Copenhagen Travel Guide

Over the past years, Copenhagen has reinvented itself and made its name as a metropolis in Europe. It has undergone an amazing metamorphosis in a wide variety of fields: design, fashion, media, art, film, shopping, music, advertising, and, last but not least, food and drink. With CPH international airport only 20 minutes away from the centre, and with the Øresund Bridge to Malmö, Sweden, many Copenhageners now feel closer to capitals such as Stockholm, Berlin and London than to other major cities in Denmark.

As the city has become more international so has its palate. A few years ago Asian, Middle-Eastern and South American food was off-territory for most Copenhageners but now people of all ages sushi, nasi-goreng, tom yum goong and couscous their way through their dinner appointments. Warehouses have been turned into über—trendy restaurants, old shops have been transformed into elegant bars, and everywhere you turn new cafés and clubs are opening up.

Østerbro Brunch at mocha-heavenly Amokka and rediscover the art of coffee brewing. Lunch at Circus and get a haircut on the go in this post-modern kombi-complex. Dine at Guldandens art-deco veranda or reserve your table at Brasserie On The Square for a young and refreshing experience. Innovative food is served at La-Kajen, designed by architect Jørgen Utzon of Sydney Opera House fame; one of Copenhagen's most expensive but best Indian restaurants, Tabak, is also in the area. Schnappsa are enjoyed in the company of Kruts Karport's impressive collection of malt whiskies and your night ends at Park Cafe, dancing and sipping drinks with Copenhagen's young things.

Nørrebro Your Nørrebro experience begins at Sankt Hans Torv where your latte is served at retro-futuristic Pussy Galore or at classy Sebastopol. This lively neighbourhood is packed with cafés, but amongst them don't miss Floras Coffee Bar, Kaffesalonen and Props, all located around Blågårdsgade. Evening dining includes excellent Indian food at Kate's Joint, French cosmopolitan cuisine at De Gaulle, vegetarian and Middle Eastern food at Picnic and Japanese futuristic fusion dishes at Propaganda. Rust is the name of your final destination; Nørrebro's number one nightclub gives you every reason to love this up-beat part of town.

Vesterbro Home to art galleries, student bars, a red-light district and ethnic restaurants – it all comes together in Copenhagen's most wanted neighbourhood. Bang og Jensen and Ideal Bar prove that what was once a working-class district is now something much more. Vesterbro is the official ‘capital of curry' – the best Asian restaurants include The Indian Dining House, Thai Esan, Shezan, Nam Thip and the not-to-be-underestimated Carry Home. For modern French cuisine try Kamels on Sundevedsgade or if you feel first-class have your stopover at Formel B – you won't regret it.

Double Happiness specialises in daring Chinese food from the Szechuan province whilst Passagens Spisehus offers the best deer and game roasts in town. Club your night away at Vega and if you still want more after 5am, head for Lasses for a last good-night drink.

Frederiksberg This pleasant, Parisian-style neighbourhood is Copenhagen's little theatreland and most bars and restaurants here come alive just before or just after show hours. Kellerdirk and Promenaden are all located around Frederiksbergs Allé and known for a good atmosphere with improvising waiter/actors. Modern Italian food is served at La Buca or at delicious Fiasco and rustic French de pays courses await you at L'Olivier. For a classic romantic night dine at La Gastronomique in Frederiksberg Have or try The Princess' Dining House for a France-meets-Tunisia hedonistic feast.

Christianshavn & Christiania On Holmen, among torpedo halls and old military warehouses, lies the modern, London-inspired restaurant Base Camp which transforms into a nightclub after midnight. While waiting for tapas enjoy the view of the Københavns Havn at Thorsen; or venture into Christiania's EU-free zone for beautiful vegetarian dishes at Morgen Stjernen or modern Scandinavian cuisine at friendly Loppen. Christanshavn is swarming with restaurants, bars and cafés – Era Ora is a superb Italian restaurant, perfect for business and pleasure, Kanalen represents France and there is good food and value for money at Bastionen&Løven. Have brunch at Wilder with the local architects and lunch at Café Oven Vande.

Pisserenden This trendy shopping district is overflowing with cafés, restaurants and bars. For a gastronomic trip around the world try the Atlas Bar; frog-lovers socialise at L'Education Nationale and Flyvefisken tempts you with tasty Thai treats. Floss 's understated atmosphere draws artists and their friends from all over the city and Sabines Cafeteria is still one of the most authentic and popular cafés in Copenhagen.

Frederiksstaden A handful of top-rated fine dining restaurants and bars are found on this peaceful side of town. On the Københavns Havn, a few steps away from the Den Lille Havfrue, lies the elegant Langelinie Pavilion, where quality, price and style go hand in hand. Media students and hipsters dine at Kartoteket whose Polish owner gave up his philosophy in gastronomic pleasures; Lai Hoos Cantonese kitchen is known to be our Princess Alexandra's (born in Hong Kong) favourite place. Copenhagen's first real wine bar Le Sommelier lies on Bredgade and around the corner KGB Restaurant and Vodka Bar serves genuine cold-war vodka and caviar.

Nørrevold Nørrevold is young, hip and happening and the people who live here know it. Among bookshops and fashion stores lies Bankeråt, Nansensgade's most relaxed café. Further down the street minimalist Sticks 'n' Sushi practises the art of slow food, and for suave Spanish food try El Peron. Café Bisau plays Zouk-love with a twist of Paris and around the corner at the Lounge, media types order frozen margaritas. Summer afternoons are spent inside H.C. Ørstedsparken at Hacienda soaking up the sunshine and sipping Swedish cider. Nights are spent at post-everything Stereo Bar, ordering gin & tonics, CPH networking and kissing cheeks.

Inner City Central Copenhagen's parade of world-class restaurants proves that its transformation from local to global player is complete. The excellent Kommandanten has earned two Michelin stars for spectacular French food; superb Restaurationen enjoys a single but big star and so does innovative Pierre André on Ny Østergade. If you are looking for less art but more smart, queue up outside stylish Konrad or hotspot Etcetera. Luxurious international cuisine is demonstrated at Kirk and also TyvenKokkenHansKoneogHendesElsker belongs in the Inner City league of elegance. Europa on Amagertorv glows with plenty of glass and class; Sommersko is always a success and Zoo Bar, just across the road, is the favourite rendezvous of the city's shopping maniacs. As the sun sets, the restaurants fade away and the bars wake up. Tourists head for Nyhavn, teenagers shout Klaptræet, students go for Studenterhuset, jazz lovers knock on La Fontaine, media types elevate to NASA and VIPs light their cigars at SAS Royal's cocktail bar.

Before you pack your suitcase, flash your passport or board your cruiser, remember that you can not leave Copenhagen without having tried a Danish hotdog and the Danish smørrebrød. It is a well-kept secret that the best hotdogs are served at the very far end of the Københavns Havn and for smørrebrød try Amalie behind Amalienborg.

Good luck!2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 99