Planning your next city break? Copenhagen is not only beautiful, but brimming with exciting places serving up delicious vegan food, finds Richard Webber...
ADVERTISEMENT
Denmark’s coastal capital is a charming, relaxed city boasting a cool vibe. Captivating architecture, history and culture combined with friendly locals, plenty of green spaces and an efficient transport system make for an ideal short-break destination.
What’s more, because of its compact size, Copenhagen is easily explored on foot. When it comes to eating out, vegans are well catered for with plenty of eateries and vegan restaurants offering everything from vegan street food to fine dining.
1. Bistro Lupa & Ark
Image credit: Richard Webber
ADVERTISEMENT
Owner Jason spends 20 hours a week foraging for ingredients used in his three restaurants. I visited two and the food didn’t disappoint.
Five courses are offered at the bistro, while at Ark it’s fine dining over nine courses.
Lupa; Marstalsgade 8; bistrolupa-dk. Ark; Nørre Farimagsgade 63; restaurantark.dk
2. Eden Jaxx
Image credit: Richard Webber
ADVERTISEMENT
Billy the owner has four burger restaurants in the city and everything is vegan, including the brioche buns. Among the tempting items are an organic classic burger and coconut cheesecake.
I recommend the classic (£12.40) followed by a mango shake (£6.20).
Rosenvaengets Allé 3; edenjaxx.dk
3. Art Escape
Image credit: Richard Webber
Opened as an art studio in 2020, the small café followed a year later. It’s run by Nicola, a talented painter. A few vegetarian dishes are on the mostly vegan menu.
Options include spicy hummus tartine and lentil burger. I tried mini vegan pizzas – pitta base with grapes and pears (£14.20).
Blegdamsvej 68; artescapestudios.dk
4. Café Oha
Image credit: Richard Webber
Happy people, happy planet is the café’s motto, achieved serving healthy plant-based meals. About 80 per cent of the menu is vegan.
Brunch-style dishes make up much of it – I suggest avocado on toast (£8.50) and the acai berry smoothie bowl (£8.20). Other options include creamy lentil stew (£13.50).
Finsensvej 29; cafeoha.dk
5. Gemyse
Image credit: Richard Webber
Located inside Tivoli Gardens, this restaurant has greenery everywhere you look. Organic greens and fruit take centre-stage on its vegetable-focused menu.
I went at lunchtime and had flatbread with grilled tomato in Basquaise sauce (£16.50) and a delicious rhubarb dessert (£10.80).
Tivoli Gardens, Vesterbrogade 3; nimb.dk
6. Bake My Day
Image credit: Richard Webber
It’s hard to find a better cake shop in Copenhagen – this cake shop-cum-café is light, airy and has an array of cakes, many from Icelandic recipes, from where owner, Ynja, originates.
Most of the delights are plant-based. I recommend the vegan cupcakes and cinnamon buns (£3.65 each).
Amagerfaelledvej 162; bakemydaydk.com
7. POPL
Image credit: Richard Webber
Floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings and a location by the water add to this fast-food restaurant’s appeal. Not exclusively vegan, but the plant-based patties are worth a visit.
The team developed a vegan option with cooked quinoa. I had a spicy vegan burger with cashew nut cheese (£17).
Strandgade 108; poplburger.com
8. Glean
Image credit: Richard Webber
Sited in the popular market hall, Glean specialises in vegan cream buns coated in fine Belgian chocolate. The whipped cream interior is made from aquafaba.
The buns are in several flavours, including raspberry and coconut. Stop for a coffee (£4.30 for a latte) and a bun (£3.20).
Frederiksborg gade 21; glean.dk
9. 42 Raw
Image credit: Richard Webber
Originally focused on raw food, 42 Raw was 100 per cent plant-based, but a couple of non-vegan ingredients are now used.
Found off the main shopping street, options include sweet potato fries and the green bowl. For dessert, try a pancake (£12.40) with a protein shake (£7.80).
Pilestraede 32; 42raw.com
10. DOP
Image credit: Richard Webber
The owner, Claus, has a degree in nutrition and health and set out to reinvent the hot dog. His two city centre stands sell hot dogs catering for all tastes, including a scrummy vegan version made from tofu (£4.80).
Hot dog stands located by the Round Tower and Church of the Holy Ghost; dop.dk
Top 5 things to do in Copenhagen
1. Boat trip on the canals
See the city from the water by joining a guided tour around the harbour and through the idyllic canals, where you’ll spot everything from the former stock exchange to the opera house.
Further information: stromma.dk
2. Take a wander through the parks and gardens
The city’s green spaces represent around a quarter of its overall area and there are some lovely parks in which to sit and relax. King’s Garden, the country’s oldest palace garden with its sculptures, rose garden and one of northern Europe’s longest mixed borders, is a must.
The equestrian statue of Christian V on Kings New Square Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen, Denmark. Image credit: Viacheslav Chernobrovin via Getty Images
3. Head up the Christiansborg Palace tower
Take the lift to the top of the 347-foot palace tower for a bird’s eye view of the city. It’s free to access and offers the highest view of Copenhagen.
Further information: thedanishparliament.dk/en/the-tower
4. Visit Tivoli Gardens
Historic Tivoli was founded in 1843 and is the world’s second oldest operating theme park. As well as myriad rollercoasters and fairground attractions for all the family to enjoy, delicious gastronomy and attractive buildings are on offer.
Further information: tivoligardens.com
Tivoli was founded in 1843 and is the world’s second oldest operating theme park. Image credit: Mindaugas Dulinskas via Getty Images
5. Go to the National Gallery of Denmark
The largest art gallery in Denmark houses an unbeatable collection of Danish and international art spanning seven centuries. Feast your eyes on everything from European classics to modern contemporary.
Further information: smk.dk
Where to stay in Copenhagen
Hotel Andersen
This centrally-located boutique hotel close to the main train station has a cool, contemporary style throughout its 69 air-conditioned rooms. As well as comfortable bedrooms, friendly staff and a decent breakfast, you can enjoy a free glass of wine each night between 5-6pm.
Image credit: Richard Webber
Its green credentials are reflected in the offer of a free gift, including a drinks’ voucher or a day’s bike hire, if you decline housekeeping for your room. Doubles from £124 per night, including an organic breakfast.
Further information: Helgolandsgade 12; andersen-hotel.dk; 0045 33 31 4610.
Getting there
Richard travelled with easyJet from Bristol. For parking at Bristol Airport, go to the website bristolairport.co.uk/parking.
For more information about the city, go to visitcopenhagen.com and visitdenmark.com
Looking for some tasty vegan food closer to home?
Check out what Manchester has to offer with our guide to vegan restaurants in Manchester.
Featured image credit: Alexander Spatari via Getty Images
