This may not be the most obvious tourist destination and it does have a limited lifespan, but if you’re in the neighbourhood anyway, I think it’s worth a visit.

The Copenhagen metro system is expanding with a City ring which is supposed to be finished in 2018. One of the larger construction sites is located in Nørrebroparken. The large hole in the ground and the huge white indefinable machines, roaring and doing God knows what inside the enclosed area, is spectacle enough on its own.

The large gate to the construction site is mostly open during the day, so you can see what’s going on. But even when they are closed you can sneak-peak at the progress through several windows in the fence surrounding the site. And that’s another thing to look at: the fence.

It’s more than half a kilometre long and decorated with different kinds of art. Local artist and children from nearby schools and institutions have covered large parts of the fence with different kinds of artwork.

One of the pieces you can see is the remains of the large trees in the park that had to be cut down to make room for the construction site, now changed into art and put on display on the fence.

My own favourite is on the part of the fence facing Nordbanegade where miniature models of local shops and institutions are put up, like Rust and our local bus 5A.

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On the fence | Art & culture | Free
Hillerødgade | Nørrebro
24 hours daily

Assistens Cemetery is a popular spot for sunbathing and picnics, but if you’re not completely comfortable with the idea of baring skin among the tombstones, there is a fine alternative very close by. Behind the cemetery and between Holy Cross Church and The Metropolitan School is Hans Tavsens Park. The park was founded in the early twentieth century in a former part of the cemetery and is Copenhagen’s first public park.

In the park are some beautiful statues such as The Artemis Fountain by Johannes Bjerg.and Michelangelo’s Moses (well, a copy of it, anyway).

The park’s grill can be used free of charge and behind The Metropolitan School there are paved ball courts and climbing walls and a mini golf course. During opening hours you can borrow golf equipment in the playgroup buildings next to the golf course.

At the other end of the park near the church is a playground for smaller children.

Whereas Assistens Cemetery is a very tranquil place, Hans Tavsens Park is quite naturally a lot livelier, but you can easily find a peaceful spot away from the hordes of soccer-playing boys.

You can enter the park through the cemetery, or from Jagtvej via a somewhat humble reddish brown wooden gate, or from Hans Tavsens Gade.

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Hans Tavsens Park | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Hans Tavsens Gade | Nørrebro
Park 24 hours daily | Mini golf Mon – Thu 09:30 – 17:00, Fri 10:00 – 17:00

Copenhagen has an almost brand new opera house. I have an excellent view of it from my office, and in my opinion it looks like a very large hat that someone has placed on the horizon of the city. And though the inside of the building is quite stunning, catching a performance there is definitely in the more expensive category of entertainment.

Luckily it is possible to find offers of fine art such as opera and poetry elsewhere, and – might I add – at a more affordable price. In an abolished church on Møllegade lies Literaturhaus. The place harbours a variety of events from readings by national and international writers, poetry duels, discussions, opera improvisation and stand-up opera – both of which can be rather overwhelming experiences – to electronic ambient and presentations of new releases of classical music.

Listening to, or rather experiencing opera at Literaturhaus is very different from going to an opera, and you don’t even have to be a huge fan of the genre to be impressed and enjoy yourself.

The original reason that I know of this place is less poetic: the owner rents out the church for social events, and my friends and I rented it some years back for a large party.

Prices too are in a completely different league than the big opera house.

Check out the program on Literaturhaus’ website. Unfortunately not all of it is translated into English, but some is.

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LiteraturHaus | Art & culture, Music | Entrance up to DKK 150
Møllegade 7 | Nørrebro | +4533329818
Depends on the event

I first saw them November last year. Back then there were only four of them: two bears, a monkey and a rabbit to be precise. One day they were just there, sitting in a tree.

Last time I counted, the number had grown to more than thirty, and almost every week new stuffed animals arrive to join the party. For the most part it’s good old teddy bears, but dolphins, crocodiles, elephants and a great deal of other plush creatures have come to join in. They have spread from their original tree, and now occupy the whole of two trees.

I pass their hangout every day twice, but I still haven’t been able to catch a glimpse of any of them arriving at the scene. It is quite a mystery what makes them gather in this particular area, where (to be honest) not much else is going on.

Maybe they are there to keep an eye on the skaters on the nearby ramp, or maybe they are looking after the friendly, harmless bunch of unemployed that hangs out drinking beer and having a smoke in a shack on the same spot of green.

Whatever the reason, they are not telling.

