Editor's Choice - Our recommendations for 2022

I have concluded that my apartment could use some more Christmas decorations. Why I need to visit the lovely vintage store Moment in Nørrebro. Moment sells the most spectacular and quirkiest Christmas Decorations. Here you can purchase all sorts of ornaments for your Christmas tree – right from yarn wrenches, gin bottles and croissants shaped as decorations. Now I just need to figure out what to choose!

As it sadly is a rare phenomenon that the lakes in Copenhagen freeze, my skating heart always looks forward to December, as it also means that the outdoor skating rinks open. I have big plans to gather my friends, drag them out onto the smooth ice at Broens Ice Rink, and see if I can revive my rusty skating skills. After our cheeks have turned red and our noses cold, it is also a perfect opportunity to eat some of the delicious food that The Bridge Street Kitchen offers. 

December is also a month that invites me to think about my well-being and find a sort of inner peace before a new year begins – I know it sounds a bit cliché. This winter, I dream of upgrading this self-indulgence and booking a time for a saunagus at INIPI, which is aromatherapy in a sauna. INIPI is located right by Amager Beach Park, making the surroundings of Oresund ideal for you to slow down after work enjoying the fumes of the sauna. This is perfect for a month when everything sometimes can seem a bit stressful.

December is also the month of traditions, and one of my newly started traditions is to visit the café and bar Gavlen with my siblings and drink a warm and homebrewed Danish gløgg. Gavlen has been located on an iconic corner of Nørrebro for what seems like forever. I love their local and down-to-earth vibe - and how the local guests insist on outdoor serving all year long. The place is genuinely welcoming, the prices are super affordable, and there is nothing like the smell and taste of gløgg, which makes me think more of Christmas.

Usually, you wouldn’t think of Italian food when you think of Danish Christmas. Still, lately, I have been dreaming about sinking my teeth into a nice and well-made pasta, and it would be lovely if this pasta could be served at Casamadre. Casamadre lies like a shining pearl on Tagensvej, Nørrebro. They focus on Italian food made with simple and local ingredients: all served with love.

We start locally for me. Rallys in the old part of Sydhavnen are where I get my daily cup of coffee. Rallys is a super cosy café and bar that locals visit every day. The café has a cool atmosphere with recycled furniture, various sofas to sit on, and ABBA posters.

Tivoli is a classic that you just can't avoid. And when they decorate for Halloween with pumpkins, lights and a (un)pleasant atmosphere, you completely forget that it's cold. It's definitely on my to-do list, I'm gonna enjoy the (un)pleasant atmosphere, try a few rides and treat myself to a candied apple or a round of churros.

Another reason why November is a good month is that it is the perfect museum month, where you can spend a whole day inside looking at art, with a clear conscience. At The National Gallery of Denmark (SMK) there is plenty to look at, and when you have seen it all, they have a good café called Kafeteria. In fact, SMK is currently ready with a new exhibition with the French artist Henri Matisse. The exhibition is built around his painting: The Red Studio, where he painted several of his other works into the painting. The exhibition, therefore, consists of all these works.

Beneath Carlsberg Byen there is a wellness and spa oasis. AIRE Ancient Baths has transformed the old factory cellars into a spa with a completely out of this world atmosphere. The thermal baths are Roman and Greek inspired, and you quickly feel drawn to ancient Rome and Greece when you sit down there among the old bricks in the cave-like surroundings.

Skjolds Plads in Nørrebro really opened up in 2019, when the new Metro line Cityringen was ready. And now the square can also boast a new café with perhaps the city's cheapest 5-course menu. Oberra offers breakfast, lunch and dinner for their guests. You won't find any meat on their menu, as they have chosen to stick to fresher ingredients like vegetables, fish and shellfish.

Stuff that usually is at the top of my to-do list, is visiting restaurants. For the moment Baka D’ busk on Rantzausgade is on the top of the list. Baka D’ busk is a plant-based bistro, where the menu is changing, and the seasonal ingredients is the deciding factor in what lands on the plates.

On October 3rd, DAC, in collaboration with the Copenhagen municipality, marks that there are under 100 days until Copenhagen will be the World Capital of Architecture 2023. 5 pm at DAC, Martin Kongstad gives his two cents on where the city’s soul lies. If it’s in the bricks, with all the people moving between the buildings or perhaps the accumulated experiences that people have had in certain places in the city.

I can’t say if you can see or feel the city's soul from the top of the Maersk tower on Blegdamsvej, but you can’t beat the view. Talking about architecture, then there are good opportunities to spot both old and new landmarks in the Copenhagen skyline from up there. The Maersk tower is a part of the University of Copenhagen and houses part of The Faculty of Health Sciences. The building is 75 meters tall, and everybody can come up and enjoy the fantastic view over the city.

Another thing that I, with my super football-interested son, must see is the FIFA World Cup trophy, the one that Maradona kissed in ’86. The trophy is on a World tour before the controversial World Cup in Qatar is held in November and December.

It’s getting darker and darker and from sitting outside enjoying a cold beer at Enghave Square, I now move inside. Down in the darkness surrounded by teak panels, vintage lamps and soft leather chairs, there will I sit back and sip a well-made cocktail. The cocktail bar Duck and Cover on Vesterbro is one of my favorites (and a little hidden gem), and it’s been a long time since I last was there. So, it's definitely a reunion that I'm really looking forward to.

Golden Days are Copenhagen’s big culture festival, which every year has a new overall theme for the events and activities. This year the festival is dedicated to Queens; women who have taken the throne, wielded the sword, broken the norms and gone to the forefront. The festival has become one of my most sacred traditions, where I and a handful of friends tick off the program several weeks before.

Artist Sean Scully has made a permanent impression on me with his very large, expressive art pieces and his use of colours. So, I was very happy when I found out that he was opening his first Solo exhibit in Denmark at Thorvaldsen’s Museum. You can experience the exhibit from September the 2nd until March the 5th 2023. I foresee that it will be Septembers must-see, and an attraction for many art lovers.

Beautiful coastline, wild nature and impressive limestone cliffs that rises vertical in the air from the sea. The Cliffs of Møn is a picturesque nature area, and a and an obvious candidate for a day trip from Copenhagen. The new hiking trail Klintekongens Rige (The kingdom of the Cliff king) has just been named Europes best hiking trail by Deutsches Wanderinstitut i've already invested in a pair of hiking boots and a pair of breathable wool socks and will be testing out the trip as soon as the time is right.

After a pilgrimage through Copenhagen’s many art offerings, it’s time for pampering at the Vinhanen wine bar. The basic principle of the bar is to buy wine in bulk, directly from winegrowers, and therefore they can offer quality hand-made wine at very affordable prices. I will welcome the autumn with a glass of organic Sangiovese, and if it’s getting late, I will combine the wine with some Charcuterie and cheese or a warm dish.

I think that autumn food should be a little rustic and full of flavour so that it warms the tips of the toes. Right by Vesterport station lies Brasserie Prins, which stands out by serving the more unusual part of French cuisine. Are you brave enough to try roasted calf brain? Or sink your teeth in some tender rabbit ballotine with liver and tarragon?

A few years ago, I lived in the neighbourhood of Østerbro and used to do morning swims almost every day during the summer at Svanemølle beach. There’s no better way to start the day than a fresh swim in the water. At Svanemøllen, there’s both a beach and a pier where you can jump straight in the water.

Copenhagen has definitely become a hotspot for craft beers and micro-breweries. One of those breweries is To Øl. They are hosting a Beer festival/street party on Nørrebro, together with the beer bar Brus. They have invited 30 different breweries all of whom will serve their beers. The festival runs from August the 5th-7th.

I actually prefer to go out for lunch, then go out during the evening when it’s often a bit more expensive. The food is the same quality, just a little cheaper. And here I would definitely recommend Omar in Nørrebro; they have a super delicious lunch menu with four courses for only 180 kr. You can also get draft beers for a cheap 40 kr.

There are many reasons to visit Glyptoteket, even on a warm and sunny summer day. Personally, I think the antique statues from Rome and Greece are fascinating, but Glyptoteket is in itself also really beautiful. Especially the winter garden, a kind of greenhouse with palm trees and other exotic plants, and the perfect place to relax.

 It’s no secret that Copenhagen is not the south of Italy. But with Corsa Pizza on a hot summer day, you can almost imagine sitting at the foot of Mount Etna and enjoying an authentic pizza. Because Corsa makes insanely delicious Neapolitan pizzas. My summer is not over until I’ve stopped by Corsa and satisfied my pizza craving. I think it will be one of those with a proper lump of Burrata on top, and then with an Italian beer on the side.

Okay, it's no secret that the Tour de France starts in Copenhagen this year, and it will definitely be with me as a spectator. For the last few weeks, I've been thinking about where on the route I should place myself and my cooler, glasses, and bottle of white Burgundy, while I send the riders off to a good start!
I haven't quite decided on a spot yet, but I will soon. Luckily, I have all my logistical information in place because I've checked VisitCopenhagen's Tour de France page.

The day after the world's best cyclists have ridden the individual time trial route around Copenhagen, it's us, the world's second-best riders who will have the pleasure. The Tour de CPH route will still be closed off for cars and from 9 am we will have most of the day to complete the 13.2 kilometers of the route.

I'm not the world's most dedicated gamer, but with a distant past in the Danish video game industry, my love for video games is still alive. From 25 June to 4 August, Øksnehallen in the Meatpacking District will host a major exhibition called New Worlds Emerge, where you can get up close and personal with all things game design and production.
The exhibition is about the creation and history of the most famous Danish computer games from sketch to screen, including HITMAN, Inside and Subway Surfers, Deep Rock Galactic, and others.

Growing up near Hornbæk beach and spending many summer days with your toes in the sand there as a kid, I have a special bond with Hornbæk beach. For me, Hornbæk beach consists of equal parts nostalgic summer vibes, popsicles from the kiosk, and memories of learning to swim underwater with my eyes open. But all nostalgia aside, it's definitely still a really good beach.

The last thing on my bucket list for July is a visit to Banegaarden, which is still a bit of a hidden gem between Vesterbro and Sydhavn. Banegaarden is a piece of land located on the DSB railway site. The buildings, 9 old wooden barns from the early 1900s, have been restored and now form the setting for a green and gastronomic gathering point. Personally, I'm interested in dropping by Perron and trying out their delicious-looking pizzas. Lade 609 is also worth a visit if you're looking for more of a knife and fork kind of dining experience

Summer is the perfect time to go kayaking around the canals of Copenhagen. Imagine an early Saturday morning, no wind, the sun is shining and the city is still asleep, while you smoothly glide through the canals enjoying the beauty of Copenhagen. I don't guarantee that it's necessarily going to be quite this idyllic, but it's possible, right?

Summer means lots of ice cream and Østerberg has been my go-to ice cream place in town for the past few years. Østerberg has two shops in the city, one on Værnedamsvej and one near Trianglen in Østerbro. There are typically 10-15 different flavors to choose from with new and exciting flavors on a weekly basis such as honey/saffron, olive oil, cashew, watermelon sorbet or avocado/lime sorbet. You can check out Østerberg's Instagram if you're interested in today's selection.

I've never been to Bakken, but that's going to change in June. Bakken has free admission so it makes sense to buy a tour pass (unlimited rides) and go all-in on the experience. I want to try every single ride and then drink a beer or two in the beautiful surroundings of Dyrehaven. If the weather is nice, you can also course stop by Bellevue Beach and take a refreshing dip on your way home. The beach is a short walk from Bakken and right next to Klampenborg Station.

Distortion is back! I've been looking forward to once again partying, dancing, drinking, and socializing at the best street party in town. It's with a few new changes this year, including the replacement of Nørrebro with Rådhuspladsen and Copenhagen Harbour. The festival takes place from 1-5 June, where you can experience Havnehygge, Distortion X, Distortion Club, Distortion Ø and Vesterbro Street Party. Find me on Refshaleøen, wearing sunglasses and shorts, sipping on a cold Club Maté with vodka, and dancing till the sun goes up.

A man needs to eat. So of course, last but not least we're headed to the newly opened Chinese restaurant, Lee's Kitchen for some delicious Chinese food. This is a place I've wanted to try for quite some time now. The menu is simple and consists of Chinese classics like mapo tofu, crispy fried wontons, char siu, and spicy beef noodle soup. If the name and bare thought of these dishes don't make your mouth water, it's probably because you haven't tried them before and then you really have something to look forward to!

Sydhavnstippen may be the closest thing you come to untamed nature in Copenhagen. A kind of green oasis, with no landscaped trails besides the ones people make themselves. The tress and the grass a taken care of by the sheep and lamas that roam the area. The Park is also surrounded by fun and quirky garden communities, with houses like the ones you see in Christiania.

Café Slusen is a café that lies on the old harbour lock in the south harbour. It’s a super cosy café that radiates south harbour charm. I have never been to Café Slusen before, even though I’m a local sydhavner (south harbour resident). But I think I’m gonna change that this month. It doesn’t get more authentic than the area around the harbour lock, with houseboats and people fishing from the little walkway across the water.

If you like me, have difficulties picking which cake to eat, when you’re at the bakery then I have the solution for you. Mille’s Minis in The South harbour makes mini versions of normal cakes. Like a mini-Othello cake or a mini strawberry pie. The patisserie works with the motto, why settle for one cake when you can have several?

