Det Lille Apotek

A historic Copenhagen dining room since 1720

Det Lille Apotek traces its roots back to 1720, making it widely regarded as Copenhagen’s oldest restaurant. Housed in a centuries-old building on Store Kannikestræde in the Latin Quarter, it has long been a gathering place for locals, students, professors and visiting guests. The name recalls the building’s earlier life and hints at a place where good food and drink were once seen as a kind of remedy.Step through the door and you move from the bustle of central Copenhagen into a slower, more intimate world. The timbered structure, creaking floors and irregular walls speak of an era when the city was smaller and evenings stretched out over long meals and conversations.

Dining rooms filled with lamps, paintings and stories

Inside, the restaurant is divided into four snug rooms, each with its own character. Ceilings are low, lending a cosy, almost tavern-like feel, and the spaces are lit by warm petroleum-style lamps that cast a soft glow on dark wood and worn tabletops. Old paintings of forest gods, nymphs and pastoral scenes line the walls, adding a hint of mythology to the atmosphere.Shelves of books, framed portraits and small decorative details underline the sense that this is a place shaped slowly over time. The layout encourages lingering: a series of intimate nooks where conversations carry quietly and where you are always aware of the building’s age and personality.

Classic Danish cooking from smørrebrød to Apotekergryde

The menu focuses firmly on traditional Danish cooking. At lunchtime, a broad selection of smørrebrød appears, from marinated herring and fried plaice to warm liver pâté and rich chicken salad, served on dark rye or toasted bread. Many recipes draw on older, home-style preparations, emphasizing pickled accompaniments, hearty sauces and generous portions.Later in the day, the kitchen turns to substantial hot dishes. You might encounter æggekage (a thick Danish omelette), crispy pork with red cabbage, wienerschnitzel, duck with caramelised potatoes or the house speciality, Apotekergryde, a comforting meat dish served in a rich gravy. The restaurant also serves its own house beer and a selection of aquavit to match the robust flavours.

Old values preserved with gentle updates

Over the decades the interior has been gradually refined, but always with respect for its past. Former bar areas have been replaced by small tables, and some spaces have been softened with lamp fixtures and bookcases. The result is a setting that feels like a cross between a traditional inn and a private parlour, more like being invited into someone’s home than entering a modern brasserie.Despite the tweaks, many old traditions linger. Stories circulate of early innovations, such as some of the city’s first grill chickens served here in baskets, or the famous “meter of beer” once enjoyed at the tables. The emphasis remains on solid hospitality, familiar dishes and an unhurried pace.

In the heart of the Latin Quarter

Det Lille Apotek sits a short stroll from the city’s main pedestrian artery and key sights, yet its address on a narrower street helps preserve a tucked-away feel. The surroundings are a mix of historic facades, university buildings and cultural institutions, so it is easy to combine a meal here with a day of exploring central Copenhagen.The restaurant can host both intimate meals and larger gatherings across its four rooms, maintaining a sense of occasion without losing the cosy ambience. Whether you drop in for a midday smørrebrød or settle in for a long evening over several courses, the experience is defined by history, hearty food and classic Danish hygge.