It’s not easy to write a mini-guide about Copenhagen – not because there aren’t enough cool spots, but because there are too many. We boiled it down to this selection (including restaurants, cafés, shops and museums).
Cover photo: Krisztian Tabori
Cafés
In Copenhagen, breakfast is an art. Typically, it consists of rye bread, whipped butter, thin slices of cheese, soft-boiled eggs and (optionally) jam. There are endless variations of this all over the Danish capital. Look no farther than Prolog, which opened in the Meatpacking District across from another well-established spot: Hart. For an even more iconic experience, check out Atelier September, where you can admire the sublime – and delicious – mountains of whipped butter (almost set up like museum displays). If you happen to take a morning bike ride in the Holmen neighbourhood, be sure to stop at Lille Bakery, which is so incredibly popular that it no longer allows videos or photos. And, since cafés aren’t reserved for early risers, we can also mention ORSA, a mini-café with a mini-menu.
Prolog – Høkerboderne 16, 1712 København, Denmark
Hart – Høkerboderne 17, 1712 København, Denmark
Atelier September – Kronprinsessegade 62, 1306 København, Denmark
Lille Bakery – Refshalevej 213B, 1432 København, Denmark
ORSA – Vesterbrogade 46, 1620 København, Denmark
Photo: @atelierseptember


Restaurants
There are more reasons to visit Copenhagen than just Noma (currently in a residency in Kyoto) and the Apollo Bar, located in one of the most touristy areas of the city. And for good reason: the culinary scene is buzzing and surprising. At Sanchez, you can savour mouth-watering Mexican flavours. At Bottega Barlie, the focus is on Italy, while you can head to Kadeau for more Nordic tastes. A must on everyone’s list, Delphine is a restaurant where you can come eat fries on your own, or share dishes with an entire table. And don’t miss the burgers from POPL, opened by the Noma teams, or Gasoline Grill — located in the centre, but with another branch at the airport. Just remember that the Danish dine early and that most restaurants shut their doors at 10 p.m.
Noma – Refshalevej 96, 1432 Indre By, Denmark
Apollo Bar – Nyhavn 2, 1051 København, Denmark
Sanchez – Istedgade 60, 1658 København, Denmark
Bottega Barlie – Fredericiagade 78, 1310 København, Denmark
Kadeau – Wildersgade 10B, 1408 København, Denmark
Delphine – Vesterbrogade 40, 1620 København, Denmark
POPL – Strandgade 108, 1401 København, Denmark
Gasoline Grill – Landgreven 10, 1301 København K, Denmark
Photo: @apollo_bar
Bars
Winters here are long and dark. This is why Copenhagen overflows with welcoming watering holes – especially if you’re looking for some natural wine. In this category, we find the popular Josephine (also open for lunch on weekends), Bar Vivant (where you have to arrive early to snag a table) and Pompette (an XS spot with an XL wine list). On warmer days, head to La Banchina, where you can grab a drink, slurp an oyster and have a swim.
Josephine – Frankrigsgade 15, 2300 København, Denmark
Bar Vivant – Elmegade 4, 2200 København, Denmark
Pompette – Møllegade 3, 2200 København, Denmark
La Banchina – Refshalevej 141, 1432 København, Denmark
Photo: @vivant_cph


Culture
When it comes to art, this city’s got it all. Two galleries really stand out: Sunday-S, which exhibits contemporary art in an immaculate setting, and Limited Works, which not only displays works of art, but also sells an entire series of posters and paper-based objects. For an architectural visit, head to Grundtvig’s Church, an expressionist jewel — both inside and out — designed by Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint. Finally, there are several spots to discover outside of town. First, the famous petrol station designed by Arne Jacobsen, where you can get an ice cream to go and eat it at the seaside. Then, there’s Finn Juhl’s House, in such perfect shape that it looks like the architect just stepped out to run an errand and will be right back. Finally, the Louisiana Museum; it takes a short train ride to get there, but it’s definitely worth the trip.
Sunday-S – Dronningens Tværgade 5, st, 1302 København, Denmark
Limited Works – Blågårdsgade 11B, 2200 København, Denmark
Grundtvig’s Church – På Bjerget 14B, 2400 København NV, Denmark
Arne Jacobsen petrol station – Kystvejen 24, 2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark
Finn Juhl’s House – Vilvordevej 110, 2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark
Louisiana Museum – Gl Strandvej 13, 3050 Humlebæk, Denmark
Photo: @alexane.pelissou
Shops
When you scour the Internet for souvenirs to bring back from Copenhagen, you come across Little Mermaid figurines, a flag or maybe a porcelain cup. If you’re looking for something a little more original, opt instead for a hand cream from Frama, a book from SUPeR or ark, or a hair accessory from Pico. Vintage lovers will also adore Joliment and Jerome, two shops with ultra-curated selections. Last stop: the American Vintage store, conveniently located in the shopping district.
Frama – Fredericiagade 57, 1310 København, Denmark
SUPeR – Blågårdsgade 31C, st, mf, 2200 København, Denmark
ark – Møllegade 10, 2200 København, Denmark
Pico – Østerbrogade 98A-B, 2100 København, Denmark
Joliment – Gammel Jernbanevej 4, 2500 København, Denmark
Jerome – Vesterbrogade 36, 1620 Vesterbro, Denmark
American Vintage – Pilestræde 35, 1114 København, Denmark
Photo: American Vintage


Where to sleep?
At the Villa Copenhagen, with an ideal location in the city. The rooms are spacious, the breakfast buffet is delicious and, when the weather is nice, the rooftop pool is simply heavenly.
Villa Copenhagen – Tietgensgade 35, 39, 1577 København, Denmark
Photo: @villacph
AMV Journal is a space dedicated to encounters, discovery and travel. Every week, explore the musts, portraits and inspirations of American Vintage and its creation studio.