20 best brunch & breakfast places in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is such an irresistible European city – and arguably my favourite aspect of the Denmark capital is its impressive culinary scene.

But it’s not just fine dining restaurants and evening tasting menus which steal the show. There are some incredible brunch and breakfast spots in Copenhagen too.

If you want to find the best breakfast in Copenhagen to set you up for the day, then my guide is here to point the way. The Danish capital has a fabulous café culture, and I love that a number of the following venues also double up as cocktail bars. 

Whether an authentic French feast, a local Danish bakery or one of the coolest spots in town is what you’re looking for, 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. Continue reading to find your ideal Copenhagen breakfast venue, based on my own personal experiences, plus recommendations from locals and fellow travellers.

1. Ø12

Address: Øster Farimagsgade 12b, 2100 København

Best for: Hearty food

It’s open 365 days per year and doesn’t take reservations, so I’d recommend Ø12 as a great place to drop into spontaneously.

Positioned in the in the Østerbro part of town, this cute café is a real contender when you’re seeking the best breakfast in Copenhagen.

In fact Kasper and Enete, the couple who run Ø12, established their place because they couldn’t find anywhere in the city serving a delicious breakfast or brunch plus really good coffee.

I loved the interior which has a cosy, hygge feel. When I visited, the weather was warm enough for us to eat on the small bistro tables right outside. 

2. Sidecar

Address: Skyttegade 5, 2200 København

Best for: Cheese on toast

Sidecar can be found in the city’s Nørrebro neighbourhood, and is open all day and evening long.

Here you can enjoy breakfast, savour a lazy lunch or enjoy dinner followed by cocktails, natural wines or local beers.

I think this is the ideal place to go in Copenhagen when you fancy something a little different.

The weekday brunch boards include meaty and vegan variants, or you can order the likes of croque monsieur, a savoury waffle or cheese-topped sourdough (this is what I had and it was honestly dreamy!).

At weekends there are four brunch options to choose from at Sidecar. 

3. The Midwestern Diner

Address: Gyldenløvesgade 4, 1369 København K

Best for: US-style brunch

I’d recommend the Midwestern Diner for those who want a slice of US-style living set in Scandinavia.

Expect brunch classics such as omelettes, buttermilk pancakes, waffles and French toast here. Plus breakfast plates or sandwiches served in a brioche bun.

For a little pick-me-up, the B. E. C. burger is ideal, as it adds a beef patty to the regular sandwich containing scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese.

You can reserve a table at this retro US-style eatery, order take-out or even shop at the on-site General Store during your visit. 

4. The Coffee Collective

Address: Various locations

Best for: Top notch coffee

With several branches located across the Danish capital, the Coffee Collective is a real lifestyle concept as well as a great eatery. The Jægersborggade outlet is one of the top cafés in the entire city. 

I love that this venue somehow manages to combine slick, Scandi-style minimalism with cosy comfort to create a welcoming and fresh ambience.

You can of course expect to be served top-notch coffee here, by baristas who are dedicated to their craft.

Don’t miss the freshly-baked selection of Danish pastries served at Coffee Collective; they are just divine.

5. Bistro Lupa

Address: Marstalsgade 8, 2100 København

Best for: Vegan diners

Vegans, I’ve included this one for you! That said, the food here is so good that I’d recommend it to anyone.

Bistro Lupa in the Østerbro area offers a plant-based menu that’s crafted so that even keen carnivores won’t miss the meat. The concept has met with much acclaim from local foodies.

If it’s a sunny day, the outdoor seating provided is a great place to while away the morning while you savour breakfast or brunch in Copenhagen. The owners’ other eateries in town include Souls and ARK. 

Lots of ingredients are freshly prepared on site at Bistro Lupa, including unique kombucha brews and breads that have just emerged from the oven. 

6. Bowl Market

Address: Gasværksvej 3, 1656 København

Best for: Healthy bowl food

Unsurprisingly, the concept at Bowl Market is bowl food. From a mouthwatering and warming serving of porridge to a fresh acai bowl, I love that it’s all about healthy eating and lots of flavour here.

The porridge bowls are made from gluten-free, organic Danish oats, and have a layer of toppings in the middle as well as on the surface.

There are signature options to pick from, or I’d recommend creating your own.

Both the porridge and acai bowls are freshly made to order, and the latter can be topped with your choice from a list of 30 ingredients. 

7. Sankt Peders Bageri

Address: Sankt Peders Stræde 29, 1453 København K

Best for: Cinnamon rolls

The Sankt Peders Bageri café is a Copenhagen institution that’s famed for its freshly baked cinnamon rolls – and trust me, they are worth the hype!

