Press Information
January 2010

Danish Galleries offer food for thought

Food is an art form in itself, a fact which modern galleries and museums acknowledge. Gone are the coke and cake cafés of yesteryear, in their place appearing well designed, attractive cafes and even restaurants. The level of culinary excellence is high and the setting, more often than not, reflects the ambience of the venue.

Ordrupgaard Museum reopened its new addition designed by Zaha Hadid, the Iraqui, London based, architect in 2005. Here the café is run by Paul Cunningham, who is also in charge of ‘The Paul', a restaurant in Tivoli, which has achieved a star rating in the prestigious Michelin Guide. The Ordrupgaard Museum is situated just north of Copenhagen and is noted for the fine collection of Impressionist art.

A prime example of this new trend is the café in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, where tables are set on a balcony overlooking the glass roofed palm gardens, complete with neo-classical statues and fountains. The French inspired dishes are all home made and are prepared as you wait.

Another stately venue with an exceptional lunch menu lies in the lee of Christian 4^th's Rosenborg Slot. With its outdoor terrace, lawns, and French/Danish menu, Traktørstedet Rosenborg is perfect for a break after visiting the Crown Jewels.

In Østre Anlæg, The Danish National Gallery had a major facelift, and rearranged all their exhibitions in 2006. The restaurant has also been refurbished and is now the stylish Café Republic overlooking the park. The artist Viera Collaro has made the interior decoration and everything on the menu is made from basics. This goes for the sandwiches, the salads, the assortment of cheeses and the cakes.

The menu of The National Museums Restaurant is inspired by the various exhibitions taking place at the museum. In 2009 the theme is Co2 free and climate friendly food seasonally based on ecological and biodynamic products.

In Copenhagen itself, the Museum of Decorative Art continues its theme into its cafe, which is furnished in classic style by Danish designers, Hans J. Wegner and Paul Kjærholm. During the summer months it is also possible to enjoy a light home made meal outdoors in the museum's peaceful, enclosed yard.

On Gammel Strand you find Kunstforeningen. A view of the modernist murals of Thorvaldsen's museum, just over the canal provides a background to the lively flea market which takes place every Saturday. A full Danish lunch spread in their basement cafe, or if the weather's good, out on the pavement is a fine way to start the weekend.

Out of town to the north lies Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Situated in an old park with outstanding views over the sound to Sweden, Louisiana is well worth a day's excursion. As well as its 10,000 square metres of exhibition space, the grounds give a perfect frame for a comprehensive collection of modern sculpture. After a thorough modernization in 2006 the café also got a facelift: light and spacious with a constantly changing menu of new Danish cuisine.  A summer lunch outside on the patio overlooking the sculpture park and the water is something to remember.

ARKEN's café, on the coast south of Copenhagen, boasts a magnificent view of Køge Bay. Like the rest of the museum the café is inspired by water and ships. It hangs from the side of the museum like a giant lifeboat, and the teak flooring planks are in the style of a ship's deck. Here the museum visitors may indulge their taste buds with homemade specialties - or simply relax and enjoy the view over a nice cup of coffee. The menu is inspired by French cuisine and is adapted to the changing exhibitions.

Open sandwiches, designer furniture and sustainability are basic ingredients in the Danish Design Centers new Cafe', Café Dansk. From 2008 and onward all wheat and dairy products are exclusively ecological and as time goes by they will be including new ecological and biodynamic products on the menu. This new Café was furnished by the design firm SPACE. Its culinary concept was developed in collaboration with Claus Meyer based on inspiration from modern Nordic cuisine.