This post is the first in a new semi-regular feature on CBT: 5 on Friday. (Also considered: Friveday). The idea is simple: quick but informative posts on a certain aspect of a destination โ whether thatโs food, drink, museums, art galleries or architecture. Hope you like it โ let me know what you think!
I am definitely not a foodie. As Iโve said before, I donโt see anything wrong with eating McDonaldโs or KFC when on the road (or anytime really), but I do like to eat local dishes and try new things โ something I did plenty of in Copenhagen.
Here are a few places I would recommend:
Nordic Noodle
Nรธrrebrogade 29
Nordic Noodle was a brilliant little find in the ultra-cool Norrebro neighbourhood. Styled a bit like Subway, Asian wok dishes of your choice are made freshly in front of you. The servings are generous and the atmosphere is cosy. We were the only people in there when we went and the two chefs chatted to us for ages. One of my favourite things was how well branded the place was โ we were shocked it wasnโt a chain.
If memory serves, we paid around ยฃ6-8ย for a fillingย portion.
(You can read a much better review here.)
Paludan Bogcafe
Fiolestrรฆde 10-12
Definitely one of the highlights of our trip, Paludan Bogcafe is a lovely โ and very popular โ cafe-cum-bookshop, which is perfect for spending a few hours chatting and people watching. The interior is beautiful, with books everywhere. We waited quite a while to be served and find a table, but it was definitely worth it. Paludan is centrally located, so it’s close to Copenhagen’sย main sights. Cider was decent, too.
You can get a decent sandwich and a drink for around a tenner.
Sankt Peders Bageri
Sankt Peters Strรฆde 29
You canโt go to Denmark without visiting a bakery and this one was our favourite (trust me โ we put in some dedicated croissant-based research). A tiny little place hidden on Copenhagenโs prettiest street (Sankt Peters Strรฆde), it is actually Copenhagenโs oldest bakery. It is opposite a church with a pretty courtyard โ the perfect place to sit and eat your first croissant of the day.
A croissant and a hot chocolate came to around ยฃ4.
Torvehallerne Food Market
Frederiksborggade 21
Now, I am the last person to go to a food market โ trust me โ but our brilliant bike tour of Copenhagen ended here, where we had half an hour to peruse the different little shops and pop-up stands. In the end, we settled for a Smรธrrebrรธd โ a traditional Danish sandwich (and much nicer than they look), as well as some tasty fishcakes followed by a fruit smoothie. The food was great and the atmosphere was lovely โ a great way to sample some traditional Danish food. We also met a lovely Kiwi girl, which was nice.
I canโt remember the exact prices (helpful, I know) but it was a little bit pricier than elsewhere we went, I think.
Noma
Strandgade 93
Just kidding โ we definitely didnโt go there. Meant to be half-decent though, Iโve heard…
There you have it: 5 great places to eat in Copenhagen – and as you can see, reasonable prices. Copenhagen really isn’t somewhere you need to throw money away – you can easily find affordable, decent places to eat.
One general piece of advice would be that Danes eat early. We found a lot of restaurants were closing or had shut entirely after 8pm, so be sure to get in early!
I like the idea – it should keep you posting regularly even if you’re not getting away as much.
Surprised to hear about the restaurants closing so soon though!
That is exactly the plan: short, helpful, more regular posts. Fingers crossed!
Everything seemed to shut really early actually – our tour guide said that Danes work the shortest average working week in Europe and I’m not surprised.
I love the sound of Friveday. ๐ Bookmarking this since it looks like I will visit Copenhagen next year. I may ask you for advice once I book the tickets.
Friveday was a favourite of mine too! If there’s anything specific you want help/advice on, just shout!
What does Smรธrrebrรธd taste like? It looks appealingly weird ๐
It’s basically just a filling on one slice of ryebread. The one I had was chicken mayonnaise I think, so it makes it look a bit more weird. But you can get some really pretty artisan versions. Danish people say it’s the only true Danish food you don’t get anywhere else so they are pretty proud of it…
Um…. that’s what we call ‘booterbrohd’ in Russia. The one-sided sandwich, including on ryebread. I didnt even know that the book-ended sandwiches existed before my first US trip. DEFINITELY not a Denmark-only dish.
I’ve always figured Copenhagen must be really expensive for dining, so it’s good to know there are reasonable options out there. That bookstore/cafe sounds wonderful!
It really is – a great place for people watching. Might be a slight wait for a table, but it’s definitely worth it!
I’d love to visit Copenhagen! Good to know there are affordable dining options and I will have no problem checking out a bakery or two ๐
It is a lovely city, I would definitely recommend it. And bakeries around every corner!
thanks for all the ideas I avoid chains when im on vacation and eat at local resturant
We didn’t see too many chains in Copenhagen, actually – lots of small coffee shops instead of countless Starbucks…
Ooo! I love Asian food so I’d like to try Nordic Noodle ๐ But of course that bakery in that particular setting would be just lovely!
Nordic Noodle is a must – the staff were so nice! The bakery was lovely too ๐
Haha, I DO consider myself a foodie, so thanks for this list!! ๐ Can’t wait to go to Copenhagen.
I think you’ll really like the food market – lots of small portions to taste and try.