Krebsegaarden

A cosy dining room in an old Copenhagen townhouse

Krebsegaarden sits in a narrow 19th‑century building on Studiestræde, one of the smaller streets just off Copenhagen’s busy centre. Inside, the room is low‑key and intimate: wooden floors, closely spaced tables and soft lighting create the feel of a small townhouse rather than a formal restaurant. With space for only around ten tables, the atmosphere is quiet but conversational, and you are never far from the open doorway to the tiny kitchen. The name hints at the site’s past life as a seafood market, and there is still a maritime undercurrent in some of the cooking. Yet the overall mood is more like a private salon, where the evening unfolds slowly over several courses and conversations, with no sense of being rushed from your seat.

Art on the walls, art on the plate

One of Krebsegaarden’s defining touches is its close relationship with Galleri Krebsen, hidden just behind the restaurant in the same courtyard. The menu is often shaped by whatever exhibition hangs on the gallery walls, echoing the artist’s nationality, palette or themes. A show by a North African painter might inspire spiced sauces and citrus, while Nordic landscapes can translate into game, root vegetables and forest berries. During dinner you dine literally surrounded by artworks, which change several times a year. The owners are happy to explain how a particular dish connects to a painting nearby, turning the menu into a kind of edible exhibition catalogue and giving the meal a playful intellectual layer without feeling heavy.

Seasonal menus with a Nordic accent

The kitchen works with a deliberately short menu – typically three starters, three mains and a handful of desserts – plus a popular tasting menu that offers smaller portions of several dishes. Plates often feature Scandinavian staples such as pan‑fried trout with dill cream, Jerusalem artichoke soup or slow‑braised wild boar with apples and Calvados‑rich jus. Ingredients are treated simply but with care: crisp‑seared scallops with smoky bacon, carefully fondant potatoes, or poached pears split between red‑ and white‑wine syrups might all appear over the course of a season. Portions are composed rather than rustic, leaning towards fine dining, but the cooking avoids unnecessary flourishes and prioritises deep, comforting flavours.

Cheese, wine and lingering evenings

Krebsegaarden is particularly known among insiders for its lavish cheese course, often featuring an impressive selection of European cheeses served with matching condiments. Ordering this at the end of the meal can easily turn dinner into a long, slow finale, especially if paired with fortified wines. Wine is a central part of the experience, with thoughtful pairings that match each course, from sparkling aperitifs through aromatic whites to structured reds and dessert wines. Staff are keen to discuss regions, producers and styles in as much detail as you like, yet are just as happy to keep things simple if you prefer to focus on the food.

Hosts who make the restaurant feel like home

The restaurant is run by a small team, including the chef‑owners, who often split their time between kitchen and dining room. They personally introduce each course, explain the provenance of ingredients and share anecdotes about the art that inspired the menu. This close contact gives the experience a warm, almost domestic tone: it can feel as if you are a guest in someone’s home rather than a number on a reservation list. Conversations at the table might drift from cooking techniques to Copenhagen life or contemporary painting, and there is every chance you will leave knowing your hosts by name.

Planning your night on Studiestræde

Krebsegaarden serves dinner only, typically from Tuesday to Saturday evenings, and advance reservations are essential due to the limited number of seats. The location in the heart of the old town means it easily fits into an evening of strolling the cobbled streets before or after your meal. The building itself has quirks typical of its age: a narrow staircase leads down to the restrooms, which may require extra care if your mobility is limited. Inside the main dining room, however, the pace is unhurried and the environment calm, making this a favourite choice for special occasions, quiet celebrations or simply a long conversation over good food and wine in the centre of Copenhagen.