When we visit a Copenhagen, besides admiring its architectural beauty and visiting its museums and most characteristic places, we cannot fail to discover its typical gastronomy. Tasting the local specialities is in fact another way to get to know this fascinating destination better. So here are 10 typical dishes that you absolutely cannot miss in Copenhagen!
1 - Smørrebrød
During your stay in Copenhagen, you absolutely cannot miss smørrebrød, the Danish version of the classic sandwich. It's an'open sandwich' consisting of a slice of rye bread, usually buttered, on which the tastiest and most varied ingredients are artfully arranged: eggs, shrimps, cheese, herring, salmon, pork, mayonnaise, tomatoes, lettuce and whatever else the imagination suggests. Excellent accompanied by aquavit or dark beer.
Recommended for: lunch, snack
Average cost: €4.00 to €9.00
Main ingredients: rye bread, butter, various seasonings
2 - Stegt flæsk
Photo by Christian Jensen. How not to try Denmark's national dish, officially elected by the Danes as the traditional recipe par excellence? Stegt flæsk is crispy pork accompanied by boiled potatoes and parsley sauce. A dish of ancient origins, it is very caloric and tasty. Pork used to be fried, but today it is generally baked in the oven and sliced bacon is used.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €13.00
Main ingredients: bacon, potatoes, parsley
3 - Frikadeller
Really delicious are the Frikadeller, pork meatballs flavoured with nutmeg, cinnamon and cooked in beer, which gives them a very pleasant slight bitter taste. Meatballs are also a traditional Danish dish and the first mention of Frikadeller in a cookbook dates back to 1280. These tasty morsels of meat are served with boiled potatoes flavoured with chopped parsley and a drizzle of oil.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00 (served with side dish)
Main ingredients: meat (beef and pork), black pepper, nutmeg, butter
4 - Wienerbrød
Not just savoury dishes. Copenhagen is also known for its exquisite desserts, among which the Wienerbrød, an absolute masterpiece of Danish pastry-making, deservedly stands out. The recipe, as the name suggests(Wienerbrød means'Vienna bread') was imported by some Austrian confectioners during the Danish bakers' strike of 1850. Never was the dispute more fruitful, as to this day the cake is considered one of the'musts' of Copenhagen gastronomy.
Recommended for: as a snack or dessert at the end of a meal
Average cost: €4.00 to €12.00
Main ingredients: flour, butter, almonds, sugar, brewer's yeast
5 - Røde Pølser
Street food is also all the rage in Denmark, where one of the most popular hot dogs in Copenhagen and beyond is called Røde Pølser. This very special variation of the famous American sandwich contains sauerkraut, cucumbers and all sorts of sauces in addition to the classic wurtsel. A real energy bomb, to be bought in the city's typical kiosks and enjoyed while strolling through the streets of Copenhagen.
Recommended for: as a replacement for lunch or dinner
Average cost: €4.00 to €7.00
Main ingredients: wurtsel, bread, sauerkraut, gherkins
6 - Æbleskiver
Photo by City Foodsters. Let's talk sweet treats again withæbleskiver, a typical Christmas 'dessert' but one that you can enjoy all year round in Copenhagen. These are fried apple-flavoured 'patties' that the Danes usually fry in a special frying pan; they are at their best when eaten hot, sprinkled with icing sugar!
Recommended for: as a dessert
Average cost: €3.00
Main ingredients: flour, apples, white yoghurt, brown sugar
7 - Kogt Torsk
Photo by Jorge de Andrés. Fish dishes are a mainstay of Copenhagen gastronomy. Among them, an honourable mention goes to Kogt Torsk, a very simple boiled cod dish, very popular in Denmark for its delicate flavour and lightness.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €13.00
Main ingredients: cod, water, vinegar, bay leaf
8 - Alesuppe
Soups are all the rage in Copenhagen. Whether they're made with meat, vegetables, fish or fruit (yes, there's even a sweet version, to dampen the "boredom" that hovers around this hot dish!), you can't stay in the capital without trying at least one. We suggest alesuppe, a tasty eel soup, one of the 'workhorses' of Danish cuisine.
Recommended for: lunch or dinner
Average cost: €13.00
Main ingredients: water, eels
9 - Aeggekage
Don't call them scrambled eggs! A staple of the Copenhagen brunch, aeggekage combines the classic bacon-egg combination with contrasting flavours from milk and potatoes. The aeggekage are an excellent accompaniment to salmon, bread and cheese, also ideal for those who want to approach an energy-packed breakfast.
Recommended for: breakfast, lunch
Average cost: €10.00 (to accompany other dishes)
Main ingredients: eggs, bacon, potatoes
10 - Grød
We close this top ten of representative Copenhagen dishes with Grød, a typical spoon dessert to be served after lunch or dinner that is very reminiscent of traditional English porridge. The full name of this little 'calorie bomb' is Rødgrød med Fløde, a veritable tongue-twister that tests the patience of tourists and triggers understandable hilarity among locals!
Recommended: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €11.00
Main ingredients: red fruits, sugar, fresh cream
Where to eat in Copenhagen: best restaurants, cafés and street food
Copenhagen menus usually feature dishes cooked with seasonal and local produce: the city loves to enjoy fresh food prepared with creativity and a desire to experiment. Danish cuisine is not the lightest, however, as onions, bacon, meat and high-calorie desserts are very popular. Locals love to eat out, either in the city's characteristic restaurants or strolling the streets enjoying excellent street food. In this regard, we can only mention the characteristic white vans, of which the city is full, serving exclusively Rode Polser (the street food par excellence in Denmark). Here's where to eat in Copenhagen!
1 - Noma
Description: an intimate and sophisticated restaurant with two Michelin stars, offering modern fusion cuisine.
Speciality: Nordic dishes revisited with suggestions of nouvelle cuisine
Average price: from €300.00 per person
Address: Get directions - Facebook page
2 - Restaurant Schoennemann
Description: Nordic restaurant with generous portions and reasonable prices.
Speciality: smørrebrød
Average price: from €50.00 per person
Address: Get directions - Facebook page
3 - La Galette
Description: French-run restaurant where you can enjoy international dishes in a relaxed atmosphere.
Speciality: savoury pancakes
Average price: from €10.00 per person
Address: Get directions - Facebook page
4 - Copenhagen street food
Description: a year-round, all-day open-air market where various food trucks and stalls serve dishes from all over the world
Speciality: street food
Average price: from €10.00 per person
Address: Get directions - Facebook page
5 - Bio Mio
Description: organic bistro in the most hypster area of Copenhagen
Speciality: organic and natural dishes
Average price: from €15,00 per person
Address: Get directions - Facebook page
6 - Torvehallerne
Description: Covered market where you can both shop and eat typical Danish specialities. Many bars and stands are dedicated especially to local pastries and craft beer.
Speciality: street food
Average price: from €10.00 per person
Address: Get directions
