An online platform covering menswear, skincare and lifestyle, including watches, food and travel, shaped by selection and a clear point of view, with a foundation in Copenhagen. Built on experience across editorial, styling and brand work, The Editors focuses on what holds value, rather than what simply trends.

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The Editor’s
Copenhagen Guide

Fancier Dining.

The food scene in Copenhagen is truly world-class and you can get amazing meals at every level. Elsewhere here we have recommended some of the more casual and easy places we like to eat but sometimes it’s a special occasion or you just want to treat yourself so here are a few of the more upmarket restaurants where we like to hang out. The vibe will still be relaxed (Danes do not do flashy and uptight) and the service will still be friendly but the food is a bit more elevated and yes, probably a bit more expensive. But just in case you think we might have forgotten one really obvious place… it’s deliberate. We love noma of course (it really does live up to the hype) but reservations are nigh on impossible to snag these days and anyway, everyone has heard of it already. So here are some alternatives you might not know of...

Eat & drink
Coffee Bakeries Brunch Bistros Fancier dining Wine Cocktails
Coffee Bakeries Brunch Bistros Fancier dining Wine Cocktails
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Art Designers Corner
Art Designers Corner

Fancier Dining

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Alouette

Kronprinsessegade 8, City centre

All of Copenhagen’s Michelin-starred restaurants are, of course, wonderful, but if we fancy going out for a ‘real' meal rather than something more conceptual, Alouette is our hands-down favourite. The room is cosy, the food is innovative, but don't forget to be food and the chef/owner Nick is a delight. All the produce is sourced locally from real specialists, so the quality is superb, and it’s also much more affordable than the really famous places.

Frank

Ny Adelgade 3, City centre

Big brother to our French favourite Grimal, Frank is a reliable option for excellent food in the city centre. Serving a creative mix of new Nordic food with a few Gallic elements too, it’s an upmarket but relaxed place with a warm and gentle atmosphere. There is a full a la carte menu but the tasting set meal is good value if not exactly cheap, especially if you go for the wine pairing too. The service here is very good too and the kitchen staff really know what they are doing.

Iluka

Peder Skrams Gade 15, City centre

WIth a low-key vibe that belies its very high standards, Iluka is a great place to check out some Copenhagen fine dining without an indigestion-inducing check at the end. Centring the menu mainly around fish and vegetables, Australian Beau Clugston uses the skills he learned at Noma (where else?) to present simple but beautifully cooked, locally caught seafood served with flair and a friendly attitude in a cosy, stylish space. Already featured on the New Discovery 50 Best in the World list, it’s worth getting a reservation whilst you still can.

Kødbyens Fiskebar

Flæsketorvet 100, Vesterbro

An early adopter in the now buzzing Meatpacking district, this seafood restaurant has been drawing a cool crowd of locals and visitors for fifteen years now. The industrial space (check out the dripping tap soundtrack in the toilets) and lively urban atmosphere adds a sense of edge whilst the food is fresh, beautifully prepared and gorgeously presented. One of the few places that offers walk-ins, it’s great for a spontaneous plate of oysters at the bar and in the summer, the fun spills out into the courtyard at the front for a very Copenhagen take on highlife/lowlife.

Pastis

Gothersgade 52, City centre

Another long-time favourite, this place continues to attract a lively mix of fashionistas, tourists and an affluent young crowd who sit on the red leather banquettes or, weather permitting, on the terrace outside to eat classic French dishes. The menu has hardly altered over the years - think goat cheese salad, confit of poussin and rabbit cassoulet - but when it’s done as well as here then why change a thing? It’s always lively, even on a Monday in February, and ticks all the bistro boxes (dishcloth napkins, black aproned wait staff and sexy art).

For less fancier places, go back to bistros.

A longer read

Fancy being cultural?