5 English afternoon teas to try in Copenhagen

Recently, I had to present a topic in my Danish class. Of course, I picked to talk about food. I mentioned that I missed a lot from home. One of them is Afternoon Tea.

As I learnt from my Danish class, many people confuse ‘Afternoon Tea’ with ‘High-Tea’. They are actually very very different. Delectable cakes, scones, savories and sandwiches are the signatures of an afternoon tea. They are typically elegantly presented in a classic 3 tier stand. Think of it as an afternoon soiree.

Legend has it that Afternoon Tea was started in England around the mid-1800s when Duchess of Bedford wanted something to munch on between lunch and dinner. Afternoon Tea is in fact also called ‘low tea’ as guests enjoy the delicious bites on low tables with comfy sofas or chairs.

High-tea, on the other hand, is less luxurious and more substantial. It is typically some hearty dishes such as meat or fish, potatoes and beans for the working class at the end of the working day.

High-tea has gone less and less common in modern cities but the tradition of Afternoon Tea has flourished beyond the border of England, especially in former colonies in Asia.  

As the rainy Danish summer is hitting us now, I have decided to hunt for some sweet hygge. Here are 5 afternoon tea spots I have found in Copenhagen:

1. Nimb Bar

The luxury hotel serves weekend afternoon tea with a local twist (375DKK). Expect the English must-haves such as scone with clotted cream and homemade jam, as well as the Danish classic flødebolle, a house-made chocolate puff filled with whipped cream.  

Every first Sunday of the month, you can indulge in their champagne Afternoon Tea Extraordaire (695DKK) with a glass of Dom Pérignon.

Bernstorffsgade 5, 1577 København, Denmark

2. A.C Perches Thehandel

Established since 1835, the legendary teashop is the city’s go-to place when it comes to tea, and their English-style tearoom is the hotspot for sweet lovers. Perch’s classic tea stand (250DKK) offers the quintessential afternoon tea experience. Go back in time as you lounge at Perch’s beautifully adorned tea lounge, sip tea and enjoy a hygge moment, whilst the hustle and bustle of the downtown is locked behind its doors.

Kronprinsensgade 5, 1114 København, Denmark

3. Dronning Louise’s Tehus

‘Queen Louise’s Teahouse’ is a former guest house for the Bernstorff Castle where Christian IX and his wife, Queen Louise, spend their summer with kids and hosts tea parties. Sip tea like a royal in their beautiful rose garden, or in their historical tearoom when it gets rainy and cold. The classic afternoon tea costs 245DKK per person. Located near Jægersborg, Dronning Louise’s Tehus is around 25 minutes from the city center by train.

Slotshaven 12

4. Maude’s salon

The spacious corner cafe has been a popular neighborhood breakfast spot. Less known is their traditional British Afternoon Tea (200DKK with juice, or 250DKK with cava). The vibe there is Frederiksberg casual – meaning Nordic chic with a tiny tiny dash of posh (Jante’s Law won’t allow too much luxury) but truly hyggelig.

Gl. Kongevej 164, 1850 Frederiksberg, Denmark

5. Peter Beier Chokolade

The local chocolate hero has several cafes in town, all serving classic afternoon with a special highlight on its signature chocolate creations. We recommend the newest one in the brand new Axel Towers for the most comfort, thanks to its more spacious seating and natural daylight owning to the café’s large windows.

Vesterbrogade 2V, 1550 København V, Denmark

When the ‘green winter’ hits, keep calm and drink tea!

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Falang Asiateria

Opened earlier this year, Falang Asiateria is a fairly new restaurant in the heart of the vibrant Vesterbro, Copenhagen. And it has quickly become one of our favourites for authentic Thai bites in the city.

Upon the first look, the decor of Falang is overwhelmingly pan-Asian. The pink exterior and the bright orange interior walls, excessively touched up with dragons, lanterns, buddha statues, Thai garland, maneki-neko and whatnots, seems like an orientalist interpretation of the East – Thai confused with Chinese, with some hints of Japanese and Korean, trapped in the plastic/nostalgic 60s.

Their menu reflects the same – primarily Thai with a dash of other influences. You get the classic pad thai, papaya salad, stir-fried morning glory, miced meat wraps while an occasional odd one such as the kimchi fried rice slips in.

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So far, I couldn’t really expect an authentic Thai dining experience. However, the food surprised us totally. The falang salad was fresh and refreshing. The crispy pork wrap was deliciously blended with delightful greens, sweet onions, lime zest and a world of flavours. The whole deep-fried seabass should not be missed – so moist and tender inside whilst crunchy outside. The tastes, like its decor, is a blend of stimulation, and yet – genuinely enjoyable.

