SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst (National Gallery of Denmark)
Denmark’s National Gallery, where seven centuries of art unfold in a grand museum and modern glass extension beside Copenhagen’s leafy Østre Anlæg park.
SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst is Denmark’s National Gallery and largest art museum, set beside the leafy Østre Anlæg park in central Copenhagen. Inside the grand historic building and its sleek modern extension, over 700 years of Danish and international art unfold, from Renaissance masters and Dutch and Flemish classics to French modernism, Danish Golden Age painting and cutting-edge contemporary installations. Sculpture Street, cafés, a shop, and frequent activities make it an engaging stop for art lovers and curious newcomers alike.
A brief summary to SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst
- Sølvgade 48-50, Indre By, Indre By, 1307, DK
- +4533748494
- Visit website
- Duration: 2 to 4 hours
- Mid ranged
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Tuesday 10 am-6 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-8 pm
- Thursday 10 am-6 pm
- Friday 10 am-6 pm
- Saturday 10 am-6 pm
- Sunday 10 am-6 pm
Local tips
- Plan at least three hours if you want to see both the historic collections and the modern wing; the museum is larger than it first appears.
- Prioritise the Danish Golden Age rooms and the French modern collection if your time is limited, as these are among SMK’s defining highlights.
- Check current temporary exhibitions in advance; major shows can significantly enrich your visit and sometimes require timed entry.
- Use the park side of the building as a quiet spot for breaks between galleries, especially on clear days when the light is beautiful.
- If traveling with children, look for family-friendly activities and workshop areas, which often provide hands-on ways to engage with the art.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Metro and walk from Nørreport Station
From Nørreport Station, served by metro lines M1–M4 and S-trains, it typically takes 5–10 minutes on foot to reach SMK. The walk is mostly flat on paved city streets and suitable for most visitors, including those with wheelchairs or strollers. A standard single metro ticket within central Copenhagen usually costs around 20–30 DKK depending on ticket type. Trains and metro services run frequently throughout the day, making this the most convenient option from many parts of the city.
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City bus to Sølvgade area
Several inner-city bus routes stop on streets within a 5–8 minute walk of SMK, providing easy access from neighbourhoods beyond the city centre. Travel time from central hubs is usually 10–20 minutes depending on traffic. A regular bus ticket within the city costs roughly 20–30 DKK and can often be used interchangeably with metro and train tickets for a limited time window. Buses have low-floor entry, but they can be crowded during rush hours and on rainy days.
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Bicycle within central Copenhagen
Cycling to SMK is a popular choice, as Copenhagen’s network of dedicated bike lanes passes close to the museum and surrounding park. From central areas such as City Hall Square, the ride usually takes 10–15 minutes at an easy pace. You can use bike-share schemes or rental bikes, which typically cost from about 80–150 DKK for a day depending on provider. Bicycle parking racks are available near the museum and in Østre Anlæg, but you should still bring a sturdy lock and allow a few extra minutes to find a space at busy times.
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Taxi from central Copenhagen
A taxi ride from major central landmarks, such as City Hall Square or the main railway station, generally takes 10–20 minutes depending on traffic. Fares within the central zones commonly range from about 120–200 DKK. Taxis drop passengers close to the main entrance, which is useful if you are travelling with limited mobility or heavy luggage. At peak commute hours, allow extra time as traffic can slow significantly on the approach to the museum district.
SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst 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 SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst
Denmark’s national home for art
SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst is the National Gallery of Denmark, a monumental presence on Sølvgade facing the green lawns and trees of Østre Anlæg in central Copenhagen. Behind its neoclassical façade lies the country’s largest art museum, charged with collecting and caring for Danish and international works from the 14th century to today. The galleries lead you through a sweeping visual history of Europe and the Nordic region, where politics, religion, everyday life and big ideas all take form in paint, stone and video. The core of the museum grew from royal collections that once hung in palaces. Over time, these works were moved into a public institution, and in 1896 the first purpose-built museum opened here. Today, the building still carries that sense of national pride, but the displays are anything but static: new acquisitions and changing curation ensure that old masterpieces are constantly placed in fresh dialogue with modern voices.Danish Golden Age and Nordic stories
One of SMK’s great strengths is its unrivalled collection of Danish Golden Age art. In luminous landscapes, quiet interiors and scenes from 19th-century Copenhagen, painters such as Christen Købke and C.W. Eckersberg captured a young nation negotiating identity, light and space. These rooms feel almost cinematic, yet their calm stillness invites slow looking and reflection. Beyond the Golden Age, the galleries trace 150 years of Danish and Nordic art, from romantic drama to social realism and into experimental modernism. Sculptures and paintings show how artists responded to industrialisation, urban growth and the changing role of the individual. Together they form a visual chronicle of how Denmark and its neighbours transformed from absolute monarchies into modern democracies.From Renaissance to French modern masters
SMK’s international collection ranges widely, but several strands stand out. Renaissance and Baroque rooms present Italian and Northern European masters: altarpieces, mythological scenes and portraits that once spoke to power and faith now unfold as windows into earlier worlds. Flemish and Dutch works reveal virtuoso handling of light, texture and still life detail. A particular highlight is the French collection from around 1900–1930, anchored by a major donation in the early 20th century. Here you encounter Matisse, Picasso, Derain, Braque and their contemporaries, works that once challenged notions of colour, form and representation. These paintings form one of the strongest Matisse collections outside France and show how radical ideas in Paris reverberated across Europe, eventually influencing generations of Scandinavian artists.Modern extension and Sculpture Street
At the rear, a glass-and-steel extension completed in the late 1990s opens the museum to light and to the park beyond. This modern wing houses much of the 20th- and 21st-century collection, including conceptual installations, video works and large-scale pieces that need generous space. Long galleries with floor-to-ceiling windows form a chronological walk through modern Danish art, while smaller rooms spotlight single artists or movements. Connecting the historic building and the extension is Sculpture Street, a lofty glass-covered passage lined with sculptures spanning roughly 150 years. Here classical figures, abstract forms and experimental works share the same daylight, and wide steps and benches turn the space into an informal amphitheatre. Concerts, talks and performances often use this corridor, emphasising the museum’s role as a living cultural venue rather than merely a repository of objects.A full-day museum experience
Beyond the galleries, SMK is designed for lingering. A bookshop carries art books, design objects and inventive gifts linked to the collection and temporary exhibitions. Café spaces serve coffee, baked goods, light meals and wine with views to the park or into Sculpture Street, giving you a chance to digest what you have seen. Families find workshops and creative activities tailored to children, while regular talks, guided tours and performances open up different angles on the art. As Denmark’s national gallery, SMK also functions as a research centre and an accessible resource. Behind-the-scenes work in conservation and scholarship informs how works are displayed, and print rooms and archives can be accessed by appointment. Yet the mood in the public areas remains relaxed and welcoming, making it as suitable for a first encounter with art as for a deep dive into specific painters or periods.Architecture, setting and access
The museum’s architecture gently stages the experience. The original stone-clad building, with its high ceilings and grand staircases, creates a sense of ceremony as you move from one collection to another. The crisp modern extension offers clean lines, exposed concrete and glass, giving contemporary art room to breathe. Large windows frame the greenery of Østre Anlæg, so the city’s weather and seasons are always present in your peripheral vision. Step outside and you are immediately in the calm of the park, where lakes, lawns and old trees provide a natural counterpoint to the galleries’ intensity. Inside, the museum is equipped for varied mobility needs, with level access, lifts and staff ready to assist at the information desk. Whether you stay for a focused hour or a leisurely afternoon, SMK’s combination of art, architecture and landscape makes it one of Copenhagen’s most rewarding cultural stops.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Dronning Louises Bro
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Indre By
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Bredgade 18
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Amalienborg Palace Museum
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Gråbrødretorv
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Kongens Nytorv
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Kastellet
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Our Fallen
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Unmissable attractions to see
Museum of Natural History
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The Danish Natural History Museum
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Rosenborg castle
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A compact Renaissance palace of kings, crowns and stories, Rosenborg Castle pairs glittering Crown Jewels with tranquil gardens in the very heart of Copenhagen.
The King's Garden
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Frederiksholms Kanal: An evocative canal-side promenade at the heart of Copenhagen, blending royal history, stately architecture, and peaceful city scenes.
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.
The David Collection
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Scandinavia's premier Islamic art museum, housed in a historic townhouse with free admission year-round.
Nyboder
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Historic naval home preserving four centuries of Danish maritime family life in a single yellow row house.
Den Frie Udstilling
0.6 km
Independent artist-run exhibition house in a striking wooden building, presenting changing contemporary art shows in the heart of Copenhagen’s Østerbro district.
Workers Museum
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Step into Copenhagen’s historic Workers’ Assembly Hall and trace 150 years of working-class life, from cramped attic flats and factory floors to activism, cafés and children’s play.
The Lakes
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Innovative cocktails and cozy ambiance in Copenhagen's historic heart.
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.
