Culture

The 10 best brunch spots to try in Copenhagen

By Sophie Axon

Photo: Sanders Kitchen

From quintessential danish smørrebrøds to Mediterranean mezzes, Vogue Scandinavia uncovers the best brunch spots in the Danish capital

Copenhagen embodies the very essence of good taste, with its impeccable palette for design, architecture and culinary delights. What better way to experience all three in tandem than a serving of brunch?

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Scenic surroundings, tempting aromas and countless alfresco dining spots are dotted on every boulevard, and in a city that boasts many brunch attractions, finding the perfect spot to match your needs can be overwhelming. Looking for a healthy brunch bursting with superfoods and flavour? A lavish smørrebrød decorated with edible frillings? Or a cinnamon bun served on a handmade ceramic plate? Whatever your preference, we’ve got the best brunch spots in Copenhagen covered.

So without further ado, here's the city’s best brunch spots that have the Vogue Scandinavia's stamp of approval.

1

Apotek 57

Photo: Apotek57

One of the most favoured brunch spots in the capital, Apotek 57 is a charmingly Danish eatery where the city’s most stylish perch cross-legged with a cup of coffee in one hand and a cinnamon roll in the other. Upon arrival, baristas wearing Birkenstocks greet you, and as you take a seat amongst wooden designs and ceramic furnishings, the sweet aroma of cinnamon will follow.

Curated by Italian chef Chiara Barla, the rotating menu celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients as an ode to the capital. The menu is small but abundant in flavour, making for an effortless brunching experience. To appease your palette, pick from a selection of homemade goods, such as granola, poached eggs on a crispy-waffle bed, danish pastries with a twist, citrus juices and homemade oat milk.

To guarantee a seat, it’s worth arriving early. And if you fancy a spot of shopping, take a short stroll next door for a delightful browse inside Frama’s Studio Space, one of Copenhagen’s most renowned multi-disciplinary design brands.

Fredericiagade 57, 1310 Copenhagen

2

Delphine

Photo: Delphine/Camilla Pihl

As you walk into Delphine, located in central Vesterbro, pockets of Mediterranean spice and gentle acoustics whisk you far away to the Greek archipelago. Wicker lamp shades hang elegantly from high ceilings while Mattisse-inspired paintings cover the walls. The interior is almost as delicious as the food. Menus are seasonal, extensive and always take the palette on a culinary journey to the south. Expect eggs royale, bagels, chia porridge and fruit salads, and for lunch enjoy a myriad of pita breads, a refreshing couscous salad and pomme frites with a side of tzatziki, served on hand-painted crockery.

Vesterbrogade 40, 1620 Copenhagen

3

Apollo Bar

Photo: Apollo Bar/Nikolaj Møller

Nestled inside the ivy-covered courtyard of Kunsthal Charlottenborg sits Apollo Bar, a seasonal bistro created by Denmark’s very own Frederik Bille Brahe. It’s where the Danish style set enjoys sipping on coffee (and wine) over intimate chatter and food platters. And if you’re lucky, you might spot a few familiar faces at the marble-topped bar.

While the food menu changes seasonally, the guarantee of bountiful flavours and experimental fusions does not. For a classic brunch, many opt for an Apollo Bar staple: creamy burrata with a spicy twist, sourdough bread and whipped butter served on a seashell, sweet fruity granola or white beans baked with oyster mushrooms.

The eatery was opened to celebrate creativity and reinvent the experience of museum cafés. So, for the full experience, take your brunch outside, unwind in the sunny courtyard and waltz slowly through Charlottenborg’s exhibition before venturing outside towards the colourful stretch of Nyhavn.

Nyhavn 2, 1501 Copenhagen

4

Lille Bakery

Photo: Lille/@transeating

Along the sandy streets of Refshaleøen sits Lille Bakery, a haven of suburban charm and arguably one of the city’s best kept secrets. With a laid back and welcoming atmosphere, it’s the ideal place to enjoy small brunch bites with friends. Take a seat in the communal dining hall and watch the cooks in the open-kitchen, or perch outdoors on the patio to enjoy the calm soundtrack of birdsong.

Founded as a crowdfunding project by three chefs, Lille has become a place of community for locals and beyond. The kitchen staff work closely with farmers and fishermen who produce and support organic, local and responsible agriculture. Many of the hand-made seasonal dishes reflect this ethos including the infamous Berliner doughnuts and spicy sausage rolls. For the ultimate brunching experience, drop by during the monthly Sunday’s farmers market that the bakery helps organise.

213b Refshalevej, 1432 Copenhagen

5

Sanders Kitchen

Photo: Sanders Kitchen

Sanders Kitchen is an idyllic location for any brunch occasion. The eatery is located in Hotel Sanders, an elegantly decorated heritage structure originally built in 869. Through a soft palette of olive, subtle cream accents and lush oak furnishings, the building pays homage to mid-century Danish design and creates an alluring setting for all-day eating.