Now we’re heading to the northern part of the Copenhagen harbour. Here you’ll find Copenhagen Contemporary. I have just been here, but I can feel that it’s not gonna be long before I come back. Right now, they have an exhibition called Light and Space. Here you’ll experience a world of light and colour with all kinds of fantastic installations. The high point for me was a completely blacked out room, where you couldn’t see a thing. I can promise your senses will come to work overtime.

The last recommendation is one of my favourite museums in Copenhagen. It lies on the outskirts of the city because it’s an outdoor museum. It’s called Frilandsmuseet, and it’s a collection of old Danish houses and farms. See it has a trip back in time to see how the Danish farmers used to live.

After a few years of metro construction, Enghave Plads has really found itself again. The square is anew a Vesterbro favourite when it comes to outdoor hang-outs. I'm in love with Enghave Plads 9 which is now both a conventional bar, but also they are also serving wine to go. The recipe is simple, order a glass of cold white wine, find a place to sit in the sun and enjoy life.

I'm not a winter swimmer, but I can manage swimming in the spring. April is the month for the first dip, and Kalvebod Brygge is where I will kick off the swimming season. I will bring along coffee on the thermos and I will go on one of the nicer days when the sun is out. If Kalvebod Brygge isn't really on your way, there are plenty of other places along the harbour where you can jump in. Here's a guide to some of the good swimming spots in Copenhagen and the surrounding areas.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that at times craves a really good burger, and I know just where to go for the next one; Tommi's burger joint. They serve seriously good burgers, with all the classic condiments. I imagine myself walking around the meatpacking district, absorbing the atmosphere. Get a little aperitif someplace and then go for a big juicy burger in the sun. But the city is full of good burgers, so if you're looking for alternatives, check out our guide to the best burgers in the city.

Recently a new exhibition by the Japanese artish Chiharu Shioto opened in Cisternerne in Søndermarken in Frederiksberg. The former underground water reservoir has been transformed into a dream-like parallel world, which I need to experience. The exhibition is called Multiple Realities and is described as both magical and disturbing. For me, it will be April's first dose of art. I will probably combine it with a stroll around a blooming Søndermarken.

The last recommendation involves knives and forks. Yes, now we're going for top-shelf fresh fish, shellfish and natural wines. Silberbauers Bistro opened last spring and quickly became a go-to place for perfectly cooked fish, reasonable prices and authentic good vibes. The place is located at the still hip Jægersborggade at Nørrebro. They do welcome walk-ins but make reservations just to make sure to get a table. It's a popular place.

Darcy's Kaffe is located on Ranzausgade in Nørrebro and has been around for a couple of years. If you (like myself) are a self-proclaimed coffee snob and haven't paid this coffee shop a visit yet, then now is the time. The coffee at Darcy's is brewed on beans from Coffee Collective, April, and La Cabra, and has been chosen as one of the best coffee shops in the city several times. Apart from great coffee, they also serve small dishes and a variety of delicious pastries.

The weather in March is often both cold and wet, and only a few activities are more appropriate in such weather than a visit to an art museum. Ordrupgaard Museum in the north of Copenhagen currently has a special exhibition of the works of expressionist painter, Paul Gaugin. Many of the works have never been shown in Denmark before, so this spring is a great time to pay Ordrupgaard a visit. In addition to the Gaugin exhibition, the museum also offers impressive architecture, contemporary art, and Danish design.

A must-do on my bucket list for this month is to go to one of the morning shows at the Grand Theatre cinema. Every morning there are morning shows in the historic and cozy cinema in the city center. You can usually choose between 2-3 different movies and the ticket costs only 70 kroner and includes a hot cup of coffee or tea. If you start your day off by going to the movies, while sipping on hot coffee, it will certainly turn out to be a good day.

There's nothing like stepping into one of the city's cozy bars after a long day and having a well-deserved cold beer. And why just sit around when there are actually several bars in the city that regularly host fun quiz nights you can join? One of these places is Søhesten, which organizes a pub quiz every Tuesday. If you fancy a pub quiz on any other day of the week, you can also regularly find pub quizzes at fx Absalon or Studenterhuset.

It only takes one visit to Poulette to get you hooked on the ultra-crispy, spicy, and juicy fried chicken sandwiches. After a visit to the cozy little joint in January, their sandwiches have been stuck in my head and I've been unable to stop thinking about them. Therefore, the last thing on my bucket list for March must be to, once again, eat one of the amazing sandwiches. In addition to fried chicken, Poulette also offers fried Mapo Tofu as a vegetarian alternative and crispy spicy fries with mapo mayo on the side.