To experience the true Copenhagen crowd and their way of celebrating life, plan your trip so that it falls on a Friday or a Saturday, or ideally both – this is when Copenhagen transforms, and everyone is out in the streets. The locals are barbecuing and picnicking along canals or on their boats, some are dining wile sailing, others head to a restaurant. Whatever the local folks are doing on a Friday or Saturday night, it’s bound to be related to munching on food and constantly washing it down with a mouthful of a drink. Everyone is out on the streets – from those who’re into fancy restaurants and sauntering in stilettos to those who smoke like chimneys, cigarette in one hand and a cup of perfect cappuccino or one of the many craft beers in the other.

Torvehallerne

Torvehallerne market in the very heart of Copenhagen is another place that makes your visit to this city complete. Shops and eateries, spread through two buildings, connected in the middle by outdoor counters selling flowers, fruit and veg, is a beautiful example for any city in the world to aspire to. In these two buildings you’ll find just about anything – from fine fish to the best coffee in town, small farm cheeses, beer, sausages and herbs. Locals mingle with tourists, and come here for both lunch and dinner. The best smørrebrød in town (at Hallernes Smørrebrød), porridge (Grød), coffee (The Coffee Collective), tapas (Tapa del Toro), homemade pastry and confectionery (Granny’s House), beer (Mikkeller & Friends). It’s all here. Be ready to spend quite some hours of your life at this place.

Address: Frederiksborggade 21, Copenhagen; www.torvehallernekbh.dk

Street Food Market

Street Food Market is a place on Paper Island with cult status. A place to eat everything your heart desires – from juicy burgers with slow-cooked pork belly or duck confit to twice cooked duck fat fries, falafel, Brazilian meat selections, sushi, Marrakech flatbread with everything that’s in season, ice cream, cheesecakes and drinks. Open every day, but on Friday and Saturday nights the atmosphere is tangibly magical, as you’re biting into a fry with hummus and inadvertently swaying your hips to the music. A little battle for a waterfront seat is so worth it, and a sunset you’ve watched with a glass of wine or an artisan beer in hand will be truly memorable.

Address: Trangravsvej 14, Warehouse 7 & 8, Copenhagen; copenhagenstreetfood.dk/en