The most visited city not only in Denmark but the whole of Scandinavia, Copenhagen early attracts crowds of tourists from all over the world. Its old houses and parks, unique cultural events, high valued design and numerous restaurants and bars makes it more than a destination.
Spend a weekend staying in the trendy Nyhavn neighbourhood or the renewed Vesterbro, taste the most delicious buns in the city, explore the finest mixology or enjoy fine dining experience in the Tivoli Gardens — the best recommendations and tips in our new selection.
71 NYHAVN
If cosy and atmospheric boutique hotels are close to your heart and a good location is a priority, then Hotel 71 NYHAVN in the iconic Nyhavn district will be one of those contenders when choosing the hotel to stay in Copenhagen.
For over 200 years, the hotel building has stood between the frothy spray of the harbour and life along the Nyhavn Canal, and offers unrivalled views of the many beautiful museum ships along with the best views of the city.
The hotel is located in the two historic buildings of the Red Warehouse of 1805 and the Yellow Warehouse of 1830 and is the last building of the Nyhavn neighbourhood at number 71.
The neighbourhood, surrounded by art houses on one side and bobbing boats on the other, is a lively cultural and historical site, hugely popular with locals and tourists alike.
When staying at the 71 NYHAVN you can even more feel the spirit of that time, plunging into its mystery and special charm, where big old rustic beams of Pomeranian pine sit side by side with contemporary Danish design influences, which creates a special elegance and unique experience for guests.
Art and paintings in the hotel lobby from the hotel owner’s collection draw attention and include works by Asger Jorn and other members of the mid-20th century avant-garde Cobra movement.
The old hotel buildings create an authentic frame around 130 executive rooms and suites. From many of these, you can enjoy a direct view of the dancing water surface of the harbour and fishing boats.
The decor in the two buildings is different. Everything in the yellow building is classic, with carpeted floors and darker polished wood. Red building, where all the suites are located, is distinguished by light wood floors, Arne Jacobsen chairs and modern furniture from Danish brands, striped bedspreads from the famous Paul Smith brand.
According to the established tradition, guests staying in superior rooms, as well as regular customers, receive a pleasant compliment — Champagne or Cava, sweets and souvenirs with the hotel symbols. Celebrating a special occasion, you can also pre-order welcome amenities in your room.
All rooms have everything you need for a comfortable stay — air conditioning, coffee and tea making facilities, migi-bar, Carpe Diem double beds. The bathrooms are equipped with a shower and bath amenities and perfumes.
In the old warehouse basement of the hotel there is a restaurant Il Rosmarino, where in the morning guests can enjoy an appetising breakfast buffet, offering many healthy options in the style of a cosy, homemade breakfast.
Cheese and charcuterie snacks, fruit, vegetables, fresh pastries, juices and smoothies, as well as hot meals from the fire — omelettes, pancakes, porridge.
If you decide to spend the evening in the hotel, you should go down to the same restaurant where breakfast is served and enjoy authentic Italian dishes accompanied by Italian wines, champagne or classic cocktails prepared for you in a small bar next to the restaurant.
Here you can have a proper dinner or just come for a light snack such as Carpaccio Di Manzo or Charcuterie Mista with a glass of wine.
On a warm sunny day, it’s no better idea than to sit outside on the hotel terrace and enjoy cocktail classics such as Negroni, or a glass of wine.
Address: Nyhavn 71, 1051 Copenhagen
Instagram: @71nyhavnhotel
JUNO THE BAKERY
A good alternative to breakfast at the hotel is a trip to one of Copenhagen’s favourite bakeries, Juno The Bakery. Fresh, aromatic pastries, crusty bread and speciality coffee are exactly what beckon visitors here.
Internationally recognised as a pioneer in artisan baking, Juno The Bakery is all about quality, authenticity, uncompromising attention to detail and a talented team of artisans who are the centre of attraction here.
Juno The Bakery was opened by Swedish chef Emil Glaser, who previously worked at the renowned Michelin restaurant Noma.
