Since I’ve been living in Copenhagen for a little over six months now, I’ve put together this list of my favorite places to eat in the Danish capital.
This is not a list of “the best restaurants” or a Michelin guide or anything like that. It’s more of a personal list of places to eat in Copenhagen—a curated selection that shouldn’t disappoint you. I’ll include cafés, restaurants, bakeries, food stalls; basically anything that sells food.
But one thing is common in all these places: they all sell excellent food. I’ve tried every single one personally; I’d go back anytime, and I’d happily take friends or family there. Which I actually do—whenever someone visits us in Copenhagen, we take them to one of these places, and we’ve never had a single complaint.
Depending on your budget and what you’re craving in the moment, you’ll surely find something on this list that can give you an unforgettable foodie moment in Copenhagen.
These places are listed in no particular order. I split them into two sections: first, places within the touristy city center, and then a second section with places a bit further out. But I love them all, and the order they appear in has nothing to do with how good they are.
Places to Eat in Copenhagen City Center
Let’s start with the city center where most tourists head when visiting the Danish capital. All these places are basically just a few of steps away from the most popular sights you’ll visit anyway.
Gasoline Grill
Gasoline Grill is probably the most famous burger chain in Copenhagen, especially among tourists—and they really do serve one of the best burgers in the city. They have several locations throughout Copenhagen, one even at the airport.
HAV at TorvehallerneKBH
TorvehallerneKBH (the food market) is a foodie heaven in itself with plenty of options. One of our favorites here is HAV. They sell fresh fish and seafood at one counter, and delicious salads and ready-to-eat food next door.
Glean
You can find Glean in various locations, one of them is at the same Torvehallerne market, in the other glass hall opposite HAV. They only sell two famous Danish desserts—but in my opinion, they make the best versions:
- Flødebolle – chocolate-coated marshmallow treats in several flavors.
- Træstammer – marzipan-covered, tree-trunk shaped treats with an inside that reminds me of rum balls.
Their products are gluten-free and milk-free, yet they taste even better than the originals.
mother’s Pizza
At mother (intentionally with a lowercase m), they make really good pizza in an authentic wood-fired oven. Also their antipasti are excellent. The pizza dough here is one of the best I’ve tried. I’m not saying it’s the best pizza in Copenhagen, but it’s definitely worth a try if you’re craving good Italian food.
They have a couple of locations in or near the touristic city center. One near Kongens Nytorv, and the other in the trendy Meatpacking District, Kødbyen.
My favorite pizza here is Massimo, with roast potatoes, Italian sausage and pesto.
Comé RICE Kitchen
Comé RICE Kitchen is also located in Kødbyen, one of the trendiest food scenes in Copenhagen, behind the main railway station, København H.
By local standards, the prices are surprisingly reasonable for their Japanese-inspired dishes—onigiris and more—each with a modern twist.
Warpigs
Warpigs is another favorite place in Kødbyen. Here you’ll find a large selection of draft beers and really good barbecue. I also recommend this place if you’re with a larger group—the huge tables easily seat eight or more people. One thing though, it’s so popular that in high season it can be difficult to find a free table.
A Great Organic Hot Dog Stand
Copenhagen is full of hot dog stands, and honestly, most of them sell a pretty good hot dog. Our favorite, however, is the one called den økologiske pølsemand (The Organic Sausage Man). As the name suggests, this one sells organic food and some exciting, really tasty sausages. You’ll usually find them in the middle of Copenhagen’s famous pedestrian street, Strøget, next to Helligaandskirken church.
COFFEE CLUB CPH
COFFEE CLUB CPH, at the 5th floor of Magasin du Nord at Kongens Nytorv, serves my favorite coffee in Copenhagen. At least to my taste—’cause I know this is subjective. But their coffee is nicely strong, and it’s basically the only place so far where a cappuccino actually reminds me of what they serve in Italy.
It’s also a great spot to spend half an hour in the middle of sightseeing as it’s actually located in the heart of the touristic center, just a few steps from the famous colorful houses of Nyhavn.
Dalle Valle All You Can Eat
Dalle Valle is one of the more affordable ways to get a full meal in Copenhagen. It’s a buffet-style all-you-can-eat restaurant, don’t expect Michelin-star quality. But given the circumstances, the food is very good, and since it’s all you can eat, you’re guaranteed not to leave hungry.
They have a restaurant in the city center, opposite Tivoli’s entrance. The other location is a bit outside, in Field’s shopping center, two train stops from the airport.
Going Further Out
Andersen Bakery
I always rant that in Copenhagen, the best bakeries tend to be outside the city center. Andersen is one of them, with two locations in the city. Check out my article about them, and you can also read what I wrote about the best cardamom bun in Copenhagen, which is made here.
H.U.G. Bakery (gluten-free)
H.U.G. isn’t that far from the city center (two bus stops from Nørreport and TorvehallerneKBH), and it’s easily the best gluten-free bakery in the city. If you avoid gluten, milk, or eggs, you can still enjoy dozens of different treats here.
You can find gluten-free cardamom buns at H.U.G., for example. That’s a big deal, because cardamom buns are one of the most Danish pastries out there, and if you’re gluten-free, I don’t know another place right now where you can try them.
Smash N’ Eat
My favorite burger in Copenhagen. Period.
Both Smash N’ Eat restaurants are about a 15-minute metro or train ride from the city center, but they’re well worth it.
Izumi Sushi
Izumi Sushi in Frederiksberg is a great place with a huge selection of sushi and a wide range of Asian-style small bites. They have an ad libitum (all you can eat) option where you really can try the whole menu without going broke.
Løjtehus Restaurant
If you want real, authentic Danish food, family-owned Løjtehus Restaurant is the place you have to visit. It’s outside Copenhagen, not too far from the airport, and they’re definitely not aiming for tourists. But it doesn’t get much more local than this.
Juno the Bakery
I think Juno the Bakery is probably the most famous bakery in Copenhagen. They make perfect bread and pastries, no question—but they’re outside the main touristy area, and the line is usually huge during their limited opening hours.
I don’t always think it’s worth the hassle, but their products are amazing. If you want to explore a typical Copenhagen neighborhood where not many tourists go, and you’re up for waiting in line for up to an hour, you might want to include them on your trip.
Got Any More Ideas?
This list is never really complete. As I keep exploring the food scene in Copenhagen, I’ll add any place that feels interesting and truly worth including.
If you don’t see a restaurant, café, bakery, etc. here, it doesn’t mean it isn’t good. I might just not have tried it yet. Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions for places to add to this list.
