Stroll through Copenhagen with Natashja Dworkin—a Trip Experience Leader for our Grand Baltic Sea Voyage Small Ship Adventure—and embrace the spirit of hygge (the Danish cultural emphasis on slowing down and appreciating the little things in life).
For visitors to Copenhagen seeking an authentic taste of Danish cuisine, Natashja Natashja — who began her career as an O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader for our Grand Baltic Sea Voyage Small Ship Adventure in 2018—knows exactly where to start: Torvehallerne, the city's premier food market. Located just behind the bustling Nørreport station, this modern marketplace has become a culinary destination for both locals and tourists since its 2011 opening.
Natashja—a Trip Experience Leader for our Grand Baltic Sea Voyage Small Ship Adventure—and her mother's dog Frida (a 6-year-old Bichon Havanese).
"When Torvehallerne opened, many people were skeptical mainly because of the higher price levels for the fresh produce," Natashja said. "They doubted that the market would draw enough paying customers to be successful." However, the market's commitment to quality has proved the skeptics wrong. The two striking glass buildings—connected by outdoor vendors selling fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables—now stand as icons of Copenhagen's thriving food scene.
Among Natashja 's must-try recommendations is Gammel Knas cheese, whose name translates to "old crunch" in Danish. "It's like an aged havarti cheese, quite mild in flavor," she explained. "The texture is crunchy or flaky with salt grains. Arla Unika, the producers, are having a hard time keeping up with the demand—it's always sold out in stores around the country. That's why I always go to the source, the Arla Unika store at the food market."
For those wanting to experience traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches, or smørrebrød, Natashja shared her personal favorite: "Mine is the fried plaice with remoulade, also called rødspættefilet. It's a white fish filet, usually lightly breaded with a yellow traditional chunky sort of mayonnaise. The luxury version has small shrimp on top and sometimes caviar," she said. "The fish sits on top of delicious dark rye bread—smørrebrød actually means 'buttered bread."
When it comes to dining establishments, Natashja recommended Restaurant Kronborg in the old part of Copenhagen. "The restaurant has a team of dedicated and professional waiters that will help you order both the smørrebrød and a schnapps to go with it," she noted. For a more political atmosphere, she suggested Kanal-Caféen, located near the parliament building, where "many politicians often go to eat lunch."
Traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches—or smørrebrød—are a staple of Copenhagen’s cuisine.
Coffee culture runs deep in Danish society, as Natashja explained: "In the rural areas of the country, there will always be fresh coffee in the thermos in case a neighbor passes by unannounced. In the capital, however, people will meet up in coffee shops instead." She recommended Coffee Collective, which has a stall at Torvehallerne and Seks—a charming café near the Round Tower known for its wonderful cakes.
For culinary souvenirs, Natashja suggested several local specialties. "Bornholm is a very special island for us Danes. In recent years, we've seen many small, high-quality producers begin to sell products like sea buckthorn jam, which tastes amazing with the Gammel Knas cheese," she said. She also recommended Danish coffee beans, Summer Bird organic chocolate, and Bülow licorice—"the dark and sea salt chocolate covered licorice."
Beyond Copenhagen's sophisticated food scene, Natashja noted that traditional Danish cuisine still thrives in rural areas. "When traveling outside the capital and the bigger cities, you'll mostly find very traditional food in the restaurants," she said. "This would be food that my grandmother prepared and/or food that is usually eaten during holidays. For example, roast pork, meatballs with potatoes and gravy, and a real classic is fried pork belly with potatoes and a thick sauce with parsley."
Explore Copenhagen and indulge in the delicacies of Torvehallerne during your free time to explore on our Grand Baltic Sea Voyage Small Ship Adventure.
