Where to eat in Copenhagen
Copenhagen eats Danish: open sandwiches on rye, pastries from a bakery, fresh fish and a hot dog at a street stand. The best value is at lunch, when smørrebrød restaurants and bakeries are open. Book dinner ahead, and expect to pay more than in most cities.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- Indre By for smørrebrød lunches and Vesterbro for dinner.
- Order this
- Smørrebrød, a cinnamon pastry and a hot dog from a stand.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 11:30, dinner from 6pm. Many smørrebrød restaurants close in the late afternoon.
- Book or walk in
- Book dinner and popular lunches. Bakeries and the food hall take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Service is included. Rounding up is welcome but not expected.
What to eat in Copenhagen
- SmørrebrødOpen sandwiches on dark rye, with toppings such as herring, roast beef or egg and shrimp. Eaten at lunch.
- WienerbrødA Danish pastry, laminated and sweet, from a bakery. Try one with cinnamon or custard.
- FrikadellerPan-fried pork meatballs, served with potatoes and gravy or on rye.
- Pickled herringA classic starter in several marinades, served with rye and a shot of aquavit.
- Rød pølseA red hot dog from a street stand, with remoulade and crispy onions. A cheap, fast bite.
- FlødebollerA chocolate-coated marshmallow treat on a wafer base, sold in sweet shops.
Where to eat in Copenhagen, by neighborhood
Indre By
Traditional smørrebrød restaurants and bakeries around the old center. Classic, busy at lunch.
Vesterbro
A broad mix of restaurants, wine bars and the Meatpacking District, best for dinner.
Nørrebro
Cafes, bakeries and relaxed restaurants along Jægersborggade and Nørrebrogade.
Torvehallerne and the Nørreport area
A food hall with stalls for a quick lunch, and good bakeries in the streets around it.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Schønnemann
krkrkrSmørrebrød restaurant · Indre By
OrderHerring and a smørrebrød lunch
A long-standing lunch restaurant for smørrebrød and aquavit, open for lunch from 11:30 to 17:00.
- Book
- Book online
Confirmed open: restaurantschonnemann.dk
-
Told & Snaps
krkrkrSmørrebrød restaurant · Nyhavn area
OrderSmørrebrød
A classic Danish smørrebrød restaurant on Toldbodgade, open for lunch from 11:30.
- Book
- Book online
Confirmed open: toldogsnaps.dk
-
Aamanns 1921
krkrkrDanish restaurant · Indre By
OrderSmørrebrød
A modern take on the Danish lunch tradition, with seasonal smørrebrød.
- Book
- Book ahead
Confirmed open: aamanns.dk
-
Sankt Peders Bageri
krBakery · Latin Quarter
OrderA cinnamon pastry
A bakery on Sankt Peders Stræde that opens early and draws a morning queue for its pastries.
- Book
- Walk in, check the weekend hours
Confirmed open: tablejourney.com
Food markets in Copenhagen
- TorvehallerneTwo halls of stalls for smørrebrød, fish, cheese, pastries and coffee. Come for lunch.Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pmSource: torvehallernekbh.dk
How Copenhagen eats
- Meal timesLunch from 11:30, dinner from 6pm. Smørrebrød is a lunch dish.
- TippingService is included in the bill. Rounding up is a courtesy.
- Smørrebrød orderEat the herring first, then fish, then meat and cheese, finishing with something sweet.
- CashCards are accepted nearly everywhere. Carrying cash is rarely needed.
Signs of a place to walk past
A Nyhavn restaurant with an English menu board and no locals.
A bakery with pastries sitting out at the window in the afternoon.
A smørrebrød menu with photographs of every dish.
Eating in Copenhagen: questions people ask
What food is Copenhagen known for?
Smørrebrød, Danish pastries, pickled herring, frikadeller and red hot dogs from street stands.
Where should I eat in Copenhagen?
Indre By for smørrebrød, Vesterbro for dinner and Torvehallerne for a quick lunch.
Is food expensive in Copenhagen?
Yes. Lunch is the best value. Bakeries and street stands are the cheaper options.
Do I need to book in Copenhagen?
For dinner and popular smørrebrød lunches, yes. Bakeries and the food hall take walk-ins.
What is smørrebrød?
An open sandwich on dark rye with a topping such as herring, beef or egg and shrimp.