With its colorful townhouses, cozy cafés, and free-wheeling bike culture, the Danish capital of Copenhagen simply overflows with “hygge” – the Danish word for the sense of coziness that makes visitors feel right at home! A delightfully walkable (and bikeable!) city laced with picturesque canals, and excellent fashion, Copenhagen had me charmed at every turn!
While renowned as a design and sustainability leader, Copenhagen has been an important Scandinavian hub for over a millennium. Founded in the 10th century as a Viking fishing village, it grew into a prosperous merchant center in the Middle Ages. You can still see remnants of its gilded past in the historic city core of Indre By, home to the iconic Frederiks Kirke (Marble Church) the stately Christiansborg and Amalienborg palace complexes!
Copenhagen’s stellar attractions run the gamut from the iconic Little Mermaid statue and Hans Christian Anderson’s grave to the ultra-modern design showcases of Designmuseum Danmark. You can’t miss Tivoli Gardens, a breathtaking historic amusement park offering rollercoasters, gardens, as well as concerts. Art lovers will want to spend time at the National Gallery housed in a striking modern building, while families will go wild at the Copenhagen Zoo.
Food is a huge draw for visitors to Copenhagen too. You’ll find exceptional new Nordic cuisine featuring imaginative seasonal Danish fare using foraged local ingredients. From Michelin-starred meccas like Noma to humble hot dog stands selling iconic red hotdogs topped with remoulade, crispy fried onions & pickles, there’s something for every taste. And it wouldn’t be a trip to Copenhagen without sampling hyper-hygge treats like warm cardamom buns, flaky kringles and scrumptious æbleskiver (spherical pancake puffs). If it’s your first time in Copenhagen, you’ll want to grab pastries and brunch at Juno the Bakery, Lille Grocery, Atelier September! For lunch, have some bites at Bottega Barlie, Villette, Palægade or the Hercules Pavillion Café located in the King’s Garden! The days are long in the summer, so head to La Banchina to grab a bottle of wine and hang by the water for a sauna + cold plunge (you’ll need to make reservations for the sauna in advance!). For dinner head to Bæst or ITALO DISCO for Italian or a more Danish experience, Barr, Kødbyens Fiskebaren, or Vækst! And be sure to grab cocktails or wine at Alchemist, Vivant, Duck & Cover, or Laban afterward! 
To Eat:
- Noma – Chef René Redzepi’s legendary restaurant helped redefine modern Nordic cuisine and remains one of the most sought-after dining experiences in the world. The multi-course tasting menu is wildly inventive, deeply seasonal, and nearly impossible to book — especially now that the restaurant is nearing the end of its current chapter.
- Esmée – A stylish French brasserie with a distinctly Nordic touch, serving elegant classics in a beautiful, buzzing dining room. Great for long dinners, natural wine, and people watching.
- Nimb Brasserie -Located at the entrance of Tivoli Gardens, this elegant French brasserie blends classic European dining with Copenhagen sophistication. Perfect for a leisurely lunch or dinner before wandering Tivoli.
- *Barr – Set right on Copenhagen’s waterfront, Barr delivers hearty Nordic-inspired cuisine in one of the city’s most beautiful dining rooms. The beef tartare, veal, chicken, and iconic hasselback potatoes are all unforgettable.
- *Restaurant Møntergade – One of the best places in Copenhagen to try traditional Danish cuisine in a cozy, refined setting. Come for classic smørrebrød and comforting Nordic dishes done exceptionally well.
- *Bæst – Everything here is made entirely from scratch, from the sourdough pizzas to the house-made mozzarella and cured meats. Casual, cool, and consistently considered one of the best pizza spots in the city.
- *Gasoline Grill – A cult-favorite burger spot operating out of a former gas station. Simple, greasy, and unbelievably good — many locals will tell you it’s the best burger in Copenhagen.
- Kødbyens Fiskebaren – A sleek seafood restaurant located in Copenhagen’s former Meatpacking District, serving incredibly fresh fish and oysters in an industrial-chic setting. Great for wine, seafood towers, and late dinners.
- *Villette – A charming spot for brunch, lunch, or natural wine and small plates in the evening. The cozy patio and relaxed atmosphere make it an easy place to linger for hours.
