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Gastronomy

Best International Restaurants in Copenhagen: Top 10, Ranked

By Felipe, Copenhagen local guide Updated 16 min read

Copenhagen isn't just New Nordic cuisine and Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy anymore, it's become a genuine melting pot of authentic international flavours. I'm Felipe, a Copenhagen local guide, and after years exploring different corners of the world without leaving the city, here's my honest, ranked list of the 10 international restaurants actually worth booking.

A spread of international dishes on a Copenhagen restaurant table, including sushi, wood-fired pizza, tacos, khachapuri and fresh oysters, with the city skyline faded in the background
A taste of Copenhagen's international food scene, sushi, wood-fired pizza, tacos and more, all without leaving the city.

1. Copenhagen's international food scene, in short

Living in Copenhagen has taught me that this city stopped being just about New Nordic cuisine years ago. What really makes it interesting today is how it's become a genuine melting pot of authentic international flavours, aromatic Thai kitchens, sizzling Mexican taco counters, perfectly charred Neapolitan-style pizza, all delivering experiences that rival the cuisines' home countries.

This guide ranks the 10 international restaurants actually worth booking, with real prices and hours. For the New Nordic and Michelin side of Copenhagen dining, see our separate guides to Copenhagen's Michelin-starred restaurants and traditional Nordic restaurants instead, this guide stays focused on everything else.

The Ranking

2. The 10 best international restaurants in Copenhagen, ranked

Ranked on authenticity, execution and how well each kitchen honours the cuisine it's cooking. Tap a name to open it directly in Google Maps.

1

Kiin Kiin

Thai (4.5★): a former Michelin-starred kitchen that's still one of the finest dining experiences in the city

Kiin Kiin held a Michelin star for over a decade, one of very few Thai restaurants in the world to earn that distinction, and while it lost the star in 2023, it's still listed in the 2026 Michelin Guide and remains one of Copenhagen's finest dining experiences. The evening starts with street-food-style snacks in a cozy lounge, then moves to a 7-8 course tasting journey in a room decorated with smoked mango wood and golden Buddha wall hangings. Its sister spot, Kiin Kiin VeVe, is a vegetarian restaurant also in the Michelin Guide, near Kastellet.

  • Location: Guldbergsgade 21, Nørrebro
  • Price: High-end, around 975 DKK for the tasting menu
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 17:30-24:00, closed Sunday
  • Open Kiin Kiin in Google Maps

Tip: Book the pre-theatre menu at 17:30 (table must be released by 19:15) for a genuinely good deal on the same kitchen's food.

2

Bæst

Italian (4.6★): sourdough pizza with mozzarella and charcuterie made in-house

Bæst isn't just another pizzeria, they make their own mozzarella and charcuterie right upstairs. Created by Christian Puglisi, a Noma alumnus with Sicilian roots, the sourdough base is baked at 450°C in a wood-fired oven and consistently ranks among the best pizza in Europe. The 'nduja pizza with smoked mozzarella and spring onion is the one to order.

  • Location: Guldbergsgade 29, Nørrebro
  • Price: Mid-range, pizzas around 120-180 DKK
  • Hours: Daily 17:00-22:00
  • Open Bæst in Google Maps

Tip: Book ahead or arrive early, this fills up fast, especially on weekends.

3

Restaurant Levi

Italian-Japanese fusion (4.4★): a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 Michelin Guide

Restaurant Levi explores the fusion between Japanese and Italian cooking, and it earned a Bib Gourmand distinction in the 2026 Michelin Guide, Michelin's mark for exceptional food at a moderate price. Both cuisines share an obsession with quality ingredients and simplicity, and it shows in dishes like pasta with Japanese ingredients or sashimi with an Italian twist. The art deco interior is genuinely striking.

Tip: A great date-night pick, the room is intimate and the wine list leans heavily into thoughtfully chosen Italian and natural wines.

