Where to eat, stay and explore in the UNESCO Architecture Capital of the World.
By Phil Birnbaum
From the moment you land, Copenhagen’s devotion to design is on full display. Even the airport is outfitted with iconic pieces like Hans J. Wegner’s Airport Chair and Thomas Kastholm’s Daybed. From there, a quick 20-minute train ride gets you to Kongens Nytorv, the city centre, where colourful townhouses, cafés and restaurants line the postcard-perfect Nyhavn harbour. Whether you visit during the city’s annual 3daysofdesign festival (June 10-12, 2026) or any other time of year, Copenhagen’s effortless blend of culture, cuisine and creativity makes it a destination worth lingering in.
Where to Eat
Design influences every detail of Copenhagen’s dining scene, from the interiors to the plating. Start your morning at Andersen & Maillard, known for its flaky cheese buns (a staple) and expertly roasted coffee. For a stylish lunch, head to The Roe Bar at the Louise Roe Gallery, where the Danish designer’s furniture and tableware surround you as part of the experience.
For something casual but iconic, Gasoline Grill—which began in a former petrol station—serves one of the city’s best burgers across several sleek, design-forward locations. As night falls, Ruby is the place for cocktails, set inside a 19th-century townhouse on Nybrogade, blending old-world charm with new Nordic flair.
What to Do
Just an hour north of the city, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a must for art and architecture lovers, with modernist galleries and sculpture gardens overlooking the Øresund coast. Back in town, Designmuseum Danmark traces the evolution of Danish Modernism, with exhibits featuring nearly 100 classic chairs by legends like Hans J. Wegner, Nanna Ditzel, Finn Juhl and Cecilie Manz. Refuel with coffee and a pastry on the café’s garden patio
For a dose of urban innovation, rent a bike and ride to CopenHill, a waste-to-energy plant turned year-round ski slope designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. It’s a perfect expression of Copenhagen’s sustainable spirit.
Where to Shop
Begin at Louis Poulsen’s flagship store in Kuglegården to see the brand’s renowned lighting designs—the PH, Artichoke and Panthella among them—and pick up a portable Rumee Lamp by Gabriel Tan to take home. Then browse Illums Bolighus, a multi-level department store filled with Scandinavian furniture, fashion and décor, housed in a landmark 1941 building.
Before you leave, pick up a Hoptimist, Hans Gustav Ehrenreich’s cheerful spring-figure toy, available in a rainbow of colours—a playful emblem of Danish joy.
Where to Stay
In Nordhavn, Audo House brings together design, hospitality and community under one roof. The 10-room boutique hotel, housed in a restored heritage building, is also home to a concept shop and café by the Danish furniture brand Audo, making it a hub for design enthusiasts.
For a central stay, Hotel Petra, which opened in partnership with &Tradition, features 40 rooms furnished entirely with the brand’s contemporary pieces. The inviting Petra Bar & Restaurant off the lobby serves as both neighbourhood café and stylish gathering place for coffee, lunch or a nightcap.
