Copenhagen, a city synonymous with innovative design, effortless style, and hygge, has captivated designers and creatives for decades. More than just a pretty picture, Copenhagen offers a tangible experience of design principles in action, from its architecture and public spaces to its curated shops and culinary experiences. This designer’s guide to Copenhagen goes beyond the typical tourist trail, offering an insider’s perspective on the city’s most inspiring locations and highlighting the elements that make Copenhagen a true design capital.
Indulge Your Senses: Where to Eat and Drink
Copenhagen’s culinary scene is as innovative and design-focused as the rest of the city. Forget fleeting food trends; these spots are committed to quality, aesthetics, and creating a holistic experience.
Cafes
- Atelier September: Known for its minimalist décor and avokadomad (avocado toast), this cafe is a design haven. The back exhibition space often features pop-ups and design objects.
- Studio X Kitchen: Adjacent to the Studio X store, this contemporary cafe offers seasonal breakfast and cakes within a relaxed, designer-furnished atmosphere.
- CUB Coffee Bar: Descend into this cozy basement for expertly crafted coffee in an intimate setting.
- Coffee Collective: This micro-roastery collaborates directly with farmers, ensuring quality coffee with a focus on sustainability. They have multiple locations.
- Sonny: Located in the city center, Sonny provides a stylish caffeine fix, influenced by Parisian coffee culture.
- April Coffee: While I haven’t personally visited yet, April Coffee is on my list due to its dedication to seasonal and sustainable practices in coffee roasting.
- Apotek 57: This laid-back cafe in Frama’s studio store offers homemade bites and pastries with an irresistible aroma.
- Hart Bageri: Experience serious Danish pastries crafted by Richard Hart, a former baker at Noma. They have two locations.
- Lille Petra: Enjoy traditional Danish breakfasts in the courtyard cafe of Danish design brand &tradition.
- Lille Bakery: Located in Refshaleøen, this bakery is worth the trip for its sourdough bread and cinnamon rolls.
- Torvehallerne: This popular food market near Nørreport Station offers over 80 shops and eateries, a great place to sample local delicacies.
Restaurants & Wine Bars
- Nærvær: Designed by Norm Architects, this minimalist space offers stunning waterfront views, perfect for evening drinks.
- Ved Stranden 10: A cozy wine bar with a shop and three “living rooms,” specializing in natural wines from small producers.
- Apollo Bar: Located opposite the iconic Nyhavn, Apollo Bar is ideal for brunch, lunch, or a glass of wine in the courtyard.
- Ancestrale: This intimate restaurant in Vesterbro offers a simple menu of small plates. The tasting menu is highly recommended.
- Delphine: A bright and airy restaurant with a cool vibe, serving Greek and Italian-inspired food on Instagrammable plates. Don’t miss the photo booth!
- Gro Spiseri: Experience a unique dining experience in a greenhouse setting on the rooftop of ØsterGRO urban farm (book in advance!).
- Bottega Barlie: A casual eatery offering a diverse menu, from paella to tacos.
- Vækst: This lush, botanical space features a greenhouse as its centerpiece, serving contemporary Nordic cuisine with a focus on vegetables and meat.
Shop Like a Designer: Curated Retail Experiences
Copenhagen’s retail scene reflects its design ethos: thoughtful, functional, and beautiful. These stores offer more than just products; they provide inspiration and insight into the Danish design sensibility.
- Stilleben: This independent boutique offers a curated selection of ceramics and colorful prints.
- HAY House: A must-visit for design enthusiasts, this two-story store showcases the best of HAY’s contemporary furniture and accessories.
- FRAMA: Housed in a former pharmacy, this studio store offers a beautifully considered collection of furniture, lighting, and home accessories.
- Studio X: This shop and design studio features a curated selection of contemporary furniture, lighting, and home accessories. They also have a dedicated space for Finnish brand Marimekko.
- Illums Bolighus: A department store featuring the best of Danish design.
- GANNI postmodern: An archive shop for the popular Danish fashion brand GANNI, offering past season clothes at discounted prices.
- ferm LIVING boutique: Step into the world of ferm LIVING, where you’ll find their latest furniture and accessories.
Immerse Yourself in Culture: Things to See
Beyond the shops and restaurants, Copenhagen’s cultural attractions offer a deeper understanding of the city’s design heritage and artistic spirit.
- Rundetaarn: Climb the winding ramp of this astronomical observatory for panoramic views of Copenhagen.
- Botanical Gardens: A green oasis in the city center, with a vast garden and 27 glasshouses to explore.
- Glyptoteket: An art museum centered around a lush, sub-tropical winter garden.
- Thorvaldsens Museum: Denmark’s first museum, showcasing bold use of color in its grand spaces.
- Designmuseum Danmark: (Temporarily closed until June) This museum is dedicated to Danish and international design and crafts.
- Ordrupgaard Museum and Finn Juhl’s house: Located outside the city, this museum showcases French Impressionist and Danish art. The grounds also feature the home of Danish architect Finn Juhl.
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: Located in Humlebæk, this museum on the Øresund Sound is admired for its architecture and art collection.
Rest Your Head: Where to Stay
Complete your design immersion by staying in accommodations that embody Copenhagen’s aesthetic.
- The Audo: A design-led hybrid hotel created by Menu and Norm Architects, featuring minimalist rooms and a curated furniture showroom and cafe.
- Hotel SP34: A design-conscious hotel from the Brøchner Hotel group, offering a complimentary wine hour.
- Hotel Danmark: Another Brøchner Hotel option, featuring a stylish urban look in the city center.
- Sanders Hotel: An intimate boutique hotel with a chic Parisian flair. Consider booking a spot on the rooftop for drinks.
- Nobis Hotel: A luxury boutique hotel in a former music academy, featuring tall ceilings, designer furniture, and an industrial vibe.
- Radisson Collection Royal Hotel: Designed by Arne Jacobsen in the 1960s, this iconic hotel offers a glimpse into Danish design history.
Copenhagen’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to seamlessly blend design, functionality, and quality of life. This guide offers a starting point for exploring the city’s creative landscape, inviting you to discover the details that make Copenhagen a true inspiration for designers and design enthusiasts alike.
