Custom House is contained within a refurbished
1930s building on the waterfront rather like Butler's Wharf in London,
but with fantastic views of Copenhagen's new opera house. The various
restaurants cover Japanese, Italian, and European brasserie fare, and
are complemented by bars and a deli/bakery.
So if you're after a bit of multiplex dining with your
Christmas markets, Copenhagen's calling: Worldclass dining, design and
shopping - and all just a one-and-a-half hour plane ride away. Here's
a list to make your stay in the Danish capital a bit more cosy.
Sleep
Contrary to beliefs, sleeping over in Copenhagen need not involve a
second mortgage, putting your firstborn up on eBay, or roughing it on
a park bench. Stay in style for a fraction of the price demanded by
Bloomsbury or Earls Court tourist traps.
Skt
Petri
Set in the reformed shell of one of Copenhagen's iconic department stores,
this Per Arnoldi-designed hotel has become the standard-setter of trendiness
in the Danish capital.
Krystalgade 22, Latin Quarter, Copenhagen K
+ 45 3345 9100 - Doubles from DKK 1,995 incl taxes (ca. GBP 180)
Danhostel
Copenhagen City
Although we'd usually think twice before checking ourselves into a hostel,
there's nothing reminding us of our backpacking Interrail youth at this
designer-outfitted budget lodging option.
50 H.C. Andersens Boulevard, Amager, Copenhagen V
+45 3311 8585 - Doubles from DKK 520 incl taxes (ca. GBP 47)
Hotel
Fox
What started as a Volkswagen-sponsored art
experiment - each of its 61 rooms is different and designed by one
of 21 young artists - turned out as one the hippest concept hotels in
Europe.
Jarmers Plads 3, Vesterbro, Copenhagen V
+45 3313 3000 - Rooms start at DKK 945 incl taxes (ca. GBP 86)
Front
The latest boutique hotel to open in town foregoes the clichéd,
rubber stamp IKEA white and wood take on Scandinavian design, and succeeds
with a more contemporary look. Its waterside location with a direct
view of the new opera does it no harm, either.
Skt Annæ Plads 21, Frederikstaden, Copenhagen K
+ 45 33 13 3400 - Doubles from DKK 1,180 incl taxes (ca GBP 107)
* * * * * * * * *
Eat
There's more to the Danish food than butter cookies, herrings and Havarti.
By all means pig out on mouthwatering, freshly baked Danish pastries,
extravagantly arranged traditional 'smørrebrød'
open-faced sandwiches, and tasty hotdogs from the street, but there's
plenty more to enjoy. Also beyond what Conran has to offer.
Noma
René Redzepi who earned his laurels at places such as Napa Valley's
revered French Laundry masters this must-go destination for gastro-buffs.
The nouvelle Nordic menu has been created using only traditional regional
ingredients for an innovative and rewarding culinary experience.
Strandgade 93, Christianshavn, Copenhagen K
+45 3296 3297 - Five course set menu at DKK 585, seven at DKK 685 (ca.
GBP 53/62)
Umami
Sushi has taken the Danes by storm, and Jesper Boelskifte's place has
added its own touch by cleverly adding elements of French cuisine to
the menu. Start off with cocktails and take in the sexy décor
and beautiful people at the dinnertime hotspot of the moment.
Store Kongensgade 59, Frederikstaden, Copenhagen K
+ 45 3338 7500 - Expect around DKK 600 per person (ca. GBP 55)
SaaHvidt
This is truly value-for-money gastronomy. Frederik Hvidt serves up a
modern five-course gastronomic treat based entirely on traditional Danish
ingredients for what you'd otherwise easily drop at Starbucks for a
java and a few cookies.
Snaregade 4, Copenhagen K
+45 3391 0191 - Five course set menu at DKK 350 (ca. GBP 32)
Copenhagen
Food Consulting (Cofoco)
This super trendy eatery with long tables, Wagamama-style, has become
a bit of an institution over its two years of existence, thanks to its
minimalist interior, excellent nosh and, well, very affordable price.
