Copenhagen has long been one of the best places to enjoy quality, on-trend food. We investigated four different but equally exciting eateries with one important thing in common – they all offer delicious organic culinary experiences.
It’s easy to eat well in the Danish capital. The options are varied and the quality of the city’s restaurants is high, regardless of whether you choose a sandwich in charming Nyhavn or sit down to a Michelin-starred experience at Noma. But the biggest trend currently sweeping Copenhagen is organic eating. Bon appétit!
1. Delicious lunches at Den Økologiske Pølsemand
Where: One stand by the Rundetårn and one stand by Helligåndskirken
Price: Budget
The Danish organic food trend really took off a few years ago, when Michelin-starred restaurants Relæ and Geranium proved that fine dining was absolutely possible using organic ingredients. Today, most international cuisines are represented in Copenhagen in the form of organic alternatives – in addition to some Danish favourites.
There’s always long queues at DØP’s hotdog stands at lunchtime. One dish which is especially popular for lunch is a hotdog with root vegetable mash made from organic potatoes, parsnips and swede, served with home-made mustard and ketchup and a side of pickled beetroot. DØP has two stands in the city centre; one by the Rundetårn (Round Tower) on Købmagergade, and one by Helligåndskirken (the Church of the Holy Ghost) on Niels Hemmingsens Gade.
2. Home-grown at Amass
Where: Refshalevej 153
Price: Fine dining
One restaurant which has truly embraced the organic trend is Amass, which can be found at Refshaleøen, around ten minutes from Nyhavn by bicycle or taxi. In this former shipbuilding area, Amass grows its own vegetables, herbs and flowers. And although the restaurant is not yet fully self-sufficient, its garden and greenhouse ensure that guests can enjoy fresh herbs and produce all year round.
With its home-grown ingredients, Amass has become known as one of the best organic eateries in Copenhagen. The restaurant serves both lunch and dinner, and the menu changes daily, depending on the ingredients the kitchen has available. The food isn’t served as separate meals, but in set menus of four or six dishes. These can be entirely vegetarian, or contain seafood and fish or meat.
3. Stone-baked pizza at Bæst
Where: Guldbergsgade 29
Price: Mid-range
Around a year ago, an Italian restaurant opened in Nørrebro – one of Copenhagen’s most exciting districts – with the aim of offering the best Italian cuisine in the city. Appropriately enough, the restaurant was called Bæst (‘Best’) – and reviews prove that this eatery really lives up to its name! Bæst’s menus are dominated by pizzas, which are stone-baked in a large oven at the centre of the premises.
Above the restaurant, Bæst makes its own mozzarella and burrata using milk from the restaurant’s farm. Don’t miss the burrata, which is served Milanese-style – alone on a plate, simply seasoned with black pepper, salt and olive oil.
4. Early lunch to late evening at Biomio Organic Bistro
Where: Halmtorvet 19
Price: Mid-range
With its retro neon sign, Biomio Organic Bistro is not only a landmark of the Kødbyen district – an area known for its exciting and unique bars and eateries – but is also one of Copenhagen’s most popular organic restaurants.
The kitchen opens for lunch and doesn’t close until 22.30, making the restaurant a great place to start or end an evening in Kødbyen. Here you’ll find many broccoli and cabbage-based dishes on the menu, but Biomio is also known for its steak tartare and selection of organic beers and wines.
Ready for your next culinary adventure in the Danish capital? Check out our hotels in Copenhagen and book your next stay!
Original author: Per Olsson, Creative Director, Nights
This article was first published in the member magazine Nights nr. 13, 2017.
