Fiskebaren, Copenhagen

Much like New York’s, Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District (in Vesterbro) is one of the city’s hip-est areas and very much the place to be from dinner time onwards…

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

The area used to be home to Copenhagen’s meat industry businesses and still consists of three separate areas, referred to as the White, Grey and Brown “Meat City” for the dominant colour of their buildings.

In recent years, it has changed into a new creative cluster with a trendy nightlife and a broad range of high quality restaurants.

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + WhiskyFiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

Amongst them, Fiskebaren, an casual fish-focused restaurant nestled within the market building itself.

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

With an informal atmosphere and quite rough interior with loads of second-hand décor elements, Fiskebaren is a modern-day ode to the meat halls of the past, but with much more refined food, the restaurant having a Bib Gourmand in Guide Michelin Nordic Cities 2015.

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

Whether you come in for just a few nibbles and a glass of wine or want to treat yourself to the full experience, there’s something for everyone on the seasonal & ingredient-led menu, with a strong focus on fish & seafood.

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

We started with the Char tartare, rye emulsion, capers, dill and burnt onion.

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

With tender, blushing fish, fresh dill cream, toast-y rye emulsion, sweet roasted & tangy pickled onions, it was a subtle Nordic twist on the traditional salmon tartar.

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

And what a beauty!

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

Savoy cabbage, new Danish onions, potato foam, horseradish & chives.

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

An absolute textural masterpiece and my favourite dish, both that night and of our entire trip.

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

Mullet, baby corn, chanterelles and chicken skin.

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

Perfectly cooked, crispy-skin fish, creamy corn & crispy chicken skin, all brought together by a rich, meaty chicken sauce, will always be a winner in my book!

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

Blackberry, flaxseed macarons, fennel tops and white chocolate.

Another of those herbal-inspired creative desserts Danish restaurants excell at (even if this specific one wasn’t quite as good as Geist‘s…).

Fiskebaren, Copenhagen | Cake + Whisky

Last but not least, Chocolate, cherry, hazelnut, cep ice cream.

Quite a divisive one: I loved the ice cream, the Mr. hated it…

What about you? Do you think there’d be mushroom in your heart for it?

Only one way to find out… Book a table here!

Kødbyens Fiskebar, Flæsketorvet 100, 1711 København

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Fiskebaren, Copenhagen

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns

On our second day in Denmark, we had our hearts set on trying out the traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches, so we scouted the city in search of Copenhagen best Smørrebrød.

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

Word on the street is that they’re to be found at Aamanns, a modern Danish open sandwich deli and restaurant.

So off to the western-most part of Copenhagen we trotted… to discover one of the prettiest restaurants I’ve ever set foot in!

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + WhiskyCopenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

Miles away from your usual British ‘deli’, simply decorated yet refined and elegant, Aamanns is a textbook example of brilliant Nordic design.

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

The natural, no-nonsense decor mirrors the restaurant’s philosophy of good, simple Danish cuisine perfectly.

If at night, the menu is more elaborate, at lunchtime, Aamanns is all about Smørrebrød, the traditional open sandwich on rye bread.

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

Starting things off the traditional way with Fried herring with smoke, elderflower vinegar, smoked cheese, radishes and hay ash.

A modern take on the classic, this first taste of Smørrebrød highlighted Aamanns’ beautiful, malty sourdough rye bread perfectly.

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

Cold smoked salmon and summer salad with dill, pickled cucumber, chives and wheat croutons was a more usual combination for our non-Nordic palates.

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

A bit of a Nordic take on a lox & cream cheese bagel if you will, only far lighter and much more delicate than the New York original!

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

New potatoes with pepper mayonnaise, weeds, chives, leek ash and crisps.

With soft potatoes, crumbly rye bread, creamy mayo, crunchy pickled onion & crispy fried potato bits, the easy-to-overlook vegetarian option was an textural masterpiece, and also a very strong choice taste-wise (if you like celery, that is…).

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + WhiskyCopenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

Last but not least, a much less vegetarian-friendly option: Beef Tartare with blackberries, tarragon emulsion, shallots and rye crumb.

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

A little bit of a Franco-Nordic fusion, and a very successful one at that! And what a beauty!

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + WhiskyCopenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

The same could be sayed about dessert, a Strawberry eclair with vanilla cream and strawberry granita.

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

The chou itself was okay, but the vibrant granite and the light-as-air vanilla cream were what truly made the dish.

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

… and made me struggle not to lick the plate clean!

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

All finished off the Danish way with a few cups of excellent strong black coffee.

All in all, muck to loaf at Aamans, which explains its popularity with locals and visitors alike, so make sure you book ahead as it’d really be a shame for you to miss out on the best (Copenhagen) thing since sliced bread!

AamannsØster Farimagsgade 10, 2100 København

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Copenhagen's best Smørrebrød at Aamanns | Cake + Whisky

Copenhagen best Smørrebrød at Aamanns