What to Eat in Copenhagen
Smørrebrød (open sandwiches)
The Danish lunch classic. Buttered dark rye bread (rugbrød) topped with pickled herring, roast beef with remoulade, fried plaice, salad, egg, or shrimp. Eat 2–3 pieces per meal. Cost DKK 85–130 per piece (~€11–17).
Where: Proper smørrebrød lunch spots (e.g. Schønnemann at Hauser Plads, est. 1877; Selma on Rømersgade). Or market stalls at Torvehallerne.
Pastries and breakfast
Kanelsnegl (cinnamon roll, spiral with icing): DKK 25–45. Tebirkes (flaky pastry with poppy seeds): DKK 30–40. Cardamom bun (spiced dough, sugar): DKK 30–35. Buy fresh from a bakery (08:00–09:00, queues form). Coffee DKK 35–50.
Where: Any bakery (Juno, Hart Bageri, local branches on Store Kongensgade, Århusgade).
Hot dogs (pølser)
Street classic. Red pork sausage (rød pølse) in a short bun with sweet mustard, ketchup, remoulade, raw diced onions, crispy fried onions. DKK 35–50 (~€5–7). Standing order, eat while walking.
Where: John’s Hotdog outside Central Station (Bernstorffsgade 18), or any street cart.
Main courses (dinner)
Flæskesteg: Roasted pork with thick, crackly skin, red cabbage, boiled potatoes. The homely classic. DKK 150–250 (~€20–33).
Frikadeller: Pan-fried meatballs (pork + veal mix). Often with parsley sauce, pickled cucumber, boiled potatoes. DKK 120–200.
Fresh fish: Plaice (flynder, fried), halibut, salmon. Often served with lemon and potatoes. Varies by season and availability.
Where: Casual restaurants in Vesterbro (Kødbyen meatpacking district), Nørrebro, or neighbourhoods. Budget DKK 150–350 (~€20–47).
Food markets and food tours
Torvehallerne (Frederiksborggade, near Nørreport): Glass-roofed twin market halls, 60+ food stalls. Smørrebrød vendors, pastries, fresh fish, cheese, coffee. Eat standing or take away.
Reffen (Refshaleøen island, summer only May–September): Outdoor food court, street food, craft beer, live music. 20 min by metro (M3 to Refshaleøen).
Food tour (€120, 3 h, 6+ tastings): Guide Mariann, tastings at Torvehallerne, Strøget area, pastries, smørrebrød, street food, 2 drinks included. Or original food tour (€119, 4 h, 8 tastings, est. 2011, ends "a full meal’s worth").
Sweets and hygge
Chocolate and candy: Nørrebro Havn has chocolate shops. Magasin department store (Strøget) has Danish sweets.
Lakrids: Salty liquorice is a Danish/Scandinavian thing. Some love it, some find it bizarre. Try it once.
Schnapps (snaps): Danish/Scandinavian caraway-flavoured spirit. Served ice-cold in small glasses with food. Acquired taste.
Practical tips
Usually included
- Lunch is 11:30–13:00 — restaurants fill up then. Dinner starts 17:30–18:00, most diners done by 19:30.
- Tap water is free: Ask for agua in restaurants; ice water at cafés. Locals drink tap water (it’s excellent).
- No tipping expected. Service is included in the price. Rounding up is fine; tipping is not required.
- Cash barely used. Almost all places accept cards; bring Visa/Mastercard.
- Restaurant menus in English. English fluency near-universal; no language barrier.
Start with smørrebrød lunch and a kanelsnegl from a bakery. Take the food tour (€120) for a deeper dive, or DIY at Torvehallerne. Skip fancy New Nordic on first visit; eat local (hot dogs, pølser, pastries) — that’s where the real Copenhagen food is.
Frequently asked questions
What is smørrebrød?
Open-faced rye-bread sandwich with toppings (herring, roast beef, fried fish, salad, egg). Eat 2–3 pieces per meal. Cost DKK 85–130 per piece (~€11–17). The Danish lunch classic.
What's a must-try Danish food?
Smørrebrød, hot dogs (pølser with remoulade), pastries (kanelsnegl cinnamon rolls), flæskesteg (roast pork). All cheap and tasty; skip expensive Michelin restaurants on first visit.
Where should I eat in Copenhagen?
Torvehallerne market for lunch (smørrebrød, pastries). Street carts for hot dogs (DKK 35–50). Casual restaurants in Vesterbro or Nørrebro for dinner (DKK 150–350). Food tour (€120) for a guided experience.
How much does dinner cost?
Casual restaurant: DKK 150–250 (~€20–33). Mid-range sit-down: DKK 300–500 (~€40–67). Upscale: DKK 600+ (~€80+). No tipping expected; service included.
Should I take a food tour?
Yes (€120, 3 h, 6+ tastings, includes drinks). Or DIY: bakery breakfast + Torvehallerne lunch + casual dinner. Both work; tours are more thorough.