Throughout my travels in Europe in the fall of 2024, the one place that left me in shock and completely amazed by the service, safety, and especially the food was Copenhagen, Denmark. I’m a huge fan of Danish pastries and the FX series The Bear. If you’re not familiar with the show, to keep it brief, it focuses on the culinary world and the high pressures of working in a restaurant. In season two, episode four, one of the characters travels to Copenhagen to improve his skills as a pastry chef.
After watching this episode, I knew I had to visit Copenhagen someday. I never thought it would happen soon, but it did. I didn’t have a hard time finding places to eat thanks to The Bear and a few instagram reels that caught my attention. I visited these amazing spots that made me rank Copenhagen above other countries for food and service. Here are five food spots you have to try and that might leave you adding Copenhagen to your list of countries to visit.
1. HART BAGERI
This was actually one of the first places shown in The Bear that had me drooling for a Danish pastry. As soon as I arrived in Copenhagen, this was the first place I went to for breakfast. After seeing the pastries, I wanted to order them all. After having a cappuccino, a ham and cheese baguette, and a few pastries to go, my first day in Copenhagen couldn’t have been any better, especially with the weather being super cold and gloomy that morning. One pastry that is popular in Denmark and sold at Hart Bageri is tebirkes, so definitely put that on your list. It’s best to get there early, as it can get busy, but there are many locations available. I went to the one shown in The Bear, which is in Holmen. Enjoy a warm coffee and delicious pastry outside by the canal.
2. ATELIER SEPTEMBER
I decided to visit this place after seeing an instagram reel about their fluffy blueberry pancakes, and it did not disappoint. As someone who prefers waffles over pancakes, I was amazed by the flavor of the blueberry sauce and the soft dollop of crème fraîche, the best part. Atelier September also offers many pastries, but I highly recommend it for a nice, calm full course breakfast with friends. Their breakfast menu has some fantastic choices. There’s one location near Rosenborg Castle and the botanical garden, a great way to continue your day! I also suggest getting there before it opens, as there was already a line outside when my friends and I went. I also want to mention that the chef who founded Atelier September released a cookbook featuring the food sold there, including the blueberry pancakes recipe!
Photo by Kayla Rodriguez
3. GASOLINE GRILL
Moving away from café recommendations since Copenhagen has so many, this is a quick, grab-and-go burger spot. I was also recommended this place through a series of instagram posts. The burger definitely lived up to all the great reviews. The service was amazing, too. The place has such a vibe that it makes the experience even better. I recommend going at night because of the green neon lights that brighten up the place, making it very aesthetically pleasing. Also, the reason it’s called “Gasoline Grill” is because the place is built like a gas station, and yes, there are gas pumps for cars. You can drive to get gas, grab a burger and fries, and you’ve got yourself a happy stomach and a full tank. They do have many locations so I suggest the one on Landgreven 10. So, if you go visit Copenhagen, please skip McDonald’s and all fast food chain restaurants. This is worth a visit!
Photo by Kayla Rodriguez
4. POULETTE
I feel like this is a place I just had to add, even though it’s very well known. This place was also featured in The Bear and is one of Dua Lipa’s favorite food spots. It’s so popular that I wasn’t surprised by the long line and the fact that it’s a grab-and-go spot. Poulette only sells chicken sandwiches and fries. I’m a huge chicken sandwich lover and honestly prefer it over burgers, so I was truly excited to try this. I’ll say it’s a great sandwich, but it didn’t live up to my expectations because the spiciness of the chicken surprised me (I’m not great with spicy food). I wanted to include this place because my friends did enjoy it. I definitely recommend it if you want to try what many others have raved about, especially if you love spicy chicken.
Photo by Kayla Rodriguez
5. ANY HOT DOG STANDS
When I say any hot dog stand, I really mean it. Trust me when I say not one will disappoint you. I don’t know what makes Danish hot dogs so tasty and leaves one satisfied, but they’re just too good. I thought Costco hot dogs were the best for me, but Danish hot dogs are on another level! You can find hot dog stands all over the main city center of Copenhagen. The one I went to is the one featured in The Bear, located near Kongens Nytorv Plaza. What makes Danish hot dogs different from American hot dogs is the toppings. Don’t back out and say no to fried shallots and pickles. It’s what makes the hot dog even better.
Photo by Kayla Rodriguez
There are a handful of food spots in Copenhagen, but here were just a few that I truly wanted to share, as they made my experience in the city even better. Aside from the food spots, Copenhagen is definitely safe, clean, and easy to get around. The metro and buses are easy to navigate and the atmosphere within is clean and safe. One last thing I’ll mention is this amazing and affordable hostel I stayed at called Steel House. It was one of the best hostel experiences I ever had. With a few food spots and a hostel recommendation, I hope this sparks an interest in visiting Copenhagen soon.