A dining guide for Copenhagen

Hot Take: Informality reigns in the Danish capital’s food scene, yet so does quality. From microbreweries to smørrebrød menus, each space felt considered and sophisticated without pretention.

Noma, Hay, and Hans Christian Anderson—the first things that might come to mind when you think of Copenhagen. Visit the landmarks, the Glyptotek, and take a canal tour, yet lest anyone says otherwise, the real superstar of Copenhagen is the food scene.

See our recommendations for dining out in Copenhagen below.

Fried fish with Greenland shrimp smørrebrød and snaps from Told & Snaps.

While a reservation for Noma remains elusive, the Noma-approved burger from Popl was tasty*.

*(Just at an exceptionally high price. The bill was $72 for one meat and one veggie burger, one side of fries, two drinks, and two chili mayos.)

Hyped-up pizza spot Baest can be skipped, but across the street is Brus, a casual craft brewhouse with contemporary Scandi design; recommended for a locals’ vibe.

For more informal, buzzy vibes and a weekend of day-drinking, the Meatpacking District is your destination. Schedule your cultural activities in the morning so you can spend a full afternoon soaking up this scene and beautiful-people-watching. Depending on your preference, check out the Texan barbecue spot Warpigs or Kodbyens Fiskebar for oysters and wine.

Restaurant Sanchez Copenhagen, the Mexican-American restaurant by Noma alum Rosio Sanchez, gets rave reviews from the LA Times, Michelin guide, and now, too, the Privee Nomad.

Chef created a four-course fusion menu that blends authentic Mexican flavors with Danish ingredients. The menu included fun items like pineapple butter, langoustine ceviche, and chocolate mousse with ancho chili crisp.

Pickled veggies at Norrlyst, awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin.

To discover Danish cuisine, go to Norrlyst for an exceptional menu and a high-end introduction to Scandi flavors. Think: fresh herbs, pickled veggies, and earthy flavors maximized with natural fats. Large mason jars of pickled veggies and whole garlic bulbs line the walls, serving as a reminder for how involved the kitchen is in each step of food prep. It was a sensory, satisfying meal that elevated seasonal ingredients.

Saving the best for last, the most classic Danish dish: the smørrebrød. There is only one place to go, and the locals would agree: Told & Snaps.

Directly translated as “butter bread” but known commonly as “open-faced sandwich,” this writer struggles with both translations. First, because it is nothing like a sandwich and has a lot more than butter going on its rye bread.

What is smorrebrod?

Smørrebrød is the typical Danish lunch; it features a slice of delicious dark bread filled with seeds that’s topped with a substantial serving of a protein; traditionally, pickled herring, shrimp, or smoked salmon. It’s then paired with an ice-cold beer or savory schnapps (snaps in Danish). While the bread is described as rye, it doesn’t have the strong flavor of caraway seeds.

Here comes the fun part: You don’t just eat one smorrebrod, you eat many. (Eight is the record in Told & Snaps), and if you dare, match a schnapps for each plate. There are about 30 different flavors available, from dill to horseradish to elderflower, all homemade by the team.

The perfect activity after a Told & Snaps lunch? Go for a leisurely boat ride offered at the harbor next door.

Check out more city recommendations for shopping, drinks, and art with the Privee Nomad Travel Guide: Copenhagen.

La Banchina, Copenhagen