Selma
Inventive Michelin-recognised smørrebrød in a minimalist, central Copenhagen dining room that turns Denmark’s classic open sandwich into a refined yet relaxed meal.
Selma is a contemporary Danish restaurant in central Copenhagen that has reimagined the classic smørrebrød with seasonal Nordic produce, clean Scandinavian design and a relaxed, buzzing atmosphere. Led by Swedish chef Magnus Pettersson and awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, this compact spot near Nørreport station serves beautifully composed open-faced sandwiches, creative small plates and a strong craft beer and schnapps list, making it a standout choice for a modern take on Copenhagen’s lunch tradition.
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 well in advance for lunch and especially for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, as the compact dining room near Nørreport fills quickly.
- Plan on two to three pieces of smørrebrød per person for lunch if ordering à la carte, adjusting up or down depending on appetite and whether you add snacks or dessert.
- Ask staff for beer, schnapps or wine pairings; they know the menu intimately and can suggest drinks that enhance the acidity, smoke or richness in each topping.
- If you have dietary requirements, note them when booking and confirm them on arrival so the kitchen can adapt set menus where possible.
- Combine your meal with a wander through nearby Torvehallerne food market or the streets of Indre By to turn lunch into a wider culinary outing.
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
Discover more about Selma
Modern smørrebrød in the heart of Copenhagen
Selma sits on a quiet corner just behind Torvehallerne food market, a small, bright restaurant where the focus is firmly on Denmark’s most iconic dish: smørrebrød. Here, the open-faced rye-bread sandwich becomes a canvas for seasonal Nordic produce, presented with the precision of fine dining but in a calm, informal room. Named after the owner’s daughter, the restaurant is led by Swedish chef Magnus Pettersson, who has built a menu that both honours and reinvents local traditions. Instead of heavy, old-school toppings, you will find herring with beetroot and hibiscus, delicately cured salmon, or melting veal tongue layered with fresh peas and herbs.A Michelin-recognised take on Nordic lunch
Selma was the first dedicated smørrebrød restaurant to receive a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide, signalling high quality and good value in a city famed for ambitious New Nordic cooking. At lunchtime, the menu revolves around individual pieces of smørrebrød, each composed like a small plate, with contrasting textures and a clear seasonal theme. In the evenings from Wednesday to Saturday, the experience becomes more focused, with set menus or extended tastings that move through a sequence of snacks and carefully paced courses. The same attention to bread, pickles and house-made condiments runs through every plate, allowing familiar Nordic flavours to appear in unexpected combinations.Scandi interior with a friendly neighbourhood feel
The dining room is compact and intimate, with pale wood, simple tables and big street-facing windows that pull in Copenhagen’s soft daylight. The look is minimalist but warm: blond timber, clean lines and unfussy table settings that keep the stage free for the food. Despite the restaurant’s accolades, the mood remains casual. You might see locals dropping in for a quick lunch alongside visitors treating the space as a destination meal. Staff glide between tables explaining dishes, suggesting pairings and keeping the tempo unhurried, so even a short visit feels like a complete experience.Drinks that celebrate rye, snaps and craft beer
Smørrebrød is traditionally served with beer and schnapps, and Selma leans into that heritage in a modern way. There is a thoughtful selection of craft beers on tap, often featuring Danish producers with a flair for clean lagers and more experimental brews. Aquavit and other grain spirits appear in measured tasting pours, sometimes infused with herbs or seasonal ingredients that echo flavours on the plate. Wine drinkers are not forgotten: a concise list of mostly European bottles, often with low-intervention or organic leanings, is geared toward freshness and acidity to match the pickles, cured fish and rich dairy on the menu.Planning your visit and making the most of it
Selma is open for lunch most days and for dinner midweek and weekends, but its small size means tables can be snapped up quickly, particularly around peak lunch hours and on Friday and Saturday evenings. Advance booking is strongly recommended if you hope to explore a tasting menu or come as a group. Allow at least an hour for a couple of plates and a drink, and more if you want to work through multiple courses at a relaxed pace. Given the restaurant’s central location near Nørreport and Torvehallerne, it is easy to combine a meal here with a stroll through the nearby market halls or the streets of Indre By before or after you eat.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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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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Nytorv 2
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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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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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Michelin Green Star vegan fine dining in central Copenhagen, where seasonal Nordic produce, foraging and low-waste philosophy shape an intimate tasting-menu experience.
Høst
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The Olive Kitchen & Bar
0.4 km
Warm brick-and-wood dining room in central Copenhagen serving polished Mediterranean-inspired classics, a four-course menu and easygoing evening cocktails.
Restaurant Schønnemann
0.4 km
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
0.6 km
Copenhagen’s oldest restaurant, where candlelit wooden rooms, traditional Danish dishes and centuries of stories create a warm slice of true Danish hygge.
Wining and Dining
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French-inspired fine dining with exceptional wines in Copenhagen's historic heart
Krebsegaarden
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SAFARI
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ferment, ramen izakaya
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Vækst
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Greenhouse-style Nordic dining in Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter, where seasonal vegetable-focused menus meet warm, softly lit interiors wrapped in lush foliage.
Restaurant Sole D’Italia - København
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Classic stone-oven pizzas and familiar Italian favourites served on one of Copenhagen’s most atmospheric squares in the heart of the old town.
Dubrovnik Restaurant
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Kate's Joint
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Kate’s Joint brings Nørrebro’s multicultural energy to the table with creative Asian fusion, communal dining, artful interiors, and a famously laid-back vibe.
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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A cozy Copenhagen interiors institution packed with colorful Nordic homeware, thoughtful design and giftable treasures opposite the Church of Our Lady.
Quirky Lane
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Wasteland
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Henrik Vibskov Boutique
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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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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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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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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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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
- Art & Design
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- TikTok-Friendly
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Reel-Friendly
- 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
- Weekend Getaway
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly