Coffee shops and bakeries behind Copenhagen’s renowned pastry scene

Copenhagen’s bakery tradition dates back to the 1850s, when Danish bakers went on strike and foreign workers, including Austrian bakers, were hired to feed the populace. They introduced new techniques and recipes, prompting the development of traditional Danish pastries as we know them today. These range from the humble tebolle (tea bun) to the complex spandauer, made up of layers of buttery pastry and filled with custard or jam.

Copenhagen’s modern bakeries push this tradition forward, run by ex-Noma chefs and bakers reworking Danish and European classics with local, seasonal ingredients. Add to this a third-wave coffee scene of independent roasters and coffee shops, and you have a world-leading destination for coffee and pastry.

In Copenhagen, you’re rarely far from a cardamom bun and a well-brewed cup. These are our favourite coffee shops and bakeries, where Danish tradition, considered craft and good design come together.

Central Copenhagen

Apotek 57

Best for: Pastries inside the FRAMA design studio
Location: Fredericiagade 57, 1310 København

This bakery and cafe is run in collaboration with design studio Frama, found adjacent to its store and showroom in a former apothecary in the city centre. Pastries are infused with seasonal herbs, fruits and flowers, with the menu changing throughout the year. Try the savoury waffle or signature round croissant, then browse Frama’s adjoining store and showroom. The founders’ second spot, Lido (Vester Voldgade 104), and third, Riviera (Nansensgade 64), both opened in summer 2024 and are also worth a visit. Apotek 57 is wildly popular with visitors to the city, so be prepared to queue.

April Coffee

Best for: Leading roastery with sharp aesthetics
Location: Pilestræde 39, 1112 København, Denmark

In central Copenhagen, specialist April Coffee pays meticulous attention to its pours: beans are roasted in-house, and enthusiasts can also pick up beans, apparel and brewing equipment to take home. The owner was a finalist in the 2023 World Barista Championship, and the menu reflects that level of expertise, with naturally processed light roasts served through sleek Modbar taps. Pair your cup with the only sweet on offer, a spongy canelé from Albatros & Venner. The Pilestræde location is April’s newest outpost, conveniently positioned in the city centre, furnished with Danish design classics by A. Petersen.

Refshaleøen

Lille Bakery

Best for: Inventive sourdough bakes across the harbour
Location: Refshalevej 213 A, 1432 København K

Lille Bakery sits on the industrial island of Refshaleøen, a short walk or boat ride across the harbour from central Copenhagen. The bakery and café serves Prolog filter coffee alongside sourdough bread, focaccia, quiche, savoury rolls and seasonal lunch dishes, made with produce from local farmers. Locals and students from the nearby architecture schools gather at communal tables for a convivial atmosphere. Try the signature Berliner doughnut filled with jam or custard, or the “pigs in blankets”, a unique, delicious take on the sausage roll.

Nordhavn

La Cabra

Best for: Flagship roastery from a Danish coffee icon
Location: Århusgade 118X, 2150 København

The Aarhus-born coffee shop La Cabra is known for its light, bright single-origin roasts, now with locations in New York, Bangkok and Oman. Alongside its original Copenhagen outpost in the centre, a new Nordhavn roastery brings visitors closer to the process, with the coffee bar that looks through to production space. A redbrick interior echoes the neighbourhood’s industrial character, softened by warm wood.

Østerbro, København Ø

Juno Bakery

Best for: Cardamom buns from an ex-Noma chef
Location: Århusgade 48, 2100 København

Juno Bakery is the place to get your cardamom fix when in Copenhagen. The bakery was founded by former Noma chef Emil Glaser, fulfilling his dream of baking precise sourdough bread, buns, pastries and cakes with close attention to local and seasonal produce. His Swedish heritage is reflected in the specialty kardemummabullar (cardamom buns), likely the best you’ll find this side of the Øresund. There’s often a line out the door, however it moves quickly and the team bakes all day to meet demand. The menu rotates with the seasons, with plenty of berries in the summer and tasty holiday cookies during winter. Note that seating is outdoors only, so be prepared to grab and go during the colder months.

Nørrebro, København N

Et cetera

Best for: Intimate space for Asian flavours
Address: Haraldsgade 3, 2200 Copenhagen N

Et Cetera caused a stir when it first opened in 2022, bringing Korean and Japanese breakfast to Nørrebro. Highlights include korokke buns – soft rolls filled with Japanese-style croquettes – alongside sesame noodles and tamago sandos. The menu takes familiar breakfast formats in unexpected directions, drawing on flavours from across Asia, all served in a small, intimate space. Try the matcha, served over coconut water.

Bageriet Benji

Best for: Tebolle and ice cream
Location: Fælledvej 23, 2200 København N

Former Noma chef Rasmus Kristensen established this small bakery in the hip heart of Nørrebro just off the lakes, naming it after his son Benji. Although the menu features a variety of special pastries and sourdough bread, the real jewel in the crown remains the on-point, simple and soft tebolle (tea bun) – a traditional kids’ treat that has been revamped here to great effect. The bakery has teamed up with Alice Ice Cream & Coffee, allowing guests to enjoy ice creams and freshly baked cones during summer.

