No matter where you’re from, the best part of the festive season is the food, and in Denmark, it’s no different. Christmas in this Scandinavian country is built around the table just as much as around tradition and decoration, and hygge plays a massive role. Between candle-lit tables, warm food, and slow evenings with loved ones, it’s a spectacular event for everyone involved.
I’ll always remember the one Christmas I spent in Denmark. It was filled with the smell of braised red cabbage, warm gløgg at market stalls, and cinnamon in my friend’s cozy kitchen. Everything that makes winter here so special.
Of course, you can sample all the classic festive dishes available in pretty much every other country too. But trust me, the best of Danish Christmas food rewards those who go beyond the obvious and eat the way locals do, as we show you on our Copenhagen food tours.
In this article, we’re going to give you a full rundown of Copenhagen’s Christmas foods, julefrokost, and other seasonal bites, plus the best markets to try them in!
What Is Julefrokost?
Julefrokost is a very important tradition in Denmark during Christmas. The term simply means ‘Danish Christmas lunch’ in English, and that’s exactly what it is. It’s a large feast with multiple dishes, including pickled herring, liver pâté, frikadeller, and flæskesteg, and is shared with family, friends, and work colleagues.
Julefrokost isn’t without its beverages either. Snaps and ice-cold beer are a huge part of the ritual, an ode to Denmark’s Viking past, when heavy drinking was the norm among many farmers during winter due to the short days and poor weather.
Just because you’re a tourist doesn’t mean you can’t experience julefrokost yourself. Around November and December, you’ll often find restaurants offering their own julefrokost menus, letting you join in on the festivities too. Schønnemann is one such spot that serves, but be sure to book ahead!
Traditional Danish Christmas Lunch Dishes Worth Knowing
What someone includes in their julefrokost spread varies from household to household. That said, there are a few classic dishes everyone can agree on.
Flæskesteg is an absolute staple found on every table. It’s a mouthwatering type of crackling pork that goes down a treat. Before flæskesteg comes the pickled herring, served brined, spiced, and marinated.
Another one of my favorites is leverpostej, a type of Danish liver pâté that pairs deliciously with Danish rye bread. I also like the slow-cooked red cabbage called rødkål, mostly eaten alongside the main course.
Danish Christmas Dinner: The Evening Table
We’re only just getting started with julefrokost. After that comes the main event: the Christmas dinner in the evening, otherwise known as juleaften.
In Denmark and many other Scandinavian countries, Christmas Eve is the main day. Danes believe that celebrations for certain events must begin the evening before, and Christmas is one of them.
So what does a Danish Christmas dinner actually look like? Think roast duck and roast pork as the main meats, complemented by brunede kartofler, caramelized potatoes acting as a sweet, butter-glazed side dish.
To wrap it all up, guests are served risalamande, a type of cold rice pudding with cherry sauce and a hidden almond. The custom involving the almond is a particularly fun tradition: whoever finds it in their pudding wins a prize.
Copenhagen Christmas Market Food: What to Eat and Drink
Christmas food isn’t only a focus in the home. It’s just as big a deal at the city’s Christmas markets, such as Nyhavn Christmas Market and Christmas at the Tivoli Gardens.
If you’re only here for a night and want to try some classic dishes, I suggest trying some traditional spiced mulled wine, known as gløgg. Compared to other types of mulled wines you can get in other countries, gløgg is much sweeter. You should also try æbleskiver, a type of fluffy dumpling served with jam and powdered sugar.
As a little gift to take home, consider picking up some pebernødder, spiced biscuits that make lovely snacks. Brunkager is another item you might spot. These are Danish spiced biscuits, sold particularly around December, and they are insanely tasty.
Festive Baking and Sweet Danish Christmas Food
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal
Sweets are an integral part of Christmas in Denmark, as baking traditions throughout Advent have long been important, with recipes like brunkager (gingerbread cookies), vaniljekranse (butter cookies), and klejner (donuts) standing out.
I’ve already touched on risalamande, a rice pudding you’ll find in many people’s homes, in bakeries, and on café menus. The same goes for Danish pastries, including types like wienerbrød. But rather than staying in their traditional form, these are made with festive flavors and fillings come December.
Home baking culture in Denmark through the Christmas period is massive. Families across the country often get together in the lead-up to the holidays to make batches of cookies. It’s moments like these that stay with you forever.
Where to Eat Danish Christmas Food in Copenhagen
If you plan on being in Copenhagen for Christmas, you’ll want to line up a few restaurants to sample some true festive fare.
Establishments such as Schønnemann are known for their julefrokost menus around December. You can expect beers like ice-cold Tuborg, fried herring, apple pork, blood sausage, and more. The restaurant requires visitors to book tables well in advance to secure a spot, as spaces are limited.
I’m also a big fan of cafés and casual spots that sell festive lunches, like Københavner Cafeen. As the holidays roll around, they put on a menu with a Christmassy twist.
Christmas markets, including the one at Tivoli Gardens, have a bustling atmosphere once November comes around, and you’re guaranteed some delicious food there too.
Even food markets like Torvehallerne KBH, which stay open for service year-round, get a makeover, transforming into stalls selling festive seasonal bites from November onwards.
Practical Tips for Eating Your Way Through a Copenhagen Christmas
- When to visit: Christmas markets in Copenhagen usually start around the beginning of November, so it’s best to come then. Weekends are usually busier, but so are hotels and flights, so factor this in. If you want to try julefrokost, restaurants will usually start serving these meals early to mid-December.
- Bookings: For restaurants offering julefrokost experiences and Danish Christmas food, you’ll need to book a few months in advance to secure your spot. Restaurants that usually advertise them on their websites often include an email address you can use to make a reservation.
- Budget: You should expect to spend at least DKK 425 (approx. €57 / $65) on a sit-down lunch, whereas a market feed will only cost you around DKK 100 (approx. €13 / $15).
- Photography: If you want to take some photos, be sure to capture the warm glow of the market stalls, the gloss of the risalamande, and the crispy edges of the flæskesteg.
Sources:
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Copenhagen. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/copenhagen/
Restaurant Schønnemann. (n.d.). Restaurant Schønnemann. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from http://www.restaurantschonnemann.dk/
Københavner Caféen. (n.d.). Københavner Caféen. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from http://kobenhavnercafeen.dk/
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