4

Pho Hanoi

Vietnamese: a beloved, no-frills pho institution near Vesterport

Copenhagen's Vietnamese scene doesn't get talked about enough, and Pho Hanoi is the local favourite that keeps regulars coming back for years. It's genuinely unassuming from outside, but the pho is consistently the standout, rich broth, fresh herbs, and none of the corner-cutting you'll find at more tourist-facing spots.

Tip: Go for the beef pho with all the herb garnishes on the side, and expect a genuine queue at peak lunch hours, it's popular for a reason.

5

La Neta

Mexican (4.5★): from the founder of Mikkeller, everything made from scratch

La Neta is the brainchild of Mikkel Bjergsø, the founder of Mikkeller, who fell for a similar spot in Stockholm and decided Copenhagen needed its own. Everything here is made from scratch, tortillas, salsas, guacamole, and the lively, casual atmosphere pairs naturally with a good Mexican beer.

  • Location: Nørrebrogade 29, Nørrebro
  • Price: Mid-range, 70-140 DKK for tacos and quesadillas
  • Hours: Daily 12:00-22:00
  • Open La Neta in Google Maps

Tip: It's a natural stop to pair with an evening in Nørrebro, the neighbourhood this whole list leans on most.

6

Cecconi's Copenhagen

Northern Italian (4.3★): inside Soho House, arguably the best harbour view in the city

Set right on the waterfront inside the Soho House building, Cecconi's brings upscale Northern Italian dining with floor-to-ceiling harbour views. It specialises in fish and seafood, and the outdoor terrace in summer, cicchetti and an aperitivo while boats drift by, is genuinely one of the best settings for a meal in the city. For the wider waterfront picture, see our coastal areas and harbors guide.

  • Location: Havnegade 44, Indre By
  • Price: High-end, 300-500 DKK per person
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-18:00
  • Open Cecconi's in Google Maps

Tip: Book a window table for sunset, it's worth planning your evening around.

7

Barabba

Italian with natural wines (4.6★): great pasta and a buzzing room near Nyhavn

Barabba serves genuinely excellent pasta alongside a natural wine list that's one of the best in the city, in a simple, stylish dining room with tables spilling out onto the street under a neon sign. The energy the owners bring is infectious, and the tasting menu with the signature spaghetti-and-caviar add-on is real value for the quality.

  • Location: Store Kongensgade 34, Indre By
  • Price: Mid to high, 250-450 DKK for the tasting menu
  • Hours: Tue-Sat 17:30-24:00
  • Open Barabba in Google Maps

Tip: Add the spaghetti with butter and caviar to the tasting menu, then continue the evening at one of our best cocktail bars nearby.

8

CC Taste

Chinese dim sum (4.4★): inspired by Hong Kong's dai pai dong street food culture

CC Taste is about as authentic as dim sum gets in Copenhagen, plus excellent wok dishes, noodles and rice plates. It's casual, no-frills dining where the food does all the talking, generous portions and bold, honest flavours.

Tip: Go with a group so you can order several dim sum dishes to share, that's the proper way to eat here.

9

Mirabelle

Sicilian (4.5★): an all-day sourdough bakery and eatery, right next door to Bæst

Also from Christian Puglisi (who runs Bæst next door), Mirabelle is a Sicilian-inspired all-day address that's become one of the best breakfast spots in Nørrebro. Its sourdough bakery alone is worth the detour, and the pasta menu at lunch and dinner, especially the spaghetti with anchovies, genuinely shines.

Tip: Try the scrambled eggs with 'nduja butter for breakfast, and don't sleep on dinner just because it's known for mornings.

10

Urban Indian

Indian (4.3★): proper desi spice level, right in the city centre

Finding authentic Indian food in Copenhagen isn't always easy, but Urban Indian at Rådhuspladsen comes close to the real deal, with a balance of spices that doesn't get dumbed down for Nordic palates by default. Convenient and consistently good if you're staying central.

Tip: Ask for extra spice if you like it hot, the kitchen tends to go mild by default for the local crowd.