Kultorvet
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Skaal
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TorvehallerneKBH
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Nørre Voldgade 11
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Essential places to dine
Kokkeriet
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Alouette
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Restaurant Schønnemann
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Selma
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ARK
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Restaurant Koefoed
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Fine dining in a historic coal cellar celebrating Bornholm's culinary traditions and Danish gastronomy.
Dag H
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Tèrra
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Restaurant Rebel
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Seasonal Danish produce meets French technique at this relaxed, MICHELIN-recommended bistro on Store Kongensgade, where an open kitchen and inventive plates define the mood.
Restaurant Vita
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Historic Danish dining in a former royal pharmacy, serving traditional smørrebrød and national classics.
Restaurant Grønnegade
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Seasonal Danish‑French fine dining in a 17th‑century Copenhagen townhouse, offering intimate, adults‑only evenings with polished service and thoughtful wine pairings.
Den Lille Fede
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Aoc
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Frank
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A candlelit Copenhagen luxury bistro where an open kitchen, bold seasonal cooking and an exceptional wine list create an intimate, wine-lover’s evening.
Bistro Royal
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Copenhagen Souvenir & Design World of Memories
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Denmark's largest souvenir chain with 14 locations offering over 2,000 authentic Danish keepsakes and contemporary design pieces.
Henrik Vibskov Boutique
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Step off the cobblestones of Gammel Mønt into Henrik Vibskov’s offbeat fashion laboratory, where avant‑garde silhouettes, artful interiors and curated design collide.
Exotic Mix
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Gourmet nuts, dried fruits and chocolate dragées from around the world, served from a colourful family‑run stall inside Copenhagen’s Torvehallerne market.
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.
Storm - design art fashion
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A pioneering Copenhagen concept store where avant-garde fashion, art, design objects and niche fragrances meet in a minimalist, gallery-like space on Store Regnegade.
Norse Projects
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Time's Up Vintage
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Another nué
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Royal Souvenir Shop
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The Wilde Shop
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Norse Store
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Studio Arhoj
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Butik Bungalow
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Danish Souvenirs & luggages
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Trykbar
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Bootleggers
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Gejser Bar
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Craft cocktails and Mediterranean cuisine in Copenhagen's most welcoming sophisticated bar.
Søernes Ølbar
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Discover Søernes Ølbar, a cozy craft beer haven by Copenhagen's lakes, offering an extensive selection of brews and breathtaking views.
Bo-Bi Bar
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Experience the vibrant nightlife of Copenhagen at Bo-Bi Bar, where delightful drinks and a welcoming atmosphere await.
The Moose
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Graffiti-plastered walls, infamous moose murals and cheap late-night beers make this smoky Indre By dive bar a gritty, unpolished slice of Copenhagen nightlife.
Aloha Beach Bar
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Island-inspired cocktails, neon glow and late-night party vibes packed into a compact tropical bar just off Gothersgade in central Copenhagen.
Bar'Vin
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The Globe Irish Pub
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Atmospheric Irish pub in central Copenhagen, pouring serious beer and whiskey alongside hearty comfort food, sports screenings and cozy, hygge-tinged corners.
Charlie's Bar
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Discover the enchanting atmosphere of Charlie's Bar, a cozy haven in Copenhagen offering a diverse drink selection and a vibrant local vibe.
Bar Deco
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Intimate Art Deco–inspired cocktail bar near Kongens Nytorv, pairing crafted drinks with moody lighting and a relaxed, grown‑up Copenhagen atmosphere.
No Stress Bar
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1105
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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.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
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.
Mini Bar
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The Zoo
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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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Lusso
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A compact, high-end Copenhagen nightclub with champagne-forward table service, dim lighting and a stylish late-night crowd just steps from Kongens Nytorv.
Hive
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Copenhagen's premier high-end nightclub with cutting-edge design, VIP service, and immersive themed experiences.
La Terraza
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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.
Chateau Motel
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RUST Natklub
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Discover the pulsating heart of Copenhagen's nightlife at RUST Natklub, where eclectic beats and vibrant energy come together for an unforgettable experience.
Miami Bar
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Discover Copenhagen's nightlife at Miami Bar, where cocktails and dancing create unforgettable nights in a vibrant atmosphere.
Cosy Bar
1.3 km
Discover the lively atmosphere of Cosy Bar, a top gay nightclub in Copenhagen offering fantastic music, vibrant crowds, and unforgettable nights.
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.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Lively
- Unique
- Casual
- Boutique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Modern Designs
- Rustic Designs
- Art Deco Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Modern
- Landmarks
- Art & Design
- Sacred Sites
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Architectural Shots
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
- Mindfulness
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly
