Noma based in a converted 19th century warehouse beside the harbour in Christianshavn was voted the world’s third best restaurant in 2009 and in 2010, 2011 and 2012 the world’s best restaurant. With the experience of working in some of the world's finest restaurants (including The French Laundry in California; El Bulli in Spain), Noma's chef, René Redzepi, has returned to Copenhagen where he now blends the most exciting contemporary techniques with the finest Nordic ingredients sourced from as far away as Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. In 2005 Noma achieved their first star, and in 2007 a second star was added. Introducing Nordic cuisine was against all odds when Noma opened six years ago. Now the restaurant has 2 Michelin stars and has been voted the world’s best restaurant. This confirms the international trend that Copenhagen is the scene for innovative and experimental gastronomy.
Musk ox and berries from Greenland, codfish and seaweed from Iceland are part of the menu at restaurant Noma in Copenhagen - world famous for reinventing Nordic cuisine.
“A few years ago, no one knew about the Nordic kitchen. Now people know, that this is something you have to go to Copenhagen to experience,” says Rene Redzepi, head chef and owner of Noma.
Beer in the sauce
“It’s a very young kitchen. It’s experimental and always looking for new ingredients. We use a lot of wild local produce, such as roots, berries, mushrooms and wild birds. Now wild herbs have become just as common in Copenhagen’s restaurants as parsley used to be,” says Rene Redzepi.
Local and seasonal are key words in Noma’s gastronomic repertoire. Whereas other restaurants are using wines in their sauces and soups, Noma uses beer and ale. It’s all about using Nordic seasonal ingredients.
Click here for pictures from restaurant Noma
Stars are raining down on Copenhagen
The new 2012 edition of the Michelin Guide has awarded Copenhagen’s restaurants a total of 14 stars. Not only is that more than any other Scandinavian city, it is also more than other European cities such as Hamburg, Amsterdam and Vienna. Copenhagen also has more Michelin restaurants than Rome. This means that Copenhagen forces it’s position as the gastronomy capital of the North.
Rasmus Kofoed's restaurant Geranium recieved its first Michelin star and was rated number 49 at the British Restaurant Magazine’s list. Rasmus Kofoed was named the world’s best chef at Bocuse d’Or, considered the world championship for professional chefs.
See the complete list of Michelin restaurants in Copenhagen in 2012