Copenhagen Vegan Guide - Where To Eat & What To Do
Copenhagen beckons with an irresistible blend of old-world charm and innovative modernity. This enchanting city, often dubbed the "Biking Capital of the World," invites travelers to explore its cobbled streets and sprawling parks on two wheels, offering an eco-friendly and invigorating way to uncover its myriad treasures. Beyond its renowned bicycle culture, Copenhagen proudly stands as a paragon of safety and sustainability, setting ambitious goals to achieve climate neutrality by 2025.
Here, the past seamlessly intertwines with the future, where centuries-old architecture coexists with cutting-edge design. The Danish capital not only boasts a rich cultural tapestry but also tantalizes the taste buds with a burgeoning vegan food scene, ensuring that every visitor finds an adventure to savor in this dynamic and forward-thinking metropolis. Copenhagen's unique tapestry of experiences is an invitation to embrace the future while celebrating the past.
Table of contents:
What to do
Book your stay
You can find these recommendations on the Vegan Ventures World Map, where you’ll find all of my top recommendations in one place by becoming a community member! You’ll also get many other perks when you join!
Where To Eat
Cafe Kaf
A vegan Danish kringle filled with chocolate and mascarpone with freshly pressed grape juice
In the heart of Nørrebro, lies Cafe Kaf. An artisinal cafe that bakes crafted sourdough fermented pastries daily that rotate seasonally. These pastries are flaky, butter, and pair perfectly with their specialty coffee. Along with their sweet pastries, there are savory sandwiches and dishes to enjoy. While they have the classic croissants and pain au chocolat. Opt for a Danish pastry if available like a kringle. This cafe is a must for any coffee and pastry lover.
Birkegade 21, 2200 København, Denmark
Landbageriet formerly known as Naturbageriet
This is a 100% gluten-free bakery that has many vegan options to choose from! A wide selection of sweets including cinnamon rolls, cakes, cookies, and traditional Danish pastries. It makes it hard to choose just one. There is no seating, just grab and go!
Frederiksborggade 29, 1360 København, Denmark
Bistro Verde
This 100% plant-based bistro is located right across a beautiful courtyard right in the city center. Enjoy plant-based dishes made with local ingredients for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They have pastries in the morning during breakfast and have a great dessert menu too. If you want to try the popular JUICY MARBLES™ steak, you can find it here as a main and as typical Danish open-faced sandwich.
Sankt Annæ Pl. 15B, 1250 København, Denmark
Moo Moo Ice Cream
Creamy vegan pistachio ice cream in a vegan waffle cone
This plant-based ice cream shop has the creamiest ice cream! It is more of a gelato style and it is coconut-based. My personal favorite is pistachio but you can enjoy a variety of flavors from fruity to indulgent like chocolate. They have vegan waffles cones and fun toppings such as sprinkles and whipped cream to add to any cup or cone!
Göteborg Pl. 15, 2150 København, Denmark
Reffen - Copenhagen Street Food
This lies right on the harbor and can be accessed by bike, car, bus, and even a hop on hop off boat! Reffen is seasonal (it is closed during the fall and winter months) but is a must when it is open. There is a variety of food vendors to choose from who are independently owned. There’s plenty of seating as well, especially along the water. But if you’r worried you may not get a table, you can reserve a table in advanced! There are vendors who are fully vegan and some who have vegan options too.
Refshalevej 167, 1432 København, Denmark
To Do
Ride a Bike
Due to the city’s infrastructure, Copenhagen has become of the most bike friendly cities in the world. Nine out of ten Danes own a bike and the city has an impressive amount of cycle bridges, cycle lanes, and even cycle highways. The city is also pretty flat, which makes riding around even easier. Riding your bike from one attraction to another is a great way to see the city and feel like a local.
Bike app to download:
Donkey Republic: Free to download and easy to use. Choose your plan which does include day plans, use the map in the app to find your nearest Donkey Republic bike, scan the QR code that is on the bike to select, unlock the bike with a push of a button and the app, and you’re good to go.
Available on IOS and Google Play.
Get A Visit Copenhagen Card
If you are planning to go to several attractions and use public transportation during your trip, then you may want to consider getting a Visit Copenhagen card. Download the free app and then choose a card that starts from 24 hours to up to 120 hours.
For a 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hour DISCOVER card, it includes:
Prices start at 459 DKK (62 Euro)
Entrance to over 80 attractions
Public transporation throughout the greater Copenhagen area
Airport transport.
For a 24, 48, 72 HOP card, it includes:
Prices start at 475 (64 Euro)
Entrance to over 40 attractions
Hop On Hop Off buses
Free entrance for children under the age of 12
Available on IOS and Google Play
Copenhill
Copenhill is a waste-to-energy plant where you can climb up the steps to get a 360 view of the city
Get the best view of Copenhagen by going to Copenhill. Copenhill contributes to Copenhagen’s goal of becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral city by 2025 by being a waste-to-energy plant. There is also a ski slope (with no snow), a hiking trail, and a climbing wall. Their climbing wall is one of the tallest in the world for those looking for a challenge. You can also access their rooftop and cafe for free!
Vindmøllevej 6, 2300 København, Denmark
Walk through Jægersborggade
Cobblestone streets and beautiful buildings along Jægersborggade
This street in the famous Nørrebro neighborhood has plenty of cute and trendy shops, cafes, and restaurants to explore. A great street to buy souvenirs from as they are all local businesses and to try some delicious food!
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is one of the most iconic spots in Copenhagen with it's colorful buildings that dates back to the 17th century. It showcases Copenhagen's maritime history and offers a relaxed atmosphere and though there’s many restaurants. The food is ok and I wouldn’t recommend. Whether you're taking a boat tour, exploring the Christmas market if you’re visiting during the holidays, or just strolling along the canal, Nyhavn is definitely worth a visit. Here are some interesting facts about Nyhavn:
Nyhavn is a canal lined with colorful houses that hint at a history of small-vessel traffic and trade
The canal was originally a commercial port where ships from all over the world would dock, and it was packed with sailors visiting its pubs, alehouses, and ladies of pleasure
Today, the beautiful old houses have been renovated and restaurants dominate the old port. Visitors can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and great food while walking beside the canal
Nyhavn is a popular spot for boat tours, and visitors can explore the city's other waterways from here too
During Christmas, the annual Christmas market fills the cobbled street with decorated stalls and twinkling lights, making it the perfect setting for a winter holiday in Copenhagen
Explore the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum
There are many rooms with historic statues throughout the museum
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is an art museum located in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark. The museum was founded by Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries, and it represents his private art collection. The collection contains over 10,000 works of art and archaeological objects, including ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, French impressionist paintings, and Danish art. The museum is known for its good acoustics, and the auditorium has been used as a rehearsal room by the Early music vocal ensemble Musica Ficta. The museum regularly hosts concerts, both in the auditorium and in the surrounding halls, featuring artists such as Sergej Leiferkus, Julius Drake, and Jonas Kaufmann.The museum is a popular destination for art lovers and tourists alike, and it offers ever new perspectives on life, culture, and history.
Dantes Plads 7, 1556 København, Denmark
Visit The Little Mermaid Statue
The sculpture was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale and was unveiled on August 23, 1913, as a gift from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen to the City of Copenhagen. The statue is made of bronze and granite and sits in the water at Langelinie Pier. It depicts a mermaid becoming human and is based on the 1837 fairy tale of the same name by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. The statue is 1.25 meters tall and weighs 175 kilograms. The sculpture was created by Edvard Eriksen, and it was inspired by ballerina Ellen Price, who in 1909 danced the lead role in the ballet The Little Mermaid at the Royal Theatre. However, Ellen Price would not model in the nude for sculptor Edvard Eriksen. Thus Eriksen’s wife, Eline Eriksen, posed for the sculpture of The Little Mermaid. The statue has been the victim of vandalism several times, but it has been lovingly restored using copies. Despite its small size, the statue is a must-see for any new visitor to Copenhagen and is situated in a beautiful area to explore on foot or by bike.
Langelinie, 2100 København Ø, Denmark
