Where to Eat in Copenhagen
Where New Nordic changed everything
Copenhagen rewrote the rules. Noma put Nordic cuisine on the map, and a generation of chefs followed. But it's not all foraging and fermentation — there's also smørrebrød (open sandwiches), hot dogs with everything, and pastries that justify the plane ticket. The food here punches way above the city's size.
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Start Planning Your Copenhagen Food Trip →Neighborhoods to Know
Nørrebro
Vibe: Diverse, young, immigrant-influenced
Best for: Middle Eastern, casual dining, coffee
Vesterbro
Vibe: Meatpacking district turned trendy
Best for: Wine bars, hip restaurants, weekend brunch
Christianshavn
Vibe: Canal-side, laid-back, Christiania adjacent
Best for: Waterfront dining, cozy spots
Indre By (City Center)
Vibe: Historic, compact, high-end options
Best for: Classic Danish, smørrebrød institutions
Kødbyen (Meatpacking)
Vibe: Industrial, nightlife, restaurant-dense
Best for: Hip dinner spots, post-dinner drinks
What to Eat
New Nordic
Seasonal, foraged, fermented. The movement that changed fine dining. Noma's legacy lives everywhere.
Must try: Tasting menu at a place doing creative Nordic — doesn't have to be Noma-priced
Smørrebrød
Open-faced sandwiches on dense rye. Topped with herring, roast beef, egg, shrimp. Eaten with knife and fork.
Must try: A proper smørrebrød lunch with aquavit
Pastries
Danish pastries (wienerbrød) are actually from here. Flaky, buttery, often with custard or remonce.
Must try: Anything from a proper bakeri, warm in the morning
Hot Dogs
Pølsevogn (hot dog carts) are everywhere. Red sausage, remoulade, crispy onions, pickles.
Must try: Ristet hot dog with all the toppings, late night
Local Tips
- →Copenhagen is expensive. Lunch is cheaper than dinner — plan accordingly.
- →Frokost (lunch) is traditionally the big meal for smørrebrød.
- →Noma alumni have opened restaurants across the city. Seek them out.
- →Biking is the move. Restaurants assume you're arriving by bike.
- →Reservations are essential for anything with a reputation. Weeks ahead.
When to Eat
Breakfast
8-10am
Bakery pastry and coffee, standing or quick
Lunch
12-2pm
Smørrebrød time. This is the meal.
Dinner
6-9pm
Book ahead. Kitchens close earlier than you'd expect.
Late night
10pm-12am
Pølsevogn hot dog after drinks
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