- Fleisch – Part butcher shop, part restaurant, Fleisch is known for its meat-focused menu and intimate atmosphere in the Meatpacking District. Rustic, unfussy, and perfect for carnivores.
- Formel B – One of Copenhagen’s longstanding Michelin-starred restaurants, serving refined Danish cuisine in a warm, understated setting. Elegant without feeling overly formal.
- *ILUKA – A beautiful seafood-focused restaurant championing sustainable Scandinavian fish and shellfish. The menu feels elevated yet approachable, highlighting ingredients sourced from the waters surrounding Copenhagen.
- Geranium – Copenhagen’s world-famous three Michelin-starred restaurant offering an ultra-refined tasting menu experience with sweeping city views from the 8th floor. Every course feels more like art than dinner.
- Mother – One of the city’s favorite casual pizza spots, serving organic sourdough pizzas, natural wine, and cocktails in the heart of the Meatpacking District. Always lively and great for groups.
- Hallernes Smørrebrød – A must for classic Danish open-faced sandwiches piled high with fresh seafood, roast beef, pickled vegetables, and herbs. Located inside one of Copenhagen’s iconic food halls.
- Høst (at Cofoco Hotel) -A beautifully designed Nordic restaurant with rustic interiors, candlelight, and seasonal contemporary cuisine. One of the best spots to experience Copenhagen’s signature cozy dining atmosphere.
- *Bottega Barlie -A relaxed all-day spot that works equally well for breakfast, lunch, wine, or dinner. The outdoor seating and extensive wine list make it especially popular on warm evenings.
- *ITALO DISCO – A cozy little Italian restaurant with a fun atmosphere, excellent pasta, and great energy. It’s intimate, casual, and one of those places you’ll want to return to more than once.
- *Les Trots Cochons (at Cofoco Hotel) – A longtime Copenhagen favorite serving rustic French country cooking inside a bright former butcher shop. Great for lunch, steak frites, and wine with friends.
- *à Terre (located at the Sanders Hotel) – Located inside the Sanders Hotel, this elegant fine dining restaurant blends French technique with Nordic ingredients through an elevated tasting menu experience. Sophisticated but understated.
- Palægade – One of the best places in Copenhagen for beautifully executed smørrebrød at lunch, with both traditional and modern interpretations of the Danish classic. Dinner shifts into a more refined Scandinavian supper experience.
- Mangia – A stylish Italian restaurant serving comforting pastas and excellent wine in a lively candlelit setting. Cozy, chic, and consistently difficult to leave.
- Paté Paté – A hip all-day restaurant in the Meatpacking District blending French, Spanish, and Moroccan influences. Great for shared plates, wine, and long relaxed dinners.
- Radio – A modern Danish restaurant focused on seasonality, local ingredients, and beautifully simple cooking. The atmosphere feels intimate and very Copenhagen in the best way.
- *Restaurant Lev – A Michelin Guide favorite where Japanese and Italian influences come together seamlessly in creative, beautifully plated dishes. Stylish, modern, and tucked near Rosenborg Castle Gardens.
- *Rufino Osteria -A rustic Italian restaurant known for fresh handmade pasta and classic comfort dishes served in a warm, intimate setting. It feels authentic, cozy, and effortlessly charming.
- Bacon Egg & Cheese – Started by a New Yorker craving a taste of home, this spot serves NYC-inspired deli classics and breakfast sandwiches in Copenhagen. Check Instagram for pop-ups and collaborations.
- Cofoco – An airy basement venue with an upbeat vibe serving inventive Nordic food with a Mediterranean edge!
- Vækst – A stunning greenhouse-inspired restaurant serving elevated Nordic dishes beneath hanging plants and glass ceilings. Their preset multi-course dinner is one of the better value fine dining experiences in the city.
- *Harry’s Place – A legendary no-frills hot dog stand a bit north of the city center. Simple, cheap, and widely considered one of the best hot dogs in Copenhagen.
- Llama – A vibrant Latin American restaurant serving ceviches, tacos, and excellent pisco sours in a colorful underground space. Fun, energetic, and perfect for groups.
- *Gro Eatery – A rooftop farm-to-table restaurant hidden above Østerbro, serving seasonal Nordic dishes inside a cozy greenhouse. With communal dining and produce grown right upstairs, it’s one of Copenhagen’s most unique meals.