There are lots of other tempting baked goods to choose from too, including an irresistible selection of sweet treats. 

Sankt Peders Bageri is located on a street of the same name and occupies a historic building in the Latin Quarter.

Look out for the warm yellow frontage and a gold hanging sign shaped like a pretzel with a crown on top. 

This bakery sells around 4,000 of its signature cinnamon rolls on some days, so I’d recommend getting there early if you want to beat the rush. 

8. Sixteen Twelve

Address: Jægersborggade 8 KL TH, 2200 København

Best for: Gut healthy food

Sixteen Twelve is another Copenhagen brunch places serving nourishing, healthy dishes. Alongside incredible coffee and a choice of slightly less saintly cakes. 

‘Next-level brunch’ is the bold tagline – and in this case, what you’re told is exactly what you get!

I love the uber cool interiors, with pared-back walls and simple seating, allowing the food and drinks to become the focus of attention.

Whether you opt for a bowl of Bircher muesli, a loaded croissant, smashed avocado on sourdough, banana bread or a spicy Shakshuka, each dish served here contains some probiotic or fermented ingredients good for gut health.  

9. Mad & Kaffe

Address: Sønder Blvd. 68, 1720 København

Best for: Insta-worthy dishes

If you’re seeking the best brunch in Copenhagen and like to do things your way, then Mad & Kaffe could be the city eatery for you.

This place offers all-day dining and each menu item ordered comes in a separate small bowl so you can plate it up as you please. 

I’d recommend getting here before 10:00 if you want to snag a seat. My personal favourites are the smoked salmon bagel or chorizo sausages if you eat fish or meat.

If you do need to wait for a table, Sønder Boulevard is a good spot for a stroll.

The dishes here are invariably very photogenic, which is an added bonus for those of us who like to snap photos of our food!

10. Kompa9

Address: Kompagnistræde 9, 1208 København

Best for: Pocket-friendly prices

Kompa9 specialises in serving Danish favourites for breakfast, brunch and lunch at very pocket-friendly prices.

You can also choose from the range of sweet and freshly-baked buns to go with your organic coffee. 

More substantial dishes available here include rye bread sandwiches, apple porridge, soft boiled eggs and a platter of cold cuts.

When it comes to cosy cafés, I think Kompa9 is one of Copenhagen’s best-kept secrets. Sampling the excellent food and coffee here won’t break the bank either – which is great news in such a pricey city.

11. Grød

Address: Several branches across Copenhagen

Best for: Porridge lovers

Grød? Grød in Danish translates to porridge in English. So a bowlful of something hot and utterly yummy is guaranteed here.

Not necessarily sweet, however: there are savoury options like risotto to plump for too. The model has been so successful that there are now several branches dotted around the city.

With dulce de leche, apple and toasted almonds, the signature dish is both creative and very moreish indeed.

The menu changes often, but I love that prices at Grød are invariably very good value. 

12. Parterre

Address: 90, K, Overgaden Oven Vandet, 1415 København

Best for: Early birds

Parterre can be found in the Christianshavn area, close to the water. Occupying a small basement building, this Copenhagen café is anything but dull or dingy within. In fact it’s something of an Instagram star.

A father and son team are at the helm here and they serve Swedish Koppi coffee at very reasonable prices. 

For those who tend to wake early (not me, alas), Parterre is a great option as it opens earlier than many other Copenhagen eateries.

Cool music, palate-pleasing food and a uniquely-styled interior create a great atmosphere at what many locals see as Christianshavn’s top café. 

13. Lille Petra café

Address: Kronprinsessegade 4, 1306 København

Best for: A delightful setting

Positioned at the heart of the Scandinavian city in København K, Lille Petra has become one of the best places in town for coffee, brunch, lunch or breakfast.

The fact that it’s situated on a little back lane also makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a well-kept local secret.

I love the small, snug courtyard which provides a delightful setting for breakfast or brunch when the sun is shining.

Menu options range from a light croissant or bun with cheese and jam to Skyr with granola and fruit compote. Or opt for a breakfast plate including rye bread, egg, cheese and compote. 

You can also order homemade juices or a chai or golden latte here to wash it all down with. 

14. Frenchy

Address: Store Kongensgade 69B, 1264 København

Best for: French flavours

If you fancy breakfast or brunch with a French flavour, then I’d recommend visiting Frenchy while in Copenhagen.

From crêpes to croque monsieur to quiche Lorraine, here it’s all about Parisian-style eating with a twist.

President butter, croissants, Bonne Mamon jam and macarons can also be expected at Frenchy.

