A short guide: Copenhagen cafes and bakeries
Gluten, sidewalk sips, and side of contemporary art
Breakfast is my favourite meal, and a perfect breakfast ends in dessert, preferably a pastry. Because Copenhagen is teeming with charming cafes and bakeries, I decided to compile my favourites and my regular spots into one place. I have included lunch and breakfast spots at which you will want to linger, alongside more proper bakeries for a quick coffee and a BMO to take away. There is a complete list of my 20 favourite spots (as of writing, subject to change as new favourites emerge and open) at the bottom, and a few of my top recommendations up top. The list includes where you can find a perfect matcha, to the cardamon buns that got me through the lockdown blues.
And finally a note to say that all recommendations have an excellent bun with butter and cheese, a simple but daily staple that is greater than the sum of its parts. In Danish, these are called BMOs, short for bolle med øst, or bun with cheese in English.
Happy eating, sipping, strolling, lingering, and lunching!
Copenhagen cafe crash course:
Sonny has 2 locations, and one happens to be very near my flat and on my commute to work. They make excellent coffee and they also do an excellent golden latte and matcha latte, which is not a given in Copenhagen. The location in Frederiksberg has a large sidewalk with tables and umbrellas. It is the perfect place to find lunch or to sip a matcha on a sunny day. Get the carrot cake for dessert.
I mentioned Lille Fugl (which means “little bird” in Danish) in my guide to Copenhagen museums, but it is worth a trip even if you don’t plan to go to Gammel Strand. If you are shopping on Strøget, it is just a block away on a quieter street and is the perfect spot for lunch or a baked good. If it is a sunny day, sit outside by the canal.
I love living in Copenhagen, but the art of the sandwich is not something that has caught on here. Except at Darcy’s. They have a daily sandwich that is always creative and delicious, and the same is true of their pastries. I once had a hot cross bun flavoured with pine syrup that I am still thinking (and writing!) about 3 years later.
I moved to Copenhagen in 2020, and spent my first months here in a strict lockdown. Juno’s cardamon buns provided very necessary joy in those disorienting and lonely months. Now, I have moved to the other side of the city, and I really miss stopping by on a regular basis. Get at least one cardamon bun (Lily Collins recommends them, too) and a few other treats of the day.
Atelier September is on many ‘best of’ lists in Copenhagen, and it can be crowded and scene-y. Having said that, there is something special about whipped butter served in a seashell! Go with plenty of time to linger — both because you will want to and the wait times can be long.
This one is a bit out of the way, but they have my favourite bread. If you are staying in Copenhagen for more than a few days, I highly recommend getting a loaf for your visit.
Find the full list and all of my Copenhagen favourites below, and let me know if you try any of them!
I wish I could go to ALL of these right NOWWW. (Ideally with you)