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We visited Falang 2 times in 1 week. Once in a quiet afternoon and another on a buzzing weekend evening. On both occasion, staff here were friendly and attentive, and could address to our rather complicated dietary requests (as we were in a large group with different preferences) without hiccups (as we often see in other restaurants with similar pricing level).

Seeing a good portion of Danes and Asians in the group, owner Troels Würtz popped by our table and asked how the food were. Our all-emptied plates gave the best approval.

Falang

Address: Istedgade 48, 1650, Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark

Telephone: 33 21 33 22

1 dish is around 150DKK, and for a starter and main plus drinks, we paid around 400DKK per person.

Safari Restaurant

Opened during the fall last year, Safari is based on the successful recipe of Omar in the same neighborhood of Nørrebro. This cool restaurant by the lakes is a casual wine and dine hangout with a focus on green and fresh ingredients.

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Spring toast with smoked cheese cream, green asparagus & lard. Photo Courtesy of Safari

Enjoy an 8-course menu with light and delish dishes ranging from salads, tartar, meat and dish as well as dessert, at a fairly priced rate of 300DKK. Or else you can also pick the dishes you desire from the a la carte menu.

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Braised leek, sour cream, horseradish & almond. Photo courtesy of Safari

The place also has an extensive wine menu, and an array of classic cocktails or spirits.

Address: Baggesensgade 9, Copenhagen, Denmark

Osteria 16 Pesce

For a very long time, we have been surprised that Denmark doesn’t have a lot of good seafood restaurants, after all it is surrounded by the ocean.

Recently, we have been seeing quality seafood restaurants popping up here and there. Osteria 16 Pesce is one of them.

Photo courtesy of Osteria 16

The antipasti restaurant with a focus on fish is no stranger to the foodies in Copenhagen. Taking over the space of Pizzeria 54, the seafood joint is run by the same Italian gang behind the popular Spaghettia and Osteria 16.

There, you can enjoy 6 antipasti at the price of 300kr, sampling a range of simple, yet delightful bites such as bacalao toast, ceviche and other seafresh, down with a selection of Italian wine.

Photo courtesy of Osteria 16

The dinner we tried was well paced, and the waiting staff were very friendly. On a dinner day, you can dine alfresco and people-watch outside the restaurant facing the green lane at Sønder Boulevard.

Address: Sønder Boulevard 54, 1720 Vesterbro, Copenhagen Denmark.

IMPRONTA

Tucked on the quieter end of Østerbrogade, Impronta is a delicatessen selling Portuguese and Argentinian gourmet items. With a few tables, freshly brewed Portuguese coffee and their to-die-for pastel de nata, the little shop double as a small eatery for a quick bite.

The fresh-from-the-oven pastel de nata we tried was crispy on the outside, with smooth and sweet egg custard filling. In fact, it was better than the ones we tried in Porto, probably because we were lucky enough to eat it when it literally just came out from the oven. While in Portugal, a cafe would bake everything once in the morning and sell all the tarts throughout the day.

We also had a piece of vegetarian Caprice empanada, a hearty pocket pastry filled with a mouthful of comfort. Satisifying melted cheese with fresh and delightful tomato richly ’embreaded’ in a thin dough. We will definitely return to try to more classic Beef versions, an Argentinian festival favorite.

Before we left, we also took some Havanna Alfajores (chocolate and meringue) with us.

Whilst we have trouble finding a Portuguese restaurant in Copenhagen, we are glad to have found the taste of Portugal in Østerbro.

Telephone: +45 32 12 72 90

Address: Østerbrogade 93, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.

TRAMONTO

Hotel Ottilia’s rooftop restaurant and bar is a grand Italian kitchen with a stunning 360 degree view of the city. Overlooking the historical Carlsberg brewery and modern byen (the Carlsberg City), TRAMONTO is the perfect place to sip cocktails or munch on the comfort food you desire.

Photo courtesy of Hotel Ottilia

Soak up sun and the city chic in style at their amazing rooftop terrace and garden, with the iconic Carlsberg Elephant Tower at your feet.

Photo courtesy of Hotel Ottilia

The faces of the hotel restaurant may be no strangers to the locals as Tramonto is managed by the same team that run the popular tapas bar Pintxos and ristorante La Rocca. A promising track record for a satisfying meal.

With a capacity to host 200 guests, the expansive restaurant also has an extensive menu. Expects a host of Italian classics, from antipasti, pasta, pizza and a range of meat and fish of the day.

Tramonto also has a wide selection of wine. And paying tribute to host / neighbor, the venue also features a wide selection of Carlsberg beer.

