Scandinavian food is evolving from heavy, meat-and-potatoes dishes to lighter and brighter fare, while maintaining the best flavors of traditional cuisine. Copenhagen’s culinary scene has gained world renown. Modern flavors are emerging here, and chefs are concocting new twists on old favorites.

The surrounding coast and fertile cropland provide the freshest of ingredients. Two of the world’s highest rated restaurants sit within the city limits. City markets are a cornucopia of local creations. From typical Danish street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, a food tour in Copenhagen will show you the newest iteration of Danish food.

Check out our helpful guide on food tours, one of the most captivating gastronomic experiences in Copenhagen.

Which food tour in Copenhagen is best for you?

Walking food tours

Get to know the streets and the flavors of Copenhagen on a walking tour that combines sightseeing and a meal. Follow a local guide through the city’s best markets, restaurants, breweries and food stands while taking in famous landmarks. Taste savories, sweets and drinks while learning about Copenhagen’s past and present.

West end Copenhagen food tours

Recently emerged as foodie hotspots, the Vesterbro and Meatpacking districts in the western part of Copenhagen are chock-full of international restaurants, diverse markets and innovative dining concepts.

Away from the crowds of Nyhavn and Langelinie, your expert guide will introduce you to food purveyors you wouldn’t find on your own while discovering off-the-beaten-path corners of Copenhagen.

Culinary bike tours in Copenhagen

Combine your exploration of Danish gastronomy with a Copenhagen bike tour to quickly zip from site to site like a local, while sampling all the classic flavors. Known as one of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities, Copenhagen’s copious bike lanes connect the best eats in town without the need of a car while immersing you in a celebrated Danish pastime.

Private food tours in Copenhagen

Stroll at your own pace from markets to bakeries to breweries on a private tour. Or be whisked over the Oresund Bridge into Sweden to savor Malmö and Scania’s take on Scandinavian staples. Private tours are the epitome of flexibility and are the perfect way to enjoy the company of only the people you choose.

What will you do on the food tour?

Snack, sample and sip your way around Copenhagen, from the best-known restaurants to locals’ secret haunts. Within city limits, taste the freshest seafood, pastries and sweets galore, creamy cheeses and bright versions of Danish classics.

Torvehallerne is the first stop on many food tours. This glass-walled market houses more than 60 food stalls that run the gamut from fresh and raw ingredients to memorable sit-down meals.

Food tours allow you to skip lines at this popular locale as you nibble cheeses and chocolates, sip apple wine and craft beer and absorb the lively atmosphere. Hit Torvehallerne’s highlights like Arla Unika for award-winning cheeses and Summerbird for “flodeboller,” a chocolate-lover’s dream come true.

Next, leave the market halls for some of the best classic Copenhagen eats. Tuck into open-faced “smorrebrod” sandwiches topped with fish, pickles, cheese and fresh veg at Aamanns Café. Bite into organic hotdogs at Den Økologiske Pølsemand and wash it all down with some local beers at Norrebro Bryhaus.

Discover “ristepolse” sausage, “flaeskestegssandwich” filled with pickles and pork and the famous fish meatballs, “fiskefrikadeller.” Try quintessential Danish pastries with coffee, artisan candies and local schnapps, elderberry juice, apple wine and microbrews.

You won’t miss out on Copenhagen’s top destinations on a food tour. While not as thorough as a sightseeing city tour, your guide will usher you past sites like Rosenborg Castle, the Rundetaarn Observatory, the Marble Church and the must-see Little Mermaid statue.

Opt for a full-day private food excursion for 6.5 hours of tasting and touring. These tours afford you more sightseeing than shorter small-group or private tours. Learn the colorful history of Rosenborg Castle. Pose for selfies in front of Gefion Fountain. See the noon changing of the guards in front of Amalienborg Palace.

Stroll between the canal and the pastel houses of Nyhavn, a hub for dining, drinking and nightlife as well as Copenhagen’s most photographed corner. Cross the canal to the island of Amager to explore the self-governing enclave of Christiania.

The extra time on these tours allows you to tour the interiors of some of the city’s most famous spots. Wander through Christiansborg Palace and even relax over a drink in one of its towers. Time your visit right and you may be able to spy Copenhagen from the viewing balcony around the dome of the Marble Church.

How much do food tours cost in Copenhagen?

Small-group walking food tours in Copenhagen cost from €75 per person for a 2-hour tour to €140 per person for a 4-hour tour. Culinary bike tours cost €90 per person. Group size is capped at 10 to 12 people for these tours.

Private half-day walking food tours cost around €155 per person. Private full-day walking food tours cost €220 per person for a 6.5-hour tour. Day trips to Malmö, Sweden cost €825 per group of up to three people.

What is included?

Food tours in Copenhagen are fully-guided and provide foods and drinks plus sightseeing. All taxes are included. Tours offer from two to 10 tastings, depending on the duration of your tour. For most tours, the amount of food you taste will be similar to a meal. Certain tours provide a main course at a restaurant.

The guide also provides sightseeing filled with fascinating stories and facts. Culinary biking tours lend you bikes and helmets. Private tours to Malmö in neighboring Sweden, include round-trip private transportation, stops at two farms, a restaurant meal and sightseeing in the city.

Some full-day private tours include entrance tickets and guided tours of sites like Christiansborg Palace and Rundetaarn.

Where do they start from?

Walking tours that include a market visit meet outside Torvehallerne Market, while West end food tours meet in front of Vesterbrogade 49 in central Copenhagen.

Culinary bike tours meet at the City Adventures shop at the corner of Holbergsgade and Peter Skrams Gade. Private tours meet in Kultorvet Square or in front of the El Cava restaurant, but may also include pickup.

How long do they typically last?

Food tours in Copenhagen typically last 2 to 6 hours, while Culinary bike tours last roughly 3 hours. Small group tours and most private walking tours tend to last about 3 to 4 hours. Full-day private walking tours and day trips to Malmö, Sweden, can last 6 hours.

When is the best time for a food tour in Copenhagen?

A food tour can be enjoyable at any time of year, but you will contend with fewer crowds outside the peak tourist season, which runs from June to August.

Food tours are a great way to start your visit to Copenhagen. Your guide will familiarize you with the city, acquaint you with flavors to seek out for the rest of your trip and offer advice on what to see for the remainder of your stay.

Are they safe?

Food tours in Copenhagen are generally safe, with the city being known for its high food safety standards and cleanliness. To ensure a great experience, don't forget to inform your guide about any dietary restrictions and food allergies.

Are children allowed?

Yes, children can typically join Copenhagen food tours, provided they are accompanied by an adult. Note that some operators may only allow children over the age of 14. Many tour operators offer family-friendly experiences and some even have special child pricing.

Travel tips

Inform your tour provider of any dietary restrictions or allergies at the time of booking.
Vegetarian options are generally available, but not vegan.
Wear shoes and clothing appropriate for several hours walking outdoors.
Come hungry and be prepared to sample various foods throughout the tour.

Food Tours in Copenhagen