Denmark

Local Suggestions by an Expat in Denmark

by Olivia Balsinger

I moved to Denmark for love and stayed because of my infatuation with this tiny Scandinavian nation repeatedly named “The Happiest Country on Earth.” When I first moved, I indulged in my fair share of touristic activities: I took a selfie at the Little Mermaid statue, I gallivanted down Strøget (the city center’s walking street) and I ate a smørrebrød (open-faced) sandwich on the harbor banks, the quaint and colorful Nyhavn houses providing a scenic background. After all the quintessential touristic experiences, it was time to start exploring like a local – and now I have that inside scoop for your next trip to Denmark.

My first piece of advice would be to rent a bicycle – it’s not just a stereotype that Danes move everywhere on two wheels. In fact, Copenhagen has more bikes than people and is one of the few cities that has dedicated biking highways.

Once you are equipped with your new ride, my next piece of advice is to leave Copenhagen’s center and explore the outer neighborhoods where you’ll begin to understand that the capital is dynamic and international with a mélange of cultures. The neighborhood of Nørrebro is particularly famous for the diversity in cuisines – kebab shops and the smell of fresh curries intrigue senses as you wander around secondhand vintage shops and boutiques sporting Danish fashion. One Nørrebro restaurant that lovers of spice will adore is Kiin Kiin – Copenhagen’s first Michelin-awarded Asian gourmet restaurant and the only Thai restaurant outside Thailand with a Michelin star.

Another lesser-known Copenhagen neighborhood is Østerbro, known primarily for its sprawling green space and luxury. What many tourists don’t realize, however, is that Østerbro is also a paradise for relation, with one of the largest parks in the city and the chance to glimpse into local life. There is nothing like packing a picnic and watching the flocks of geese at eastern Copenhagen’s picturesque chain of lakes. The neighborhood is also home to Denmark’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Geranium, which stylistically transforms local ingredients into pieces of Nordic artwork, redefining the typical Danish cuisine. However, if typical is what you are looking for, Grisens is the place to spot locals indulging in the greasy yet mouthwatering Hue Bøfsandwich, or Danish gravy burger. Arteries may temporarily clog, but a burger drowning in onions and double sauce with a side of “Danish Nachos” (chips drenched in homemade gravy) is certainly a local experience.

Perhaps my greatest realization living in Denmark is that it lives up to its “happiest country in the world” stereotype, but not for the reason’s first time tourists may think. It is a dynamic country that has melded timeless Danish traditions with a multicultural modern twist. And once you visit like a local, you’ll soon experience that happiness too.

www.visitdenmark.com