You can even buy French goodies to take away, converse with staff in French or listen to French music!

If you can’t choose, I’d suggest going for the Frenchy’s Brunch including ham, cheese, eggs, bread, yoghurt, a pancake and even a macaron. 

15. Kalaset

Address: Vendersgade 16, 1363 København

Best for: A retro spot

Kalaset isn’t your run-of-the-mill café: rather, it’s a really cool, colourful spot with a retro-style look. Think stripped-back brick walls adorned with vintage radios and you’ll get the picture.

Operating since 2006, Kalaset has the benefit of local experience behind it and offers plenty of vegan and meat-free dishes on the menu. Organic ingredients are often given centre stage too.

I love that pancakes are served all day until tea-time or you can pick between heartier classics with eggs and bacon or tempura vegetables with tofu.

Croissants, banana bread, coconut yoghurt and chia pudding, meanwhile, are among the sweeter offerings. 

16. Hart Bageri

Address: Galionsvej 41, Copenhagen DK-1437

Best for: Bakery style brunch

Hart Bageri boasts a British celebrity chef at the helm and there is a branch in Frederiksberg as well as this one on Galionsvej. 

It’s a bakery, but not as you know it: this place represents a shift from the traditional Danish bakery to a more modern concept that doubles up as an evening wine bar (count me in!).

Specialities to sample at Hart include sourdough bread, freshly-baked pastries and top-notch charcuterie and cheese platters.

The setting close to the harbour also adds to the appeal of this Copenhagen brunch spot. 

17. Cadence

Address: Ny Carlsberg Vej 40, 1760 København V

Best for: Fresh ingredients

The freshest food and a contemporary, light-filled space are what greets those who venture into Cadence.

With a kitchen open until 15:00 and a bakery that closes at 17:00, it’s ideal for any time earlier in the day.  Putting health and good coffee first is the ethos here, which I think is an admirable ethos!

Some of the more unusual options include sweet potato hotcakes with blueberry compote and lemon mascarpone, the panna cotta gluten-free granola or Turkish eggs with coconut and herb labneh, zaatar brown butter and pan-fried greens. 

Inside, Cadence is styled along industrial lines with potted plants and open shelving adding character to the minimalist space. 

18. The Union Kitchen

Address: Store Strandstræde 21, 1255 København

Best for: Laid-back brunch

I love the relaxed ambience at the Union Kitchen, which serves food and drinks right through from breakfast to cocktail time.

Opening hours vary depending on the location (they recently opened a new spot at Øster Farimagsgade 16A, Østerbro), so I’d recommend checking the website.

But in general, it’s open early – from 07:30 on weekdays or 8:00 on weekends – up to 23:00 or midnight most nights.

Though the Store Strandstræde branch is the leader of the pack, there are also other Union Kitchen eateries and cocktail bars scattered across town. Which is testament to the brand’s considerable success. 

With a range of delicious dishes, great service and a vibrant atmosphere, I’d recommend Union Kitchen as one of Copenhagen’s prime picks for early risers. 

19. Granola

Address: Værnedamsvej 5, 1819 Frederiksberg

Best for: Vintage vibe

A shiny black sign and a matte mushroom-coloured frontage alert you to the presence of Granola on Værnedamsvej.

Once you step inside, it’s like entering another era thanks to mid-century music, vintage signs and an ancient coffee grinder. 

This Frederiksberg café is a popular local hangout and that applies right through to cocktail hour and beyond.

For breakfast or brunch, the options include omelettes, a croque madame, shell-on prawns with bread, Danish beef tartare or a Granola burger (made with meat, not cereal). 

I’d also recommend rounding off a weekend breakfast with a dessert such as affogato, lemon pie or creme brulee.

20. Les Trois Cochons

Address: Værnedamsvej 10, 1619 København

Best for: French fare

Once a butchery, the building housing Les Trois Cochons now serves French fare from morning until evening on weekends. Despite the elegant setting and high quality food, prices are very affordable.

Classic French, country-style cooking is the order of the day at Les Trois Cochons.

Available from 11:00, the brunch and lunch menu includes omelettes, avocado, salads and croque madame as well as more substantial picks like a flat-iron steak, chicken burger or beef tartare. 

If the idea of dining in Parisian style appeals, then I’d recommend bagging a table at Les Trois Cochons during your Copenhagen jaunt. 

Visitors to the Danish capital are utterly spoilt for choice with incredible brunch and breakfast spots in Copenhagen. I hope your tummy is rumbling as much as mine is after reading this post!

If you have any of your own favourites or recommendations, please do let me know in the comments.

Looking for my 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.