FT readers: where to eat and drink in Copenhagen

Café Duse, a concept by the baker Melissa Forti, is a lovely spot for tea, coffee and delicious pastries. The atmosphere is casual, the decor very elegant and sometimes there’s live music. You’ll find it in central Copenhagen, next to the Round Tower. Directions
— Jenny Sörby, communications manager, Malmö, Sweden

I’m a foodie and, owing my provenance to Jamaica, I know flavours and tasty food. I lived in Copenhagen from August 2012–June 2013, and I look back on that period of my life very fondly. I had some of my more memorable meals there. However, the one eatery I recommend to everybody is Gasoline Grill. It does the best burgers I’ve every had, and this is high praise from an unabashed burger fanatic. They are truly perfect: succulent, rich in flavour and the dense beef patty is complemented by soft but sturdy buns. They’re unpretentious and quite simple — not overdone with condiments and additions that detract from the burger. The first bite is like a pleasant explosion for the taste buds.

The original branch is in an old gas station on a side street near the Kongens Nytorv metro station, so it’s pretty easy to get to. I’ve been back to Copenhagen a couple of times and one of my first stops is Gasoline Grill, and there were times it was also my last meal before departing for the airport. Go early, as they only make a certain amount of burgers each day. My words won’t do the Gasoline Grill burger justice — just go, and thank me later.

— Terrol Mikhail Graham, international civil servant, Geneva, Switzerland

Curfew cocktail bar in Vesterbro is a great spot; the speakeasy look is overplayed in a lot of places but these guys nail it. It’s elegant, relaxed and intimate. The cocktails themselves are superbly made and slip down dangerously easily. The owner Humberto Marques is a cocktail genius. Directions

— Rod Hutchison, forensic accountant, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Tèrra is the only true zero-waste restaurant in Copenhagen that lives up to the sustainability-driven image the city projects. It sacrifices neither taste nor service in the pursuit of its goal of bringing out the best in parts of ingredients in which others fail to see the potential. The non-alcoholic juice pairing is full of creativity and in line with the growing movement towards hangover-free fun. A must for any visitor to Copenhagen who wants to experience the post-Noma future. Directions

— Kate Fung, attorney, Copenhagen, Denmark

Cut through the maze of visitors and stands at the Torvehallerne food market and go directly to the pasta masters of Copenhagen at Il Mattarello. The folks here reliably produce bowls of comfort seven days of the week in the form of pasta pomodoro, cacio e pepe (above) and the only real carbonara in town. The tiramisu keeps you coming back because you know you won’t get a sugar headache. Conveniently located near the central Nørreport station, this is a quick carb refuel that you can also take home with you. Get the tortellini in a box and you’ll be set for dinner too. Directions

— Kate Fung, attorney, Copenhagen, Denmark

I recommend Pluto for their 10-course sharing dining experience. We went for dinner at 5.45pm and the experience lasted just under three hours. The food was exceptional, and the portion sizes were perfect for what we were after. They made such an effort in making our time there so special, relaxed and a general nice atmosphere. Directions

— Rebecca Cann, customer success manager, London, UK

Iluka, run by affable Australian chef Beau Clugston, focuses on the best regional seafood. Dishes look simple but hide technique honed at Noma and Gordon Ramsay. Highlights include the self-made nori handroll of cod, lovage and a blue mussel emulsion, the grilled langoustines or the whole baked fish under a mountain of herbs. The menu is flexible enough for a few dishes at the bar and a few glasses of wine (the list leans towards natural, of course) or a longer tasting menu. Prices are reasonable for the quality on offer. It’s the neighbourhood restaurant I wish I had. Directions

— Shaunn Griffiths, asset management, London, UK

Kødbyens Fiskebar is a brilliant fish restaurant with a cool vibe in an area that reminds me of New York’s meatpacking district 30 years ago [it’s in Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District]. The fantastically fresh fish and seafood are served both simply and with modern twists, service is professional and laidback, and the wine list, including some Danish producers (who knew?), is excellent. Directions

— Stephen Rockman, investor, London, UK

For restaurants other than Noma and Geranium (and their waiting lists):
1. Salon on Bredgade for the best wine list in Copenhagen and chef Claus “The Red” Christensen’s famous turbot en croûte (“Dolphin” or “Whale” size, depending on appetite). Directions
2. Høst on Nørre Farimagsgade e for inventive new Nordic food that is reasonably priced. Directions
3. Mêlée on Martensens Allé (off Gammel Kongevej) for an excellent bistro-style fixed menu, and well-chosen classic French wines. Directions

— Tim Houghton, solicitor, London, UK

A few years ago, we ate at the excellent Kokkeriet restaurant. When it comes to Michelin-starred restaurants, we often found one-star places to be some of the most impressive — as they’re striving for better, of course. Kokkeriet really surprised us, not only with the stellar food, but also the wonderfully warm service. Well worth a visit. Directions

— Mark Phillips, product manager, Ilkley, UK

Torvehallerne food market (next to Nørreport Station) provides top-quality fresh produce as well as a fantastic selection of food stalls and shops. You can get a great smørrebrød, with a first-rate coffee at Coffee Collective. Pick up some chocolate at Summerbird as a souvenir. Directions

— Swyrie Cooray Smith, lawyer, London, UK

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