- Fabro – A candlelit neighborhood trattoria serving soulful handmade pasta, natural wine, and simple Italian dishes done incredibly well. Cozy, cool, and one of the city’s hardest reservations to snag.
Coffee + Bakery:
- *Conditori La Glace – Copenhagen’s oldest pastry shop has been serving elegant cakes and Danish desserts since 1870. Stepping inside feels like traveling back in time, and grabbing a slice of cake here is an absolute must.
- *Skt. Peders Bager – One of Copenhagen’s most beloved bakeries, known for its cozy atmosphere and incredible cinnamon and cardamom buns. A perfect stop for a slow Scandinavian breakfast and coffee.
- *Juno the Bakery – Opened by a former Noma pastry chef, this tiny corner bakery consistently draws long lines for some of the best pastries in Copenhagen. Everything is incredible, but the cardamom buns are legendary for a reason.
- *Atelier September – A minimalist, bohemian-style café serving beautiful vegetarian brunch dishes, pastries, and specialty coffee. The blueberry pancakes alone are worth planning an entire morning around.
- Granola – A charming old-school café with vintage interiors, excellent coffee, and classic brunch fare. It feels effortlessly Copenhagen in the best way.
- *Lille Grocery – Located in Refshaleøen, this beloved bakery is known for exceptional sourdough breads, pastries, and seasonal baked goods made with organic grains. Rustic, cozy, and absolutely worth the trip.
- Mirabelle – A beautiful neighborhood bakery and café serving some of the city’s best pastries and breads. Don’t leave without trying the sourdough croissant.
- *Original Coffee (at the Illum Café) – Located atop the Illum department store, this rooftop café offers excellent coffee alongside incredible views over Stork Fountain and Højbro Plads. A perfect mid-shopping coffee stop.
- Mad & Kaffe – A bright and cozy brunch café known for customizable breakfast plates, quality coffee, and delicious pastries. One of the city’s best casual brunch spots.
- Torvehallererne Market – Copenhagen’s iconic covered food market filled with bakeries, coffee stands, local produce, gourmet snacks, and Danish specialties. Perfect for wandering, snacking, and building your own lunch.
- Leckerbaer – A chic little pastry and cookie shop specializing in beautifully crafted desserts, gourmet cookies, and excellent coffee. Small but incredibly charming.
- Ro Chokolade – An artisan chocolatier serving handmade chocolates, drinking chocolate, ice cream, and beautifully packaged sweets. Perfect for an afternoon treat or gift stop.
- Meyers Bageri – A staple of Copenhagen’s bakery scene where breads and pastries are baked fresh daily using freshly milled flour. Simple, traditional, and consistently excellent.
- Café Det Vide Haus – A cozy café known for coffee, pastries, and their famous artisan popsicles. Great for a casual stop while exploring the city.
- Prolog Coffee – One of Copenhagen’s best specialty coffee spots, tucked into the Meatpacking District with outdoor seating and a cool industrial feel. Excellent espresso and ice cream sandwiches, too.
- *The Coffee Collective – One of the city’s most respected coffee roasters with multiple locations around Copenhagen. Minimalist interiors, expertly brewed coffee, and consistently great pastries.
- Ipsen & Co. – A stylish neighborhood brasserie café serving breakfast, lunch, juices, cakes, and excellent coffee. Relaxed, welcoming, and ideal for a long brunch.
- Sonny – A bright daytime café serving homemade breakfasts, baked cakes, specialty coffee, and healthy lunch plates. The atmosphere feels effortlessly relaxed and local.
- *Buka -A modern Scandinavian bakery serving beautiful pastries, breads, espresso, wine, and beer all day long. Stylish interiors and excellent baked goods make this a favorite.
- A.C. Perchs Thehandel – A historic tea shop dating back to 1835, offering one of the largest tea selections in the city. The old-world interiors and traditional tea service make it feel incredibly special.
- Format Café – A stylish café tucked inside the Designmuseum Denmark serving coffee, pastries, and light brunch dishes. Perfect for pairing with a museum visit.
- *Hart Bageri – Richard Hart’s cult-favorite bakery has become one of Copenhagen’s most iconic pastry destinations. The sourdough breads and cardamom croissants are absolutely next level.
