Over the course of the past 20 years, Copenhagen's food scene has burst onto the world stage; from hearty traditional fare to innovative New Nordic cuisine, the Danish capital has something for every taste. Here's where you can find some of Copenhagen's best culinary experiences.

A spoon sits on a bright red background; the handle protrudes from what looks like a tongue covered in small leaves and flowers. It resembles at ornate and beautiful popsicle.
Food has become art in Copenhagen, an example of which is the

Best cheap eats

Reffen

Street food market Reffen, found on the shores of Copenhagen's harbour, offers up a bounty of affordable eats. Around 30 stalls made from shipping containers feature a range of cuisines from around the world, from flavoursome Filipino barbecue to hearty African stews. Reffen is open seasonally; check the website for opening dates.

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Four bowls and two glass jars sit on a white wooden table; each is full of different dishes, all being assortments of fruit and nuts.
Bowl food is king at Grød, whether for breakfast (pictured), lunch or dinner © Grød

Grød

Grød serves up delicious, hearty bowls starting at just 45kr (6€). Breakfast offerings include oat porridge, acai bowls, and chia pudding, and for lunch and dinner, try tasty savoury options such as risotto, daal, or congee. Grød cafes can be found around Copenhagen, including stalls at Torvehallerne Market and The Bridge Street Food Kitchen.

A man prepares toppings for a Danish-style hot dog that he is holding.
From Tofu to organic chicken, DØP serves up a wide variety of inexpensive Danish-style hotdogs © DØP

DØP

The pølse, or Danish-style hot dog, is a modern classic in Copenhagen, and you can find stands selling them all over the city. For one of the best, head to DØP, where you can choose from a range of organic dogs, from classic pork to chicken, goat, or tofu.

Read more: A guide to Copenhagen's best food markets

A white bowl on a marble table is filled with a white soup, with bright orange, purple and yellow flowers floating atop it.
Dishes at Copenhagen's most-acclaimed restaurants, such as Mielcke & Hurtigkarl, take presentation to new levels © Mielcke and Hurtigkarl

Best high-end dining

Mielcke & Hurtigkarl

It is a mystery to many why this highly acclaimed restaurant, headed by MasterChef Denmark judge Jakob Mielcke, has not yet been awarded a Michelin star. Mielcke & Hurtigkarl's gorgeously presented dishes are an intriguing fusion of Nordic and Asian flavours, impeccably served in a unique setting in Frederiksberg Gardens.

Sitting atop a dark marble table is a specimen jar filled with a golden liquid with a globular, red piece of food in it.
Dining at Alchemist is as much art installation as it is a taste experience © Soren Gammelmark

Alchemist

Alchemist was awarded two Michelin stars just seven months after its opening in 2019. Chef Rasmus Munk calls Alchemist's fare "holistic cuisine", with sensory experiences, art installations, and performers accompanying the 50-course meal, which is served in a variety of rooms over the course of several hours. If you'd like to experience this sought-after spot, be sure to plan ahead: reservations are released in three-month blocks and are snapped up quickly.

Kokkeriet

One Michelin-starred Kokkeriet has innovative programs in place to add both value and culinary exploration to your meal. Two days a week, the kitchen serves up four additional dishes without adding them to the bill. "Testing Tuesdays" feature experimental dishes not yet on the menu, and on Wednesdays you can "Taste the Stars" by enjoying plates from culinary students from restaurants around Copenhagen.

Read more: Top free things to do in Copenhagen

Best smørrebrød

Restaurant Kronborg

Kronborg is the place to go for traditional Danish smørrebrød – open-faced sandwiches piled high with a variety of toppings. The restaurant is found in the cellar of a historic building dating to 1796, and features a huge fireplace and cosy surroundings. All the local favourites can be found here: smoked salmon, crispy roast pork, roast beef with pickled vegetables, and much more.

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An open sandwich with herring, topped with orange and purple flowers
Aamanns 1921 produces some of the city's most modern and stylish smørrebrød © Columbus Leth

Aamanns 1921

Chef Adam Aamann pioneered a modern take on what was then considered an old-fashioned dish with the opening of his first smørrebrød restaurant and deli in 2006. His Michelin-recommended Aamanns 1921 is a stylish spot tucked into a quiet cobblestone street just steps from the bustling Strøget shopping area. The Aamanns menu features creative dishes like hay-baked beets with Danish cheese, and juniper-grilled veal brisket with sea buckthorn, served à la carte and in multicourse tasting menus. The restaurant was featured in the second season of Netflix's Somebody Feed Phil, where it won rave reviews from host Phil Rosenthal.

