Where to eat in Copenhagen: Traditional Danish food

My first entry about places to eat in Copenhagen needs to focus on traditional Danish cuisine, as it is the most typical food of the area. From old dark pubs serving farm-style food to delicate restaurants with a refined take on Danish traditionals, make sure you have a taste of Danish specialties when you visit the city. If you are not familiar with traditional Danish dishes, you may want to have a look at this dedicated post:

→ Danish specialties: most representative dishes of traditional Danish cuisine

Traditional Danish food in Copenhagen

Budget

Traditional Danish cuisine, unlike New Nordic, has more reasonable prices. In Puk you can taste a more farm-style food, while Det Lille Apotek showcases the most iconic dishes, like flæskesteg or marinated herrings. If you are ready to leave the center, visit Dyrehaven in Vesterbro for a cozy atmosphere and delicious Danish specialties.

The assorted Danish traditional dishes at Det Lille Apotek

If your budget is even tighter, there are some options to taste Danish food in a fast-but-good food range. The most budget-friendly is the pølser, or Danish sausage, mostly found in trucks around the city. Try the Danish hot dogs at Den kologiske Pølsemand (DØP), a truck focused on ecologic sausages, or John’s Hotdog Deli. Check out Isted Grill for a delicious and cheap flæskesteg sandwich and Grisen for Danish-style burgers and sandwiches, also at a very low price.

Mid-range

If you want to step up your game, visit Øl and Brød (CLOSED) for smørrebrød or Restaurant Palægade for classic Danish cuisine in the city center. Other options include the lunch plates at Restaurant Schønemann or the seasonal dishes at Restaurant Kronborg.

The delicious take on rød grød med flode at Restaurant Palægade Photo credit: Marie Louise Munkegaard

Luxury

Traditional Danish food is typically humble, but it also can be brought to a higher level. That’s what restaurants like Almanak or Barr do, also in a delightful environment. For the most acclaimed smørrebrød visit Aamanns 1921 or its Aamanns Deli & Takeaway. Restaurant Koefoed or PONY (Temporarily closed) have an elegant take on the food of the Danish island of Bornholm.

A delicious takeaway smørrebrød tray at Aamanns. Photo credit: Columbus Leth

Closing statement

Even if you are in Denmark to have a taste of New Nordic cuisine, make sure you save some meals to enjoy traditional Danish cuisine. If it’s winter you will appreciate the warm and hearty feeling of Danish soups, stews and roasts. If it’s summer, smørrebrød and sandwiches may be a better fit with the sunny weather. Also, you’ll save some bucks!

Make sure you have a look at Feast of Travel’s other top picks for places to eat and drink in Copenhagen. You can also browse by category:

→ Where to eat in Copenhagen: New Nordic cuisine

→ Where to eat in Copenhagen: International food

→ Where to eat in Copenhagen: Breakfast and Brunch

→ Where to drink the best coffee in Copenhagen, Denmark

→ Copenhagen nightlife: Pubs, Wine bars and Clubs

Copenhagen has a lot to offer in the kitchen, but also much more! Have a look at our guide of Copenhagen and the day trips you can take while staying in the city:

→ Top 15 things to do in Copenhagen, Denmark

→ Day trips from Copenhagen: Top 9 excursions

If you’re interested in Copenhagen, you’ll probably like this one too:

→ North Jutland: a beginner’s guide to the North of Denmark

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