Abel Cathrines Gade 7, Vesterbro, Copenhagen V
+45 3313 6060 - Three course menu at DKK 235 (ca. GBP 21)
* * * * * * * * *
Drink
Short days translates into very long nights in Copenhagen with many
bars buzzing already from 8pm and the clubs staying open until 5 or
6am. Cocktail prices can be stiff but it's really no worse than most
West End establishments and, if you stick to beer, a local Tuborg should
set you back no more than a couple of quid anywhere.
No. 8
This intimate members club is run by Copenhagen nightlife veterans,
'The Olsen Brothers'. Small and at times mightily pretentious but does
pack in the elite of the Danish glitterati. Head over to veteran jetset
hangout Nasa to continue
the party with a similar, though probably slightly more inebriated crowd
until 6am.
Hovedvagtsgade 8, Inner City, Copenhagen K
+45 3336 3386 - Tue-Wed 6-10pm, Thu-Sat 6pm-3am
Boutique Lize
Hipster haven in the hipster hood of town. But as this is Copenhagen,
all the hipsters with trucker caps and ironic hairdos have proper daytime
jobs and pension plans. Tasty cocktails, though, and a convenient base
for moving on to the excellent local clubbing multiplex Vega,
home to Ideal Bar, Vega Lounge and, yes, Vega Klub.
Enghave Plads 6, Vesterbro, Copenhagen V
+45 3331 1560 - Wed 8pm-12am, Thu 8pm-2am, Fri-Sat 8pm-4am
Bar
Rouge at Hotel Skt Petri
As you'd expect from the bar in the hottest hotel in town - lots of
monied, beautiful people and a few guest looking a bit out of place,
but lots of fun, nonetheless.
Krystalgade 22, Inner City, Copenhagen K
+ 45 3345 9100
Emma
The converted mansion flat has had its gorgeous rooms with high ceilings
and stucco work turned into a cocktail bar and non-smoking club space
(smoking on roof terrace) for a civilised night out.
Lille Kongensgade 16, Inner City, Copenhagen K
+45 60 277 277 - Thu-Sat 11pm-5am
* * * * * * * * *
Shop
The pedestrianised Strøget is the main shopping street,
housing most of the high street usuals, major labels and landmarks such
as interior design emporium Illums
Bolighus, whereas you'll find most of the independent boutiques
and designers in the smaller streets running parallel to Strøget
or crossing it. The best bargains to be found are likely to be for interior
design and local labels such as Munthe
plus Simonsen, Bruuns
Bazaar, or Designers
Remix Collection.
Paustian
A design mecca for interior design - both Danish and international marquee
brands are carried here, but for something a bit more unique, get yourself
some of the store's own line to bring home. Also home to award-winning
chef Bo Bech's gourmet
restaurant.
Kalkbrænderiløbskaj 2, Nordhavn, Copenhagen Ø
+45 3916 6565 - Mon-Thu 9:30am-5:30pm, Fri 9:30am-6pm, Sat 10am-3pm
POD
Sleek kitchen and housewares, with environmentally conscious design.
Get your mum the dishwashing utility that she never knew she craved.
Sankt Peders Stræde 22, Latin Quarter, Copenhagen K
+45 33 16 17 66
&Pagne
Small boutique but carrying the homegrown designers that you've come
for - Camilla Stærk and Jens Laugesen - as well as international
labels such as Chloé and Missoni.
Hyskenstræde 14, Inner City, Copenhagen K
+45 3311 1207
Designer
Zoo
Not exactly centrally located, the 400 square meter space hosts a bunch
of local designers and artists. Pick up a few pieces before they become
too famous and unaffordable.
Vesterbrogade 137, Vesterbro, Copenhagen V
+45 3324 9493 - Mon-Thu 10am-5:30pm, Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-3pm
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