The seasonal menus are rather vast and offer a wide selection of continental dishes made with organic local produce. For an early brunch, sample the taleggio frittata and eggs florentine, and as the menu transitions for lunch, the home-cured salmon, white asparagus and cooling affogato are definite palette pleasers. To enjoy some of the best city views while you eat, take a seat upstairs on the glass-covered roof terrace.

Tordenskjoldsgade 15, 1055 Copenhagen

6

Kompa’9

Photo: Kompa9

Tucked away inside a sepia-toned corner building on a shopping street near Strøget, Kompa’9 is a small cafe that encapsulates the essence of hygge. There is something of an undeniable charm amongst the long wooden tables, low-slung benches and tall wicks of candlelight.

The chalk-board menu resembles that of a traditional Danish eatery and there’s an array of tasty smørrebrods to try ranging from salmon, avocado to potato. If you are tempted by something more substantial, the beef sandwiches are a filling delight. It’s no wonder the eatery has become a renowned brunch favourite for residents and visitors alike.

The cafe spans one room and is rather small. For a table during the weekend brunch rush, book a table in advance. During the week, however, there’s always a free corner.

Kompagnistræde 9, 1208 Copenhagen

7

Wulff & Konstali

Photo: Wulff & Kunstali

Wulff & Konstali spans across three locations in the heart of Copenhagen, all colourfully decorated in pastel hues, wild flowers and dainty mugs topped with latte art. Its aesthetics have adorned countless Instagram posts and the food is just as sumptuous.

The menu contains over 20 delicacies ranging from sweet to savoury. Using a pencil, tick 5 or 7 pieces on the menu card, perfect for sharing or solo-eating. Skyr with baked rhubarb and white chocolate granola, salmon mousse with fresh dill and the poppyseed waffle with berry cream are amongst some of the homemade brunch goods. Vegan, vegetarian and lactose-free options are also available.

The Nørrebro eatery is housed on a Parisian corner with a sunny outdoor seating area. To lounge outside during spring and summer, make a reservation in advance. And when you order your food, flick through the Wulf & Konstali’s to gather cooking tips and inspiration.

Skt Hans Torv 30, Norrebro, 2200 Copenhagen

8

42Raw

Photo: 42Raw

Simple, ecological and raw. If that’s what you’re looking for then take a seat at 42Raw, Copenhagen’s first raw food bar which has become a popular destination for grab-and-go lunch since opening in 2009. With its casual ambiance and intimate setting, there is always a spare table at the weekend. Perhaps you’ll take a seat next to the cafe's owner who’s known to sit anonymously amongst guests drinking warm organic coffee.

The surroundings are contemporary, just like the guests, and the kitchen staff always succeed in creating tasty colourful bites that burst with flavour. The brunch menu is tempting and consists of fruit-laden pancakes, gluten-free bread and granola bowls, but their all-day sandwiches are nourishing, tasteful and some of the best in town. Favourites amongst the young creatives who flurry in and out during the lunch-time rush are the peanut butter protein shake, poke bowl and the hummus and avocado sandwich. Replacing the stove, each dish is cooked with a dehydrator.

Pilestræde 32, 1112 Copenhagen

9

Les Trois Cochons

Photo: Les Trois Cochons

Perched on a vibrant avenue in the central district between Frederiksberg and Vesterbo, is the delightful Les Trois Chochons. This time, the eatery is quintessentially French, decorated with chequered flooring, cognac leather benches, bistro chairs and marble accents.

The eatery is not strictly designed for brunch but the breakfast and lunch menus are adored by locals. Before midday, tables will be topped with pain au chocolats, avocado and chives on rye bread and scrambled eggs, all served on parisian crockery. In the afternoon, pick from a savoury selection of salmon rillette, creamy omelettes and croque madame.

At Les Trois Cochons, it's perfectly acceptable to sip on a mimosa while you brunch. The cafe spills outside into a front porch lined where you can take yourself and your glass for a post-brunch tête-a-tête.

Værnedamsvej 10, 1619 Copenhagen

10

The Sixteen Twelve

Photo: The Sixteen Twelve

The Sixteen Twelve is a promising new addition to the brunch scene in Copenhagen. Opened in 2021 by three expats who met at language school, the eatery redefines the concept of brunch and elevates it with elegance using international culinary perspectives. Classics including French toast, avocado smash, shakshuka and loaded croissants come to life on the plate with edible artisanal frillings. Pistachio crumb, honeycomb and dried flower petals. Dishes are generously-sized and contain fermented and gut-health related ingredients.

The contemporary presentation of the food reflects the minimalist interior and industrial design details, as renovated and curated by the three founders. With a pared-back aesthetic and bubbly barista, a calm, casual ambience fills the cafe, indoors and out.

Jægersborggade 8, 2200 Copenhagen