V'S GUIDE TO COPENHAGEN
Earlier this month we visited Copenhagen - the coolest kid on the Nordic block. Its open landscape feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of other capitals we've visited, but within the understated anatomy of the city live chic stores, enviable design scenes and a culinary revolution we couldn't wait to sample...
WHERE TO STAY
We found ourselves in the heart of Copenhagen's bohemian Latin Quarter at the stylishly simple Hotel SP34. Cool but not overbearing, the hotel sits on historic Sankt Peders Straede with vintage shops, authetic coffee houses and lush green parks all on the doorstep. The hotel itself channels soft industrial interiors with rooms smoothed by slate coloured walls and muted accents. REN bathroom amenities top things off as does (free) wine o'clock from 5-6pm!
WHERE TO EAT
One said coffee house on our doorstep was Din Nye Ven where they're dishing out plates of obligatory smorgasbord which are almost too beautiful to eat... almost. A little further East lies the Meatpacking District in Vesterbro which embraces and injects its 'trading estate' facade with cool bars and restaurants. While few places in Copenhagen can be called cheap, you'll find accessible and uncompromised eateries here like Mother pizzeria and Warpigs brewpub.
WHERE TO EAT (CONT.)
Stand out for us was Amass which played host to possibly the best dining experience we have ever had. Located across the water from the city, founder and ex chef of Noma, Matt Orlando has created an informally urban and sustainably focused open-plan restaurant. The natural New Nordic cuisine is seasonal with many herbs grown in the onsite garden where at night they light bonfires. Added to this, floor to ceiling windows are a gateway to the most heavenly sunset around.
WHERE TO VISIT
This is Scandinavia where even the basics are brilliant so shopping in the city centre's numerous homeware stores in a treat. Strolling away from the shops past the pastel-painted houses along the harbour we pulled up a deck chair in the sun at Copenhagen Street Food on Paper Island for lunch. But our favourite excursion by far had to be Louisiana. Well worth the train journey, this unassuming gallery is set in sprawling grounds right on the sea front and is full of visual delights.