Copenhagen Food: 3 Dishes to Try

Clean lines, crisp air, scenic canals, lots of bicycles and loads of delicious food – that’s Copenhagen in a nutshell. Home to no fewer than 16 Michelin-starred restaurants and a slew of craft breweries, Denmark’s capital has sprung into a full-fledged gastronomic epicenter in recent years. The Danes' claim to culinary fame, New Nordic cuisine, focuses on simplicity, freshness, and hyper-local ingredients. This means Copenhagen food is progressive and artful while still being approachable and oh-so-good.

Whether you pick up a few local specialties at the Torvehallerne Market or nab a seat at one of the city’s fine dining establishments, you’ll enjoy a meal to remember in the City of Spires. Here are three Danish specialties to try on your next Scandinavia cruise.

1. Smørrebrød: A classic Danish food, these unfussy open-faced sandwiches are wildly popular for lunch and it’s easy to see why once you try them. The typical smørrebrød consists of a slice of dense seed-laden rye (rugbrød) with a generous slather of butter and then piled high with layers of toppings such as pickled herring and fresh onion, fresh shrimp with egg and avocado, or roast beef with horseradish or remoulade.







2. Stegt Flæsk Med Persillesovs: This crispy fried pork belly prepared with boiled potatoes and creamy parsley sauce is a true Danish favorite – it was voted Denmark’s national dish in 2014. A rustic and traditional meal, the hearty dish traces its roots all the way back to the humble peasant kitchens of the 1800s. You’ll find it on menus in Copenhagen and across Denmark.




3. Wienerbrød: Just like the Inuits have dozens of words for snow, Danes have dozens of words for Danish pastries; wienerbrød is the umbrella term. There’s the custard-center spandauer, the round cinnamon roll-esque kanelsnegl, the rhubarb and marzipan rabarberhorn, the chocolate-laced direktørsnegl…and on the list goes, temptingly filling up glass cases in every bakery and café across the country. Danish tasting tour, anyone?

Ready for more than just a taste of Copenhagen food? Explore our top Scandinavia cruises now.