Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Copenhagen

Restaurant Kong Hans Kælder has a historical location in the oldest building in Copenhagen, the old wine cellar of Danish King Hans. This restaurant has been honored with one Michelin star. The extremely charming, old basement has an arching ceiling and long wooden floorboards. The service is of the absolutely highest level, and the food is served on metal plates. Stylish, stylish indeed! Lobster and foie gras are amongst the specialties in this distinguished restaurant. The cuisine isn't straight French, but rather French-inspired. You've already guessed that prices aren't low here!

This is a very popular old-style lunch restaurant, not far from Hjbro Plads, dates back to the 18th Century, and has belonged to the Kik family since 1910. Kik is a place where ordinary Danes go for lunch with a beer and schnapps. In this crowded, smoky restaurant, the traditional smørrebrød, (open-faced sandwich) reigns supreme. Here, you won't find a single leaf of coriander or drop of balsamic vinegar: this is old-school Danish. All the open sandwiches available are lined up on a big table, and what you see is exactly what you get! Then you order, and while you wait at your table the open sandwiches are freshly made, typically with rye bread, butter, herring and onions or mature Danish cheese and a drop of rum. Another classic is smoked salmon with fresh dill on it. A good selection of Danish schnapps is available.

This is a restaurant that offers mainly organic cuisine and a unique and fun décor. The portions are quite filling and the prices are moderate. Old enameled signs and an antique fire extinguisher are among the many interesting objects that you will find at Cap Horn. Open from morning until night, the menu consists of dishes with select organic ingredients, and the cooking style is Danish with a strong international touch. If you don't really have time to study the menu, just order the three-course meal of the day, composed of the best dishes available.

Cafe Petersborg, the traditional Danish cafe restaurant between Kongens Nytorv and Esplanaden, dates back to the middle of the 1700s. The name stems from the Russian Consulate that occupied part of the house and the many Russian sailors who therefore frequented the restaurant in the basement of the house. When Denmark plays national football matches, Cafe Petersborg arranges festive preliminaries with lots of food, beer and schnapps. There is an old-world atmosphere to the four rooms with their wooden rafters. You can wander around the house as well, but be sure you can find the way back to your table. The restaurant holds about 100 customers and many businesspeople have lunch here. Hillary Clinton dined here in 1995.

Bang and Jensen is on Istedgade; the former red-light district of Copenhagen. The interior is fun and kitschy, and the ambiance is friendly. The ancient pinball machines and the table football are popular with the patrons. Most of the clientele at this cafe consist of the young and the trendy, especially women. Breakfast, which is served all through the day until 6p, is the specialty of the house, though the menu leans more toward brunch offerings. The unique thing about Bang and Jensen is that you are given a form on which you fill in exactly how you want your food served. The bar takes over after 8p on Saturdays and after 10p the rest of the week.

If one person is associated with the Danish smørrebrød (open sandwiches) par excellence, it must be Ida Davidsen. In the 1960s she composed the world's longest à la carte list of smørrebrød, which still has locals, tourists and celebrities flocking to her shop. Once you're in line at the sandwich bar, you can pick and choose from a wide range of ingredients and fillings to create your own custom smørrebrød, or you can try one of their tried and true favorites. Be sure to make a reservation.