Taste the traditional Danish food in Copenhagen

Copenhagen has become a food destination in Northern Europe while keeping a traditional touch in its dishes.  Simple ingredients, seasonal produce and careful craftsmanship are part of Danish favourites such as smørrebrød (open-faced rye bread sandwiches), stegt flæsk med persillesovs (crispy pork with parsley sauce), frikadeller (Danish meatballs) and last but not least, Danish pastries. 
Beyond the classics, you’ll come across hot dogs, pickled herring and fresh seafood on menus and market stalls all over the city, whether you’re in a historic restaurant, a neighbourhood coffee shop or a modern bistro.
What makes the food special around here is a great choice of ingredients, familiar flavours and a strong connection to local produce. In this guide, you’ll find some of the most famous foods in Copenhagen and where to go to try them.

Table of contents:

What should you try in Copenhagen?

Danish cuisine draws on farming, fishing and the changing seasons. Many traditional dishes use local ingredients and keep the presentation fairly simple, letting the main flavours come through.

If you want to try traditional Danish food in Copenhagen, these are some of the classics:

Smørrebrød

mørrebrød is a lunch staple served on slices of dense rye bread with toppings such as pickled herring, roast beef, eggs, shrimp or pork. Herbs, onions, and classic condiments like mayonnaise or mustard finish each sandwich.

Restaurant Schønnemann, established in 1877, remains a well-known place to try smørrebrød with a wide variety of toppings.

Frikadeller

Flæskesteg is a classic Danish pork roast known for its crispy crackling and tender meat. Seasoned simply with salt and pepper and slow-roasted to get the ideal balance between juicy meat and crunchy skin. 

Kanal Cafeén serves them alongside classic Danish dishes and smørrebrød, making it a convenient place to try the dish.

Flæskesteg

Flæskesteg is a very special dish in Danish cuisine made with pork. It is a roast with crispy skin, seasoned with salt, pepper, and, sometimes, other types of herbs. This dish is usually served with potatoes, red cabbage and gravy, and is a very popular dish at Christmas time and special celebrations. 

It comes with boiled or caramelised potatoes, red cabbage, and rich gravy, and although it is particularly associated with Christmas, restaurants serve it all year. For a more casual version, look for a flæskesteg sandwich, with crispy pork, pickled red cabbage, and gravy in a soft bun. 

Torvehallerne has several stalls serving Danish dishes in a casual setting. During Christmas season, Tivoli Gardens is also a popular place to find festive Danish food, including flæskesteg sandwiches.

Stegt Flæsk

Often considered Denmark’s national dish, stegt flæsk med persillesovs is a crispy fried pork belly served with boiled potatoes and a creamy parsley sauce.

The pork should be crispy on the outside but still tender, while the parsley sauce adds a creamy contrast; the final texture is the secret to a really good one. It is a hearty and satisfying dish to try the food culture of the city. 

You’ll find stegt flæsk on the weekly specials at traditional restaurants across the city. If you want a local experience, head to Christianshavn on Wednesday for its “onsdagsflæsk”, when the dish is served in generous portions in a cosy, nostalgic setting.

Pastries

Locals call these pastries “wienerbrød”. They are made with buttery laminated dough, which gives them their light, flaky layers and rich flavour. Kanelsnegl (cinnamon roll), spandauer (filled with custard or jam) and tebirkes, a poppy seed-topped pastry often filled with butter or marzipan. Copenhagen’s bakeries combine classic recipes with new fillings and techniques to old favourites.

Juno the Bakery, Hart, or Andersen & Maillard are names to look out for if pastries are high on your list. 

Where to eat the traditional Danish food in Copenhagen?

For traditional Danish food in Copenhagen, head to lunch restaurants, cosy cafés and local food markets, where you can tuck into some classics like smørrebrød, frikadeller and stegt flæsk.

Restaurants

Restaurant Schønnemann

Restaurant Schønnemann has been serving traditional Danish food since 1877. It is especially known for its classic smørrebrød, with an extensive selection of toppings from pickled herring to roast beef. Its long history and traditional menu make it a great choice for a classic Danish lunch.

Kanal Caféen

Located along the canals, Kanal Caféen is a local favourite known not only for its smørrebrød but for its selection of traditional dishes and relaxing setting. 

Christianshavns Færgecafé

This cosy restaurant is known for its traditional Danish cooking and charming interior. It is especially known for its “onsdagsflæsk”, where locals gather to enjoy stegt flæsk med persillesovs in generous portions. The dish has become a particular favourite among regulars.

Det Lille Apotek

Københavner Caféen

Københavner Caféen is a traditional restaurant with a relaxed and unpretentious vibe. The menu features well-known classics, including smørrebrød and hearty main courses, with a straightforward approach to traditional Danish cooking.

