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Nyhavns Færgekro

Classic Danish cooking and a famed herring buffet in a cozy canal-side tavern, set within one of Nyhavn’s colorful townhouses overlooking Copenhagen’s historic harbor.

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Nyhavns Færgekro is a classic Danish restaurant tucked into one of the colorful townhouses along Copenhagen’s iconic Nyhavn canal. Set over several levels with low ceilings, maritime details and candlelit tables, it serves traditional smørrebrød, a generously stocked herring buffet and hearty Nordic mains. With both snug indoor rooms and coveted outdoor seating facing the water, it blends old-harbor atmosphere with easy access to the city’s liveliest waterfront promenade.

A brief summary to Nyhavns Færgekro

  • Nyhavn 5, Copenhagen, Indre By, 1051, DK
  • +4533151588
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 11 am-9 pm
  • Tuesday 11 am-9 pm
  • Wednesday 11 am-9 pm
  • Thursday 11 am-9 pm
  • Friday 11 am-11 pm
  • Saturday 11 am-11 pm
  • Sunday 11 am-9 pm

Local tips

  • Aim for a lunchtime visit if you want to try the herring buffet and traditional smørrebrød while Nyhavn is at its most atmospheric.
  • Request a window or outdoor table when reserving for the best harbor views, especially around sunset in spring and summer.
  • Bring a warm layer even in summer; canal-side outdoor tables can feel breezy once the sun drops behind the colorful facades.
  • If you prefer a quieter meal, consider an early lunch or early dinner before the main Nyhavn evening crowds build up.
  • Vegetarians will find some options, but menus focus on fish and meat; check dishes in advance if you have dietary restrictions.
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Nyhavns Færgekro location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Rain / Wet Weather

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Harborside tavern in a postcard-perfect canal

Nyhavns Færgekro occupies a prime spot on Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s most photographed harbor, housed in a narrow, gabled building that looks straight onto the bobbing boats and brightly painted facades. Step inside and the bustle of the quay softens into the murmur of clinking cutlery, creaking floorboards and low conversation. It feels part waterside inn, part neighborhood dining room, with a distinct sense of place rooted in the city’s maritime past. The restaurant is arranged over several cozy rooms, some slightly below street level, where small-paned windows frame glimpses of the canal just outside. Exposed beams, wooden tables and nautical touches create a warm, slightly rustic atmosphere that contrasts with the open-air life unfolding only a few steps away on the quay.

Traditional Danish flavors at the waterfront

Nyhavns Færgekro is best known for Danish classics, particularly lunchtime smørrebrød and a substantial herring buffet that showcases different marinades and preparations. Plates typically arrive artfully stacked rather than minimal, with rye bread, pickles and sauces anchoring the fish. It is a good place to discover how central herring is to local food culture, especially when paired with a cold beer or a small glass of aquavit. Beyond herring, the menu leans into hearty, familiar Nordic comfort dishes: meatballs with potatoes, roast pork, seasonal fish and rich sauces that suit Copenhagen’s often brisk weather. Desserts tend to echo home-style baking, with fruit, cream and simple pastries rather than elaborate patisserie, rounding off a meal that feels decidedly Danish in both ingredients and style.

Indoor snugness and outdoor canal views

Where you sit at Nyhavns Færgekro shapes the experience. Indoors, several dining rooms are lit by candles and warm lamps, with closely set tables and the hum of conversation creating an intimate feel even at busy times. In cooler months, this interior coziness – sometimes enhanced by a fireplace – can feel like a refuge from the wind coming off the harbor. In finer weather, outdoor tables are the main draw. From here you can watch canal tours glide past, street musicians set up along the quay and cyclists weave over the cobbles. The view changes by the hour: bright, crisp light in the morning, a golden glow over the facades in late afternoon, and a softer, lantern-lit atmosphere after dusk when reflections shimmer on the water.

Nyhavn location with layers of history

Dining here places you in the midst of Nyhavn’s layered history. Once a working port of sailors’ bars and warehouses, the canal has evolved into a leisure-focused waterfront, yet many buildings still date back several centuries. Sitting at a window table, it is easy to imagine the same quay lined with trading ships and fishing boats, long before today’s pleasure craft and sightseeing tours. Inside, the décor nods to this heritage with maritime motifs, dark wood and low ceilings that hint at older construction. The building’s narrow footprint and multiple levels give a sense of intimacy, as though you are slipping into a historic townhouse that has gradually adapted to modern hospitality while retaining much of its character.

Practical notes for planning a meal

Nyhavns Færgekro sits in one of Copenhagen’s busiest pedestrian areas, so it is wise to allow extra time if you are meeting others nearby, particularly on sunny weekends and summer evenings. The restaurant usually opens from late morning through the evening, serving lunch and dinner with a short gap, if any, between services. Prices reflect its central, waterfront setting: not the city’s most economical option, but in line with other sit-down restaurants in Nyhavn, with table service and a prime view folded into the cost. Indoor areas are on multiple levels and reached by stairs, while the outdoor terrace offers more straightforward access and the bonus of fresh air and harbor life just an arm’s length away.

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