At W&L, Spring Term is a time for students to explore. For Spring Term 2019, I was lucky enough to be able to take a class on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Denmark. While I learned a lot about business, sustainability, and Danish history, I also got to experience the amazing food in Copenhagen. Here are some of my favorites.
Rossopomodoro’s Margherita Pizza
Located in Illum (something like an American department store, but not,) Rossopomodoro serves Italian cuisine. This is where our professors took us for dinner on the first night, and it was so good my friends and I returned twice. Its Margherita pizza has the perfect ratio of crust to toppings and is charred just the right amount. Pro tip: ask for extra basil to take this meal from great to absolutely amazing!
Mæxico’s Tacos
Our second day in Copenhagen was Cinco de Mayo, so we had to find a Mexican place! Thankfully, we ran into this little spot. Right off the main walking street, Strøget, and underground, Mæxico offers a variety of traditional Mexican food. While the totopos, guacamole, and salsa were a delicious starter, the tacos stole the show. I ordered two chipotle chicken tacos topped with onion, cilantro, pineapple, and avocado salsa, and they took my breath away. They were about two and a half inches in diameter, so two tacos and chips was the perfect amount for lunch!
Halifax Burger
Rated the one of the top burgers in Copenhagen, Halifax Burger offers a variety of specialty burgers named after cities around the world. I ordered the Biarritz, a beef patty on a brioche bun topped with a mound of goat cheese, pickled onions, chili-fried mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and chives. This burger was truly an experience; a bit messy and extremely flavorful.
Fresh Market’s Chia Pudding
In the Glass Market there are a ton of different food stands with meals ranging from pastries and coffee to sandwiches and salads. One small shop, Fresh Market, has a variety of healthy options. I got a chia bowl with coconut, mango, and passionfruit. The spirulina made the chia part blue, which really added to the whimsical experience. It was a great lunch, keeping me full and feeling healthy.
Hija de Sanchez
Named the best street food in Europe, I had high expectations for this vendor. Unfortunately, I was a bit let down. One of the specials of the day was a cheese taco and–as a lover of cotija cheese–I had to try it. I figured that with jalapeño sauce, pickled onions, and cilantro there would be a good amount of flavor to complement the rather bland cheese, but it just felt like something was missing. Not bad, but I wouldn’t call it the best street food in Europe.
Next Door Café’s BLT^2
Next Door Café is a hidden gem. A few blocks off the Strøget, this small, underground, hipster eatery serves a variety of coffees, fresh pressed juices, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast plates. After learning that the tomato and mozzarella sandwich was sold out, I settled on the BLT^2. Though, after my first bite, I realized that I wasn’t settling. With fresh baked bread, a spicy mustard sauce, and two layers of bacon, lettuce, and tomato, this sandwich was arguably one of the best lunches I had on this trip. Not to mention, I sipped on the best iced americano I tried throughout my time in Denmark.
Mother’s Salamina Pizza
Mother is a pizza place in the meatpacking district. It’s super popular (which we found out when we approached the packed restaurant with a line out the door one Saturday night) and is totally worth the wait. With eighteen varieties of pizza, my choice was difficult. However, it became much easier when the table next to ours had Salamina pizzas arrive. The Salamina is topped with tomato, mozzarella, and thinly-sliced salami, then drizzled with a sweet mascarpone. Personally, I think Mother’s pizza is better than Rossopomodoro’s, but its location a bit far from the city center made it difficult to justify going twice.
Brunch at Union Kitchen
On the morning of a free work day we decided to go out for a nice brunch. Union Kitchen was recommended for its irreverent signature cappuccinos and gourmet food. To say that we were not let down would be an understatement! I had a cappuccino dusted with cocoa powder spelling “You should call me,” eggs Benedict, and fries for the table to share. While the cappuccino was a fun way to start and my main featured a perfectly cooked egg and the hollandaise was both rich and tangy, the real star of the show was the fries. This is because they came with a truffle aioli dipping sauce that was to die for. (I don’t have a picture because our table devoured them immediately.) You could call me, but I’d suggest you call Union Kitchen and order those fries instead!
Cinnamon Rolls from Sankt Peders Bageri
Every Wednesday morning, Sankt Peders Bageri, a small pastry shop nestled in the side streets of the city, bakes its fresh and famous cinnamon rolls. Why are they famous, you might ask. It’s because, not only is Sankt Peders the oldest bakery in Copenhagen, but these rolls are warm and about the size of your head! You can choose between one topped with sugar or icing and, being the frosting fiend I am, I went with icing and was not disappointed. Was this the best bakery item I’ve ever eaten? No, but this fresh Wednesday morning cinnamon roll was an experience that I wouldn’t change.
New Nordic Dinner at Høst
On the final night of the class everyone enjoyed a New Nordic meal at Høst. It was filled with interesting dishes, unusual ingredients, and amazing flavors. From shrimp fried in oil so hot you could eat the shell to horseradish foam topped with ash to rhubarb ice cream and candied pinecones, this was a culinary experience. If you find yourself in a Nordic country, you must try this unique cuisine.
Gasoline Grill
It seemed like everyone in Copenhagen was raving about the Gasoline Grill. To explain how popular these burgers are, it took multiple tries for me to get one of them before they sold out. On my final day in Copenhagen a group of friends and I headed over for lunch. It’s a small shop without seating, definitely set up for fast food. However, the Gasoline Grill fare was nothing like your usual McDonald’s bite. Not only was the burger absolutely divine, but the fries were loaded with truffle salt, my favorite.
In conclusion, Copenhagen doesn’t just have rich culture and beautiful sights; it has incredible food. You should check it out!