THE ULTIMATE COPENHAGEN SPECIALTY COFFEE GUIDE
BY BENJAMIN SAND
Newer to the specialty coffee world than their upstairs neighbour Norway, Copenhagen has come leaps and bounds in the past few years. These days the city has a healthier scene than Oslo, based on the variety of high-quality coffee on offer, and the amount of people competing at the highest level.
For those who want to dig their heels in, and hit multiple shops, you'll find the ultimate guide for all your needs below. From the tiny espresso bars to hand-pour counters, too-cool-for-questions hipster holes and places with great sunshine seating, the guide covers all the places you need for your coffee-tinerary around this charming capital.
Our personal opinion is quality can vary wildly, especially at places like Coffee Collective where it really depends whos working. One day you can get a nice clean coffee, the next a muddy, sour, mess.
Though the Danes do tend to brew their espresso more silty than their Northern neighbours, there are some places where you can enjoy sweet, clean, expressive cups.
This guide will show you where. To make your life easier, we'll break it down into neighborhoods.
DOWNTOWN SHOPS
APRIL SHOWROOM
Newly relocated to a singular coffee shop, they offer an Omakase-style tasting, along with their regular coffee menu. Next-door is a more casual coffee shop, (SP Coffee Shop), serving a wider array of beverages, but still under the April umbrella.
NOMA PROJECTS
Yes, the famous restaurant has also opened a new cafe, and it's worth the hype. Clean naturals and washed coffees, extremely friendly service, cool vibes, and not too insane prices.
PROLOG PAPIRØEN
The newest addition to the Prolog family, this trendy minimalist shop is perfect for people walking around the downtown canals.
LA CABRA
Most people come here for the pour-over style coffee and the baristas are knowledgable and accommodating. The seating is limited so be prepared to rub shoulders with the locals. Expect incredibly long lines during summer.
p.s. They just opened a new location at Nordhavn which is not as busy, yet.
DET VIDE HUS
Opposite the Rosenborg Castle, this is a cute specialty coffee shop to sip on a nice light roast pour-over before tackling the sights.
They are super friendly and informative.
COFFEE COLLECTIVE BERNIKOW
With a large seating area inside a shopping arcade, this is one of the roomier options downtown to relax with a nice cup of coffee.
We suggest getting a light-roast pourover.
COFFEE COLLECTIVE TORVEHALLERNE
Combine a coffee with some food-hunting at the famous Torvehallerne. Some good people watching spots at the back behind the counter.
DEMOCRATIC
One of the OG's of the scene here, you pay your dues.
SOCIAL BREW
With two locations, they are both wildly popular with people who love a bite to eat with their coffee. Well roasted coffee, and good food.
ROAST
An espresso-forward basement, supplying coffee to Coffice in Amager too. A slightly more medium-roast than light.
NØRREBRO / FREDERIKSBERG
NORANGE
A relative newcomer to the Copenhagen scene, this minimalist shop brews great, clean, washed coffee in a calm environment. They also roast and sell coffee by the Greek Champion Coffee roaster of 2022.
PROLOG FREDERIKSBERG
The downtown shops are more tourist-infested than the Roastery, which lies in a nice residential area and has mellow vibes.
Their batch-brew can be quite tasty, and reasonably affordable. Our pick if you're going to hit a Prolog Cafe.
THE ARTISAN
Situated by the middle lakes between Nørrebro and Østerbro, The Artisan specialise in single origin Peruvian coffee from farmers they personally have visited and formed relationships with. If you are a fan of pour-over they have a decent variety, and the staff are happy to recommend some more exciting things if you feel like taking the plunge.
DARCY'S
Sunspots, decently priced drip coffee and space for conversations, this cafe in Nørrebro is popular and for a reason (they have a new location too near the meatpacking district).
Pro tip: Their espresso tends to lean a bit muddy/murky lacking clarity and sweetness so stick to drip here. This of course can depend on who's working and what their specials are, but the drip is a safe bet.
SAFTIG
Check the opening hours before heading down, but this little basement cafe serves coffee of the funkier persuasions to a loyal crowd of Nørrebro locals. Beans are roasted in the backroom on a Bullet, and tend to lean Natural and intense.
COFFEE COLLECTIVE JÆGERSBORGGADE
Another edition of the Coffee Collective, collective.
HIP HOP
With a soft opening at the end of October, this casual coffee shop moved from the previous location at Fredriksberg Alle Metro, to Nørrebro. Expect the same great coffee (roasted by Sensei), in a much larger locale.
COFFEE COLLECTIVE GODTHÅPSVEJ
No talk of coffee in Copenhagen is complete without a tip of the hat to Coffee Collective. Known for the great lengths they go to to ensure transparency throughout the coffee chain, they roast and prepare coffee in multiple locations.
Not all branches are equal, but more times than not you'll at least get a decent cup at one of the many outlets. Bonus being you can always stock up on great light-roast beans at all their stores.
KAFE DEPARTEMENTET
Slightly outside the central areas, but serving good coffee and plenty of seating space. If you fancy something to eat after head opposite to Flere Fugle for their famous pizza.
KONTRA COFFEE
If you happen to be in Østerbro, this is the locals pick for good coffee. They also have a large selection of reasonably priced light-roast beans for sale.
COFFEE COLLECTIVE SANKT HANS TORV
If you're still in the mood for more Coffee Collective, then here is another to hit.
NORDHAVN
SENSEI
A coffee showroom for Sensei's roasted beans. Drop by to pick up a bag and talk with Luke about his philosophy.
LA CABRA NORDHAVN
The newest La Cabra shop in Nordhavn! Come hang out before the crowds find it.
PROLOG RANDERSGADE
The original Prolog branch for all those purists out there.
VESTERBRO / VALBY
LOKAL
Art-store meets coffee. Pop by for a taste of something different from rotating roasters and popular baked goods.
PROLOG KØDBYEN
A great place for coffee in the summer, with outdoor seating and multiple dining options nearby
ENGHAVE KAFFE
Neighborhood coffee shop carrying beans from Norwegian roaster, Fuglen. A nice spot to sit outside and people watch when the weather is mild.
COFFEE COLLECTIVE CARLSBERG BYEN
And yes, another branch of Coffee Collective in the uber-smart new dining and wining area of Carlsberg Town.
PONTES
Valby's first true specialty coffee bar, this cosy spot serves great filter coffee, and espresso-based drinks, that are all roasted in-house on the Bullet.
ORSA
Copenhagens new kid on the block, serving food and mostly espresso-based coffees. They have some pour-over but you have to ask for it (if you dare). They are firmly planted in the no-laptop brigade with numerous stickers all over the cafe reading NO FUCKING LAPTOPS, and the tone is mirrored by some of the staff in their interactions.
AMAGER
ALICE
Not strictly a coffee shop, but a worthy addition to this guide. Alice, in Amager serves up excellent ice-creams and decent coffee for those with a sweettooth that needs tempering with some caffeine. If their milk ice-cream with olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt is on offer, then snap it up!
NORDIC ROASTING CO
Another great spot in Copenhagen that roasts their own coffee in-house. Come here for some super clean, juicy coffee.
SNEEZING FRUITS
Serving coffee from KOPPI roasters is always a good thing. The bizarre location makes it one thats worth hunting down.
COFFICE
Brewing coffee roasted by ROAST, his old employer, this neighborhood gem is a great place for people who like specialty coffee in a very relaxed atmosphere.
YELLOW BIRD COFFEE
Roaster and seaside cafe, this is the spot you want to grab a coffee and head over to the beach. If it's raining, there are cosy seats inside.