The price is on the affordable luxury end. For instance, a pizza starts at 135Kr and a pasta ranges from 159-175DKK. However, for a good-value experience, go for a 4-course tasting menu at 395DKK, a tag that won’t hurt your wallet and is pretty much similar to that of many other mid-range sophisticated dining spots in town.

Telephone: +45 33 14 66 55

Address: Hotel Ottilia, 5th floor, Pasteursvej 2 or Bryggernes Plads 7, 1799 Copenhagen, Denmark

Geranium opens as a new vegetarian restaurant, Angelika

Denmark’s 3-starred Michelin restaurant and one of the Best Restaurants in the World, Geranium, will pop up as a new ‘summer lunch’ kitchen this June as the establishment is preparing its official reopening.

Named Angelika, the temporary vegetarian restaurant is a tribute to chef Rasmus Kofoed’s mother, serving a host of innovative, plant-based creatives to savor and remember.

The new concept will open from 4 June, Thursday to Saturday, 12pm to 4pm for lunch only. A tasting menu is around 650DKK.

Located right next to the charming Fælledparken in Østerbro, the spacious location is bright and airy. Overlooking the greenery in Central Copenhagen, Angelika will offer residents of the city some fine Danish fares with a view.

Telephone: +45 69 96 00 20

Address: Per Henrik Lings Allé 4, 8. Sal, 2100 København, Denmark

Café Coco

Cafe Coco is not your regular hotel all-day-dining spot.

Located in the heart of Vesterbro just a few minutes away from the Central station, Cafe Coco is an upbeat, delightful, French-inspired cafe helmed by the famous local restaurant group, Cofoco.

Expect simple, modern Mediterranean fares with a Nordic twist on their short menu. For instance, their breakfast plate is a Danish classic with organic bun, soft boiled egg and yoghurt, whilst you can also opt for a quick croissant, pain au chocolate to be washed down with a strong espresso.

Rest of the day, try the hipster-meets-classic Avocado on ryebread (smørrebord), or a simple Salad Nicoise, to go with a wide selection of wines.

Cafe Coco serves organic dishes primarily and is committed to sustainability by not serving plastic-bottled drinks. In fact, like the hotel that houses the cafe, the venue is covered by green energy from Cofoco’s solar park in Jutland. How cool!

Their lovely courtyard is our latest best-secret in town. An urban hideaway from the hassle and bustle of the busy Vesterbro.

Occasionally, the chic restaurant also hosts live nights featuring local artists. Think jazz, think bal-musette, think shy Danes (finally) mingling with the world adventurers. A fine tune and a sip of cocktail are all it takes.

Telephone: +45 3321 2166

 

Feed Bistro

Feed Bistro is a South-European kitchen with a Nordic Twist. Located in the heart of Nørrebro not so far from the iconic lakes, the ground floor / basement establishment has a surprisingly bright and upbeat feel, thanks to its large windows and ceiling mirrors.

The cozy husband-and-wife venture will spoil you with choices. Savor all time classics such as Capaccio, Beef Wellington, Pan Seared Cod, as well as the Danish all time favorite, Slow Roasted Pork with Crispy Skin alongside Truffle-Parmesan Fries, Herb Crusted Mozarella Bites and others.

The place also have am ok selection of wine-by-the-glass menu, with 3-4 options of each type of wines (red / white / bubbles) for flexible pairing, as well as an sizable beer selection.

Telephone: +45 32 20 60 36

Polly Restaurant

Located on the vibrant Gammel Kongevej, Polly is a down-to-earth modern bistro serving simple yet flavorful, seasonal fares.

 

The cozy restaurant has a simple menu, with a range of classic plates to share – croquettes, ceviche, lemon sole, steak au poivre, and fresh greens and fries.

 

For an sumptuous evening, try their 7-serving tasting menu (395DKK) featuring a host of classics and seasonal creations

 

 

Telephone: +45 38 41 41 37

Palægade

You haven’t been to Denmark if you haven’t tried its famed open-sandwiches, smørrebord, and restaurant Palægade serves some of the best in town.

Manned by the same folks behind the Michelin starred Formel B, you can count on having some delightful fares made with fresh, locally sourced seasonal ingredients.

The classic restaurant used to serve traditional Danish fares with a twist – herrings, salmon, dark rye bread and potato, all beautifully seasoned and presented, and paired with modern snaps. Unfortunately, few days before the corona lockdown in Denmark, the restaurant suffered from a terrible fire and they were forced to close, indefinitely (although we hear that there is a possibility of re-opening in Nov 2020).

However, for now, they still have the harborside ‘street kitchen‘ across the bridge from the iconic Nyhavn, which is a perfect for enjoying the summer.