My favourite restaurants in Copenhagen for Nordic cuisine

Is Copenhagen a foodie city with amazing restaurants? You bet it is. For years, it was home to the most coveted reservation on the planet: Noma. And although the city is famous for its open-faced sandwiches and world-class pastries (which are reason enough to visit), something even more profound has been brewing in the Danish capital.

At the turn of the century, Nordic cuisine became a global obsession. It’s easy to see why: in a world of industrial food and changing climates, the idea of finding inspiration in one’s own backyard wasn’t just logical—it was delicious. This is exactly what the Danes mastered. In 2004, local celebrity chef Claus Meyer and a group of influential chefs published a manifesto on Nordic cuisine, emphasizing seasonal, ethical, and sustainable products. If you’ve ever eaten at a restaurant that champions “market cuisine” or “foraged ingredients,” you have this movement to thank.

But in a city this restless, the only constant is change. Here is my updated guide on where you should pull up a chair right now.

By the way, velbekomme means “Bon appétit” in Danish. You’ll be hearing it a lot!

The most popular restaurants in Copenhagen for Nordic cuisine

Grød

It’s all about oatmeal at this small take-away counter inside Torvehallerne… and not the boring kind. My top pick was the savoury Asian-inspired Congee (chicken, ginger, coriander & soy).

Reffen

The largest street food venue in the Nordics is located inside an old warehouse on a small island across the Royal Danish Playhouse. It houses 40 stalls and offers some of the most budget-friendly, genuine options in the city with a glorious waterfront terrace to boot.

Mirabelle Spiserìa

Christian Puglisi (the visionary behind BÆST) recently shed its “bakery-first” identity to become Mirabelle Spiserìa, and honestly? I might love it even more now. The vibe has shifted from a bustling bread counter to a sun-drenched, soulful Sicilian trattoria. While you can still snag their famous sourdough during what they call the “Lazy Bakery” hours in the afternoon, the real magic happens when you lean into the Sicilian roots. I recently sat by the window with a bowl of handmade pasta and a glass of Etna Rosso, and for a second, I forgot I was in Scandinavia.

La Banchina

La Banchina is a tiny, 14-seat outdoor eatery in an old boathouse with a wooden pier along the harbor at Refshaleøen, with a seafood-heavy offering complemented by natural wines and organic vegetable plates.

BÆST

Another great choice for significantly affordable restaurants in Copehagen, this time in Nørrebro! This Italian-owned pizzeria operates its very own dairy where they make burrata and ricotta and they even have a salumeria where they cure charcuterie.

Cofoco

With an acronym that stands for Copenhagen Food Collective, it’s no wonder Cofoco has made Danish cuisine the heart of its operations. Located in trendy Vesterbro, it features rustic yet elegantly-presented fare either à la carte or prix-fixe. They also have a dedicated vegeterian menu!

Vækst

Nearby on Sankt Peders Stræde, Cofoco’s sister restaurant focuses on fresh Nordic vegetables — with a perfectly seasoned side of meat or fish. The decor is centred around a beautiful greenhouse, stretching up through the restaurant’s two floors. 

Admiralgade 26

Now, this is a very special place. The corner building located right by the canals dates back to the late 1700s and is dotted with iconic Nordic-made chairs and tables. The decor is chic, yet bold with a mossy green wall and massive windows including one that opens onto the kitchen so you can spy the cooks hard at work. Head chef Jonas Hillgaard and his accolyte Genzo Miyata have created a Japanese-Danish fusion menu that is even more appetizing in person than on the Web; therefore, do not miss their Japanese-inspired breakfast!

Lille Bakery

Located in the post-industrial Refshaleøen area of Copenhagen, this cute and light-filled bakery/restaurant works exclusively with organic ingredients. Their classic sourdough sandwich is, indeed, a classic. If you have room in your luggage, make sure to get a jar of their iconic and oh-so-Nordic gooseberry chutney.

Vandvid

Welcome to Copenhagen’s floating restaurant! Located on a cosy houseboat in Sydhavnen, it features above all the most beautiful view of the canals and focuses on substainability. Food is prepared on the ship’s large wood stove; herbs are grown on the floating green garden.

Palægade

This is where you’ll get your fix of open-faced sandwiches, as they do serve the best smørrebrød in Copenhagen. And in true Danish form, the perfectly-designed space is dotted with classic Scandi furniture, bold checkered flooring and an impossibly cool vibe.

Apollo

This seasonal bistro is obviously a good choice for its farm-to-table Danish cuisine and its “joyful wines”, but really it’s the leafy courtyard that does the trick. Interior-wise is equally important, in this typical Danish-tall-ceiling, red-brick building that radiates with light despite its austere appearance. The bistro is adjacent to Charlottenburg Palace and is filled with thoughtful furniture and art pieces.

Nørrebro Bryghus

Even if you’re not a beer aficionado, this Copenhagen microbrewery is beyond a must. If only for the interior design! If you’re here for dinner, make sure to ask for the sampling menu, where each dish is expertly paired with one of their 10 homemade brews.