Dining in Copenhagen

Selma is one of Copenhagen’s top restaurants. Michelin awarded it a Bib Gourmand for ‘exceptional food at moderate prices.’ It was the first-ever smørrebrød joint to win the prestigious accolade. Selma is superb for putting a contemporary twist on classic Danish dishes using creative toppings, including buckwheat and elderflower herring with crème fraîche.

The restaurant prides itself on being a contemporary Scandinavian restaurant. The menu constantly evolves and changes. However, the restaurant prides itself on respect, strong attention to detail, and a down-to-earth approach to hospitality.

Address: Rømersgade 20, 1103 København, Denmark

Website: https://selmacopenhagen.dk/

British baker Richard Hart opened Hart Bageri in 2018, and locals queued for over an hour to get the first bread. There’s a good reason for that. Richard Hart used to be the baker at Noma—the most popular restaurant in Copenhagen—before opening his own bakery. Moreover, he gained a following from working at the world-renowned Tartine in San Francisco.

You’ll find incredible baked goods and soft loaves of bread. The bakery has won various awards for its double-baked almond croissants. However, if you’re looking for other British classics, you can find Jaffa cakes and hot cross buns.

Address: Gl. Kongevej 109, 1850 Frederiksberg, Denmark

Website: https://hartbageri.com/

When foodies think of Denmark, they almost always think of Noma. This world-renowned restaurant is simply an experience to behold. If you manage to get a table here—which can be challenging—you’ll dine at a restaurant that won the first spot in the world’s best restaurant awards in 2021.

The restaurant initially opened in 2003, and it focused on invention, foraging, and interpretation of the New Nordic Cuisine. The head chef is René Redzepi, a Michelin-star chef with endless awards in the previous 20 years.

Address: Refshalevej 96, 1432 København K, Denmark

Website: https://noma.dk/

Reffen is the top organic street food market in Copenhagen. All of the stalls at this restaurant follow the sustainable rule of “reduce and reuse.” You’ll find more than 50-start ups at the market, offering bars, street food, and creative workshops.

Popular stalls at the Reffen Street Food Market include Blue Taco, a taco stand with delicious Mexican street food. The chef at this stall spent years traveling through Latin America, learning the cuisine, before bringing it back to Denmark. Crispy Pig is another excellent option with its delicious modern take on Danish street food. 

Address: Refshalevej 167 Unit A, 1432 København, Denmark

Website: https://reffen.dk/en/

Do you love seafood? Denmark is home to some of the world’s most delicious, fresh seafood, and Iluka is arguably Copenhagen’s best new seafood restaurant. Beau Clugston, one of Australia’s best chefs, runs the restaurant. Although Denmark has excellent seafood, the options can be limited, and Iluka makes up for that.

If you adore caviar, oysters, and sea urchins—you’ve found the best place. The best option at Iluka is the sea urchin from the Faroe Islands. The restaurant serves the urchin raw, in a shell, with a buttered slice of grilled sourdough. It’s an effortless dish, yet utterly superb.

Address: Peder Skrams Gade 15, 1054 København, Denmark

Website: https://iluka.com/home

Broens Gadekøkken, otherwise known as Bridge Street Kitchen, is a popular outdoor harbor-front market with some of the city's finest street food. You’ll find the market across the bridge from the notorious colorful houses of Nyhavn, and it’s an excellent alternative to the pricey restaurants along the Nyhavn canal.

The market includes over 12 stalls and 4 bars. As a result, the market has cuisine from every corner of the world. A popular option is the delicious Korean and Indian food stalls. You can find everything from Korean rice porridge with herbs or a fragrant Indian curry. Also, the market is home to French crepes topped with Belgian chocolate and salted caramel.

Address: Strandgade 95, 1401 København, Denmark

Website: https://broensgadekoekken.dk/en/

If you’re on a budget during your trip to Copenhagen, Harry’s Place is a superb option. Harry’s Place is a sausage cart that the locals have loved since 1965. You’ll find the sausage cart located in a cabin in Nørrebro. If you want to truly feel like a local, you should order a Børge. It’s a thick sausage that’s ideal for washing down with chocolate milk. 

What’s more, we recommend that you try the scrumptious roast pork sandwich or the meatball sandwich. Both options are very popular with visitors. Harry Löfvall founded the cabin in 1965. He was a trained sausage maker and became a culinary legend with the locals. Although the cart is under different ownership today, it’s still a must-visit for foodies in Copenhagen. 

Address: Nordre Fasanvej 269, 2200 København, Denmark

Website: https://harrysplace.dk/

Copenhagen is a popular destination for many travelers visiting Europe, and no wonder. This is a hub of fine dining and incredible street markets. Not only can you find limitless classic Danish cuisine, but glorious food from every corner of the planet.

Of all the incredible foodie destinations throughout Europe—Copenhagen is a strong contender.