Copenhagen’s café scene caters to specialty-coffee lovers of all kinds.
BY ISABELLE MANI
SPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Featured photo by Chris Tonnesen, courtesy of Coffee Collective
The World of Coffee Copenhagen, held June 27-29 in Denmark’s capital city, brought together professionals from every sector of the specialty-coffee industry, from roasters and baristas to traders, producers, manufacturers, and coffee lovers. Beyond working, exploring the event, and socializing at the after-parties, my mission was to embark on a tour of Copenhagen’s most renowned coffee shops.
The city is celebrated as one of Europe’s most innovative coffee scenes, known for its minimalist décor, high-quality beans, and a strong emphasis on sustainability and empowerment of producers. Copenhagen’s cafés are not pretentious; while some feature high-end design (looking at you, April Coffee Roasters), they don’t preach fundamentalism about how coffee should be consumed. Instead, they are functional and welcoming to all kinds of customers, from coffee geeks and tourists to local families. It’s pure hygge.
In addition to the unparalleled Danish pastries, the city is known for its artisanal bread-baking tradition, which is a staple in its cafés. The most prominent shops source their bread from their own bakery shop. “I came to the coffee shops for their exquisite, high-quality coffee, but I left Copenhagen enchanted by the combination of bread with whipped butter,” said my friend Gonçalo, owner of A Sargento Martinho Roaster in Lisbon, Portugal. Indeed, the bread with cheese and whipped butter duo was one of my main food crushes.
Here are the five cafés that caught my attention during my week in Copenhagen.
April Coffee Roasters
Opened in 2016 and renowned for its exquisite coffee, April Coffee Roasters is also known for its luxurious, high-end atmosphere and prices. Their partner farmers price the coffee beans, which justifies the premium cost.
April is famous in the specialty-coffee world for its coffee appliances and clothing production. Currently, their range of products includes roasted coffee beans, Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules, filter drip packs, and a comprehensive line of equipment. During my visit, I tried a filter coffee meticulously prepared by the barista. The presentation was impeccable, with personalized, beautifully designed tableware.
The minimalistic interior showcases rare 1940s pieces from the Finn Juhl collection. The surrealist-visionary Danish designer’s Pelican Chair and Pelican Table reflect the shop’s minimalist and avant-garde approach with a modern gallery vibe.
The environment is designed to be a “sanctuary of tranquility.” The premises are bright and calming, and I was very intrigued by the quiet ambiance, with pre-ground coffee to minimize noise. April does not provide its customers with a Wi-Fi password, reinforcing the notion of a tranquil, distraction-free environment. Despite the high prices and the absence of food options (only pastries are available), the overall experience was worth it because it felt unique, and the coffee was great.
Prolog Coffee Bar
Prolog Coffee Bar is a standout among Copenhagen’s vibrant coffee scene, known for its high-quality brews and inviting atmosphere. This roastery and coffee-shop chain has four stores around the city.
Spending time at Prolog is a delightful experience with friendly and attentive service and a lively, welcoming, warm, and cozy atmosphere, whether you’re in for a quick espresso, a leisurely V60, or a light bite.
Prolog’s menu is diverse, offering a range of coffee preparations, including filtered coffee, espresso, and V60 pourovers. The coffee shop also offers a variety of snacks like sandwiches, yogurt, and granola, perfect for a light breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.
During warmer months, which is when I visited, outdoor seating enhances the experience, making it ideal for savoring coffee and pastries in the sunshine.
La Cabra
Originally from the city of Aarhus, La Cabra operates a Copenhagen café that is its only unit in the city. La Cabra also owns branch cafes in Oman, New York, and Bangkok.
Sharing a space with a local clothing store, it embraces a Nordic vibe in its design, food, and service, and is located in Copenhagen’s fashion district, Møntergade, which gives the shop its unique vibe and definitely stands out in the local coffee scene. The clean lines and simple decor create a laid-back atmosphere that’s perfect for enjoying a coffee break. They stick to the Nordic style not just in looks but also in how they serve their food and drinks, emphasizing freshness and quality.
Since 2015, La Cabra has been producing its own naturally leavened breads and pastries. It also has its own chocolate line and offers coffee subscriptions. The staff knows their stuff, and the menu has enough variety to keep things interesting.
“Having tried La Cabra’s coffee before ordering online, I knew what to expect, and they delivered the same consistent quality in-store,” said my friend Massimo Rotunno, from Cafezal Milano, when we were sharing notes about our La Cabra experience. They also feature guest coffees, adding a bit of variety to their menu.
Overall, it’s a reliable choice, one of the better coffee spots in the city, and definitely worth a visit.
Coffee Collective
Established in 2007 and well-known as one of the pioneers of the Scandinavian coffee style, Coffee Collective Roastery has an almost omnipresent presence in Copenhagen’s urban landscape, with eight coffee shops in Copenhagen and one in Aarhus.
The original location is in Kongensgade, and other locations include Bernikow, Jægersborggade, Torvehallerne, Carlsberg Byen, Frederiksberg, Sankt Hans Torv, and a kiosk near Nørreport Station. The company and roastery offer courses, coffee subscriptions, and branded products ranging from cups and filters to tote bags.
One of Coffee Collective’s hallmarks is its great staff and workflow, featuring polite and helpful baristas. This dedication to customer service definitely enhances the coffee experience, which was a common descriptor amongst my friends who visited the Coffee Collective cafes.
During World of Coffee week, Coffee Collective held tastings at their coffee shops around town at “Meet the Producer” sessions and hosted six coffee farmers.
I attended a ”Meet the Producer” session at the Coffee Collective in Copenhagen’s well-known Torvehallerne food market. The event was co-hosted by Casper Engel, one of the Coffee Collective’s owners, and Ethiopia’s Moata Raya, who represents coffee farmers from the Edo region. They guided the guests through cupping samples.
The Coffee Collective network became a comforting and consistent presence during my stay in Copenhagen. I visited three of their locations, but my favorite was the Telefonkiosken kiosk near Nørreport Station, which is perfect for a sunny day.
20 Grams
I spent a couple of hours here on my first day in Copenhagen, relaxing and enjoying a leisurely late lunch. Located in the heart of Copenhagen’s Old Town, 20 Grams is a gem of a coffee shop not just for its specialty coffee, but also for its ambiance, comfort, and a vibrant food menu full of options. The coffee options are all from Ethiopian producers.
Starting with the decor, it breaks away from the famously minimalistic style often associated with Danish cafés. Instead, it combines a less Scandinavian style with plenty of hygge, creating a unique and cozy atmosphere with vintage-inspired decor. And a Princess Leia poster, because why not?
20 Grams is perfect for foodies who appreciate a less “coffee nerd” environment with their specialty coffee. The focus here is on culinary indulgences like homemade cakes and waffles paired with excellent coffee. Whether for brunch or an afternoon snack, there is no way not to love their cheesecake and melted cheese smørrebrød.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isabelle Mani (she/her) is a writer, journalist, and communicator specializing in the international coffee industry. Since 2017, she has focused on writing articles and features for various international coffee news outlets. Isabelle has traveled to coffee-producing countries such as Colombia, Kenya, Rwanda, China, and Brazil to study and research coffee. She holds training certifications from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Coffee Quality Institute (Arabica Q Grading).
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