Where to eat in Copenhagen: International food

As I have probably mentioned more than once in my many posts about Denmark, it is not the most budget-friendly country. However, if you know where to go, you can find good bang-for-the-buck restaurants. This is particularly true with international food in Copenhagen: burgers, pizzas, ramen… there are many options for those in a budget. If you are more flexible with prices, there are also plenty of opportunities to taste foods from around the world in the Danish capital. Here we go:

International food

Budget international food in Copenhagen

International food is probably where you can get your best bang for a buck in Copenhagen, since it is usually cheaper than its New Nordic counterpart. Whether it is burgers at Sliders, Gasoline Grill, Cock’s & Cows or Tommi’s Burger Joint; japanese at Ramen To Bíiru; italian at Neighborhood or Stefano’s Pizza; or healthy food at California Kitchen (CLOSED), 42RAW, Fætter Fætter (CLOSED) or Morgenstedet, you have many options to stay in a budget in the city.

Sliders: fast food made luxury

Mid-range international food in Copenhagen

If you are ready to spend a bit more, the options are limitless in Copenhagen. With food from every cuisine, some that stand out are, again, restaurants by Cofoco, such as Les Trois Cochons, with french inspiration; Jah Izakaya & Sake Bar for japanese; or Scarpetta for italian food.

Seafod platter at Les Trois Cochons. Photo credit: Chris Tonnesen.

Japanese delicacies can be found at Jah Izakaya & Sake Bar. Photo credit: Chris Tonnesen.

Other options are Bæst, a pizzeria from the Relæ chain with self-made organic products; or La Neta or Hija de Sánchez, two very popular taquerías. If you are looking for something out of the tourist eye, try out Osteria 16 in Vesterbro. This tiny italian restaurant, unlike many others, moves the focus away from pasta and pizza and makes a daily menu of antipasti (appetizers) of great quality for a reasonable price.

Have Taco Tuesdays at La Neta by the Mikkeller chain. Photo credit: Mikkeller

Luxury international food in Copenhagen

If you are happy to spend money on delicious food, have a look at Sticks’n’Sushi, a chain of japanese quality restaurants spread throughout the city. They have a wide variety of sushi and other japanese dishes, and very convenient menus to share depending on how many people your party has. Also, the presentation is on point. All of the establishments are fantastic, but visit Nansensgade for the original one, Istedgade for a laid-back dinner with friends or go to Tivoli Hotel’s Sticks’n’Sushi to pair a great meal with a fantastic view.

The “Fireworks” menu at Sticks’n’Sushi. A perfect way to taste the essence of Japan. Photo credit: Sticks’n’Sushi.

If you are more into Latin-American food, worry not! Have a look at Sánchez Cantina, the parent restaurant of Hija de Sánchez, also with Rosio Sánchez, a Noma alumnus, at the wheel. For italian, check out Era Ora, a michelin star bistro with top quality ingredients. For Asian, go to Kiin Kiin, where you’ll get an experience of Asian street food in a delicious tasting menu. For French, visit Kong Hans Kælder, the first restaurant in Copenhagen to get a Michelin star.

Sanchez is modelled after a Mexican cantina and uses both Mexican and New Nordic flavours. Photo credit: Jason Loucas.

If Danes are good at something is at cooking with local ecologic produce. An example is Gemyse, a vegetable-based restaurant that uses vegetables in an interesting and delicious experience. Gro Spiseri is an experience in itself, made by people with different backgrounds (from landscape architecture to Noma and 108 alumni), which results in a playful organic experience in a farm setting on the rooftop of a building in the middle of the city. The dinner takes place in the greenhouse in long community tablesto engage interactions, and you’ll be eating food as local as it gets, since it comes from the on site farm ØsterGRO.

The greenhouse acts as a dining room, and the farm is a living pantry at Gro Spiseri. Photo credit: Gro Spiseri.

Closing statement

Copenhagen is a very multi-cultural city and it shows in its culinary options when choosing a restaurant. Make sure you taste traditional Danish food and New Nordic cuisine, but don’t miss out on other gastronomies!

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: Traditional Danish food

→ Where to eat in Copenhagen: New Nordic cuisine

→ 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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