Don’t know where to start to get to know the culinary scene in the Danish capital? Check out our guide to the 5 best restaurants in Copenhagen. The Danish capital is a hotbed of culinary innovation with a thriving food scene that ranks high among the best things to do in the city.
This is the birthplace of New Nordic cuisine, where seasonal ingredients are king and proximity is key. The best restaurants in Copenhagen cover a lot of ground, from salt-of-the-earth home cooking to Michelin-star magic. Dinnertime in the Danish capital is an absolute delight, no matter what neighborhood you find yourself in.
The best restaurants in Copenhagen
1. Noma restaurant
Rene Redzepi’s celebrated restaurant will always be synonymous with Copenhagen’s culinary revolution, and years after its radical relaunch in a former ammunition depot near Christiania, the city’s infamous commune, it remains the hottest spot. The dishes at this restaurant are as stunning as ever, with the Redzepi team rebooting the menu three times a year to showcase the best ingredients of the season.
2. Selma restaurant
The Michelin guide made culinary history when he awarded Selma a Bib Gourmand (for exceptionally good food at moderate prices). She was the first smørrebrød local to receive the accolade, and the man responsible for taking traditional Danish lunch to the next level was a Swedish chef. Nationalist feathers ruffled, but fans of open-faced sandwiches cheered. Selma puts a contemporary twist on the classic, using creative toppings like elderflower herring with crème fraîche and buckwheat.
3. Cafe Istanbul
Cafe Istanbul is a popular restaurant in Copenhagen that offers a taste of authentic Turkish cuisine. The menu features a wide variety of dishes, from traditional kebabs to vegetarian options like stuffed eggplant and spinach and feta börek. The restaurant also boasts a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with colorful decor and friendly staff. Conveniently located in the Vesterbro neighborhood, Cafe Istanbul is the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal before exploring nearby attractions like the Meatpacking District and Tivoli Gardens.
4. Alouette restaurant
This stylish, low-key restaurant earned a Michelin star in its first year, and it’s easy to see why. American chefs Nick Curtin and Andrew Valenzuela create seasonal dishes with global influences, such as mackerel with fermented cucumber beurre blanc or roasted pumpkin with caviar and blackberries. Housed in a former factory in the post-industrial neighborhood of Islands Brygge, Alouette is accessed via a graffiti-covered service elevator, a striking contrast to the restaurant’s glam decor and intimate setting.
5. Juno bakery
You know you have arrived at this upscale Østerbro bakery when you see the line out the door. That is if you haven’t caught the heavenly aroma of Juno’s cardamom buns yet. Made by Swedish baker and Noma alumnus Emil Glaser. Seating is extremely limited, and Juno only serves filtered coffee, but the wait is well worth it.
6. Amass restaurant
Sustainability is the watchword at the stylish restaurant with painted walls by former Noma head chef Matt Orlando. The menu highlights locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Berries, herbs and greens that come straight from Amass’ luscious orchard, while the kitchen’s relentless zero-waste ethos helps craft smart dishes like chewy beetroot with pecan pulp custard and salty berries. Situated on the post-industrial peninsula of Refshaleøen, Amass is best reached by ferry from the port.