpiece of the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel and affords superb views of Copenhagen from the hotel's 20th floor. The restaurant offers stylish design as well as innovative and expert gastronomy. The unusual Scandinavian-Italian symbiosis works well for diners who appreciate the love of ingredients and the care in preparation that is manifest in everything on offer. Alberto K also boasts an extensive, mainly Italian, wine list.
Hammerichsgade 1, 20th floor
Tel: 3342 6161.
Website: www.aok.dk/kunder/albertok
Era Ora
This Italian restaurant is housed in a late 18th-century building in the district of Christianshavn. A gourmet restaurant with one star in the Michelin guide, it is among the very best, and priciest, Italian eateries in Copenhagen. The food is a delight - based on seasonal, fresh ingredients and prepared and presented with a light, extremely sophisticated touch, and the wine list is equally impressive.
Overgaden Neden Vandet 33B
Tel: 3254 0693.
Website: www.era-ora.dk
Formel B
Formel B is an unexpected find in a busy part of the city. Chefs Kristian Meller and Rune Jochumsen perform culinary wonders with the freshest of local produce in a stylish setting that just manages to avoid being pretentiously hip, with polished wooden floors and a sleek, minimalist look. The cooking is French with a funky accent and includes dishes like veal tartare with chervil sorbet, and Danish red deer with salt-baked beet roots. Reservations strongly recommended.
Vesterbrogade 182
Tel: 3325 1066.
Website: www.formel-b.dk
Kong Hans Kaelder
This one-star Michelin restaurant claims to be housed in the oldest building in Copenhagen. Starters include foie gras with dried fruits and toasted brioche, while mains include glazed monkfish and Danish beef. The food is served up on metal plates in the charming surrounds of the historical building, where 500-year old gothic arches and wooden floorboards lend a medieval atmosphere.
Vingaardsstræde 6
Tel: 3311 6868.
Website: www.konghans.dk
Noma
This two-star Michelin restaurant was crowned the world’s best restaurant in 2010 in Restaurant Magazine. Noma's kitchen fuses contemporary styles and techniques with the best quality traditional Nordic dishes and ingredients, sourced from as far as Greenland, The Faroe Islands and Iceland. The visionary chef in this restaurant is René Redzepi, who has worked in some of the very greatest kitchens in the world.
Strandgade 93
Tel: 3296 3297.
Website: www.noma.dk
Restaurant Kiin Kiin
Located just a stone's throw away from Sankt Hans Square, Thai gourmet restaurant Kiin Kiin has already received a mention as a ‘rising star' in the Michelin guide. The daily menu is rooted in the Siam way of cooking but with many Danish ingredients and offers wonderfully flavorsome dishes.
Guldbergsgade 21
Tel: 3535 7555.
Website: www.kiin.dk
Moderate
Auberge
Ticking all the boxes for food, service and location, Auberge is a real gem. A meal there is nothing short of flawless, from the perfectly executed food (tuck into goat cheese and Karl Johan’s mushroom ravioli starter) and choice of wine (the Corvina was a discovery) to the cosy yet funky room. With friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic service, you think it couldn’t get better. Think again. At around 500Kr for a three-course meal with wine pairing, you’ll be hard-pushed to find better value for money in town.
Østerbrogade 64
Tel: 3535 3900.
Website: www.cofoco.dk/auberge.php
Cap Horn
By day, this Copenhagen restaurant is the perfect place for a smørrebrød sandwich in the pleasant canalside setting. By night, Cap Horn offers more substantial Mediterranean options, such as grilled fish and steak. The excellent range of desserts is another plus point, as is the cosy atmosphere of this former jazz club.
Nyhavn 21
Tel: 3312 8504.
Website: www.caphorn.dk
Cofoco
The trademark communal table at Cofoco might be a talking point with many of the guests (it’s not every day you get to share your table with another 20 or so diners after all), but it’s no gimmick, and should certainly not take the focus away from the food (deceptively simple, yet excellent) or the service (friendly and professional). From the home-baked malt bread to the signature crème brûlée, this is nothing short of impressive. Although the wine list is on the short side, it features decently priced, carefully chosen labels.
