From the beautiful biking, to the seaside colours and charming hygge–infused hospitality, Denmark is truly a country that knows how to slow down and make the most out of its surroundings. In the last decade, the tenets of New Nordic Cuisine put this capital on the culinary map, and the hype hasn’t cooled down since. A rising tide lifts all boats, as they say, and with 28 Michelin-starred restaurants in Denmark, this little country certainly shines bright. Here are a few notable restaurants, bars, cafes, and markets to make your stay in Denmark a well-fed one.
The Best Restaurants in Copenhagen
Noma
Rene Redzepi’s 2-star-Michelin Noma surely needs no introduction: this global tour de force of nouveau-Scandi cuisine is truly an institution, with a finely tuned seasonal menu focusing on three distinct seasons: from January to late spring, a seafood-centric menu featuring the freshest finds in the ocean; an emphasis on vegetable dishes in the summer months (no meat or fish), and game and forest season, from early fall to January, highlighting meats and foraged produce. Book your reservations several months in advance of going. Their new ‘permanent’ spot in Christiania is just across from the pedestrian bridge at the foot of Nyhavn.
Amass
The vision of Noma alumnus Matt Orlando, Amass combines sustainable sourcing of seasonal local ingredients, including from their own greenhouse, “figuring out which techniques will pay the highest respect to the ingredient as a whole” with a constantly evolving menu. The décor is modern, colourful and iconoclastic. For a more casual dining experience, check out AFC (Amass Fried Chicken) at the same site.
Restaurant Cofoco
Located in the eclectic Vesterbro neighbourhood, make your way here for fantastic Danish ingredients, cooked with a global twist. The menu changes all the time, but you can find accents from all over the world—a yuzu ice cream, fennel tzatziki, porcini powder, or tarragon oil. You never know what to expect, but everything is executed with panache, and it all comes together on the plate!
Fiskebar
Super-hip, this Meatpacking District restaurant has a great vibe. Just beside Vesterbro, it’s unpretentious, understated and casual—the best seats are at the bar! Fish, shellfish, wine—who could ask for more? Lunch is also served here on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Formel B
The sister restaurant to the rural B&R favourite Sletten, expect Michelin-starred execution of Danish cuisine with classic French techniques. There is no tasting menu—just choose from a selection of dishes, and don’t miss out on the sea buckthorn dessert! Here, the ethos is being ‘free’ of rules (i.e. New Nordic Cuisine), and a more experimental approach to creating food.
Gemyse
It’s about delicious fresh produce prepared with painstaking attention. It’s about the fabulous location in Tivoli Gardens. It’s about the numerous options for dining experiences, whether a light lunch, dinner in the kitchen garden greenhouse, an extensive “garden tour” tasting menu, or a bonfire with marshmallows. You can choose your own path from the many great options at this veggie-forward restaurant!
Geranium
This three-starred Michelin restaurant, also rated one of the Top 50 Restaurants in the world, is helmed by Rasmus Kofoed, whose terroir-driven approach means a creative and playful take on Scandinavian cuisine. The dining room sits atop Denmark’s national soccer stadium, with sweeping views of the Faelledparken and of the city.
Koan
Koan features intriguing tasting menus that are a hybrid of Danish ingredients with Korean cuisine. Its founder, Kristian Joon Hwan Baumann, is the former head chef at 108, Noma’s erstwhile sister restaurant.
LêLê
For a refreshing taste of something different, Lele’s take on modern Vietnamese food makes great use of fine Danish ingredients (including seafood). A family-owned business that is now a mini-empire, with a restaurant, food trucks, and more casual street food locations, there are many options available, although I loved the nine-course tasting menu on a recent trip.
Loca Restauranter
This cluster of four distinctive eateries is partly owned by Mikkel Borg Bjergso of the renowned Danish craft brewery, Mikkeller, and includes Michelin-starred STUD!O, which features globally influenced dishes with a foundation in Nordic cuisine, while Almanak I Operaen offers a modern take on traditional Danish food.