As you approach the bakery, you can already smell the aroma of freshly baked goods from afar and see the huge queue, which only grows throughout the day. Therefore, to taste the specialties, you should come here early or be prepared to wait a bit. But as we’ve found out, the wait is worth it.
In the fall of 2020, the award-winning Juno The Bakery opened the doors of its new location on the first floor of a five-story apartment building in the heart of Copenhagen’s leafy Østerbro district, a stone’s throw away from its former bakery on the corner of Løgstørgade and Århusgade.
Thanks to a project and design by renowned FRAMA Interior Architecture — which emphasized the art and craft of baking and used a palette of comfortable natural materials, seamlessly integrating the production and service areas, yet retaining the spirit of the original bakery — the new space is more spacious and brighter.
Large windows facing both outdoors and indoors provide a connection between the bakers at work, guests, and the surrounding neighborhood.
On a warm sunny day, it’s no better idea than to sit outside, in the small patio right in front of the bakery, with a cup of coffee, organic bottled juice and a rustic sandwich, a flaky croissant or the bakery’s hit cardamom bun as well as seasonal creations.
Regulars of the place already know what they come for, but visitors like us, who came here for the first time, faced a big task of what to choose, and to be honest, it looked so appealing so we wanted to try everything.
We started with the invariable French classic, Croissant — crispy, puffy and fragrant, just ideal.
Strawberry brioche — Laminated brioche with baked strawberries, topped with whipped vanilla cream and marinated fresh strawberries. Crispy, soft, sweet and summery.
Vanilla bun — Pure indulgence. Yeasted dough layered with aromatic vanilla butter, baked with Polynesian vanilla custard and finished with vanilla syrup.
Cream bun — Summer captured in one bite. Fluffy brioche dough filled with raw strawberries and whipped vanilla custard.
Margrethe cake — The ethereal flavour of Scandinavian summer. Juicy and flavorful raspberries when they’re at their peak with vanilla-soaked sponge cake and milk-vanilla mousse.
And finishing, of course, is the absolute bestseller — Cardamom bun — a bun exuding the aroma of freshly ground black cardamom, which never ceases to tempt with its deliciousness and juiciness.
The buns are made constantly, all day long, but they are so quickly snapped up that the producers advise pre-ordering on the website.
Address: Århusgade 48, 2100, Copenhagen
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 06.30-18.00;
Sunday 07.30-15.30
Instagram: @juno_the_bakery
TIVOLI POP-UP Fine Dining
During the summer and early fall season, Tivoli, one of Europe’s oldest amusement parks located in the heart of Copenhagen, becomes a playground for gastronomic experiences. And if you’re visiting the city during this time, it’s definitely a must on your dining map.
Pop-up restaurant JAPANESE PAGODA in Tivoli Gardens hosts exquisite gourmet dinners with star chefs from around the world who showcase their unique gastronomic philosophy, innovative and playful techniques and fill the air with the aroma of top-notch ingredients, temporarily “relocating” their famous restaurants to this magnificent location.
Pop-up dinners, which started in 2021, have become very popular among connoisseurs of haute cuisine. Only the most prestigious Michelin-rated establishments are selected to present their best creations here.
We were lucky enough to attend one of these dinners, hosted by the renowned German restaurant with two Michelin stars from Baden-Württemberg ÖSCH NOIR, where we had an unrivaled culinary experience of the highest quality.
The entire atmosphere of the dinner was imbued with sophistication and superb service. With passion and authenticity, Chef Manuel Ulrich and his team presented elegant French cuisine and modern gastronomic trends in their unique tasting set menu, creating for guests a true, extraordinary culinary art form.
The dinner started with Aperitif Snacks and a glass of Bolinger Special Cuvée Brut.
-Gillardeau oyster with lettuce and trout caviar
-Mediterranean vegetable salad with preserved lemon
-Beef tartare with smoked eel, mushroom and lovage
Starters
DUTCH YELLOWTAIL — Cured “Dutch yellowtail” Kingfish, Pickled kohlrabi, Kombu cream, Shiso gel, Kohlrabi jus with kombu oil, Salty fingers, salicornia
Grown under organic conditions, without the use of chemicals and antibiotics, Dutch yellowtail is sourced from Holland and is especially prized for its delicate and mild flavor.