Abel Cathrines Gade 7
Tel: 3313 6060.
Website: www.cofoco.dk
Fiskebaren
Located in the heart of the meatpacking district, this hip and trendy seafood restaurant, with its bare concrete walls and fluorescent cylindrical fish tank, caters to a young crowd that comes here for the food as much as the buzz. Friday evenings offer a real vibe. You can opt for fish and chips (a snap at 85Kr) or indulge in a plate of oysters followed by one of three fish dishes, depending on your appetite, and your budget. Sit at one of the small rickety tables, or perch yourself on one of the bar stools at the main central unit and mingle with locals. Whatever you do, just make sure you don’t crack your head open on the way to the loo – the three-way full length mirrors can be tricky to navigate after too many proseccos.
Flæsketorvet 100
Tel: 3215 5656.
Website: www.fiskebaren.dk/en
Peder Oxe
Situated right on Gråbrødretorv, Copenhagen's most beautiful square, Peder Oxe specializes in traditional Danish cooking and is a good place to get to grips with the nation's culinary larder. The décor is suitably old fashioned. It may attract too many tourists for some tastes, but the quality of the food is still high, with specialties like the eponymous oxe burger and the oxe steak.
Gråbrødretorv 11
Tel: 3311 0077.
Website: www.pederoxe.dk
Restaurant Godt
Run by an Anglo-Danish husband and wife team, this small restaurant focuses on fresh local meats and seafood given innovative culinary twists. The daily changing set menus might include soup of Norway lobster served with monkfish and red caviar, or brill with a beurre blanc of oysters or veal with a morel sauce. The wine list is extensive and diners can choose to have a 'wine menu' to go with the set menus. The simple two-decked restaurant is very relaxing and is tastefully decorated. Booking is essential.
Gothersgade 38
Tel: 3315 2122.
Website: www.restaurant-godt.dk
Cheap
Barock
This Nyhavn bar-restaurant is very elegant, decorated in the style of Louis XVI with an ornate tiled ceiling and rosehead wall lights. Nevertheless, Barock offers excellent modern Danish cuisine at outstanding value for money. There is also a fairly comprehensive wine list. From April to October, the waterside terrace is the place to be on a warm summer's evening.
Nyhavn 1
Tel: 3333 0151.
Website: www.barock.dk
Den Grønne Kælder
This is a popular organic vegetarian restaurant in central Copenhagen serving basic but very tasty, healthy food. Most dishes are pre-prepared and displayed in a glass case. Den Grønne Kælder (the name means The Green Basement) offers good value for money and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Pilestræde 48
Tel: 3393 0140.
Pasta Basta
This popular budget restaurant in Copenhagen offers a great variety of different types of pasta dishes and the options are imaginative, such as fettuccine in a white wine sauce with grilled salmon strips, garnished with salmon caviar and saffron. The unfussy, unpretentious surroundings are bright and airy and are also home to an all-you-can-eat daily buffet. As well as being good value, Pasta Basta is family friendly and caters well for large groups.
Valkendorfsgade 22
Tel: 3311 2131.
Website: www.pastabasta.dk
Restaurant Ida Davidsen
Proving that there is no such thing as 'just a sandwich', Ida takes the Danish smørrebrød tradition to new heights. Her 200-plus creations include such delightful toppings as smoked salmon, beef tartar and caviar. This is a real Copenhagen institution, with walls bedecked with old family photos. A good breakfast and lunch venue.
Store Kongensgade 70
Tel: 3391 3655.
Website: www.idadavidsen.dk
Restaurant Puk
This slightly down-at-heel basement bar-restaurant is not the place for those who want a sophisticated or elegant setting. Its rustic atmosphere, with wooden beams, old photographs and paintings, is enhanced with various objects dotted around, such as ancient cash registers, dolls, battered musical instruments, books and statuettes, adding a quirky, off-beat appeal. And for no-nonsense basic Danish cuisine, it is hard to find anywhere better.
