Kanal Cafeen Copenhagen
Old school lunch
Tucked along the canal behind the Parliament building, a hidden gem lies in a high basement. One of my favorite things to do is step down the couple of stairs to the restaurant. It's like entering a time capsule.
Waiters in traditional Danish wait staff attire of white shirts and black vests embroidered with sponsored beer names run around serving Aquavit and open-faced sandwiches between red-clothed tables and an odd maritime theme. The walls are full of old sepia photos of sailboats and you have the random ore and Ship's Wheel hanging from the ceiling.
The food is traditional Danish lunch with open-faced sandwiches. You can find this all over Copenhagen, but at Kanal Cafeen they manage an excellent balance between tradition and ingredients. More modern interpretations exists (check the Schønnemanns article) but at Kanal Cafeen you'll find an authentic honest version. You can of course get the whole range of classics, including my favorites Pickled Herring, Filet of Fish with remoulade sauce and Roast Pork with red cabbage.
The wait staff are jovial and usually hungover from drinking too much Aquavit the day before. They manage to run a high service level regardless, but they might give you some good-hearted grief if you order non-alcoholic beverages with your meal.
During the warmer months, if the weather is nice, they have a terrace outside - right by the canal.
About this spot
Frederiksholms Kanal 18
- Mon - Fri 11:30 - 17:00, Sat 11:30 - 15:00
Sandwich from:
DKK
70
+45
33115770
Find your way with 146 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Copenhagen
Biblioteket Rentemestervej
Not just a library
So go wander amongst the students engaged in discussions, people meeting for language exchange and remember to notice the local art decorating the walls.
by
Charlotte
Westenholz
Ryvangens Naturpark
A slice of nature
People are enjoying this patch of nature year round, and you’ll almost be certain to meet at least a few joggers, bikers and other nature lovers.
by
Charlotte
Westenholz
Lersøparken
Plenty of space
What's especially great about this patch of nature is the huge grass lawn. A lot of people come here to play soccer, frisbee or to walk their dogs.
by
Charlotte
Westenholz
Tribeca
A beer and pizza laboratory
"Tribeca" is a 'pizza and beer laboratory' in Copehnagen, in an old industrial building with lots of space! Great reason to explore the northwest...
by
William
Nordmark Nielsen
The Museum of Resistance
Hidden stories below
"The Museum of Resistance" in Copenhagen tells the story of Danish resistance during WW2. A museum for people who like history well told...
by
William
Nordmark Nielsen
Prag
Add glamour to your life
"Prag" Copenhagen is a shop where you can get custom-made jewellery and second-hand clothes, but it's my favorite place to shop for tights!
by
Cindy
Fonvig
Tutten
As Danish as it gets
"Tutten" in Copenhagen has probably the best smørrebrød in town. Some of the city's restaurants are good but nothing comes close. A truly Danish experience
by
Stefan
Hedegaard
Amager Records
Music on vinyl
"Amager Records" is my favorite record store on my island in Copenhagen. Small and cramped as it should be, the super-helpful owners are also jazz fans!
by
Cindy
Fonvig
Ark Books
For the love of books
"Ark Books" in Copenhagen is a shop that specializes in books by Danish authors translated into English - good for souvenirs. They also do translations...
by
Cindy
Fonvig
Kahyt og Kaffe
The floating café
"Kahyt og Kaffe" is an old floating cafe in Copenhagen. If the weather is nice, you can sit out on the deck. If not, don't hesitate to visit anyway.
by
Stefan
Hedegaard
Bo-bi Bar
Beers and hard boiled eggs
"Bo-bi Bar" is allegedly Copenhagen's oldest brown bar. Everything about it feels authentic. I like their old tradition of serving hardboiled eggs...
by
Stefan
Hedegaard
McKluud
The Western way of Vesterbro
"McKluud" is the result of the Wild West meeting the classic urban area of Copenhagen: Vesterbro. This bar has been around since the '70s...
by
Stefan
Hedegaard
Heading to Copenhagen?
146 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Copenhagen?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 146 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Copenhagen
Our team loves Copenhagen
Get to know our other Spotters from Copenhagen
As featured on:
