Copenhagen is a very relaxed city, with boho-chic people and small bars all over town. I try to go there at least once a month. You can also find more Copenhagen info at www.aok.dk

 

COOL HOTELS:

 

 

Skt Petri is a design hotel in the cosy student neighborhood. Paris Hilton occupied a whole floor when she stayed here at the Copenhagen Fashion Week. Hotel 27 is a new design hotel with a relaxed atmosphere and a dj in the lobby on weekends. In the same building you’ll find the Absolut Icebar.

Other alternatives: Check out Hotel FOX or the small Scandic Hotel Weber close to the train station. Scandic also offers brand new Scandic Front in the cosy port area Nyhavn.

If you are looking for ultimate luxury, check into Hotel d’Anglettere located by Kongens Nytorv. It’s newly renovated and even if you don’t stay here, don’t miss their Champagne Bar Balthazar.

 

SHOPPING:

Strøget is a long pedestrian street between Kongens Nytorv and Rådhuspladsen, where you can find shopping of various kinds. Hermès is located near Kongens Nytorv, a good start if you are looking for top quality products. Bottega Veneta and the luxurious shoeshop A Pair are just a few steps away on nearby crossing street Ny Østergade. And there are more hot-spots: don’t miss Rue Verte (Diane von Furstenberg, Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti and Anna Sui) and Gossip (Isabel Marant, Current Elliot, Helmut Lang). Grab a shopping-smoothie at Joe & the Juice to re-load your batteries. The next street is Grønnegade. Turn right and there it is: a shoe-and-bag-paradise called Kassandra (Prada, Miu Miu, Jimmy Choo, Chloé). Not far from there is the hippie-chic accessoir shop Holly Golightly (Christian Louboutin, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, YSL och Marni). Just walk one more block on Ny Østergade and make a left turn at Store Regnegade.

Nearby, Marc by Marc Jacobs has a flagship store at Christian IX gade 3-5, don’t miss to make this little turn from Gammel Mønt Street!

Follow Gammel Mønt towards department store Magasin and make a right turn to the busy pedestrian street (you’re now back on Strøget). After a few steps, you’ll reach Birger Christensen, a fur boutique that also carries clothing, bags and shoes from most of the european fashion houses. Don’t miss the futuristic plexi glass stairs leading up to fashionista heaven! A men’s store is located on street-level next to the Chanel boutique.

On the street between Gucci and Illum you’ll find Agent Provocateur, Urban Outfitters, and the Danish fashion brands DAY, Designer’s Remix Collection and by Malene Birger in a city mall. Back to Strøget, next to Illum, Louis Vuitton has opened a brand new two floor store. Take a tour in on Købmagergade and find the luxury vintage shop Magnolias Luksus 2ndhand. Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, Chanel etc. Quite expensive but you might find something you like.

Another shopping street you might like is Køpmagergade, starting from Strøget by the flower stand of Illum. Very soon you’ll find the luxury vintage shop Magnolias Luksus 2ndhand with brands like Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, Chanel etc. Quite expensive but you might find something you like. A little bit further up, Kronprinsensgade appears on the right of the Miss Sixty store. It’s my favorite street with a perfect mix of clothing, shoes and bars. I especially like Notabene with shoe brands like Marc by Marc Jacobs, Pedro Garcia and Pura Lopez. Flying A is a place for the street-smart and Stig P is offering a girlie style with Sonia Rykiel, Cacharel, Paul & Joe and J Brand. I must also recommend Perch’s tea shop, a supplier to the Royal Castle. They make fantastic gift wrappings!

The two department stores Magasin och Illum are definitely worth a visit. Illum has also a brand new beauty department with all of the top brands, Sephora included.

 

FOOD AND NIGHTLIFE:

At lunch time, the Danes have their classic ”smørrebrød”, which are open sandwiches with delicious ingredients like hearring, roast beef or salmon, with all kinds of extras on top. Just order a platter and they’ll serve you a selection of some of the most popular choices in the house. Enjoy it with a big beer – and of course a snaps (Danish Aqvavit). My favourite places are Kanalkaféen, Café Sorgenfri and Restaurant Kronborg. And of course the new hipp Aamans at Nørreport.

If you don’t want the smørrebrød, go for Café Dalle Valle. It’s a casual café situated in what used to be a department store called Daells with the nickname Dalle Valle. Offers brunch, crossover food and fantastic cocktails. Lounge area with cosy sofas. If you’re just into coffee and a fab cake, don’t miss the Royal Café, next to Royal Copenhagen at Strøget. Or try their “smushi”, a mix of smørrebrød and sushi! A constant changing environment of art, colour and kitsch.

At night, you’ll find plenty of cool restaurants in Copenhagen. Café Victor is a French-inspired place with white cloths and a classy crowd. I could eat/drink/party here anytime:-) A great steakhouse is Mash on Bredgade. Kødbyens Fiskebar is a popular fish restaurant in the Meatpacking District.

Sticks & Sushi is exactly what it’s name implies – sushi in combination with different grilled treats on small sticks. I prefer the one at Nansensgade 59, in the lively Nørreport area, and the one at the old porn street Istergade near the Central Station. Umami is a trendy japanese restaurant with interiors inspired from NYC. Cool crowd, great sushi and exotic drinks. If you are looking for a brasserie, try Pastis or Bistro Boheme. Italian food: F.I.A.T. at Kongens Nytorv, Famo 51 at Vesterbro or La Vecchia Signora, an authentic trattoria where they make delicious pizzas from the stone oven.

For an inbetween cocktail before the nightclub, visit the classy Ruby on Nybrogade 10, the crowded 1105 Cocktailbar on Kristen Bernikows Gade 4 or K Bar at Ved Stranden 20. If you prefer a rough and underground kind of place, I recommend The Union. You’ll find it behind a secret door at Store Strandstræde 19, near Nyhavn.

Nightclubs: Take a cab to Karriere Bar in Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District Kødbyen. Relaxed atmosphere and happy people. The LOT is a cool place with a restaurant so you can start with dinner and end up on the dance floor. Or go to the exclusive NASA (all in white) at Boltens Gaard. At Knabroestraede 3 you’ll find the two-floor nightclub K3 packed with a young and beautiful crowd. Another hotspot is ZEN at Nørregade 41.

 

STUFF YOU NEED TO BUY:

Danish clothes of course; DAY, by Malene Birger, Rützou etc. At Illums Bolighus on Strøget you’ll also find the most of Danish home design. The silver designer Georg Jensen’s flagship store is next door. Don’t forget to check out my favourite danish brands MOXY Copenhagen, Modström and Blond Accessories.