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3. Essential tips for dining at international restaurants

Reservations are crucial

Copenhagen's restaurant scene is booming, and these popular spots fill up fast. Book ahead, especially for weekend dinners, most places take online reservations through their websites.

Price reality check

Copenhagen is expensive, but you get what you pay for, ingredient and cooking quality is consistently high. Budget 300-500 DKK per person for mid-range places, and 600-1,000+ DKK for high-end experiences like Kiin Kiin or Cecconi's.

Peak times

Copenhageners eat dinner relatively early, 18:00-19:30. Book for 20:30 or later to avoid the rush, or go for lunch, which is often significantly better value at the same kitchens.

Payment and language

Nearly everywhere is cashless, cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work everywhere. English is spoken at every restaurant on this list, don't stress about the language.

Tipping

Service is included in the bill. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% for exceptional service is appreciated but never expected.

Plan Your Evening

4. Neighbourhood guide

Where each cuisine clusters, so you can pick a base for the night.

Nørrebro: the hub for diverse international cuisine. Bæst, Kiin Kiin, Mirabelle and La Neta are all here, a genuinely multicultural neighbourhood with great food at every corner. Take a stroll to Dronning Louises Bro afterward for sunset drinks by the Lakes.

Amager: home to CC Taste, a bit off the beaten path but worth the trip for authentic flavours. Easily reachable by public transport.

Indre By (City Centre): convenient, central spots like Urban Indian, Restaurant Levi and Barabba. Perfect if you're staying central or sightseeing. Wrap up the evening with Danish hygge at a nearby wine bar.

The Harbour: Cecconi's inside Soho House delivers Copenhagen's best restaurant view, right on the water, see our coastal areas and harbors guide for the rest of the waterfront.

FAQ

5. International restaurants in Copenhagen: frequently asked questions

The questions I get asked most often about dining internationally here.

After Danish and Nordic cuisine, the most popular international cuisines are Italian (a strong pasta and pizza scene, especially in Nørrebro), Japanese and sushi (very high quality at the premium end), Thai (led by Kiin Kiin), Vietnamese (Pho Hanoi is a long-standing local favourite), and Mexican (La Neta and the wider taco scene).

Nørrebro is the most culinarily diverse neighbourhood, with Bæst, Kiin Kiin, Mirabelle and La Neta all within a short walk of each other. Indre By has the highest-end options like Restaurant Levi and Barabba, and the harbour area has Cecconi's for the best view.

Generally yes. Mid-range international restaurants in Nørrebro and Vesterbro offer mains at 150-250 DKK. Traditional Danish smørrebrød and Nordic tasting menus tend to run significantly higher, 300-1,000+ DKK. Copenhagen's international scene offers strong value without compromising on quality.

Pho Hanoi, near Vesterport Station, is one of the city's most consistently loved Vietnamese spots, known for rich, properly made pho rather than a tourist-facing shortcut version. It's genuinely unassuming from the outside, don't let that put you off.

Yes, for most of them, especially on weekends. Bæst, Kiin Kiin, Restaurant Levi, Cecconi's and Barabba all recommend booking in advance. Casual spots like Pho Hanoi, La Neta and CC Taste are more forgiving as walk-ins, but expect a wait at peak times.

My Local Take

6. Final thoughts: my take

If you only remember one thing from this guide, make it this.

If you're short on time, base yourself in Nørrebro for one evening, Bæst, Kiin Kiin, Mirabelle and La Neta are all a short walk apart, and it's the single most reliable stretch of international dining in the city. If you want a splurge, Kiin Kiin's tasting menu or a sunset table at Cecconi's are both worth the price.

What I'd tell a friend: don't treat this as a checklist of "exotic" stops. These are genuinely well-run kitchens run by people who take their craft seriously, whether that's Puglisi's Sicilian bakery or a no-frills bowl of pho near Vesterport. Book ahead where you can, and go hungry.

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