Nordic Countries - Reasonable Priced Meals in Copenhagen

We'll be spending a couple of days in Copenhagen before and after our Baltic cruise. I'm hoping that somebody will come up with some reasonable priced places to eat with good food... We're not looking for anything fancy or dressy and will probably be in jeans and sweaters. One of the guys traveling with us is kind of (ok, really a) fussy eater, so we'll probably try to avoid Indian and Thai food or anything middle eastern... Also are there any local or specialty foods that we should try... The rest of us are pretty adventurous and as long as the food is good and the place is clean, we're good with it... Also, is there a good market where we could pick up local stuff and just have a picnic one day?

Any help with breakfast, lunch or dinner suggestions would be appreciated.

There is a cafe on the top floor of the Illum department store (directly on the Strøget) which is good.

http://www.illum.eu/cms.ashx/

A little bit of France, not too far off the Strøget, is L'education Nationale:

http://www.leducation.dk/t2w_2.asp

Thanks... that french one sounds pretty good..

I've never been to Copenhagen but I know that Ida Davidsen (http://www.idadavidsen.dk/index.php?page=10) has a reputation as the iconic restaurant for smorgasbord, open faced sandwiches. They seem to run about $15/ea (Copenhagen is not cheap). I've linked to their recipe page which gives a very specific idea of the food. Apparently it's advisable to reserve well in advance.

I've never been to Copenhagen but I know that Ida Davidsen (http://www.idadavidsen.dk/index.php?page=10) has a reputation as the iconic restaurant for smorgasbord, open faced sandwiches. They seem to run about $15/ea (Copenhagen is not cheap). I've linked to their recipe page which gives a very specific idea of the food. Apparently it's advisable to reserve well in advance.

Im from Denmark, and have been there. Wouldnt go back if you paid me - but if you want to try traditional danish food, its the right place.

We'll be spending a couple of days in Copenhagen before and after our Baltic cruise. I'm hoping that somebody will come up with some reasonable priced places to eat with good food... We're not looking for anything fancy or dressy and will probably be in jeans and sweaters. One of the guys traveling with us is kind of (ok, really a) fussy eater, so we'll probably try to avoid Indian and Thai food or anything middle eastern... Also are there any local or specialty foods that we should try... The rest of us are pretty adventurous and as long as the food is good and the place is clean, we're good with it... Also, is there a good market where we could pick up local stuff and just have a picnic one day?

Any help with breakfast, lunch or dinner suggestions would be appreciated.

Where are you staying?

No middle eastern food rules out a Shawarma house:

http://www.shawarmagrillhouse.dk/

My wife lived in Saudi Arabia for a few years and so on our few days in Copenhagen last year this was a daily visit for us. It was delicious and nicely priced for Stroget.

Where are you staying?

We're staying at the Norlandia Star which is about 100 meters from the central train station.

No middle eastern food rules out a Shawarma house:

http://www.shawarmagrillhouse.dk/

My wife lived in Saudi Arabia for a few years and so on our few days in Copenhagen last year this was a daily visit for us. It was delicious and nicely priced for Stroget.

Man that looks good... I sent our picky eater the link and am hoping that maybe we can get him there.

The Copenhagen Restaurant scene is quite large and broad - and with anything from 2 star Michelin to small eaterieries spread all around town. Of course the pedestrian streets, the major squares as well as Tivoli offers the higher prices - but not by default the best food.

Msot cafees offers quite a decent menu.
Nansensgade is quite a nice street with several good dining options:
Sushi at Sticks'n Shusi: http://www.sushi.dk/restauranter/koebenhavn_k.html
Bibendum a small vine bar with tapas
Several cafees
Nansensgade is just between Nørreport Station and the lakes - 15 min walk from the town hall square.

Vendersgade goes from Nørreport Station to the lakes, it has among others a tapas restaurant - uninspirring decor but great food and friendly service. Further down (just after you cross Nansensgade) there is La Roca - a quite nice italian inspired place.

If you want to go a bit more upscale there a several decent dining options arround Gråbrødre Square, just between the pedestrians streets. including one in an old tram (or at least what apears to be one).

Have fun

A personal Copenhagen favourite is "The Laundromat Café". Rio Bravo is fine, though what I've eaten there was the all-you-can eat pork/parsley sauce/potatoes special with two friends.

The Copenhagen Restaurant scene is quite large and broad - and with anything from 2 star Michelin to small eaterieries spread all around town. Of course the pedestrian streets, the major squares as well as Tivoli offers the higher prices - but not by default the best food.

Msot cafees offers quite a decent menu.
Nansensgade is quite a nice street with several good dining options:
Sushi at Sticks'n Shusi: http://www.sushi.dk/restauranter/koebenhavn_k.html
Bibendum a small vine bar with tapas
Several cafees
Nansensgade is just between Nørreport Station and the lakes - 15 min walk from the town hall square.

Vendersgade goes from Nørreport Station to the lakes, it has among others a tapas restaurant - uninspirring decor but great food and friendly service. Further down (just after you cross Nansensgade) there is La Roca - a quite nice italian inspired place.

If you want to go a bit more upscale there a several decent dining options arround Gråbrødre Square, just between the pedestrians streets. including one in an old tram (or at least what apears to be one).

Have fun


derteilzeitberliner A personal Copenhagen favourite is "The Laundromat Café". Rio Bravo is fine, though what I've eaten there was the all-you-can eat pork/parsley sauce/potatoes special with two friends.

Thanks.. These are the exact types of places where I was looking for...

These are the exact kind of things that I am looking for as well as any open street markets.. We like the offbeat, but good cheap food... Like in London behind Gloucester underground station there is a little place where cab drivers hang out and for 3.50 pounds, you get a really good breakfast, or in Lima there is an open market every Sunday in Barranco starting at noon where the local chefs cook lunch for about 1/3 of the price in the market... Kind of you get the real flavor of the area and good food...

Bankeråt in Nansensgade is the oldest cafe in the street - and it is certainly special as to the decor (you will know when you get there). Often crowded but the food is great:
http://www.bankeraat.dk/englishversion.html

Around the corner is Barbarellah, a smal cafe/restaurant that transforms into a lounge after dinning. I have no clue about the food - but the drinks are good
http://www.barbarellah.dk/

Given what you say above - I would give Nansensgade a try.

We're staying at the Norlandia Star which is about 100 meters from the central train station.

OK, make sure to try a "Pølsevogn" - translated its something like: hotdog-cart. The danish hot dogs are in a class of their own. You'll find the small cart scattered around copenhagen, easy to find in mid town which is where you are at.

Copenhagen also have lots of great cafe's - and in most you'll actually find very good food. Cheaper than a typical restuarant - and a lot faster (you have to realized that in denmark, eating out is something you do on a friday or weekend, most dinners are cooked at home, so when we eat out, we expect an experience, not a hit and go like here in the US.

Hope it helps

If you want to go a bit more upscale there a several decent dining options arround Gråbrødre Square, just between the pedestrians streets. including one in an old tram (or at least what apears to be one).

Have fun

This is one of my favorite places, and yes, it is an old tram.
http://www.sporvejen.dk

Basically it's burgers (or chicken which I've never tried) - but they are quite good and have a decent variety of toppings. My favorite is Guacamoleburger (burger topped with guacamole/avocado) and my husband's is the Karryburger (burger topped with a curry sauce and caviar).

It's a good place to stop in after shopping on Strøget, but it is tiny and gets crowded (it really is a single car from an old streetcar) so best to get there either for a late lunch or early dinner.

If you are there but can't get in because it's filled up, Peder Oxe almost next door is also decent:
http://www.pederoxe.dk

Susan