Food Markets

Torvehallerne

Torvehallerne is an elegant covered market of glass and steel, with food stalls, bakeries and specialty shops. You’ll find everything from fresh seafood, artisan cheese and local produce to classic dishes, chocolates and specialty drinks. 

Reffen Street Food

Reffen, by the waterfront, is one of Copenhagen’s largest open-air street food markets with food stalls, local bars and craft shops. It’s a great place to try international flavours like Filipino BBQ, Argentine empanadas and Mexican tacos. 

Broens Gadekøkken

Broens Gadekøkken near Nyhavn serves up street food with views across the harbour. You can find some of the best burgers at Gasoline Grill, fresh fish and chips from Haddock’s and authentic tacos at Hija de Sanchez. 

Tivoli Food Hall

If you are visiting Tivoli Gardens, Tivoli Food Hall puts several food stalls under one roof. It’s a convenient option for a quick lunch or dinner before or after exploring the gardens.

Which are the most popular cafés and bistros in Copenhagen?

Café is part of Copenhageners’ daily routines. A coffee break can mean anything from a quick espresso and pastry to sitting down for hours with friends, and the city has plenty of places to do both.

Traditional bakeries, neighbourhood cafés and speciality coffee shops can be found throughout the city, with Vesterbro and Nørrebro particularly good for café hopping. 

Cafés and bistros

Mad & Kaffe

Mad & Kaffe is known for its breakfast and brunch menu with small dishes that you can mix and match. It’s a natural option for a leisurely morning meal with coffee.

Prolog Coffee Bar

Prolog has built a reputation around carefully sourced beans and a minimalist approach and is an excellent option for those interested in well-curated coffee.

Ø12 Coffee & Eatery

Located in the family-friendly neighbourhood of Østerbro, Ø12 offers a calm and cosy café experience. It is known for its brunch, amazing coffee and nourishing food.

Hans Coffee

Hans Coffee has several locations around Copenhagen, including Christianshavn, the city centre and Nørrebro. You can try its Espresso, AeroPress or other hand-brewed coffee, plus breakfast plates, sourdough and pastries.

Café Wilder

Culinary tips for tourists

Meal times, reservations and even where to choose to eat can make a difference, especially if you want to try some of the city’s more traditional dishes. To make the most of your food journey in Copenhagen, here are a few local habits that are worth knowing.

Timing matters

Smørrebrød is usually a lunchtime affair, while heartier dishes like stegt flæsk or flæskesteg tend to appear on dinner menus. If you have a particular dish in mind, check the restaurant’s opening hours before heading out. 

Book ahead for popular places

Restaurants such as Restaurant Schønnemann or Christianshavns Færgecafé are small and have limited tables, so they may fill up quickly at weekends and during busy seasons. A reservation can save you from turning up and not finding a table. 

Lunch culture is key

For lunch, we recommend trying smørrebrød. Many traditional spots serving open sandwiches close in the evenings, so this is one meal where it really pays to check opening hours. 

Explore beyond the city centre

Some of Copenhagen’s most interesting food spots are found outside the busiest streets. Nørrebro, Vesterbro and Østerbro are all worth exploring if you want to see a different side of the city and find places away from the main routes. 

Embrace simple food traditions

Not every meal needs to be elaborate. Good ingredients, family recipes and carefully prepared classics are often all you need. Some of the best things to eat in Copenhagen are simple, filling and made for everyday life. 

Try casual options too

Some of Copenhagen’s most recognisable bites are eaten on the go. Pick up a pastry from a bakery, browse the food stalls at a market or stop at a pølsevogn for a hot dog.

Are you planning your next trip? Find out the best hotels in Copenhagen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Copenhagen famous for food?

If you’re eating your way around Copenhagen, look out for smørrebrød, wienerbrød and classic pork dishes such as stegt flæsk and flæskesteg. The city also has plenty of bakeries, cafés and restaurants putting a more contemporary spin on Nordic cooking.

What is the famous Copenhagen sandwich?

Smørrebrød is the most popular sandwich in Copenhagen. It’s rye bread topped with pickled herring, shrimp, eggs, or roast beef. This sandwich is key in Danish lunch culture and one of the most iconic dishes in Denmark.

What is a typical Copenhagen breakfast?

A typical breakfast in Copenhagen is simple and balanced: bread or rye bread with butter, cheese, cold cuts or jam. Sometimes comes with yogurt with fruit or a pastry on the side and is often enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea. 

What is the main meal of the day in Denmark?

Dinner in Denmark often means something warm and filling, such as frikadeller, flæskesteg or stegt flæsk, with potatoes, vegetables and gravy as common sides.