Travel

Copenhagen Specialty

Establishment neighborhood
Prolog Coffee
Høkerboderne 16, Kødbyen
In Copenhagen's rapidly gentrifying Meatpacking district, Prolog Coffee occupies what was the old neighborhood bookstore. It's one of those coffee shops that has indie magazines and books stacked on the counters, encouraging you to stay awhile and read. The best-kept secret here is their interpretation of the classic Italian afternoon pick-me-up, affogato: Prolog pours their coffee over soft serve ice-cream using a syringe and tops it with grated chocolate.
Mad & Kaffe
Sønder Blvd. 68, Vesterbro
Arguably the best brunch in a city obsessed with breakfast, Mad & Kaffe's menu is pretty DIY. Here's how it works: You choose a few (or several) options from the menu and everything comes out at once in small bowls on a tray—essentially like building your own breakfast tray. The scrambled eggs and chorizo sausages are tasty, but the smoked salmon bagel is insanely good. This café doesn't take reservations so on weekends get there early—by 10am is best.
Leckerbaer
Ryesgade 118, Osterbro
The unmistakeable scent of sugar and dough baking in the oven hits you as soon as you enter this unassuming 16-seat patisserie. Founded in 2015 by chefs Jakob and Gabi Bär Mogensen, the whole idea behind Leckerbaer is to allow guests to sample several sweet treats at once. All the confections in the case are bite-sized and look more like miniature works of art; it goes without saying they taste incredible. We've heard good things about the profiteroles made with salted caramel and Oreo-style cookies, too.
Torvehallerne Market
Frederiksborggade 21, Indre By
This glass-enclosed market has some sixty stalls manned by butchers, florists, bakers, and vegetable sellers alongside several restaurants, and coffee counters. (All of Copenhagen's best chefs buy their produce here.) Wander through the market to sample the assortment of—ridiculously decadent—Danish specialty's like snaps (herb infused spirits) and, at Christmastime, risengrod (a thick rice pudding topped with butter, cinnamon, and sugar). If you happen to be in Copenhagen during the summer months, stop by Hija de Sachez, a taqueria run by former Noma alum Rosio Sanchez. It's as authentic as it comes in this part of the world. (They're open seasonally April-October.)