Darcy’s Kaffe

Best for: Composed multi-roaster with regular events
Address: Rantzausgade 2, 2200 Copenhagen N

This multi-roaster café has a changing selection of beans, ranging from Danish roasters to international names. The interior is designed to echo a Copenhagen apartment, meaning you’ll feel like you’re sitting in a stylish Dane’s living room, with reading nooks and curated artwork. The community-focused space hosts regular “Decaf and Chill” evenings, alongside a monthly coffee club. The team has also opened a new venture, Frisbee, pairing coffee with a vinyl soundtrack.

Dzidra

Best for: Brunch and bakes with Nørrebro energy
Address: Baldersgade 8, 2200 Copenhagen N

This neighbourhood cafe echoes what the Nørrebro has become known for: creative, independent and laidback. Coffee comes from La Cabra, while mille-crêpe cake, scones and the occasional sticky toffee pudding make it a great stop for a sweet bite. For something savoury, the kitchen works with local farmers to create its menu of bright, hearty soups and loaded sandwiches. The vibes at Dzidra are patchwork meets Y2K meets Japan cooked up in a Nørrebro broth.

Nordvest

Flere Fugle

Best for: Leafy courtyard bakery with natural wine
Location: Rentemestervej 57, 2400 København NV

Flere Fugle bakery occupies a former garage, set around a secluded sunny courtyard away from the city hubbub. It serves sourdough breads, cinnamon rolls and other baked goods alongside coffee from La Cabra throughout the day. In the afternoon, the menu shifts to small dishes with seasonal produce from local suppliers. Come for a cinnamon roll and coffee in the morning, or settle in for a natural wine beneath the courtyard’s string lights.

Vesterbro

Coffee Collective

Best for: City-wide expertise and Danish craftsmanship
Location: Fadet 8, 1799 København V

Coffee Collective has eight coffee shops and one bakery, meaning you are never far away from a well-brewed cup in Copenhagen. Baristas take a precise approach to brewing, recommending specific beans for each coffee depending on what’s on the grinder. The newer Carlsberg Byen location is the most striking, with Douglas fir floorboards by Danish wood specialists Dinesen. Try the Kieni roast, a refined espresso with notes of blackcurrant, plum and marzipan. The pastries and sourdough buns straight from the Collective bakery are not to be missed, particularly the BMO – an abbreviation for bolle med ost (bun with cheese).

Københavns Bageri

Best for: Revered open kitchen with a noteworthy kringle
Address: Flaskehalsen 22, 1799 Copenhagen V

Widely regarded as the best bakery in town, Københavns Bageri comes from Anders Lorenz and Rasmus Sjødahl, both of whom have backgrounds at Noma. There is plenty of requisite sourdough, croissants and kardemommesnurrer, but what sets Københavns Bageri apart is its careful refinement of Danish classics. Try gåsebryst (goose breast), kartoffelkage (potato cake) and a kringle made from croissant dough. Watch the bakers at work through the glass-walled open kitchen, where baking continues throughout the day.

Orsa Coffee

Best for: Laptop-free coffee spot with a considered playlist
Location: Vesterbrogade 46, 1620 København

After just a year in business, Orsa has already become a regular for Copenhageners. With its black and white tiled floor, marble and wood counter, good tunes and tables adorned with stickers saying “no fucking laptops”, Orsa offers a serene moment of pause in vibrant Vesterbro, with sunny stool seats on the sidewalk during summer. The Catalan Nomad coffee is currently the bean in play at this multi-roaster cafe. Be sure to pair an espresso with the scrumptious, spongy banana bread, baked in house.

Prolog Coffee

Best for: Community space for bright house roasts
Location: Høkerboderne 16, 1712 København

In Copenhagen’s industrial Meatpacking District, Prolog is as much about community as it is about coffee, with regular morning run clubs starting from the café. The team roasts its own beans in small batches, with strict quality control throughout. The coffee tends towards bright and fruit-forward, with tasting notes of berries, nuts and citrus. The beans on the grinder change regularly, making each visit a little different.

Frederiksberg

Kani

Best for: Creative takes on Danish classics
Address: Vesterbrogade 196, 1800 Frederiksberg

This sourdough newcomer in Copenhagen is led by skilled baker Aryan Jafri, formerly of Hart Bageri. Danish classics are given a creative edge: savoury spandauers come filled with baby corn and béchamel, while pastries take on flavours such as coconut, mango and caramel. The compact bakery sits on a corner in Frederiksberg with just a handful of seats, so grab a bun to go while exploring the neighbourhood.

Amager, København S

Alice Ice Cream & Coffee

Best for: Koppi coffee and scoops in freshly baked cones
Location: Markmandsgade 1, 2300 København

Still something of a secret, this bakery and ice-cream shop serves freshly baked pastries alongside creamy ice cream in freshly baked tonka bean cones. The selection of pastries changes daily, with sandwiches also available. Go for the buttery croissants if they haven’t sold out, then follow with a scoop of milk ice cream, made with produce from a small local dairy farm. Don’t turn down the drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of salt, it works surprisingly well. Coffee comes from Swedish specialty roaster Koppi.