KANAL CAFEEN

Danish Lunch Restaurant

Copenhagen Town,

+4

Tags

coffee

lunch

canal view

About

Kanalcafeen, since 1852, offers an authentic Danish dining experience along Copenhagen's Frederiksholms Kanal. Housed in a historic basement with maritime charm, the café specializes in traditional smørrebrød, including pickled herring and roast pork with red cabbage. Enjoy hearty Danish fare in a cozy, canal-side setting.

Nestled at Frederiksholms Kanal 18, Kanalcafeen has been a cherished part of Copenhagen's culinary scene since 1852. This historic basement eatery exudes maritime charm, with nautical décor and sepia-toned photos evoking the city's seafaring past. The café is renowned for its traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød), featuring classics like pickled herring, roast pork with red cabbage, and fresh fish fillets. Beyond smørrebrød, the menu offers generous platters showcasing Danish seafood and delicacies. During warmer months, guests can dine on the outdoor terrace overlooking the canal, adding to the authentic Danish dining experience. Kanalcafeen's central location, just behind the Parliament building, makes it a convenient stop for both locals and visitors seeking a taste of traditional Danish cuisine in a cozy, historic setting.

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Rating 4.4

1519 reviews

Matthew Kreitman

3 years ago

This was a highlight of my trip. Best Smørrebrød I had while in Copenhagen. Highly recommend the fried herring and the corned ham + Pate. Great atmosphere along the canal, I recommend if looking for an authentic Danish lunch. Can’t go wrong with drinking a beer and akvavit along with your meal here.

Andrew Brown

3 years ago

Smørrebrød heaven! For those of you who don't know, it is an open sandwich. Slice of bread of your choice and a menu with varying fillings. Some are real stackers! Great experience. By the way, for lunch it was full of danish people so that says it all. Loved it and would go back again!

Zee

5 years ago

Guys, you need a reservation to seat indoors! It’s super crowded during lunch hours. Indoor seating provides a greater atmosphere. Settled for outdoor heated area. One of the nicest smørrebrød in the city! Generous with their serving too! Smoked salmon and the fried fish was awesome.

Kelly N

a year ago

Copenhagen is outrageously expensive so to avoid a painful credit card hangover, we only ate lunches out. The Kanal Cafeen is one of the best value eateries in the city with brilliantly attentive staff and stunning presentation. It's a true delve into Danish cuisine and gives a great insight into the varied food culture of the Danes. You choose a few items from the paper list on the table which are then brought on a platter. It feels a bit like a banquet. Every dish was superb and all the garnishes were edible. The beers are really dear (~£9) so to keep prices reasonable, just stick with food.

John Maull

a year ago

If you are looking for a traditional Danish restaurant in central Copenhagen, you have come to the right place. With its maritime theme, low ceiling and warm vibes, Kanal-cafeen gives off the impression that it has been in this spot for a long time. The tables are close together, and there is a real comradely and vibrancy in the restaurant as diners eat from delicious Danish food.

Craig Zebuda

8 months ago

Highly recommended (our local friend took us, so that’s always a great sign). Traditional open faced sandwiches with large portions for great prices. And our waiter was super friendly, we chatted with him for a while after our meal.

Daphine Lextington

a year ago

Truly some of the best food in Copenhagen! We didn’t realize how big the portions were, so we ordered four smørrebrød for two people, and we could’ve done with just two! Will be going back!

Steve R

5 months ago

Now this place is one of a kind. Let me explain… So I arrived in Denmark to visit my brother and wanted the one food I really miss - Danish Smorgasbord, so he booked us in for the first day serving their Christmas special. We turned up to our 1pm reservation to start our just short of 5 hour marathon ‘jule frokost’ (Christmas lunch for the non-Danes). So this is one of Copenhagens oldest traditional restaurants. There is a boat in the summer, but we were in the main dining area - a very cosy original setting. The staff were amazing throughout and attentive. So ambiance and service at a full 5, but let’s get on to the food….. So my brother had booked the Xmas lunch, a set menu of 7 fish dishes followed by 7 meat dishes and finishing off with cheese followed by tradition Danish ris a la mande. 16 dishes. Crazy! But forget the numbers… The food quality was amazing and the condiments were varied and plentiful. I can’t think of a situation in any restaurant where the servings were so ‘unmeasured’ meaning no thimbles or short measures. Neither of us could get through it all. Oh, and did I mention that it is all home made…. We washed it all down with the traditional beer and snaps. We tried 3 types and they leave the bottles and measure at the end how much we drank. Value for money if you look at the enclosed menu, was excellent - other than this will become a yearly tradition now so I’m going to have to fly in the end of November now next year and going forward. Truly amazing - thank you Kanal Caféen!!

Alex Stathopoulos

a month ago

Kanal-Caféen: Where Smørrebrød Meets Superstar Service We had an unforgettable lunch at Kanal-Caféen—a true Copenhagen classic that delivers on every level. The setting is charming and authentically Danish, but it’s the food and service that really shine. We went all-in on the smørrebrød, and every bite was next-level. The crumbed fish with prawns was crispy and fresh, the roast beef with remoulade was bold and satisfying, and the roast pork with cabbage and pickle hit that perfect balance of rich and tangy. All washed down with an excellent selection of Danish beers—cold, crisp, and expertly recommended. But the real MVP? Kim, our waiter. Kim didn’t just serve us—he hosted us. Warm, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable, he made us feel like old friends. Honestly, someone needs to clone this man and send him around the globe to teach the fine art of Nordic hospitality. Kanal-Caféen is a must for anyone wanting a true taste of Denmark—with heart, humor, and flavor to spare.

