Selma
Modern Nordic smørrebrød and craft beers in a cozy Copenhagen corner, where a Swedish chef turns the classic open sandwich into refined, Bib Gourmand–worthy plates.
Tucked away on Rømersgade in Copenhagen’s Indre By, Selma is a contemporary Danish restaurant that has reimagined classic smørrebrød under the eye of Swedish chef Magnus Pettersson. Awarded a Bib Gourmand, it pairs artfully plated open-faced sandwiches and seasonal Nordic small plates with a serious craft beer list and natural-leaning wines. The compact, relaxed room, near Torvehallerne and Nørreport, makes Selma ideal for a leisurely lunch or an intimate smørrebrød-focused dinner.
A brief summary to Selma
- Rømersgade 20, Copenhagen, Indre By, 1362, DK
- +4540277203
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
- Mid ranged
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 11:30 am-4 pm
- Wednesday 11:30 am-4 pm
- Thursday 11:30 am-4 pm
- Friday 11:30 am-4 pm
- Saturday 11:30 am-4 pm
- Sunday 11:30 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Reserve ahead for lunch, especially on weekends and market days at nearby Torvehallerne, as the small dining room fills quickly.
- Aim for two to three smørrebrød per person if you are hungry; this usually balances variety with comfortably sized portions.
- Ask staff for beer or schnapps pairings—Nordic brews and aquavits work particularly well with pickled and cured toppings.
- If you are sensitive to strong flavors, start with milder options such as potatoes, tomatoes or lighter fish before moving to herring or offal-based slices.
- Come for a slightly later lunch sitting to enjoy a calmer atmosphere and more time to explore the tasting-style menus.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Selma location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Selma
Inventive smørrebrød in the heart of Copenhagen
Selma sits on a central corner of Rømersgade, a short stroll from Nørreport Station and the Torvehallerne food halls, yet it feels quietly self-contained. Inside, the space is compact and informal: light Nordic woods, uncluttered tables and big windows that frame the city outside. There is an easy hum of conversation rather than formality, and the focus is clearly on the plates emerging from the open kitchen. The restaurant has become known for its refined take on smørrebrød, Denmark’s beloved open-faced sandwiches. Rather than copying old recipes, the team reworks them with contemporary techniques and a seasonal, produce-led mindset. The result is food that looks as sculpted as it tastes, but still anchored in the deep comfort of rye bread, pickles and cured fish.A Swedish chef’s twist on Danish tradition
At the helm is Swedish chef Magnus Pettersson, who has had the audacity to reinterpret one of Denmark’s most iconic dishes. His kitchen leans into Nordic flavors—briny herring, buttery potatoes, sharp horseradish, gentle herbs—but arranges them in surprising combinations and refined textures. Classic toppings like salmon, pork, or mature Danish cheeses appear alongside octopus, lamb or inventive vegetable compositions. Each slice of smørrebrød is layered with careful detail: a base of dense rye bread, a central protein or vegetable, then pickles, powders, oils and crunchy garnishes providing contrast. Plates arrive at the table like small still lifes, and there is a sense that you are eating a composed dish rather than a simple sandwich.From Bib Gourmand menu to casual bites
Selma’s menu is structured to suit different appetites and levels of curiosity. At lunch, you can build your own line-up of smørrebrød, moving from lighter seafood or vegetable-driven options toward richer meat or cheese-based slices. In the evening from Wednesday to Saturday, the kitchen expands into tasting menus that thread the smørrebrød idea through multiple courses, often beginning with snacks and finishing with something sweet. Portions are moderate, encouraging you to try several combinations rather than settling on a single favorite. Bread, pickles and condiments tend to be made in-house, reflecting the Nordic emphasis on preservation and seasonality. The Bib Gourmand recognition signals that, while this is thoughtful cooking, it remains comparatively good value for the city.Nordic drinks and a relaxed dining rhythm
To drink, Selma leans strongly into the Scandinavian love affair with beer. The taps and bottle list skew toward craft brews, including collaborations and specialties from respected Danish producers. For many, pairing herring or cured fish with a crisp, bitter beer or a chilled schnapps is part of the ritual here. There is also a concise wine list that favors fresh, food-friendly bottles—often from small European growers—with a few natural and low-intervention options. Service is informal but knowledgeable, with staff comfortable explaining both unfamiliar toppings and drink pairings. The overall rhythm encourages you to linger: smørrebrød arrives one or two plates at a time, giving you space to savor each combination before moving on.Atmosphere, setting and when to come
The room’s scale and design suit couples, solo diners at small tables, and small groups sharing several plates. At lunchtime, sunlight pours in through the windows, and the proximity to the market halls makes it feel very much part of everyday Copenhagen. Evenings bring a slightly softer, more intimate mood as candles appear and the street quiets. Because the restaurant is compact and its reputation solid, tables for peak lunch hours and weekend dinners are best secured in advance. If you do manage to slip in, Selma offers an accessible yet distinctive window into contemporary Danish cooking, where a humble open sandwich becomes a canvas for Nordic creativity.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Amitylux Tours | Exceptional Guided City Tours
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Experience the timeless grandeur of Lund Cathedral, an iconic Romanesque landmark in southern Sweden, renowned for its history, art, and enduring spiritual presence.