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Where teddy bears meet | Art & culture, Relaxing
Prags Boulevard | Amager
24 hours daily

This place is an almost legendary hangout in Copenhagen. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and even though the majority of the guests are local it is also strangely international, probably due to the fact that many of the staff doesn’t necessarily speak Danish.

The interior is slightly curious. Lamp shades are doll heads and the place is full of stuffed animals that are not looking like you would expect them to. Actually most of them are dressed. And seem to have at bit of a rebel attitude. All the animal dolls are made ​​by the artist Philip V. Jensen

The art exhibited on the walls is for sale and is made by changing artists and replaced a few times a year.

Bankeråt has a wide selection of beer, but personally I can recommend their Irish coffee. My friends and I have carefully and several times sampled the beverage, and there can be no doubt that it is the best in town.

Bankeråt also boasts a varied menu with everything from brunch to sandwiches to lamb stew, and the kitchen is open till 21:30 every day of the week.

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Bankeråt | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks
Ahlefeldtsgade 27-29 | Inner City | +4533936988
Mon – Fri 09:30 – 00:00, Sat – Sun 10:30 – 00:00

Tucked away in a cobbled backyard you’ll find one of the biggest and best second hand clothes stores in Copenhagen. Some of the items might be a bit on the expensive side but it is outweighed by the amount of really cool stuff for both men and women. Retro T-shirts, furs, leather jackets, shoes, sequin dresses, lumberjack shirts and kilts: the list goes on. Brands range from high street chains to coats from Burberry, and though most things in the store are second hand, there’s also a little new stuff, often in limited edition.

If what you’re after is the home-knitted look of Sarah Lund in The Killing, you can be almost sure to find a sweater that is as close to the one she is wearing without having to make it yourself in KBH K, even at a reasonable price.

In addition to clothing, København K also has a selection of books and CD’s and various kinds of gizmos and gadgets to dress up your home with.

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København K | Shopping
Studiestræde 32 b | Inner City | +4533330889
Mon – Thu 11:00 – 18:00, Fri 11:00 – 19:00, Sat 11:00 – 15:00

Birna is a one of my all-time favorite clothes stores in Copenhagen. It’s a one of only two concept stores in Europe, the other one is in Reykjavik. The owner and founder of the brand, Birna (hence the name of the store), is from Iceland, and I love her designs. They always differ slightly from the expected, they are edgy and soft at the same time, feminine but with at bit of an attitude, which I love. Even more importantly: Birna’s designs tend to have a very flattering fit.

Scandinavians are said to like their black, white and greys – absolutely true – and Birna is no different. You always find a lot black/white/grey in the store, but mixed with large portions of bright colors and surprising cuts.

In the summer the black is toned down a little, so you might have more luck getting something in color.

Lately Birna has expanded the items in the store to contain a small selection of shoes and bags.

All girl-stuff I’m afraid, nothing for the guys, sorry.

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Birna | Shopping
Istedgade 99 | Vesterbro
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 16:00

Having visited Nørrebro, you shouldn’t leave without a piece of local art. Yes, I know it sounds expensive but it really doesn’t have to be.

As you have probably noticed after reading Spotted By Locals guide to Copenhagen, Jægersborggade has a lot to offer, and this is no exception.

CMYK kld is a small basement store selling posters, graphics and original works all created by Danish illustrators and artists, most of which can only be bought here. Even though the shop is really small, it doubles as a gallery with exhibitions on a regular basis.

Prices range from DKK 90 to DKK 500 depending on the size, and if you buy an A4 print for DKK 90, DKK 40 goes directly to the artist.

You can also buy original works, but that of course is somewhat pricier.

Upon request, the owner of Cmyk, Maya, will frame your newly bought piece of art while you wait. Prices on frames start at DKK 45.

Styles and designs are highly varied, and it would surprise me greatly if someone walked into the store and could not find at least one thing they liked.

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Cmyk kld | Art & culture | A4 print DKK 90
Jægersborggade 51 | Nørrebro | +4521629563
Tue – Fri 12:00 – 17:30, Sat 11:00 – 15:00

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.

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The BBQ Shack | Snacks, Restaurants (BBQ) | Meal DKK 85.00
Nyelandsvej 65 | Frederiksberg | +4538199295
Wed – Sun 16:00 – 22:00

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.

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MASH | Restaurants (American) | Steak DKK 285
Bredgade 20 | Inner City | +4533139300
Mon – Wed 12:00 – 15:00 & 17:30 – 22:00, Thu – Sat 13:30 – 23:00, Sun 17:30 – 22:00