- Rug Bakery (in Villa Copenhagen Hotel) -Located inside Villa Copenhagen, Rug serves refined Nordic pastries and breads in a sleek, design-forward setting. Great for coffee and breakfast before exploring the city.
- Andersen & Maillard – A stylish pastry shop and coffee roastery known for beautifully crafted viennoiseries, cakes, and expertly brewed coffee. Modern, elegant, and incredibly photogenic.
- Ø12 – A bright minimalist brunch café serving avocado toast, shakshuka, pastries, and quality coffee. Healthy, stylish, and always packed with locals.
- Llama – While primarily known as a lively Latin American dinner spot, Llama also serves fantastic cocktails and colorful interiors that make it worth stopping by anytime.
- Gro Eatery – A unique rooftop greenhouse restaurant focused on seasonal Nordic cooking and hyper-local ingredients. Loved this family style experience! One of Copenhagen’s most charming hidden gems.
- Fabro – A cozy candlelit Italian trattoria serving soulful handmade pasta and natural wine in a relaxed neighborhood setting. Intimate, stylish, and one of the city’s most beloved dinner spots.
To Drink:
- *Alchemist – Unique cocktail bar offering an immersive experience & high-concept dishes, plus a robust wine list!
- Mikkeller & Friends – Trendy hangout serving draft artisan ales from Mikkeler & other micro-breweries.
- *Duck & Cover – A small cocktail bar focusing on local spirits and ingredients with mid-century decor and rotating, seasonal menus!
- *Vivant – Hip natural wine bar!
- Brus – Trendy, industrial brewpub featuring classic comfort food & a robust selection of craft beer.
-
Ved Stranden 10 – A tranquil corner bar serving and selling wine to patrons and like-minded since 2009. Situated in front of Holmens canal in a historic tea shop!
- The Jane – This bar is located in the heart of Copenhagen and offers both a cozy lounge atmosphere and an electric nightclub vibe.
- The Barking Dog
- Lidkoeb – A cocktail bar with two floors of cocktails and the top floor is a whisky bar.
- *Balderdash – a cozy cocktail bar nestled in the center of the oldest neighborhood in Copenhagen serving whimsical but innovative classic cocktails and a “hygge” atmosphere.
- *Tata Cocktail Bar – Located in the ground level of Hotel Sanders.
- Laban – cozy wine bar located in Copenhagen’s meatpacking district!
- No Stress Bar – A laid-back cocktail bar with a cheeky name, slinging expertly mixed drinks in a cozy, dimly lit space with a retro vibe.
- Barkowski – A moody, Bukowski-themed bar with an old-school dive feel, serving strong drinks, cheap beers, and a slice of literary attitude.
- Din Nye Ven – A low-key neighborhood bar with a warm, indie vibe—think board games, affordable drinks, and a living room atmosphere.
- Apotek 47 – A stylish cocktail bar housed in a former pharmacy, serving up inventive, herbal-forward drinks in a chic and intimate setting.
- Bambi – A trendy bar and natural wine spot with playful design and a buzzy crowd, perfect for a stylish pre-dinner drink in the Meatpacking District or casual late-night vibe.
- Warpigs – A sprawling brewpub in the Meatpacking District known for its American-style BBQ, bold house-brewed beers, and a fun, industrial atmosphere.
- DONDA – A vibrant bar with a playful, tropical-meets-Mexico City vibe, known for bold cocktails, DJs, and a fashionable, late-night crowd.
- *Ruby – One of Copenhagen’s most acclaimed cocktail bars, Ruby blends classic elegance with creative mixology in a cozy townhouse setting just off the canal.
- Balderdash – A quirky cocktail bar where boundary-pushing drinks meet eccentric décor—think smoked butter-washed spirits and cocktails served in hollowed books.
- Bar Deco – Stylish and intimate, Bar Deco specializes in precise, elegant cocktails served in an Art Deco-inspired space with a touch of old-world glamour.
- Dandy – A buzzy cocktail lounge with sleek interiors and a lively vibe, great for starting the night with drinks and music in the city center.