Vandkunsten 8
Tel: 3311 1417.
Website: www.restaurantpuk.dk
Shark House Deli
This small, lively deli is perfect for anyone looking for a tasty and quick lunch in the trendy Nørrebro area of Copenhagen. The Italian and French deli food on offer (mainly sandwiches, salads, houmous and soup) is among the cheapest in the city and great value for its high quality. Most people grab something 'to go', but there are tables in summer for a more leisurely meal.
Blågårdsgade 3
Tel: 3535 5135.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Copenhagen changes fast and starts late - things rarely get going on Friday and Saturday night until after midnight. The city has an ever-changing range of clubs, restaurants and bars catering to all tastes - from pop to cutting-edge dance music or world-class jazz . Copenhagen also offers popular DJ/bar/restaurant 'hybrids' that change mood and function over the course of an evening. There is no one defined nightlife area, although both Nyhavn and Boltens Gaard are popular.
Copenhagen This Week (www.ctw.dk) and Wonderful Copenhagen website(www.visitcopenhagen.com) both provide nightlife information.
Bars
Charlies Bar
Beer lovers should check out Charlies Bar, which has a wide range of ales and draught beers.
Pilestræde 33
Tel: 3332 2289.
Website: www.charlies.dk
Hotel Twentyseven
Here's where you'll find The Wine Room, a wine bar with bottles from around the world, DJ music and cocktails at the Honey Ryder Cocktail Lounge (Thursdays to Saturdays) and the Absolut Icebar Copenhagen all under one roof.
Løngangstræde 27
Tel: 7027 5627.
Website: www.hotel27.dk
Isola Rock Music Club
This is a popular bar providing rock music lovers with an excellent soundtrack for the night.
Linnésgade 16A, Israels Plads
Website: www.isolabar.dk
Nimb Bar
This is a classy hot spot for gourmet, innovative cocktails. Inspired by the changing seasons, this is an elegant place for serious cocktail lovers. Acres of wooden flooring, impressive chandeliers and widely spaced out tables makes this a good option for a romantic evening night.
5 Bernstorffsgade
Tel: 8870 0030.
Website: www.nimb.dk
Clubs
NASA
For a sophisticated club experience, head for NASA, a hip private members club that might just let you in if you've got the right look - or the right connections. Featuring white Japanese carps in an aquarium by the entrance, you'll be impressed as soon as you step in the doors. Its futuristic, stark, all-white interiors are outta this world, while music ranges from house to soul.
Gothersgade 8F
Tel: 3393 7415.
Website: www.nasa.dk
Oscar Bar Café
The city's thriving gay scene focuses on Oscar Bar Café, which has DJs on Fridays.
Rådhuspladsen 77
Tel: 3312 0999.
Website: www.oscarbarcafe.dk
Park Diskotek
Close to Parken, the national sports stadium, this nightspot runs a disco ballroom with DJ music in an authentic 1970s atmosphere.
Østerbrogade 79
Tel: 7033 3222.
Website: www.parkcafe.dk
Vega
One of Copenhagen's top clubs is Vega, which is extremely popular and draws top international DJs and live acts. The Vega complex is housed in a magnificent 1950s trade union building. It is also an established and prestigious cultural institution and Denmark's largest regional venue, annually featuring around 250 concerts.
Enghavevej 40
Website: www.vega.dk
Live Music
Copenhagen Jazz House
Copenhagen is one of the major European jazz centers with excellent clubs throughout the city and a festival in July. The Copenhagen Jazz House is the jazz venue, offering top-quality live music followed by relaxed funk and soul disco.
Niels Hemmingsensgade 10
Tel: 3315 4700.
Website: www.jazzhouse.dk
Global
This is Copenhagen's world music venue with everything from crossover fusion to ethnic folk, and both international and local bands.
Nørre Allé 7
Website: www.globalcph.dk
Loppen
The main live music venue in Christiania is Loppen, which has regular rock, jazz and other performances.
Bådmandsstræde 43
Tel: 3257 8422.
Website: www.loppen.dk