Selma

Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Selma is changing the face of the Danish classic, serving modern smørrebrød with creative twists on the traditional. Selma's menu changes seasonally and features delicious offerings such as blackcurrant herring, and confit chicken with rhubarb. Selma has a range of local craft beer Mikkeller on tap, as well as a selection of home-flavoured akvavit, and its desserts are not to be missed.

Read more: Best day trips from Copenhagen

A beautiful blue-green bowl is lined around its edges with guacamole; atop the guacamole are sliced bits of beetroot, mint and other trimmings.
Vegans and vegetarians have plenty to rejoice about in Copenhagen © Luke A Campbell / Souls

Best vegan and vegetarian

Baka d'Busk

This plant-based bistro in the Nørrebro neighbourhood is run by a collective of six young chefs. The menu changes daily, exclusively serving vegetarian and vegan food and natural wines. Baka d'Busk is open for dinner only, Wednesday through Sunday.

Veve

An offshoot of Michelin-starred Thai restaurant Kiin Kiin, Veve specializes in vegetarian world cuisine. Set in a historic warehouse by the harbour, Veve exclusively offers a six-course tasting menu featuring distinctive flavours such as celeriac and truffle, and pomegranate and rose. The menu can be made vegan on request; advance notice recommended.

A bowl of kale, swirled carrot and green onions
Souls not only serves special salads, but also vegan burgers, pizza and other comfort food © Luke A Campbell / Souls

Souls

Souls smashes the vegan food stereotype and serves up plant-based comfort food like burgers, pizza, and chilli, alongside inventive salads loaded with veggie goodness. Breakfast, brunch, and tasty cocktails are also on the menu at Souls, which was founded by a pair of Australians looking to deliver healthy, locally sourced vegan food in a relaxed atmosphere.

Read more: Local's guide to Copenhagen

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A man wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with Fiskebar holds a black plate sprinkled with green shavings and colourful New Nordic food
Seafood is front and centre at Kødbyens Fiskebar © Oscar Houmann / Kødbyens Fiskebar

Best New Nordic

Kødbyens Fiskebar

Fiskebaren, found in a former industrial space in Copenhagen's hip Meatpacking District, is arguably the city's best seafood spot. This Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant's offerings include an extensive raw bar of the freshest local shellfish, and a phenomenal seven-course evening tasting menu. The housemade sea buckthorn juice is a must-try, as are the stunning desserts.

Høst

For fantastic New Nordic food at a reasonable price, Høst may be your best bet. Its seasonal tasting menu featuring local flavours is served in a stylish yet cosy space acclaimed for its interior design. Choose from a three- or five-course menu or, for the full experience, go for the "Evening with Høst" and add an aperitif, accompanying wines, and coffee.

Amass

Another perennial candidate for a Michelin star, Amass is the brainchild of former Noma chef Matt Orlando. Found on Copenhagen Harbour in the rapidly-developing industrial area of Refshaleøen, Amass has its own garden, producing 80 varieties of plants including vegetables, berries and herbs used in the restaurant. Amass uses 90–100% organic ingredients, and uses by-products like dried walnut pulp to reduce waste and create intriguing dishes.

Read more: Highlights of Copenhagen

Loaves of freshly-baked bread sitting on wooden shelves; in the background is a dark grey wall.
Lovely loaves of freshly baked bread up for grabs at Hart Bageri © Hart Bageri

Best bakeries

Sankt Peders Bageri

Sankt Peders is the oldest bakery in Copenhagen, dating back to 1652. Tucked into the Latin Quarter, lines stretch out the door on Wednesdays, when its beloved huge, soft cinnamon rolls called ondagssnegl are up for grabs. You can find the standard kanelsnegl cinnamon rolls and a multitude of other delicious pastries here daily, including custard-filled spandauer known elsewhere as 'Danishes'.

A silver tray sits on a wooden bar shelf; on the plate is some fresh bread, sitting next to slices of cheese and a tiny bowl with butter.
Dive into a Danish or some beautifully baked bread at one of Copenhagen's top bakeries © Hart Bageri

Hart Bageri

Everything at Hart is baked by hand daily, right on-site in the bakery's open kitchen. Its offerings include classic Danish pastries and cakes, international favourites, and incredible breads, including a super-seeded rye loaf developed in collaboration with world-renowned restaurant Noma.

Juno the Bakery

The line out the door speaks for itself: Juno is a hit. A tiny bakery tucked into a residential neighbourhood, the reason for Juno's popularity is simple: its handmade pastries are sublime. Favourites include exquisitely layered croissants, Swedish-style cardamom buns, and pistachio-rose swirls.

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