The best restaurants in Copenhagen

Ever since Noma’s innovative approach to fermentation and hyper seasonality put Copenhagen on the map, the city has continued to grow into a global food destination. Its New Nordic Cuisine garnered international attention from professionals and enthusiasts alike, and many of Noma’s chefs, sommeliers and suppliers have carried the philosophy into their own ventures. Against this backdrop, a varied dining scene has emerged that spans Michelin-starred restaurants to laid-back lunch spots serving smørrebrød – Denmark’s traditional open sandwiches – all accompanied by natural wine. While the focus remains on high-quality, locally sourced seasonal ingredients, Copenhagen’s restaurateurs and chefs aren’t confined to New Nordic. The city has recently seen a heightened interest in Asian cooking techniques and ingredients, spearheaded by chefs with ties to the region, and casual restaurants inspired by the Mediterranean are increasingly popular.

Across cuisines and from high-end to low key, Copenhagen’s dining scene is characterised by the Danish sense for well designed spaces and a casual, welcoming approach.

Where to eat in Copenhagen

Many of Copenhagen’s most distinguished restaurants are to be found in the historic centre Copenhagen K or in close proximity to its canals and harbours such as picturesque Nyhavn or post-industrial Nordhavn, reminding of the Danish capital’s seafaring past. For a more casual dining experience, the vibrant neighbourhoods Nørrebro and Vesterbro are the areas of choice. Round off the evening mingling with the locals over a few drinks in one of Copenhagen’s best bars.

These are the best places to eat in Copenhagen, collated by a local resident.

Copenhagen K

Alouette

Best for: Sustainability enthusiasts, fine dining
Location: Kronprinsessegade 8, 1306 København K
Price: Tasting menu for 1,800 DKK, add wine pairing for 1,600 DKK

Be among the first to experience Alouette in its new location at Kronprinsessegade, designed by Studio David Thulstrup and housed in the former home of Hans Christian Andersen. The interior highlights materiality and finesse, from the wooden chairs to the glassware made by Bornholm-based Reuse from recycled materials. Focusing on the rich culinary heritage of Denmark, the ten to 12-course tasting menu showcases locally farmed or foraged ingredients and flavour profiles unique to the region, such as a savoury custard made from organic eggs from nearby Hegnsholt farm, topped with crispy chicken skin, chicken glaze and a hay cheese foam. All dishes are accompanied by well selected natural wines. Run by husband and wife duo chef Nick Curtin and general manager Camilla Hansen, the team was granted a Michelin and Green star for their sustainably sourced menu.

Ark

Best for: Inventive vegan dining
Location: Nørre Farimagsgade 63, 1364 Copenhagen K
Price: Tasting menu from 1299 DKK. Add wine, mixed or non-alcoholic pairing for 799 DKK.

Vegan food can be a little bit hard to get in Copenhagen but Ark presents a fully vegan tasting menu based on seasonal and often foraged ingredients, alongside a biodynamic wine selection, local beers by Mikkeller, and cocktails featuring homemade liqueurs. Set in a corner room clad in neutral tones and natural materials, the interior champions Scandinavian design brands that share the restaurant’s focus on sustainability, such as lamps by Jonas Edvard, made from seaweed gathered from Danish beaches and recycled paper waste. Its sustainable tasting menu has earned it a Michelin green star for dishes such as turnip served with a radish, apple and macadamia sauce.

Høst

Best for: An introduction to New Nordic
Location: Nørre Farimagsgade 41, 1364 Copenhagen K
Price: 3-course tasting menu for 395 DKK, 5-course tasting menu for 495 DKK. Add wine pairing for 295 DKK or 400 DKK respectively

If you’d like to experience the New Nordic approach first-hand without breaking the bank, two-floor corner restaurant Høst is a fantastic option. Set in a minimal interior designed by Copenhagen’s Norm Architects, the space marries wooden furniture with white brick walls and plenty of plants. You can choose between an omnivore and a vegetarian menu which both change with the seasons. A stand-out dish that’s included in both the three- and five-course menus this summer is scallops with green strawberries and horseradish, topped with optional caviar. While it might seem tempting to skip the bread and whipped butter served between courses, this all-time favourite is well worth indulging in.

Bottega Barlie

Best for: All-day snacking and drinking
Location: Fredericiagade 78, 1310 Copenhagen K
Price: Plates from 85 DKK

Boasting a sunny terrace and large windows, Bottega Barlie is situated on the corner of a turn-of-the-century naval building in Nyboder. Bottega Barlie is popular from breakfast until late into the evening, when dinner is served with one of the city’s best natural wine selections. The short menu varies depending on the time of day and features a mix of Scandinavian- and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, many suitable for sharing. For breakfast, opt for the classic sourdough with whipped butter and cheese or an omelette, and in the evening, start off with stracciatella with peach and roasted hazelnuts followed by hake with pointed cabbage, small carrots, and butter sauce. After dinner, treat yourself to an affogato. Popular with the creative class, the interior is low-key but chic and comes with a side of people watching. There is a plant-filled outdoor terrace for warm days.