Fiolstræde 42
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Varehuset Messen
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Gråbrødretorv
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Jorcks Passage
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Gammeltorv
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Discover Copenhagen's only Russian Orthodox Church, renowned for its gilded domes, lavish icons, and evocative ties to Denmark's royal and multicultural heritage.
Nytorv 2
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Where Copenhagen’s Neoclassical courthouse meets a centuries-old market square, blending solemn civic history with the everyday buzz of the old city.
Nytorv
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Strøget
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Amagertorv
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Aarhus’s University Park blends Danish modernist architecture, lush gardens, and student life into one of the city’s most tranquil and historically significant green spaces.
Sankt Hans Torv
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Nørrebro's beloved public square where café culture, artistic vision, and urban renewal create a vibrant gathering place.
Stork Fountain
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Gammel Strand
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Højbro Pl.
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Højbro Plads
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Unmissable attractions to see
Copenhagen Food Tours - Best-Rated Experiences
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Explore Denmark's labor history at The Workers Museum in Copenhagen's historic Workers' Assembly Hall.
TorvehallerneKBH
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Copenhagen’s glass-walled food halls where Nordic produce, global flavours and everyday city life come together in one vibrant urban marketplace.
Nørre Voldgade 11
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Heritage 19th‑century walls meet modern apartment comfort in a buzzing, hyper‑central corner of Copenhagen’s historic inner city.
Botanical Garden
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Explore Denmark's royal heritage at Rosenborg Castle, home to the crown jewels and set amidst the historic King's Garden in Copenhagen.
Skaal
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A visionary concert hall in Copenhagen, DR Koncerthuset fuses world-class acoustics, avant-garde architecture, and a rich tapestry of live music experiences.
Kultorvet
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Historic coal market turned lively pedestrian square, Kultorvet blends layered architecture, fountain-side cafés and everyday city life in the heart of Copenhagen.
Dronning Louises Bro
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Copenhagen’s granite social bridge, arching over the city lakes with historic elegance, everyday bike traffic and some of the best urban sunsets in town.
Søtorvet 2
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An ornate 19th‑century lakeside residence where French‑inspired façades, poetic café lore and everyday Copenhagen life meet at the city’s watery front door.
Ørstedsparken
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Historic city ramparts reborn as a lakeside green refuge, where playgrounds, sculptures and café culture meet everyday Copenhagen life in the heart of Indre By.
Københavns Synagoge
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A discreet 1833 synagogue in Krystalgade whose neoclassical facade hides an Egyptian‑inspired interior and centuries of Danish Jewish history, faith and resilience.
Rosenborg castle
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The Lakes
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The Danish Natural History Museum
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University-based museum of geology, zoology, and botany set beside Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden, linking scientific collections with the living world outside.
The Round Tower
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Experience the living history and regal elegance of Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen’s iconic royal residence at the heart of Danish tradition and culture.
The Lakes in Copenhagen
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Step inside Denmark’s royal history at Rosenborg Castle, home to the dazzling Crown Jewels and set in Copenhagen’s oldest public gardens near Østerbro.
Essential places to dine
Selma
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Modern Nordic smørrebrød and craft beers in a cozy Copenhagen corner, where a Swedish chef turns the classic open sandwich into refined, Bib Gourmand–worthy plates.
ARK
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Høst
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The Olive Kitchen & Bar
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Warm brick-and-wood dining room in central Copenhagen serving polished Mediterranean-inspired classics, a four-course menu and easygoing evening cocktails.
Restaurant Schønnemann
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Experience authentic Danish smørrebrød and century-old culinary tradition at Restaurant Schønnemann, a historic Copenhagen institution renowned for its iconic lunch culture.