Wine suggestion: Ornellaia Bianco Tenuta Ornellaia, Tuscany, 2021
In between starters a bread serving is presented.
RYE BREAD “PETIT NOIR” — “Le Petit Noir”, made exclusively for ÖSCH NOIR by Knöpfle bakery from Blumberg, made of 100% rye flour, water, yeast, salt and flavored with caraway seeds.
It is served with Lemon butter with fresh Amalfi lemon and Piment d’Espelette, Herb dip with herb oil, Black forest ham and German beer:
–Rothaus Bräu Tannenzapt Vom Hochschwarzwald
IMPERIAL CAVIAR — Gently cooked Faroese salmon, Imperial Caviar “Ossetra”, Chives and chive cream, Beurre Blanc with chive oil
This type of caviar is especially appreciated for its creamy, nutty flavor, supplied by “Imperial Caviar Berlin”, with whom the restaurant has been working for many years.
Wine suggestion: Sekt Brut Reichsrat von Buhl, Pfalz, 2020
The wine accompaniment to the set is perfectly matched to emphasize the specialty of each dish and give the guest an even richer ÖSCH NOIR experience.
Guests are offered to choose between two wine pairings — “Altes Handwerk”, consisting of only German wines, or “Grand Cru”, a selection of greatest winemakers around the world. A non-alcoholic pairing is also available. If you want to get a full idea of each pairing, you can also have a mix of them, like we did.
Main Course
LOBSTER — Confited lobste, Tom Yum bisque, Shellfish- and coriander-oil, Shiitake compote, Cauliflower couscous with Kaffir lime leaves, Enoki mushrooms, Roasted cauliflower, Pickled beech mushrooms, Ginger salad
Wine suggestion: Pinot Gris “whiskey barrel”, Arndt Köbelin, Kaiserstuhl, 2019
LAMB — Pan-seared rack of lamb from the Stotz family in Münsingen — Ragout of braised lamb shank, Sweet and sour roasted fennel, Fennel salad, Glazed cucumbers, Pickled mustard seeds, Reduced lamb jus, Dill hollandaise with dill powder.
Wine suggestion: Masseto Tenuta Masseto
Tuscany, 2014
The evening ended with a sumptuous dessert and Petit Fours.
STRAWBERRY — Guanaja 70% chocolate mousse, Passion fruit gel, Coconut cream, Pistachio crumble, Passion fruit meringue, Strawberry sorbet, Passion fruit seeds, Strawberries, Strawberry juice with mint oil
Wine suggestion: Riesling Pettenthal Auslese, Weingut Schätzle, Rheinhessen, 2015
-Praline of Jivara chocolate and raspberry
-Choux with coffee
To follow the current and upcoming dinner events, visit the link: www.tivoli.dk
Address: Vesterbrogade 3, Copenhagen
Instagram: @oeschnoir
DUCK & COVER
For those looking for a unique combination of atmospheric charm and creative drinks, DUCK & COVER will be a must stop on any bar tour around the Danish capital.
This place invites you to escape from everyday life, choose a cocktail and take refuge in the warmth of good company and great flavors.
DUCK & COVER won two prestigious titles at the 2017 Bartender’s Choice Awards, considered the Oscars among cocktail bars — “Best Bar” and “Best Menu”.
Bar owner Kasper Reeve Henriksen has put his heart and soul into this place, where atmosphere is influenced by his own upbringing. The scandi-chic interior is inspired by the home of Kasper’s own grandmother.
Stepping over the threshold of the bar, it is as if you are in a living room of the 1960s, radiating understated elegance and light coolness. The décor combines vintage and modern elements to create a stylish and inviting atmosphere, while soft lighting and comfortable armchairs make for a casually relaxing evening.
The name itself is also intriguing, because in action movies “duck and cover” means “to take cover” — which we decided to do after a busy day, taking a time-out from the bustling city, and step into a cozy but refined haven for connoisseurs of skillful mixology.
DUCK & COVER boasts a selection of drinks from classic cocktails to the most avant-garde blends. Each cocktail is not just mixed, but created with precision, passion and a deep understanding of flavors.