Admiralgade 26

Best for: Japanese-inspired cuisine
Location: Admiralgade 26, 1066 Copenhagen K
Price: Daily 5-course menu for 600 DKK, a la carte with plates from 95 DKK

Admiralgade 26 is situated in a neoclassical apartment building from the late 18th century on a quiet corner close to the canal in the city centre. While the exterior and furnishing are predominantly Scandinavian, the vegetable and seafood-leaning menu is a Scandinavian-Japanese fusion. From tomato, ponzu, and shiso to new potato, burnt lemon, and beurre blanc with optional caviar or crayfish, the menu includes new flavours and old favourites. Start in typical Copenhagen fashion with sourdough and whipped butter before proceeding with new potatoes served with burnt lemon, cucumber, and optional caviar or crayfish, followed by Norwegian scallop, yuzu, and green strawberries. On Wednesdays, the restaurant hosts community dinners, salons, and movie nights. The wine list is European-leaning but extensive and offered in close collaboration with sister wine bar Ved Stranden 10 just a few doors down the road. Fancy a pre-dinner glass of wine? Make sure to stop by there first.

Lumskebugten

Best for: New Nordic roots in a seaside ambience
Location: Esplanaden 21, 1263 Copenhagen K
Price: Smørrebrød from 125 DKK

Having been around for over a hundred years but not stuck in the past, the century-old Lumskebugten is regarded as one of the most influential restaurants in Copenhagen. From 2011 to 2022, it was led by Erwin Lauterbach who paved the way for New Nordic cuisine to focus on local, seasonal produce in the 1980s at a time when the city’s gourmet kitchens typically looked to France for guidance. Since 2022, Andreas Møller has taken over as head chef, stepping into Lauterbach’s footsteps. With its white wooden panelling, the restaurant immediately transports you to the coastal towns of North Zealand. This special allure combined with the fantastic food draws a loyal local clientele for lunch and dinner. At lunchtime, don’t miss out on the expertly made smørrebrød, especially those featuring fish and seafood such as Lumsk Sailor’s Toast. For dinner, indulge in fried lobster served with veal sweetbread, herbs, and lobster bisque followed by the fish of the day fried on the bone with new Danish potatoes and butter sauce. The menu as well as the wine list change frequently based on availability.

Restaurant Møntergade

Best for: A treat-yourself or special-occasion lunch
Location: Møntergade 19, 1116 Copenhagen K
Price: Smørrebrød from 125 DKK

Close to Kongens Have (King’s Garden) and popular design stores Tekla and Louise Roe, Restaurant Møntergade serves traditional Danish cuisine and French-inspired fare. For lunch, expect classic Danish dishes such as herring and smørrebrød, while brasserie-style plates such as salmon tartare with oyster creme, roe, and kohlrabi, or fried halibut served with leeks in a dill, pickled asparagus and mussel sauce await come evening. To drink, there’s a broad selection of beer, wine, and of course, snaps (Danish schnapps) to choose from. The wine list comprises conventional as well as natural wines from all over the world and beer drinkers can find classics alongside local craft offerings. The chic, timeless interior and attentive service set the tone for a relaxed yet elevated experience.

Judie

Best for: Harbourside dining, contemporary Danish smørrebrød
Location: Nyhavn 29, 1051 Copenhagen K
Price: Smørrebrød from 105 DKK

Looking to indulge in smørrebrød but don’t want to take the traditional route? Judie offers a contemporary take on the Danish classic in a well designed setting on a small boat on the harbour. Take a seat at the glass front and admire the colourful 17th-century facades of Nyhavn over a smørrebrød lunch – the shrimps with pickled rhubarb, rose pepper, hibiscus and dill is not to be missed. In the evening, the smørrebrød selection is smaller but complemented with a variety of snacks. At the end of the meal, tradition dictates for a snaps to round off the experience, and the team has 19 housemade ones available.

Selma

Best for: Market day lunch
Location: Rømersgade 20, 1362 Copenhagen K
Price: Smørrebrød from 120 DKK

Selma, named after chef-owner Magnus Pettersson’s daughter, focuses on Danish smørrebrød, reimagined without abandoning the classic’s roots. Pettersson treats each slice of bread like a full dish, playing with texture and flavour to create memorable experiences, such as the geranium and white currant herring with fennel, bleak roe, and fig leaf. The team has 12 high-quality local beers on tap so take your pick and wash it down with a glass of homemade snaps. Selma is close to popular market hall Torvehallerne so round off your meal with some market browsing or a glass of wine in the sun.

Holmen

Alchemist

Best for: A once-in-a-lifetime experience
Location: Refshalevej 173C, 1432 Copenhagen K
Price: Tasting menu for 5400 DKK, add wine pairing from 1800 DKK

A visit to Alchemist is so much more than a meal. The restaurant has made waves internationally for its artistic, experiential approach to dining that invites guests to partake in an immersive, choreographed experience. Chef-owner Rasmus Munk aims to entertain but also educate diners, and to encourage conversations about the state of the world. For example, a cod dish was served with edible “plastic” to raise awareness on ocean pollution. The experience lasts four to six hours and includes up to 50 impressions, accompanied by a drinks pairing. The menu is served in a variety of different locations within Alchemist’s unique spaces, each enhanced by huge moving projections and other artistic interventions that speak to the senses. Located in a former shipyard in Refshaleøen, Alchemist holds two Michelin stars, a Michelin green star, and was named number eight in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2024.

Vesterbro

Kødbyens Fiskebar

Best for: A seafood-fueled night out
Location: Flæsketorvet 100, 1711 København V
Price: Mains from 195 DKK and ½ dozen oysters from 215 DKK

As one of the pioneering restaurants in Copenhagen’s meatpacking district, Kødbyen Fiskebar has played a key role in transforming the area from a symbol of a bygone era to a contemporary destination. Housed in one of the district’s characteristic white-tiled industrial-style buildings, in this case a former butcher’s shop, the restaurant specialises in seafood and fish, particularly oysters. The fish is caught locally by small boats in the afternoon and arrives in the restaurant the following morning. Vegetables and herbs come from organic farms or are foraged around Copenhagen. While the inside attracts with a paired-back Scandinavian feel, the outdoor terrace is the place to be on sunny days, when locals and visitors flock to this part of town to enjoy the long evenings with a cold drink in hand, while indulging in delicacies like blue mussels from Limfjorden in West Denmark, steamed in apple cider with herbs and double cream.

Nørrebro

Silberbauers Bistro

Best for: A cosy Sunday lunch
Location: Jaegersborggade 40, 2200 Copenhagen N
Price: Mains from 200 DKK

Situated in lively Jaegersborggade, Silberbauers Bistro is inspired by chef Mathias Silberbauer’s time in Nice. Take a seat at one of the tables with red-chequered table clothes and enjoy a mix of seasonal greens and fresh seafood. The menu changes daily based on what’s available and is displayed on chalkboards in the restaurant. Past hits include the blue mussels with aioli – a fresh but wonderfully garlic-infused starter that calls for doubling down to turn it into a main. This is a great choice any day or night, but with its laid-back, local vibe, it’s an especially great idea for a Sunday lunch.

Villette

Best for: Catch up with friends at any hour
Location: Fælledvej 12, 2200 Copenhagen N
Price: Dish of the day for 110 DKK

Brainchild of the team behind nearby wine bar Pompette and sandwich joint Poulette, Villette is one of Copenhagen’s best restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Housed in a former school, the cafe-bar-restaurant boasts high ceilings and a cosy courtyard, set back from the bustle of Nørrebro’s busy streets. Expect a changing menu based on local, seasonal produce as well as natural wines by the glass or bottle, a small selection of cocktails including classics like negronis, and beer from To ØL. Villette is one of few spots in Copenhagen to offer a dish of the day, which is a delicious, affordable option for lunch or dinner. The clientele is relaxed, and predominantly local.

Østerbro

Geranium

Best for: World-renowned Michelin-starred dining overlooking Fælledparken gardens
Location: Per Henrik Lings Allé 4, 2100 Copenhagen K
Price: Tasting menu for 4200 DKK, add wine pairing from 2300 DKK

The first Danish restaurant to win three Michelin stars in 2016 and named The World’s Best Restaurant in 2022, Geranium is a Copenhagen icon. Located on the eighth floor above Denmark’s national football stadium Parken, the restaurant offers panoramic views over the grounds of Fælledparken. Over the course of three hours, co-owners Rasmus Kofoed and Søren Ledet and their team serve around 20 seafood and vegetarian dishes, such as razor clam tartare prepared with tarragon, parsley, and sour cream, presented in a thin ash- and algae-painted dough. At Geranium, dessert is an entire section of the menu rather than a single course, exciting diners with combinations such as caramel with roasted grains and frozen chamomile tea.

Koan

Best for: A Korean-Danish cultural exchange
Location: Langeliniekaj 5, 2100 Copenhagen Ø
Price: Tasting menu for 3300 DKK, add wine pairing for 1800 DKK

Koan was awarded two Michelin Stars only a few weeks after its opening in 2023. The concept is the brainchild of Korean-born, Denmark-raised chef Kristian Baumann, combining both countries’ food cultures in a mesmerising fusion that speaks from his heart. Located on Langelinie promenade right by the water, sit inside near the open kitchen to observe the team, led by Baumann, execute their traditional Korean cooking techniques and flavours with seasonal Nordic ingredients. Two particular specialities of the restaurant are Korean seasonings and local seaweed, the latter making an unexpected appearance in ice cream. (Read our interview with chef Kristian Baumann here.)