Det Lille Apotek
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Wining and Dining
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Krebsegaarden
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SAFARI
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ferment, ramen izakaya
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Vækst
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Restaurant Sole D’Italia - København
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Dubrovnik Restaurant
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Kate's Joint
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Alouette
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One‑Michelin‑star Green Star dining in a historic Copenhagen townhouse, where hyper‑seasonal Nordic tasting menus meet quietly striking design by the King’s Garden.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Exotic Mix
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Copenhagen Souvenir & Design World of Memories
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Denmark's largest souvenir destination with 2,000+ authentic gifts celebrating Danish design, heritage, and iconic landmarks.
Fjällräven
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A compact Fjällräven brand shop on historic Kultorvet, pairing Scandinavian outdoor design with expert gear advice in the heart of Copenhagen’s old town.
Souvenir Gifts shop
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Classic Copenhagen souvenirs in a compact, central shop on historic Købmagergade, perfect for last‑minute gifts and easy-to-pack mementos from the Danish capital.
Time's Up Vintage
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Discover curated vintage fashion, rare designer finds, and decades of style history at Time’s Up Vintage in Copenhagen’s bustling Indre By.
Another nué
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A calm, curated Copenhagen fashion boutique where Scandinavian minimalism meets historic Krystalgade in a protected Neoclassical townhouse.
Studio Arhoj
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A working Copenhagen design studio where shelves of colorful ceramics and glass meet the sights, sounds and warmth of craft being made in real time.
McKorman
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Notre Dame
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Quirky Lane
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Wasteland
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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The Globe Irish Pub
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No Stress Bar
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Ørsted Ølbar
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Bar'Vin
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Gejser Bar
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Craft cocktails and Mediterranean cuisine in Copenhagen's most welcoming sophisticated bar.
Strøm
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Discover Strøm, Copenhagen's chic cocktail bar, blending a vibrant social club atmosphere with exquisite wine selections for an unforgettable night out.
The Jane
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Mad Men–style speakeasy meets late-night dance floor in a warren of hidden rooms, leather sofas and cocktail-fuelled energy beneath central Copenhagen.
Bar7
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Bæst Cocktailbar
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Intimate basement cocktail bar in Copenhagen’s old town, pairing creative drinks with warm lighting, easygoing music and a sociable late-night city-centre vibe.
Luke's Bar
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Copenhagen's premier luxury dive bar where fine whisky meets authentic rock and metal culture.
Kind Of Blue
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Bo-Bi Bar
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Trykbar
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Cosy, central Copenhagen bar with a strong beer list, warm lighting and a laid-back, inclusive atmosphere that blends hygge with lively late-night energy.
Floss Bar
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Copenhagen's legendary dive bar: punk rock heritage, cheap beer, and authentic character until 2 AM.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
Mirage
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Dive into the electrifying nightlife at Mirage, Copenhagen's premier night club for an unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and entertainment.
Arch
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La Terraza
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Compact nightclub on Studiestræde in Copenhagen’s old town, offering loud beats, straightforward drinks and an unpretentious late-night dance floor.
Rumors
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Discover the heart of Copenhagen's nightlife at Rumors, where energetic vibes and unforgettable nights await you.
Mirror
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Dive into the heart of Copenhagen's nightlife at Mirror, where the rhythm never stops and unforgettable memories are made.
Cosy Bar
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Discover the lively atmosphere of Cosy Bar, a top gay nightclub in Copenhagen offering fantastic music, vibrant crowds, and unforgettable nights.
Hive
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Copenhagen's premier high-end nightclub with cutting-edge design, VIP service, and immersive themed experiences.
Miami Bar
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Discover Copenhagen's nightlife at Miami Bar, where cocktails and dancing create unforgettable nights in a vibrant atmosphere.
Moon Club
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Discover the pulsating nightlife of Copenhagen at Moon Club, where electrifying beats and vibrant energy create unforgettable nights.
Chateau Motel
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The Zoo
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Dorsia
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Central Copenhagen nightclub with late‑night DJs, cocktails and an image‑conscious crowd packed into a dark, modern interior off busy Kattesundet.
Mini Bar
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G*A*Y Copenhagen Nightclub
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Experience the heart of LGBTQ+ nightlife at G*A*Y Copenhagen Nightclub, where vibrant energy and inclusive atmosphere await every visitor.
Culture Box
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Discover the heartbeat of Copenhagen's nightlife at Culture Box, where music, art, and dance create an unforgettable experience.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Minimalist Designs
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Modern
- Landmarks
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Weekend Getaway
- Roadtrip Stop
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
