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Copenhagen on the cheap: 9 tips for thrifty eats
By Meadhbh McGrath
Details: Jægersborggade 50, Nørrebro; groed.com
4. Best coffee in the city The coffee culture in Copenhagen is flourishing, and the brews from Coffee Collective’s micro-roastery and café are second to none. The collective is passionate about the sourcing of their beans, and its ‘direct trade’ model fosters strong links between farmers, roasters and baristas.
1. Best for gourmet street food Located in the harbour on Papirøen (Paper Island), Copenhagen Street Food is the city’s first and only street food market – and it aims to offer fresh, tasty meals from all corners of the world at affordable prices. The colourful halls are filled with charming food trucks selling everything from Thai green curries to pulled duck burgers (priced between 50-75DKK/€7-10). They also use the space to host flea markets, jazz concerts and film screenings throughout the year. In spring and summer months, you can enjoy your meal (and a spectacular view) in the deck chairs out on the pier. Copenhagen on a budget is possible after all. Details: Trangravsvej 14, Warehouse 7/8; copenhagenstreetfood.dk
2. Best for beer geeks Carlsberg is probably Denmark’s most famous thirst-quenching brew but the city is also home to one of Europe’s finest micro-breweries. Founded by a former secondary school maths and physics teacher, Mikkeller beers are now served at several of the world’s
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top restaurants. The spacious Mikkeller & Friends bar is the perfect spot to chill out after a hectic day roaming the streets. As well as an impressive selection of 40 draft beers (from 35DKK/€4.70 for a pint) and many more niche bottled brews in the shop next door, the underground space is gorgeously designed, with pale turquoise interiors and blonde wood furnishings. Details: Stefansgade 35, mikkeller.dk
3. Best old-fashioned comfort food If you’re after a hearty, warming breakfast to fuel a busy day exploring the city, look no further than Grød, the world’s first porridge bar. You might be shaking your head at the idea of a menu devoted solely to porridge, but this is so much more than the quotidian gruel you’re used to preparing in a fugue-like state before work. The menu here changes weekly, and they offer both sweet and savoury dishes (from 40DKK/€5.50). You can choose from a range of different toppings like nuts, fresh and dried fruits, peanut butter and skyr (Icelandic-style yogurt).
Watch out for V60 (pour-over) and Aeropress coffee (from 30DKK/€4), as well as all the usual offerings in three locations across the city, each reflecting the collective’s cool, understated aesthetic. Details: Jægersborggade 10, Nørrebro; coffeecollective.dk
5. Best hip new Nordic cuisine Manfreds is a relaxed restaurant from Noma alum Christian Puglisi, and probably the most affordable way to sample Copenhagen’s new Nordic cuisine. Just across the street from the other kitchen he runs, the Michelin-starred Relæ, this is a smaller, more intimate space where shared tasting dishes based on seasonal produce are the focus (it even does takeaway). Order the set menu (275DKK/€37 per person), which works best for groups of two, and enjoy seven carefully crafted, vegetable-centric dishes with as much of the fantastic sourdough bread as you please. Details: Jægersborggade 40, manfreds.dk
6. Best authentic Danish pastry No trip to Denmark is complete without a taste of its namesake pastry – but don’t be caught asking for a ‘Danish’!