The medieval centre: Schønnemann's smørrebrød on Hauser Plads, Torvehallerne by Nørreport, Apollo Bar at Kunsthal Charlottenborg, and the hotel rooms around Kongens Nytorv.
Schønnemann on Hauser Plads in Copenhagen has served smørrebrød since 1877, with house-baked rye, a 140-bottle snaps cabinet and lunch-only service.
Signature: Marinated herring, Stegt flæsk smørrebrød, Karrysild
Order: Marinated herring with raw onion, capers and rye, plus a glass of cold akvavit.
Tip: Lunch only, closed Sunday and books a week ahead. Walk in at 14:30 for the best chance of a counter seat.
Aamanns 1921 on Niels Hemmingsens Gade in Copenhagen serves Adam Aamann's modern smørrebrød at lunch and a Nordic dinner menu, with a silver organic dining label.
Signature: Roasted pork smørrebrød, Smoked salmon, Frikadeller
Order: The lunch tasting of four smørrebrød with a glass of snaps and a beer chaser.
Tip: Open seven days for lunch and dinner; dinner books on the website. Closed Sunday evening from October.
Selma on Rømersgade in Copenhagen holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for chef Magnus Pettersson's modern smørrebrød at lunch and an evening tasting menu.
Signature: Squid smørrebrød, Modern karrysild, Beef tartare on rye
Order: The five-piece smørrebrød lunch plus the seasonal kale and mussel dish from the evening menu.
Tip: Lunch books out a week ahead. Dinner is a multi-course tasting; reserve via the website only.
Marchal inside Hotel d'Angleterre on Kongens Nytorv holds one Michelin star for chef Jakob de Neergaard's Nordic-French menu in Copenhagen's grand hotel.
Signature: Classical French with Nordic produce, Hotel d'Angleterre afternoon tea
Order: The à la carte signature menu; one of the city's last rooms cooking classical French sauces with Danish produce.
Tip: Hotel guests get priority for evening tables. Lunch is the easier booking; lobby afternoon tea runs daily.
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.
Beau Clugston's Iluka on Peder Skrams Gade in Copenhagen serves a sustainable-seafood menu from an open kitchen: raw plates, grilled fish, Limfjord oysters.
Signature: Raw fish plates, Daily catch tasting, Oysters on ice
Order: The chef's daily fish tasting plus a half-dozen Limfjord oysters with mignonette.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday dinner only. Counter seats face the open kitchen; ask when booking.
Slurp Ramen on Nansensgade in Copenhagen makes noodles from Bornholm wheat and rye, with a tonkotsu and shoyu menu by Austrian chef Philipp Inreiter.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Shoyu ramen, Daily gyoza
Order: The classic shoyu ramen with a side of gyoza; the noodles are made daily on site.
Tip: Walk-ins only and short queues outside; arrive at opening or after 20:00 for the shortest wait.
Slurp Ramen on Nansensgade in Copenhagen makes noodles from Bornholm wheat and rye, with a tonkotsu and shoyu menu by Austrian chef Philipp Inreiter.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Shoyu ramen, Daily gyoza
Order: The classic shoyu ramen plus a side of gyoza; the noodles are made daily on site.
Tip: Walk-ins only; arrive at opening or after 20:00 for the shortest queue.
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.
Aamanns 1921 on Niels Hemmingsens Gade in Copenhagen serves Adam Aamann's modern smørrebrød at lunch and a Nordic dinner menu, with a silver organic dining label.
Signature: Roasted pork smørrebrød, Smoked salmon, Frikadeller
Order: The four-piece smørrebrød lunch with a glass of snaps and a beer chaser.
Tip: Open seven days for lunch and dinner; book dinner on the website.
Restaurant Sankt Annæ on Sankt Annæ Plads in Copenhagen has served traditional smørrebrød since 1894, a short walk from the Royal Palace with tree-lined outdoor seating on the square in warmer months.
Signature: Stjerneskud, Marinated herring, Liver pâté on rye
Order: The stjerneskud (shooting star) with fried plaice and salmon, plus a glass of akvavit.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday lunch only, 11:00 to 16:00. Walk-ins likely after 14:00.