Hart Bageri. Photo / Arundhati Hazra
Start your day at the bakeries. Hart Bageri, run by a former baker from Noma, vies with Juno Bakery (by another Noma alumnus) for the city’s best cardamom bun, a Danish classic. Another must-visit spot is Sankt Peder’s Bageri, which has been dishing out baked goods and sweet treats for more than 350 years.
Copenhagen offers unique dining experiences, from Michelin-starred meals to communal dinners. Photo / Arundhati Hazra
Their specialty is the onsdagssnegle, which translates to “Wednesday snails” but is actually a cinnamon roll. You should also try their spandauer (a Danish custard-filled pastry) and berry pastries.
DØP hotdog. Photo / Arundhati Hazra
Copenhagen’s hot dogs are the backbone of the city’s snacking scene. Many hot dog stands are located in tourist hotspots, but they are beloved by locals and tourists alike. Just outside the Copenhagen Central Station is John’s Hotdog Deli, where everything from the bread to the condiments are made from scratch.
Johns Hotdog Deli – Red hotdog. Photo / Arundhati Hazra
At DØP, near the pedestrian shopping street of Strøget, everything is organic, from the bread to the meat, while Harry’s Place in Nørrebro is known for its Børge med Krudt, a hot dog with a large sausage and a gunpowder sauce.
Aamanns 1921 – Curry herring smorrebrod. Photo / Arundhati Hazra
Smørrebrød, a traditional Scandinavian open-faced sandwich, is ubiquitous in Copenhagen. It is made with rye bread with a variety of toppings, and a popular lunch option. Check out Aamanns 1921, which serves smørrebrød topped with everything from the traditional herring to beef tartare, in refined and elegant settings.
Aamanns 1921. Photo / Arundhati Hazra
For a quicker bite, grab a smørrebrød (or two or three) from Hallernes, present in half a dozen locations around the city, including the popular amusement park of Tivoli Gardens.
The former shipyard island of Refshaleøen is now one of Copenhagen’s coolest neighbourhoods, filled with street art, breweries and restaurants. One of the best places to satisfy any cravings that may arise while exploring the area is the Reffen Street Food Market, which claims to be the largest street food market in Northern Europe. It has food stalls serving everything from fragrant Afghan pilavs to feisty Argentinian grilled meats, and even a microbrewery on site.
Baest’s mushroom pizza with stracciatella. Photo / Arundhati Hazra
Dinner is a great time to sample the international spread of cuisines in Copenhagen. Baest is an organic pizzeria with its own dairy making mozzarella and burrata, and a salumeria for sausages and cured meats.
Baest pizzeria. Photo / Arundhati Hazra
Jah Izakaya has classic Japanese dishes such as gyoza and karaage, but also a rotating set of seasonals that tip a hat to the city’s love of local ingredients. Vegans will enjoy the spread at sister restaurants Beyla and Bistro Lupa, while pescatarians can enjoy a variety of freshly prepared seafood dishes at Kødbyens Fiskebar. For a good tipple, head to the canal-side cocktail institution Ruby or the speakeasy Curfew with vintage decor and creative drinks.
One of Copenhagen’s best-kept secrets is the communal dining experience. Each evening, community houses like Absalon and Kanalhuset host social dinners called fællesspisning, where strangers cluster around long tables and share a set of common dishes. It is a great way to meet locals and feel like one as well.
If you are keen to explore the birthplace of the hyper-local cooking movement, Copenhagen offers a bevy of fancy tasting menus with dishes that push boundaries in terms of ingredients and cooking techniques. But the city’s culinary scene also encompasses hearty affordable food of all types, making it truly a food journey worth making.
The writer travelled at their own expense.