No. 2

Waterfront Nordic dining by the canals

No. 2 sits right on the edge of Copenhagen’s inner harbour, on Nicolai Eigtveds Gade in the Christianshavn area. One side faces the canal; the other looks across the water to the striking dark facade of the Royal Library, known locally as the Black Diamond. Floor‑to‑ceiling windows pull the water almost into the room, and in warmer months tables spill outside onto the quay so you can eat with bobbing boats and slow‑moving harbour traffic as your backdrop. Inside, the atmosphere feels relaxed but grown‑up: bare tables, soft lighting and plenty of natural wood and stone rather than white tablecloth formality. It is the kind of place where you can settle into a corner banquette for hours, watching the changing light over the water through those big panes of glass.

From Michelin heritage to modern brasserie

No. 2 was created by the team behind AOC, one of Copenhagen’s most decorated fine‑dining restaurants. Here they channel that experience into a more informal brasserie format, keeping the emphasis on technique and flavour but with a looser, more convivial feel. The kitchen works with Nordic and broader Danish produce, often from small regional suppliers, prepared in a contemporary style that feels both rooted and inventive. Menus change with the seasons, but you can expect carefully constructed starters built around seafood, vegetables or game, mains that balance richness with acidity and crunch, and desserts that lean on berries, grains and dairy. An optional tasting menu lets you sample a broader sweep of the kitchen’s ideas, paired with a wine list that ranges from classic European regions to more adventurous bottles.

Design details and harbour views

The dining room pairs Scandinavian restraint with a sense of warmth. Think clean lines, generous spacing between tables and an open view towards the bar and part of the kitchen, so there is always a low‑key hum of activity. Natural materials dominate: wood floors, tactile upholstery and muted tones that keep the focus on the plates and the view beyond the glass. At lunch, light streaming in from the harbour makes the room feel airy and open; by evening, reflections dance on the water outside while candles and subtle spotlights create a more intimate mood. On calm days, outside seating brings you even closer to the water, with the silhouettes of central Copenhagen’s spires and bridges framing the horizon.

Lunch, dinner and special occasions

No. 2 opens for both lunch and dinner most days of the week, closing only on Sundays. Lunchtime often highlights a shorter, good‑value menu, ideal for business meetings or a refined midday break during city exploring. In the evening, the experience shifts towards drawn‑out dinners, when multi‑course menus and wine pairings come into their own and the harbour lights set the tone. Service aims to be attentive without stiffness: staff move confidently through the room, explaining dishes and suggesting wine pairings, but the overall rhythm stays unhurried. It works equally well for a leisurely meal for two, a small celebration, or a smart night out with friends who appreciate food and wine.

Where No. 2 fits into Copenhagen’s food scene

Copenhagen is packed with ambitious kitchens, from experimental tasting rooms to cosy bistros, and No. 2 occupies a sweet spot between those worlds. It offers high‑end cooking informed by Michelin‑level expertise, yet it keeps the mood accessible and the setting comfortable rather than austere. Its waterside address also makes it a useful anchor in this part of the city, within easy reach of cultural heavyweights like the Royal Library and the historic canals of Christianshavn. For travellers interested in contemporary Nordic cooking but not necessarily in the ultra‑formal end of fine dining, No. 2 provides a focused snapshot of the city’s culinary priorities: seasonal produce, clean flavours, thoughtful design and a close relationship with the surrounding urban landscape.