Approaching the opening of his fourth modern art show, Copenhagen creative Michael Dansk shares his insiders’ guide to the capital of new Nordic cuisine, contemporary design, and fairy tale architecture.
Shopping
Be sure to bike across the city, like locals do on a day of shopping. Start your tour with coffee and a cardamom bun to-go at Apotek 57 (Fredericiagade 57). The beautifully decorated café is part of design and interiors shop Frama that invites visitors inside a former 19th-century pharmacy, where well-preserved original features create a dynamic backdrop for the brand’s furniture design, tableware, textile, and own series of self-care goods. If you go on a Friday or Saturday, stroll around the corner to visit artist Cathrine Raben Davidsen’s newly opened art shop, CRD Studio Store (Sølvgade 4) and explore unique ceramics, books, and printed works of art. Next, head to concept store Studio x Viaduct (Dronningens Tværgade 50) for a dose of international furniture, curated objects, and hand-picked clothing.
Stop by Holly Golightly (Borgergade 17b) to browse a selection of colourful women’s fashion or to simply take in the interiors that are eclectically decorated with art and objects by founder, Barbara Husted Werner. A short walk from here, you’ll find Tableau (Store Kongensgade 50) - a flower shop and exhibition space with a vibrant assembly of furniture, art and of course flowers. If a visit to Tableau makes you long for more art, stop by contemporary art and design gallery Etage Projects (Borgergade 15e) or visit Copenhagen’s traditional gallery strip on nearby Bredgade.
Trying to shop consciously, I regularly visit Time’s Up Vintage (Krystalgade 4) for their selection of carefully chosen vintage classics ranging from cool no-brand styles to luxury goods from Missoni, Prada, or Hermès. A must visit for all lovers of vintage décor and contemporary design is The Apartment (Overgaden Neden Vandet 33), a colourful space set up like a shoppable home and a true hidden gem placed in a restored 18th-century walk-up located by the Copenhagen canals. Now that you are on the lookout for vintage furniture, finish your tour at Hvornum (Gl. Kongevej 105), a new concept store with a great selection of Scandinavian and Italian design, lighting, books, and one-of-a-kind objects.
MAY WE SUGGEST: A Danish creative's coolly colourful Copenhagen apartment
Food & Drink
Copenhagen has become a true mecca for foodies thanks to restaurants like Noma (Refshalevej 96), Geranium (Per Henrik Links Allé 4), Alouette (Sturlasgade 14), Iluka (Peder Skrams Gade 15) and other celebrated eateries. Don’t panic if you haven’t booked a table in due time – there are plenty of lesser-known places to enjoy a nice meal in Copenhagen.
A personal favourite is vegetarian restaurant Baka d’Busk (Rantzausgade 44) with an all-green menu, organic wines and a mouth-watering cheese plate. Like its neighbourhood (Nørrebro), the interior is colourful, quirky, and urban with changing exhibitions of contemporary art showcased nonchalantly across the restaurant.
Another great place in the area is Pompette (Møllegade 3), an understated wine bar with a great selection of organic wines from all over the world. Have a glass of bubbles and order the burrata that with surely be served on a cute vintage dish with a colourful topping. Lastly, a trip to Copenhagen should always include some Danish pastry – bike to Lille Bakery (Refshalevej 213a) located a bit outside the city centre, stop by Hart Bageri (Gl. Kongevej 109) for a sourdough bun or stroll by Juno the Bakery (Aarhusgade 48) for their famous cinnamon rolls.
Accommodation
Last year, I was lucky to spend a few days of staycation at The Audo (Aarhusgade 130) – an immaculate boutique hotel with just 10 rooms. Located in a fairly new part of the Copenhagen, Nordhavn, with the ocean as a next-door neighbour. The rooms have been masterfully transformed into serene spaces of relaxation by Norm Architects. While all of them have their own visual identity, they are tied together by a soft and warm take on Nordic, minimal interiors. Be sure to browse the hotel shop that offers a selection of Danish furniture, curated objects, coffee table books and vintage pieces.
Fans of Danish design and contemporary art should consider staying at The Darling (Niels Hemmingsens Gade 1), a highly curated one-party guest house furnished with the best of mid-century Danish design and selection of modern pieces. The owners have selected every detail personally, making this one of the most refined places to stay in Copenhagen.
Don’t miss
If you have a few hours to spare, go on a trip outside of Copenhagen to visit Louisiana Museum (Gl. Strandvej 13). A 30-minute train ride from the city centre, this beautiful museum is located along the seaside with panoramic views of the park and ocean, stunning mid-century architecture, an internationally acclaimed art collection and even a great restaurant. A lesser known, yet equally impressive place to visit outside the city is Ordrupgaard (Vilvordevej 110), a museum which grounds offer access to the impressive original home of Danish architect Finn Juhl. Here you will find one-of-a-kind furniture from the 40s and 50s, stunning art and ceramics that are a constant inspiration to me in my own work. The architecture of the building alone is worth the trip, and the lush garden is simply an added bonus.