The cocktail list changes depending on the seasons, holidays, any events, so every visit is an opportunity to discover a new favorite drink.
Along with cocktails, there is also a menu of constantly changing seasonal snacks.
We tried 4 different cocktails, each with different profile and intensity:
Mouth-watering and refreshing Second Spring (130 DKK) — Green, grassy, vibrant and packed with
flavours of cilantro / coriander, elderflower and lime.
Refreshing, with a noteable jalapeño bite, Capsicum (130 DKK) — Dill akvavit is mixed with homemade cucumber cordial and dry sherry and a generous portion of spices added.
A milk punch Lavendula (130 DKK) — based on akvavit, sherry and homemade blackberry and lavender syrup. Finished with a touch of almond and anise.
Sweet & bitter Cocky American (130 DKK) — Cocchi Americano Rosa vermouth is mixed with tequila, strawberry, bitters, and a wee bit of lime.
DUCK & COVER is not just a place to have a drink and a snack, it’s about a lot of emotions and experiences. The bar often hosts theme nights and special events, and the friendly and professional bartenders present the best of their creations in the art of mixology with the comfort of Danish hospitality.
Address: Dannebrogsgade 6, 1660, Copenhagen
Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday 16.00 – 01.00
Friday-Saturday 16.00 – 02.00
Sunday 18.00 – 00.00
Instagram: @duckandcoverbar
Grand Joanne
Another option of a cozy design hotel in the heart of the city is the GRAND JOANNE Hotel — a place with an innovative and individual lifestyle and its own character. Whether you are a local or a traveler, everything here is made to make you feel comfortable. Most importantly, the warmth, quality and homely atmosphere is “your home away from home”.
Hotel is located in a magnificently beautiful, newly restored 1800s building in the very central part of Copenhagen. The building has been a hotel for over 100 years, first opening its doors as a hotel on Vesterbrogade 9A in the year 1928.
In 2023, after a renovation by the new owners, GRAND JOANNE reopened its doors with a new look and a new title.
The name GRAND JOANNE is composed of heritage and lifestyle. ‘Grand’ is a homage to the rich history of the building and the grand neighbourhood of surrounding Vesterbro. ‘Joanne’ is the soul of the house. She represents the lifestyle and sensibilities she brings to this historic building. A lifestyle of a cultivated, strong, feminine cosmopolitan, embracing niceness, hospitality, and presence.
GRAND JOANNE has an excellent location that attracts many travelers when choosing a hotel — just a few minutes walk from the beautiful Tivoli Gardens, the historic Town Hall Square, and the main train station. Also the main shopping areas, excellent restaurants and lively bars of this interesting city are within walking distance of the hotel.
Modern decor, high ceilings, curved furniture, beautiful color palette, works of art create their own special atmosphere for a wonderful stay.
GRAND JOANNE offers 162 rooms and suites spread over 6 floors. Each room is characterized by a unique design and furnishings.
All rooms are decorated in a modern, fresh style and are equipped with Wi-Fi, cable TV, tea and coffee making facilities and soundproofing. Some rooms offer mini-bar service as well.
The tiled bathrooms have a walk-in shower and a separate toilet, as well as all necessary toiletries. The windows feature the metropolis or the lake views.
In the mornings, Joanne’s Restaurant serves breakfast with a wide variety of cold and hot dishes, local produce, pastries and beverages.
Beside a buffet, you can also choose one option from À La Carte menu, as well as specialty coffee.
The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner, featuring contemporary Italian food and local cuisine.
At the restaurant’s bar, guests and locals mingle over coffee, good wine and beer, while the cocktail list is inspired by the flavors of Italy and transports you straight to a summer’s paradise day. There is a cozy Rooftop where you can see bustling Copenhagen from afar while enjoying drinks and snacks.
For those who wants to be always in shape, a fitness club with state-of-the-art equipment on the minus first floor is open 24 hours a day, as well as a modern yoga studio.
Address: Vesterbrogade 9A, DK-1620 Copenhagen
Instagram: @grandjoannecph
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
