A Copenhagen Christmas Gourmet Break, Sampling Danish Cuisine
Enjoy a festive Copenhagen Christmas break, combining magical markets with the city’s finest Danish cuisine
Copenhagen, Denmark's capital city, has long been known as one of the best Christmas market destinations in Europe. Travellers flock to the markets for the festive atmosphere, cold Nordic temperatures with a chance of snow, beautiful crafts, and the chance to try some of the traditional cuisines and modern dishes synonymous with this magical time of the year.
Tivoli Gardens, a renowned amusement park in Copenhagen, is among the top attractions for winter visitors, with its very own Christmas market alongside an ice-skating rink, rides, miles of twinkling lights, performances and a spectacular fireworks display over the New Year.
For foodies and fine dining lovers, this is an amazing time to visit Copenhagen, and the travel experts at the Baltic Travel Company have shared some advice and recommendations to ensure you don't miss out on the best treats and tastes Copenhagen has to offer.
What Is Special About Food in Denmark Over Christmas?
Heading to Copenhagen during the winter is a dream for food connoisseurs, with Jul, or Christmas, a time for artisans, restaurants and families to prepare everything from rich, hearty stews, piping hot Gløgg, or mulled wine, puffy apple pancakes and local traditional dishes like sweet pickled herring.
Holiday food in Denmark is unique and focuses on quality ingredients and local flavour, with countless small coffee shops lining Copenhagen’s streets and vendors in all the Christmas markets alongside the packed food halls and the 12 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city.
Foodies will undoubtedly have heard of venues like Noma, Alchemist, and Geranium, all of which celebrate sustainable, fresh, and delicious ingredients, with varied tasting menus, wine pairings, and set courses to showcase the skill of the chefs.
Other standout destinations to visit include the Torvehallerne food market, which is full of gourmet stalls selling everyday groceries alongside freshly prepared meals, snacks, and treats, and the Paper Island Street Food Market.
The latter is a hidden gem tucked inside a warehouse that today houses a huge number of food trucks specialising in street food dishes from every corner of the world with a Danish twist. This market is trendy, hip, and cool, offering everything from traditional Christmas fare to Korean, Turkish, and Moroccan cuisines, among many more.
Which Dishes Should Visitors Try During a Copenhagen Christmas Market Holiday?
Everyone may have their own tastes and preferences, but we’d always recommend trying something new. The Gløgg in Denmark is popular and is probably very different from the Glühwein or mulled wine you’ve tried elsewhere.
In Copenhagen, this is made with sherry, brandy and red wine, with cinnamon and cloves, topped with raisins and finely sliced almonds.
Other must-try street foods, delicacies and small plates include the famous Danish smørrebrød sandwiches, served on open rye bread with a massive array of toppings, from roast beef to smoked salmon, cheese, eggs, herring and vegetables.
Stegt flæsk med persillesovs is the national dish of Denmark, a type of pork belly cooked with parsley sauce and potatoes. Frikadeller, pan-fried meatballs, are a family-friendly alternative, usually served with your choice of potatoes and a rich gravy.
Guests staying over Christmas should absolutely try a Juleaften dinner on Christmas Eve, with roast goose or duck, and popular sides such as brunede kartofler, caramelised potatoes, followed by risalamande. This rice pudding is made with cherry sauce and almonds. Find the hidden whole almond and you’ll be presented with a small gift!
Finally, if you’re browsing the Christmas markets and need something to keep your energy levels up, stop off for a bag of brunkager, a festive gingerbread cookie, or a Æbleskiver, a pancake-style treat that we like best with sugar and jam.
What Is the Best Way to Try Danish Christmas Cuisine?
We’d recommend our Copenhagen Gourmet Short Break to any traveller who loves fine dining and new flavours, and who wants a holiday that combines the festive joy of the Christmas markets with the opportunity to sample the very best of the Danish culinary scene at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
This package provides ample downtime to explore the city, see all the sights and sounds of the Christmas Markets and try some of the street food stalls and snacks we’ve mentioned, but also includes a luxury gourmet dinner. Complete with wine pairings, we make all the arrangements for you to ensure you’re guaranteed a table at the hottest place to eat and drink.
Visitors who’d love to dine at Noma, a pioneer in New Nordic Cuisine and one of the world's best restaurants, are also very welcome to contact our team, and we’ll endeavour to organise a reservation during their stay.
Over the three-night, four-day break, you can fit in as much or as little as you wish, with the capital city full of festive excitement throughout the winter period. Popular attractions include Nyhavn waterfront with its charming colourful houses, which become even more beautiful with a dusting of snow, and the Kongens Nytorv market in a historic square surrounded by incredible architecture.
If you’ve finished touring the Christmas markets but haven’t ticked off your Christmas gift-buying list, we’d suggest a visit to Købmagergade and Strøget. These two main shopping streets offer a little of everything, from luxury brands to local boutiques.
Last but not least, it’s well worth joining in the Lucia celebrations, which fall on December 13th, whether you’re tempted to hire your very own kayak to sail through the canals or are more content to watch this annual festive spectacle from the shore.
Booking a Gourmet Break in Copenhagen for Christmas 2025
We'd advise all guests keen on Michelin-starred dining and enjoying the best of the Copenhagen foodie scene this winter to get in touch as soon as possible. Given the exclusivity of the wonderful Geranium, spaces are limited, and we often reach full capacity far before the Christmas season.
Let the friendly team at the Baltic Travel Company know the airport you would prefer to fly to and from, enquire to reserve places for a larger group, or share your interests and wishes to ensure we can tailor your gourmet Christmas holiday to meet all your specifications.
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About Baltic Travel Company
We specialise in crafting unique, tailor-made travel experiences that showcase the diverse wonders of Europe and the Baltic region. With over 15 years of experience, our dedicated travel experts are committed to providing exceptional service and unparalleled expertise to ensure your Baltic adventure exceeds your expectations. From cultural city breaks to the inspiring northern lights and breathtaking natural landscapes, our carefully curated itineraries highlight the very best of the Nordic Region, Scandinavia, The Baltic Region, Poland, Slovakia and more. Whether you're a solo traveler, couple, or group, embark on a journey of discovery with Baltic Travel Company – your ultimate travel partner in exploring the hidden gems of the Baltics.
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