Noma, the multi-award winning, game-changing, ground-breaking Copenhagen restaurant, had its last service in February of this year. In its current guise, that is. Noma 2.0 is mooted to be open in December of this year and we’re seriously excited. Getting a table though, to put it mildly, is going to be even more difficult than landing a coveted spot at the original. But fear not, there are hoards of Noma alumni cooking Scandinavian-inspired food in the Danish capital. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL alternatives to Noma, in Copenhagen.
108
108 only opened last year but has already garnered some serious praise, including a Michelin star. Kristian Baumann, formerly of Noma and Relae (another on our list) is at the helm, and the menu leans heavily on cured, fermented and pickled ingredients. Noma’s modus operandi, of foraging and preserving, is very much alive here. This is by no means a carbon copy or homage though, with a huge, open dining room and plenty of sharing dishes meaning the atmosphere is casual and convivial – the pace set more by the diners than a tasting menu. It’s a wonderful place to eat with leisure and drink in good company.
*Sadly, as of September 2022, 108 is now closed*
Bror
Bror is run by two former Noma sous-chefs, but has its own unique style and voice. Housed on a beautiful, narrow and cobbled road in the centre of the city, Bror feels incredibly welcoming and homely, with dim lighting and dark wood furnishings. The restaurant utilises lesser known cuts and has a commendable attitude to waste, but leans on a wider scope of Northern European ingredients than Noma did. The result is warm, humble, delicious food which is far more complex than meets the eye. A real winner in our book.
*Sadly, as of September 2022, Bror is now closed*
Relae
Both leaders of front and back of house are from the school of Noma at Relae, currently ranked 39th best restaurant in the world. The vibe is super laid-back, with service unintrusive in the best possible way. Diners are encouraged to pour their own wine and collect their own cutlery, but don’t let this casual approach belie expectations of the food. Confident, no nonsense cooking is king here. Vegetables are celebrated with the same thought and care as meats, and everything is seasoned and balanced to perfection.
*Sadly, as of September 2022, Relae is now closed, but you can still try chef Christian Puglisi making superb pizzas at Baest, one of our favourite pizzerias in the city*
Hija De Sanchez
Okay, so it’s not new Nordic, but this place is the bomb. Former Noma pastry chef Rosi Sanchesz opened this taqueria stand two years ago in Torvehallerne when cravings for the food of her homeland, Mexico, got too strong. The place has been so successful that a second branch has opened in Kodbyen and we wouldn’t be surprised if more followed. The Al Pastor taco is fantastic and just the thing when you’re craving fire and verve from your food to thaw the Copenhagen chill.
Website: www.hijadesanchez.dk
Radio
Another former Noma sous-chef, another amazing Copenhagen restaurant. Radio is super straight-forward in principle, with the menu listening just three or four ingredients to each dish. The cooking though, is anything but. Flavours are maximised to their full potential through careful sourcing, a dedication to seasonality and superb, grounded technique in cooking them. It’s a reasonably priced proposition too, making it a must on any hungry traveler’s dinner-time itinerary.
Website: restaurantradio.dk