12 Best Brunch & Breakfast Places in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is such an irresistible city, and arguably my favourite part of visiting the Danish capital is its culinary scene. It’s not just the fine dining restaurants and evening tasting menus that steal the show, either. There are some incredible brunch and breakfast spots here too, and I love that a number of them double up as cocktail bars come evening.

Whether you’re after an authentic French feast, a local Danish bakery or one of the coolest spots in town, my pick of the best Copenhagen brunch spots should satisfy your breakfast cravings, plus, of course, a great cup of coffee.

Indulging in a Danish brunch is one of my favourite things to do in Copenhagen. These 12 are based on my own visits, plus recommendations from locals and fellow travellers.

This post contains affiliate links.

At a glance

Map of the best brunch & breakfast places in Copenhagen

Use my map below to locate the best brunch and breakfast places in Copenhagen.

1. Ø12

It’s open 365 days a year and doesn’t take reservations, so I’d recommend Ø12 as a great place to drop into spontaneously. Kasper and Enete, the couple who run it, set up this cosy Østerbro café because they couldn’t find anywhere in the city serving good breakfast alongside really good coffee.

I love the hygge feel of the interior, and when the weather allows, the small bistro tables outside are a lovely spot to eat.

2. Sidecar

Sidecar in Nørrebro is open all day and evening, so you can drop by for breakfast, a lazy lunch, or dinner followed by cocktails and natural wines. It’s the ideal spot when you fancy something a little different.

The weekday brunch boards come in meaty and vegan versions. Personally I ordered their version of a croque monsieur – a savoury waffle or cheese-topped sourdough – and it was utterly dreamy. At weekends, there are four brunch options to choose from.

3. The Midwestern Diner

For a slice of American diner life in Scandinavia, head to the Midwestern Diner. Expect brunch classics like omelettes, buttermilk pancakes, waffles and French toast, alongside breakfast sandwiches served in a brioche bun.

For a real pick-me-up, try the B.E.C. burger, which adds a beef patty to the usual scrambled egg, bacon and cheese combination. You can reserve a table, order takeout, or shop at the on-site General Store while you’re there.

4. The Coffee Collective

With several branches across Copenhagen, The Coffee Collective is as much a lifestyle concept as it is a great café. The Jægersborggade branch is one of the top cafés in the city, combining slick, Scandi-style minimalism with a warm, cosy ambience.

Expect top-notch coffee from baristas who take their craft seriously, and don’t miss the freshly baked Danish pastries.

5. Bistro Lupa

Bistro Lupa in Østerbro has picked up a Michelin Green Star and a Bib Gourmand since I first wrote about it, and the food explains why. It’s plant-based, but crafted so well that even keen carnivores won’t miss the meat.

Lots of ingredients are prepared on site, including unique kombucha brews and breads fresh from the oven, and the outdoor seating is a great spot to while away a sunny morning. The owners’ other restaurants in town, Souls and ARK, are also worth knowing about.

6. Sankt Peders Bageri

Sankt Peders Bageri is Denmark’s oldest bakery, founded in 1652 in what’s now Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter, and it’s famed for its cinnamon rolls, or “onsdagssnegle.” Trust me, they’re worth the hype.

Look out for the warm yellow frontage and a gold pretzel-shaped hanging sign. The bakery sells around 4,000 cinnamon rolls on a busy day, so I’d recommend getting there early if you want to beat the queue.

7. Mad & Kaffe

If you like to do brunch your way, Mad & Kaffe in Vesterbro is worth seeking out. It offers all-day dining, and each menu item you order comes in its own small bowl, so you can plate it up however you like.

I’d recommend arriving before 10am if you want to snag a seat. My personal favourites are the smoked salmon bagel and the chorizo sausages. If you do need to wait, Sønder Boulevard is a good spot for a stroll in the meantime.

8. Grød

📍 Address: Jægersborggade 50, 2200 København (and other branches across the city)

🥣 Best for: Porridge lovers

Grød means porridge in Danish, so a bowl of something hot and comforting is guaranteed at this Nørrebro institution. It’s not all sweet, either: there are savoury options like risotto too, and the model has proved successful enough that there are now several branches around the city.

The signature dish, with dulce de leche, apple and toasted almonds, is both creative and moreish, and the menu changes often while staying good value.

9. Parterre

Parterre sits in a small basement building close to the water in Christianshavn, and it’s anything but dull inside. A father-and-son team run the place, serving Swedish Koppi coffee at reasonable prices.

For those who wake early, Parterre is a great option, since it opens earlier than most other Copenhagen cafés. Cool music, good food and a distinctive interior make it a firm favourite among Christianshavn locals.

10. Frenchy

For breakfast or brunch with a French accent, head to Frenchy in the city centre, between Kongens Nytorv and the Marble Church. From crêpes to croque monsieur to quiche Lorraine, it’s all about Parisian-style eating, and you can even buy French goods to take home.

If you can’t decide, go for the Frenchy’s Brunch, which includes ham, cheese, eggs, bread, yoghurt, a pancake and a macaron.

11. Hart Bageri

Hart Bageri, on the harbourside stretch of Holmen, has ranked among Europe’s top cheap eats lists for several years running, and it’s easy to see why. This isn’t a traditional Danish bakery so much as a modern concept that doubles as an evening wine bar.

Specialities include sourdough bread, freshly baked pastries and excellent charcuterie and cheese platters, all the better for the harbourside setting.

12. Granola

A shiny black sign and a matte, mushroom-coloured frontage announce Granola on Værnedamsvej. Step inside and it feels like another era, with mid-century music, vintage signs and an old coffee grinder on display.

This Frederiksberg café is a popular local hangout right through to cocktail hour, with breakfast and brunch options including smoked salmon, a croque-monsieur and egg salads, plus blueberry pancakes, croissants and French toast if you’d rather keep things sweet.

FAQs

Which Copenhagen brunch spot is best for a first visit?

Ø12 is a great starting point, since it’s open every day of the year, doesn’t require a reservation, and has that cosy, hygge feel that sums up a Copenhagen café.

Are there good vegan or vegetarian options?

Yes. Bistro Lupa is entirely plant-based and now holds a Michelin Green Star, while Grød and Sidecar both offer plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices too.

Do I need to book ahead?

It depends on the spot. Places like Ø12 don’t take reservations at all, while others such as Mad & Kaffe get busy quickly, so it’s worth arriving before 10am or booking ahead if you can.

Continue planning your Copenhagen trip

Copenhagen’s café culture is one of the best reasons to visit, and these 12 spots should cover you wherever you’re staying in the city.

For more Copenhagen inspiration, discover the best swimming spots in Copenhagen, read my guide to the best Michelin-star restaurants in Copenhagen, or find the best hotels in Copenhagen.