To Do:
- Visit the Tivoli Gardens, a 19th-century amusement park with antique roller coasters
- Visit The Happiness Museum
- Picnic at the King’s Garden
- take in Grundtvig’s Church
- Experience Hans Christian Andersen’s House
- Take a sauna & dip at La Banchina – a must!
- See the changing of the guards at Amalienborg – the Queens’s Palace!
- Shopping:
- *Illums Bolighus – A department store with lots of Danish designers
- Filippa K – menswear
- *NN07 – One of my favorite menswear brands, and they’re based in Copenhagen!
- *Les Deus – A favorite menswear shop! A few stores in the city
- The Apartment – Furniture shop
- *Lagune – A curated menswear shop
- *Motorious – A rugged, Americana-inspired menswear boutique (Meatpacking district)
- Naked Copenhagen – A sneaker and streetwear haven
- *Storm – Cool store, local designers & fragrances
- *Henrik Vibskov – Danish designer for men & women
- *Georg Jenson – jewelry & home goods
- Mads Nørgaard – Menswear & women’s fashion
- *mfpen – menswear classics
- *Beau Marché – home goods store serving coffee with a wine bar
- Stilleben – Home goods
- Normann Copenhagen – Scandinavian home goods
- Norse Projects – Menswear
- Another Aspect – Menswear
- Deerest Copenhagen – Menswear
- Hay House – Scandinavian-designed home goods
- Keramiker Inge Vincents – handcrafted ceramics
- *Royal Copenhagen Flagship Store – Chinaware
- *Grocery – A great selection of Scandinavian menswear
- *Goods – good brand (in pretty area)
- Game & Gun – Elevated hunting apparel
- New Mags – Curated coffee table books
- Visit the Hill House musem
- See the city from the water on a Canal Tour
- Visit the Tage Andersen Gallery
- Reffen Food Hall – fun outdoor food market 15/20 min outside of the city on the river
- walk up the Round Tower
- see Hans Christian Anderson’s Grave
- *visit the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art – Notable one of the best museums in Copenhagen! Worth the 40-minute trip, if you can spare the time or make an afternoon out of it!
To Stay:
- *Sanders Hotel – This elegant boutique hotel is situated in a historic building and is tucked away on a small quiet street. While still being centrally located, it boasts being on the Michelin Guide for best hotels and has one of Copenhagen’s best cocktail bars TATA on its ground floor.
- Hotel SP34 – Possibly the most luxurious hipster hotel you’ll find in Copenhagen! Hotel SP34 is a trendy 4+ star luxury boutique hotel set in the hippest neighborhood – the Latin Quarter!
- Hotel d’Angleterre – Established in 1755, the 5-star Hotel d’Angleterre is an icon and a historic landmark in Copenhagen centrally located right on the King’s New Square.
- *Copenhagen Admiral – Copenhagen Admiral Hotel is a four-star hotel located in the heart of Copenhagen between theatres, the city’s best shopping, and the biggest tourist attractions. From the hotel, there is a view of the waterfront, the Opera House, and the Playhouse, while Amalienborg Castle, The Little Mermaid, the impressive Gefion Fountain, and Amaliehaven are less than one minute away.
- *Villa Copenhagen – Experience a hotel stay like no other at Villa Copenhagen. Located in the heart of Copenhagen, this gorgeous hotel in officially opened on 1st of July 2020. The 390-room villa is housed in the old Danish Central Post and Telegraph office and boasts a stunning Neo-Baroque architecture that will take your breath away.
- Coco Hotel – Copenhagen’s boutique hideaway Coco Hotel is very Danish– with its bold design choices and hygge attitude, oh-so-cool Vesterbro setting, and bikes to borrow – but it’s cherry-picked Paris’s chicest traits, too. Its bistro has a striped awning and leafy interior courtyard, the bar has more than 150 cult and niche wines (largely French), and the food has a Gallic feel. So, a stay here is like taking two cosmopolitan trips in one!
With its seamless blend of old-world charm, cutting-edge architecture, and sustainability, Copenhagen is a well-rounded gem of a city that keeps you returning to uncover more of its hygge-filled wonders. Just don’t forget to rent a bike to experience this cycle-centric hub like the jovial locals do. Have you been to Copenhagen yet? You’ll have to let me know what your favorite things were that you did while there!
Stay Risky,
– John
