Note: This article was first published in May 2022 and some details may be out of date.
These are her favourite bars and restaurants in the Danish capital.
With the pandemic in the rear-view mirror (fingers crossed), we can finally plan and look forward to some travelling again. But after several years of standing still, you might need a little outside help.
Because where do you eat the tastiest food in Paris, what are the coolest shops in Copenhagen and which is the best rooftop bar in Barcelona?
In this series, Melk & Honning talks to influencers and celebrities to get their tips on big-city favourites around the world.In this week’s M&H city guide we talk to Darja Barannik.
The Norwegian influencer and founder of Shapka Cashmere moved to Copenhagen earlier this year. Here are her very best tips from the Danish capital.
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What’s the first thing you think of when someone mentions Copenhagen?
– Bikes and low, colourful buildings. Cool, party-loving people in sneakers. Avocado toast, even though I haven’t eaten a single one since I moved. Lovely cafés and restaurants in general, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Why did you choose to move there?
– My boyfriend and I wanted an adventure for about half a year, and for various reasons we chose Copenhagen. Time has gone far too fast and soon we’ll be back in Oslo again. We’re not quite sure whether it’ll be for good, says Darja Barannik.
Which parts of the city are your favourites?
– We live in the inner city right by the water, so we’re within walking distance of lots of cosy cafés and restaurants, and we have Christiania right behind us. It’s an incredibly beautiful area for jogs or Sunday walks. I was surprised at how big Christiania actually is and how lovely its nature is.
– Otherwise I think Nørrebro has its own vibe and so many lovely restaurants and bars. Værnedamsvej between Frederiksberg and Vesterbro is also super cosy!
Which hotels can you recommend?
– Villa Copenhagen is a favourite, with Tivoli a stone’s throw away, an outdoor pool and bright, lovely rooms.
– Sanders is a fantastic little gem in the middle of the city with inspiring interiors (lots of vintage), delicious food and a nice bar with music and great drinks. I’ve also heard that Hotel Coco is supposed to be good at a fair price.
Where do you prefer to have breakfast and lunch?
– Atelier September, Apotek 57, Apollo, Lille Bakery, La Banchina, Pompette, Granola, Bottega Barlie, Sonny, The Union Kitchen, Beau Marche, Delphine, Esmee for a fancier lunch and LETT for a fresh, healthy lunch.
– If you have the chance to go a little outside the city, Rabarbaragaarden is a gem of a farm with a lovely lunch in charming surroundings. Greenhouses, animals and nice people.
– Lynæs Surfcamp for glamping and outdoor activities — super cosy and fun. Falsledkro and Hornbæk are supposed to be lovely for an overnight stay and dinner. I haven’t been there myself, but they’ve been recommended to me.
And what about dinner?
– Mangia, Maison, Donda, Barabba, Jah Izakaya (Copenhagen’s coldest and best beer), Esmee, Delphine, Pluto, Italio Disco, Bar Pasta, Rufino Osteria, Baka dBusk, and Fiskebaren or Gorilla in Kødbyen.
– And Torvehallerne for lovely produce for a picnic or a home-cooked meal.
Where do you prefer to have drinks or go dancing in Copenhagen?
– Pompette, Den Vandrette, Veranda, Vivant, Poldo, Apollo (at all of these you can also eat various delicious dishes before or after dinner), Rubys, Ved Stranden 10 and Lille blå vinbar.
– Balderdash for crazy drinks (the ingredients are very special).
– As for dancing, we’ve still got that to experience ourselves. We’ve been to a few clubs, but they haven’t been anything special.
Which shops do you prefer?
– Copenhagen has heaps of vintage shops. Some favourites are Bakkekilde, Magnolia, I blame lulu, Jerome Vintage and Time´s Up Vintage.
What are your cultural favourites there? (Museums… galleries… other things?)
– The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art! I LOVE that place. It’s a little outside Copenhagen, but worth the trip for inspiring art in the most beautiful surroundings. Go when the temperature is above zero so you can enjoy the surroundings to the full.
– Glyptoteket, the Rudolph Tegner Museum, the Thorvaldsens Museum, the National Gallery of Denmark – all worth a visit!
– And Dyrehaven is an incredibly beautiful area. I think we saw around 600 deer when we were there last. The national park has several restaurants and is generally a lovely place for a walk, Darja Barannik concludes.
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