Restaurants

In a residential part of Frederiksberg, right next to Frederiksberg Hospital, lies a small and unseemly take-out shop. Fortunately I’m lucky enough to live within biking distance as this is the only place in Copenhagen where you can get real American BBQ food!

The shop serves up a traditional BBQ menu with a simple range of smoked foods. The main number is of course the Texas-style baby-back Ribs, but you can also get chicken wings, beef and pulled pork sandwiches. Everything can of course be supplemented with side orders such as Macaroni & cheese and Smokehouse Beans. It doesn’t get more authentic than that!

Prices are low and the owners and staff are American expats so the authenticity is complete. Be prepared to order in American English! If BBQ is not your thing, the BBQ Shack has a Taco Shop sibling (same owners) right next door serving tacos and burritos. I always end up buying from both places if my friends can’t decide what they want.

Most people think that the name MASH is a throwback to the old 70s TV series about an army hospital. It’s not, instead it is an abbreviation of Modern American Steak House. And that is exactly what MASH is.

A group of highly acclaimed Danish restaurateurs has gotten together and created the definitive interpretation of a steak house in Copenhagen. There is no doubt that this is the place to go for steak! The décor is red and velvety, the staff professional and courteous and the meat is outstanding.

MASH have chosen to carry both American hormone-free beef from Nebraska and Danish beef dry aged for 90 days. Both are excellent although surprisingly different. Actually, the only regret I have about MASH is that you can’t mix and match the different types. I would love to get a serving with similar cuts from the different live stock and taste the difference.

To top that off, MASH serves a selection of starters (Lobster, Foie Gras terrine, Cesar Salad etc) and a great choice of classic American side dishes (e.g. Macaroni & Cheese, Mashed potatoes, Green Beans).

Of course MASH has a great wine list, but not to be neglected is the great bar by the entrance. It serves fab cocktails and a house brand beer. The signature Margarita is one of my favorites.

‘Welcome to Café Lyst – where the sun is always shining’ it says on the wall when you enter the café.

Despite the fact that it’s located in a basement and it looks at bit dark, it is surprisingly bright once you’re inside. Lyst is friendly and super cosy, and the food is quite good.  You can meet young mothers sipping latte and showing off their babies, hipsters with hangovers, budding musicians and all the rest of us just out for a bite or a coffee.

Lyst is located on an open and sunny corner, so when weather permits it I’ll take my coffee outside. You’ll have to share your table because the outdoor seating consists of benches along tables, so don’t be shy.

Many of the dishes are served with ecological rugbrød (rye bread). If you never had Danish rye bread before then be aware that it is quite different from ordinary wholemeal bread.

From the snack menu I highly recommend the rugbrød with humus, tapenade and pesto: it’s really good!

I know I write a lot about food, but simply can’t help myself but write about another great place for breakfast. Every place serving brunch in this city always offers pancakes -seriously, I haven’t yet found a single brunch without them -but when it comes to choosing the absolutely best pancakes in the city, café Kalaset is the true winner.

How they manage to make the pancakes high but not too fluffy, filling but still saving some space for a slice or two of their homemade bread amazes me. My favorite is the ones with thick chocolate sauce and banana slices on top, though the Blueberry -ones with maple syrup are a tough competitor. To accompany this food from heaven I like to order “Oslo mad” – a plate with white and rye bread with butter and cheese plus a cup of their good coffee. They also offer bigger meals, for example I’ve heard their burger rocks.

Kalaset is situated in the very middle of the city; around 5min walk from Nørreport -station. Though situated in a basement (as huge part of the Copenhagen -restaurants), they have a very cozy atmosphere: retro tables and chairs, beautiful old radios on the wall and a wooden bar desk in the middle of the place.

But if you want to eat here (especially on a weekends) and arrive after 11:00 you’re already late! The place is extremely popular amongst the locals of the area, and the sporty Copenhageners don’t seem to sleep in on weekends…

Three words: absolutely gorgeous sushi! Green sushi’s concept is to offer its customers good sushi made out of as ecological and pure ingredients as possible: Norwegian ecological salmon and Friends of the sea – certified tuna, and they are keeping an eye on having as little additives in the ingredients as possible.

With every rice- including dish one has a choice between white and brown rice. They also offer a variety of organic and biodynamic drinks (delish!) and Japanese beer. My ultimate favorite here is the Alaska Inside out Maki’s, with that gorgeous eco-salmon and fresh avocado. Top that with some Spicy Ebi (with shrimp, cucumber and spicy sauce) and my favorite snacks, steamed Edamame -soybeans with sea salt and lemon. I could have dinner here every day!

In the very beautiful street of Grønnegade, Inner city, they have a small, cute restaurant and a takeout-shop and another takeout on the cool and urban Nørrebro -area’s street Jægersborggade. Go green, taste Japan!