Mexican$$nordhavn
Rosio Sanchez's Hija de Sanchez Cantina in Nordhavn pairs the original taqueria menu with sit-down ceviches, tostadas and a long mezcal list from a former noma chef.
Signature: Tacos al pastor, Ceviche tostada, Mole-roasted vegetables
Order: The al pastor taco, a ceviche tostada and a copita of mezcal.
Tip: The smaller Torvehallerne and Kødbyen counters are the takeaway play; the Cantina is the sit-down room.
Texas barbecue$$vesterbro
WarPigs on Flæsketorvet in Vesterbro's Kødbyen runs a Texas-style smokehouse out of the old slaughterhouse, pouring 23 craft beers on tap brewed on site with Mikkeller.
Signature: Brisket, Pulled pork, Beef ribs
Order: A half-pound of brisket with pickles, plus a pint of the house lager from the on-site brewery.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive by 18:00 weekends or expect a 45 minute queue.
Modern Nordic$$vesterbro
Restaurant Cofoco on Abel Cathrines Gade in Vesterbro has run a value-priced four-course Nordic tasting since 2004, the original room behind the CofocoGroup.
Signature: Four-course Nordic tasting, Daily fish
Order: The DKK 275 four-course menu; the kitchen rotates with the season.
Tip: Open daily from 17:30; one of the easier mid-priced bookings in the city.
Modern Nordic$$$christianshavn
Restaurant Lola inside Lille Mølle on Christianshavn's Voldgade runs a Latin-Asian dinner of tacos, ceviche and curries, plus traditional lunch smørrebrød.
Signature: Tacos with seasonal fish, Green curry, Daily ceviche
Order: The four-course tasting at DKK 395 or the daily ceviche with a glass of natural wine.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday only. The historic mill room is the one to book.
French-Italian bistro$$christianshavn
Café Wilder on Wildersgade in Christianshavn is one of the oldest bistro rooms in the area, opened 1984, with a French-Italian menu and a corner-room canal view.
Signature: Steak frites, Daily pasta, Mussels and chips
Order: The steak frites or the mussels in white wine; the kitchen has run the same plates for decades.
Tip: Open daily for lunch and dinner; reservations via the website are the safer route on a Saturday.
Modern European$$$indre-by
Restaurant Pluto on Borgergade in Copenhagen has been the city's sharing-plate room since 2012, with a long bar menu running to 02:00 on Friday and Saturday.
Signature: Sharing-style small plates, Pluto burger, Daily fish
Order: The four small plates plus the off-menu burger; the kitchen lets you build the meal at the counter.
Tip: Open seven days from 17:30; the bar takes walk-ups after 22:00 when the dining room slows.