Dining in the Midst of Leading Contemporary Art
Copenhagen has become an international gastronomical centre and a destination for foodies everywhere. Across the city, galleries and top restaurants are collaborating to create immersive dining experiences – setting the scene for unforgettable meals with leading contemporary art.
Explore our top recommendations for restaurants in Copenhagen where you can dine amongst beautiful, inspiring art from galleries that are part of CHART. Keep reading to find out where you can enjoy the city’s finest food and art pairings.
Artwork by Kaspar Oppen Samuelsen on view at Café Sommersko
Courtesy of the artist, Café Sommersko and V1 Gallery. Photo by Line Dalgaard
Café Sommersko
For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Café Sommersko has become our new go-to spot. Recently reopened, this beloved Copenhagen institution was first established in 1976 on Kronprinsensgade. Now Café Sommersko has found renewed life at its new location on Palægade where it retains the creative and artistic atmosphere that made the restaurant iconic in the first place.
In addition to a curated selection of contemporary art, Café Sommersko also displays pieces from its original collection, including works by Danish artist Poul Gernes and the iconic "shoe" piece on the ceiling—a nostalgic nod to its storied past. In the morning, we would enjoy a flat white and a buttery croissant, and in the evening, share a whole fried redfish paired with a glass of Chardonnay.
See artworks by Emma Kohlmann (US); Monica Kim Garza (US); Kaspar Oppen Samuelsen (DK); Søren Behncke (DK); Kent Iwemyr (SE); and Misaki Kawai (JP) all represented by V1 Gallery.
Artwork by Kasper Eistrup on view at Restaurant Palægade
Courtesy of the artist, Restaurant Palægade and Martin Asbæk Gallery
Restaurant Palægade
For a classic Danish lunch, we head to the multi-award-winning Restaurant Palægade, just around the corner from Charlottenborg. Since opening in 2016, it quickly became a staple of Copenhagen's dining scene. Unfortunately, the restaurant was forced to close in 2020 after a devastating fire. Following an extensive renovation, Restaurant Palægade reopened in 2021 with renewed dedication, attention to detail, and an ambition to be the best lunch restaurant in Copenhagen.
Their smørrebrød is second to none, and the traditional ambiance is beautifully enhanced by impressive contemporary art. We highly recommend the smoked Danish salmon smørrebrød on rye bread, perfectly paired with a glass of white Bourgogne.
See artworks by Peter Bonde (DK); Ditte Ejlerskov (DK) and Kasper Eistrup (DK) all represented by Martin Asbæk Gallery.
Artwork by Samson Kambalu on view at Calma
Courtesy of the artist, Calma and Andersen's Contemporary
Calma
We highly recommend visiting Calma in Nørrebro, who we have been proud to collaborate with as a restaurant partner for the past 2 years, serving tasty food in the courtyards of Charlottenborg during CHART. Their fusion of French and Italian cuisines is exceptionally delicious and has received high praise since the opening of their permanent restaurant in 2023. The menu is always locally sourced and changes with the seasons—we particularly recommend the local venison tartare, alongside a selection of dishes to share.
See artworks by Samson Kambalu (MW); Cecilia Fiona (DK); and Christian Falsnæs (DK) all represented by Andersen's Contemporary.
Artworks by Mischa Pavlovski Andresen (left) and Anton Funck (right) on view at Kadeau
Courtesy of the artists, Kadeau and V1 Gallery
Kadeau
The 2 Michelin-starred restaurant Kadeau is absolutely enchanting for several reasons. The food is a blend of innovation and tradition, served in an exquisite environment within a cosy yet refined setting, surrounded by contemporary art that perfectly complements the culinary experience.
In 2024, Kadeau strengthened its connection with contemporary art by inviting a group of young artists to Bornholm—the Danish island that is home to their second restaurant—for an inspiration trip. The artists explored the forest, sketched, and painted 'en plein air'. The unique works created during the trip are now on display at Kadeau in Copenhagen for the Preservation Season.
See artworks by Anton Funck (DK); Mischa Pavlovski Andresen (DK); and Mads Hilbert (DK) all represented by V1 Gallery.
Artworks by Trine Søndergaard from the series 'Lace' on view at Restaurant Trio
Courtesy of the artist, Restaurant Trio and Martin Asbæk Gallery
Restaurant Trio
For an after-dinner drink we recommend visiting Restaurant Trio's gourmet restaurant and cocktail bar on the 9th floor in Axel Towers. They serve amazing cocktails, which you can enjoy while surrounded by stunning contemporary art and taking in a panoramic view of Copenhagen. For a unique experience, we recommend their signature Nordic Walk Experience, a curated tasting journey of Nordic spirits.
See artworks by Trine Søndergaard (DK) represented by Martin Asbæk Gallery.
