One of the things I love the most about exploring new places, is getting to try the as much of the local food as possible. If you’ve landed here because you’re wondering what to eat in Copenhagen- chances are that you share this outlook on life. Food glorious food- am I right!? And whether you’re looking for street food or haute cuisine, Copenhagen has plenty of local dishes to offer.
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Classic Danish food is a simple but deliciously hearty affair, pals. Like its Scandinavian neighbours of Norway and Sweden, traditional meals involve a lot of fish and seafood, vinegary pickled vegetables, and a generous smattering of delicate dill. Then of course there’s the pork dishes- they bloomin’ love a pork dish in Denmark. Rough rye bread and yeasty cinnamon buns are a must; they take their baking seriously, and their coffee perhaps even more so. And as is the case with most large European cities, the street food in Copenhagen is 10/10.
What to eat in Copenhagen: the rundown
Smørrebrød
The Danes love a smørrebrød, and frankly so do I! These open-faced sandwiches consist of a heap of fresh ingredients on top of a square of dark rye bread, are surprisingly filling- and the presentation is part of the success of a good one.
My personal favourite topping is anything involving seafood, although this can include the pickled variety as well as the safer options of shrimps or smoked salmon. (Personally I like a good pickled herring but I appreciate the vinegary taste doesn’t float everybody’s boat.) Other toppings involve cold cuts, boiled eggs and paté.
One of the best places to eat smørrebrød in Copenhagen is at Torvehallerne Market, right in the centre of the city. Or head to Cafe Oscar which is a cozy corner restaurant near Amalienborg Palace.
Frikadeller and flaeskesteg
Frikadeller are Danish meatballs, normally made with pork and veal and served with boiled potatoes. And flaeskesteg is crispy roast pork- crackling not optional. These dishes both showcase Danish comfort food at its finest, and whilst I wouldn’t claim to know the best place to eat either in Copenhagen- purely because I haven’t sampled enough- I can say for certain that Hygge at Reffen is an excellent, casual introduction.
(More on Reffen later, pals.)
Danish pastries
Fact of the day!! Danish pastries are actually not originally from Denmark. Dun dun duuhn.
Austrian bakers brought them over from Vienna in the 1840s, and their popularity soared. But whilst they may have originated in Austria, it goes without saying that when pondering what to eat in Copenhagen, the humble Danish pastry should be pretty close to the top. Right?
Go for a snegl– which literally translates to ‘snail’- which is a swirl of pastry with layers of cinnamon. Or, my favourite of all (in basically all three Scandinavian countries): kardemummabullar, i.e. the cardamom bun.
Hart Bageri has several locations across Copenhagen, and I recommend getting there early to catch the pastries directly from the oven. Don’t just stick to this one though! There are so many bakeries to choose from, that it’s worth following your nose and strolling into whichever smells the best.
If you want an expert to guide you through the best spots and sites, join a Danish pastry tour! It’s a great way to explore and learn about Copenhagen, whilst indulging in the best pastries it has to offer.
The Best Things to Do in Copenhagen
Coffee time
Coffee in Copenhagen should be appreciated slowly and calmly- the exact opposite of the Italian espresso which tends to be downed in one gulp whilst standing at the bar. And baristas generally know their stuff in this city. Expect some perfectly-crafted beverages and some cozy nooks in which to drink them.
I love Kafferiet, a quirky coffee shop in a bright turquoise building near the Little Mermaid statue. (They have a second location at the corner of the King’s Garden.) There are also numerous coffee carts selling high quality coffee in the parks of the city, which are great if you’re roaming around.
Carlsberg beer
I have a confession: I’m no beer connoisseur, pals. (In fact if we’re talking alcohol, I’m more of a wine gal.) But putting what to eat in Copenhagen aside for a second, what about beverages?
Carlsberg is surely one of Denmark’s most famous exports, and it’s as popular within the country as outside. If you really want to get to grips with this Danish pilsner, don’t just order it at a bar- in Copenhagen you can go one step further and visit the Home of Carlsberg, in the very first Carlsberg brewery which began life in 1847. Here you can tour the brewery, learn about how beer is made, and of course enjoy a beer tasting.
Check availability and tickets for the Home of Carlsberg.
Danish hotdogs
Similarly to beer, I’m not much of a hotdog gal either. And yet. I am partial to a Danish hotdog when in Copenhagen.
Danish hotdogs are bright red- a similar shade to the Danish flag- and seem somewhat more delicate then their North American counterparts. Served with pickles, dried onions, fresh onions and sauces, I’d almost call them ‘chic,’ although maybe that’s pushing it when talking about a processed sausage in a bun. Whatever your opinion on the aesthetic, this is Copenhagen’s most treasured street food, and one that fits every budget.
You’ll find hotdog stands all over the city, particularly in busier tourist spots like Nyhavn and along Langelinie, and these days plenty of them accept cards as well as cash payment.
If you want to discover all of Copenhagen’s street food in one go, book yourself onto a street food tour. Seeing the city with a local is always the best way, but when there’s food involved, it’s a no-brainer.
Licquorice candy
This isn’t one that normally pops up on lists of what to eat in Copenhagen, but one of my favourite things to do anywhere in the world is to pop into a supermarket and see what they have to offer. The best thing about the supermarket browse is that you can take a little slice of that country with you to enjoy at home- normally in the form of candy.
In Denmark, one of the most popular types of candy is liquorice- both the salty or the sweet varieties. (It’s an acquired taste, but they love a bit of salt liquorice in Sweden, too). Head to a store like Netto or Coop and pick up a few bags of Toms Pingvin to snack on for the flight home.
Food from around the world!
European cities like Barcelona, Stockholm and Hamburg, all have their own unique identities with unique culinary cooking pots, but one thing that they have in common is that they’re home to a multicultural population. Which means that they’re also ideal cities for trying food from all around the world. For foodies, what could be better?
There are so many feasts of flavours to tuck into in Copenhagen. A few of my favourites are Frenchy, a petite French cafe open for breakfast, lunch and wine, and the Greek Strangas, who are absolute masters of gyros.
For the ultimate Copenhagen street food experience, however, head over to Reffen Street Food. This open-air market is across the water from the main city, and aside from just being a wonderful place to spend a sunny afternoon- with the vibiest vibes you ever did experience- there are so many food nationalities to try. Lebanese, Argentinian, Filipino and Palestinian to name just a few, as well as the classic burgers, pizza and pasta that you might expect.
Read my complete guide to Reffen Street Food.
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