Ella Goel

4 months ago

We really enjoyed our first meal in Copenhagen, trying a traditional Danish lunch that exceeded our expectations. The dish was authentic and delicious, just like the photo - no instagram vs. reality issue! We also tried their signature dessert, pairing perfectly with our coffee. The service was fantastic, with friendly chef and attentive staff. The atmosphere was serene and relaxing. What surprised us most was the warmth of the Danish people; we had a lovely encounter with locals who initiated a friendly chat, a hospitality we hadn't experienced in the other two Scandinavian countries we visited.

Matthew Kreitman

3 years ago

This was a highlight of my trip. Best Smørrebrød I had while in Copenhagen. Highly recommend the fried herring and the corned ham + Pate. Great atmosphere along the canal, I recommend if looking for an authentic Danish lunch. Can’t go wrong with drinking a beer and akvavit along with your meal here.

Andrew Brown

3 years ago

Smørrebrød heaven! For those of you who don't know, it is an open sandwich. Slice of bread of your choice and a menu with varying fillings. Some are real stackers! Great experience. By the way, for lunch it was full of danish people so that says it all. Loved it and would go back again!

Zee

5 years ago

Guys, you need a reservation to seat indoors! It’s super crowded during lunch hours. Indoor seating provides a greater atmosphere. Settled for outdoor heated area. One of the nicest smørrebrød in the city! Generous with their serving too! Smoked salmon and the fried fish was awesome.

Kelly N

a year ago

Copenhagen is outrageously expensive so to avoid a painful credit card hangover, we only ate lunches out. The Kanal Cafeen is one of the best value eateries in the city with brilliantly attentive staff and stunning presentation. It's a true delve into Danish cuisine and gives a great insight into the varied food culture of the Danes. You choose a few items from the paper list on the table which are then brought on a platter. It feels a bit like a banquet. Every dish was superb and all the garnishes were edible. The beers are really dear (~£9) so to keep prices reasonable, just stick with food.

John Maull

a year ago

If you are looking for a traditional Danish restaurant in central Copenhagen, you have come to the right place. With its maritime theme, low ceiling and warm vibes, Kanal-cafeen gives off the impression that it has been in this spot for a long time. The tables are close together, and there is a real comradely and vibrancy in the restaurant as diners eat from delicious Danish food.

Craig Zebuda

8 months ago

Highly recommended (our local friend took us, so that’s always a great sign). Traditional open faced sandwiches with large portions for great prices. And our waiter was super friendly, we chatted with him for a while after our meal.

Daphine Lextington

a year ago

Truly some of the best food in Copenhagen! We didn’t realize how big the portions were, so we ordered four smørrebrød for two people, and we could’ve done with just two! Will be going back!

Steve R

5 months ago

Now this place is one of a kind. Let me explain… So I arrived in Denmark to visit my brother and wanted the one food I really miss - Danish Smorgasbord, so he booked us in for the first day serving their Christmas special. We turned up to our 1pm reservation to start our just short of 5 hour marathon ‘jule frokost’ (Christmas lunch for the non-Danes). So this is one of Copenhagens oldest traditional restaurants. There is a boat in the summer, but we were in the main dining area - a very cosy original setting. The staff were amazing throughout and attentive. So ambiance and service at a full 5, but let’s get on to the food….. So my brother had booked the Xmas lunch, a set menu of 7 fish dishes followed by 7 meat dishes and finishing off with cheese followed by tradition Danish ris a la mande. 16 dishes. Crazy! But forget the numbers… The food quality was amazing and the condiments were varied and plentiful. I can’t think of a situation in any restaurant where the servings were so ‘unmeasured’ meaning no thimbles or short measures. Neither of us could get through it all. Oh, and did I mention that it is all home made…. We washed it all down with the traditional beer and snaps. We tried 3 types and they leave the bottles and measure at the end how much we drank. Value for money if you look at the enclosed menu, was excellent - other than this will become a yearly tradition now so I’m going to have to fly in the end of November now next year and going forward. Truly amazing - thank you Kanal Caféen!!

Alex Stathopoulos

a month ago

Kanal-Caféen: Where Smørrebrød Meets Superstar Service We had an unforgettable lunch at Kanal-Caféen—a true Copenhagen classic that delivers on every level. The setting is charming and authentically Danish, but it’s the food and service that really shine. We went all-in on the smørrebrød, and every bite was next-level. The crumbed fish with prawns was crispy and fresh, the roast beef with remoulade was bold and satisfying, and the roast pork with cabbage and pickle hit that perfect balance of rich and tangy. All washed down with an excellent selection of Danish beers—cold, crisp, and expertly recommended. But the real MVP? Kim, our waiter. Kim didn’t just serve us—he hosted us. Warm, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable, he made us feel like old friends. Honestly, someone needs to clone this man and send him around the globe to teach the fine art of Nordic hospitality. Kanal-Caféen is a must for anyone wanting a true taste of Denmark—with heart, humor, and flavor to spare.

Ella Goel

4 months ago

We really enjoyed our first meal in Copenhagen, trying a traditional Danish lunch that exceeded our expectations. The dish was authentic and delicious, just like the photo - no instagram vs. reality issue! We also tried their signature dessert, pairing perfectly with our coffee. The service was fantastic, with friendly chef and attentive staff. The atmosphere was serene and relaxing. What surprised us most was the warmth of the Danish people; we had a lovely encounter with locals who initiated a friendly chat, a hospitality we hadn't experienced in the other two Scandinavian countries we visited.

KANAL CAFEEN Danish Lunch Restaurant

Copenhagen Town,

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