Copenhagen in recent years has become one of the world’s hottest food destinations. New Nordic cuisine, with its emphasis on fresh Scandinavian flavors, simplicity and eating seasonally was catapulted into the world’s culinary spotlight by pioneering chef Rene Redzepi and his groundbreaking restaurant Noma. Currently located in a renovated warehouse along the waterfront in the Christanhaven neighborhood, Noma has earned two Michelin stars and the title of the World’s Best Restaurant 4 times since 2010 (the title went to Spain’s El Cellar de Can Roca in 2013 and again in 2015). With over 100,000 reservation requests per month and two seatings a day getting a table at this lauded 45-seat restaurant requires a great deal of luck. As it turns out fate was on our side and on a sunny June afternoon Steve and I found ourselves waiting at Noma’s unassuming entrance wondering about the culinary experience that awaited us inside.
Our journey to Noma started 3 months prior. We consider ourselves equal opportunity eaters and are just as likely to seek out the best hot dog stand as chase Michelin stars. However Steve had a 40th birthday to celebrate and we booked our trip to Copenhagen with hopes of eating at Noma. Reservations for an entire month typically open the on first Monday at 10am CET 3 months before, this date can be found on Noma’s home page http://noma.dk/ . This is how I found myself awake at 4am on the first Monday in March, furiously hitting refresh trying to score a coveted reservation (the Noma’s team was in Japan at this time and not accepting phone reservations) without success. A little defeated we made reservations at several other of Copenhagen’s Michelin-starred eateries(a 40th birthday does call for some indulgence after all). A week before our trip I was perusing the Chowhound boards, looking for where to find Copenhagen’s best danishes (which in Denmark interestingly are known as wienerbrød, or Vienna bread), when I spotted a post looking for two people to join them at Noma so they could keep their reservation. A couple of emails and a bit of faith in our new friends Samantha and David (who turned out to be a fun Canadian couple living in Stockholm) and Noma was back on the table.
The dining space at Noma was simultaneously modern and rustic, with exposed bleached beams and plenty of natural light streaming through the windows. Rather than being stiff and formal as one might expect from a restaurant of this caliber,service was refreshingly relaxed. In addition to showcasing Scandinavian flavors Noma also embodies the Danish sense of hygge, or creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.
The 18 dishes that graced the table over the next three hours reflected the ingredients and flavors I saw in the markets and restaurants across Copenhagen and experienced at an in-home cooking class the day before. Adoration for herbs, flowers and vegetables; a respect for the seafood, pork and dairy that sustained Scandinavia and a reverence for the smoke and vinegar that preserved food for generations past. Every dish was simultaneously inventive yet unfussy, forward thinking and straight-forward. Whether discovering the complexities of foraged greens(both from the land and the sea), contemplating the fact that the mahogany clam in front of you is over 150 years old (apparently they aren’t suitable to eat until they are over 100, I’m not sure who figured that out), or ending the meal with chocolate covered moss; these are dishes that can change the way you think of food.
The first shoots of the season with scallop marinade
Young cheese and new garlic
Salt roasted new Danish potato
Grilled onion with onion preserves
Sweet shrimp wrapped in ramson leaves
Crispy cabbage with rose puree
Mahogany clam with fermented grains
White asparagus, black currant leaves and barley
Langostine with nasturtium
Rhubarb with sheep’s milk yogurt and sorel
Zascha says
Well, noma is definitely the pride of Copenhagen – if not Denmark. And what incredible luck that you got to go there after all. Can’t believe it’s so difficult to get a table there, but then again, that’s only a good sign, right?
I will probably never go there as I’m such a fussy eater, but I always enjoy hearing other people’s stories about the place 🙂
Brianna says
Noma was definitely a once in a lifetime experience and for us worth every penny!
Aparna says
What an amazing experience! I probably have not tried half the ingredients from what you ate- but it all sounds fantastic. Glad you made it!
Brianna says
When you’re at someplace like Noma everything is bound to taste amazing, not to mention for $350 pp we were definitely eating everything brought to the table.
Anna @ The Weekend Jetsetter says
Sounds like an amazing experience – not sure I’d ever shell out the $700 price tag for dinner but I did look into it when I was in Copenhagen…. someday?
Brianna says
Well, you only turn 40 once right?
Suze - Luxury Columnist says
How cool that you finally got a reservation and even got a tour of the kitchen!
Brianna says
Definitely an amazing day all around!
Hyper Gypsy says
It was nice reading about your experience, fellow travel blogger!
Regards,
Hyper Gypsy
Brianna says
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Leticia says
Impressive menu. Love how all this amazing new stars are turning luxury eats into relaxed and even fun experiences. Although 700 for dinner is way out of budget right now :/
Brianna says
It’s typically not in our dining budget either but a 40th birthday deserves a bit of a splurge.
Lillie says
Oh my gosh — I need to go here! I’m so curious what that onion dish tastes like, and how it feels in the mouth!
Brianna says
Like avery dish there were so many layers of flavor, it was almost velvety!
Andi says
This is definitely a meal-experience I want to have. I had a version of this on Lummi Island in Washington, where Blaine Wetzel, a long-time Noma sous-chef opened his own restaurant in a very similar style. The food is simple, yet fantastic and you get a real appreciation of being able to eat seasonally and freshly. I absolutely love langostine, so I am sure that would have been my favorite course! Nice to see the kitchen as well!
Brianna says
Noma has blessed us with a number of chefs who trained with Rene.It was hard to pick a favorite but the langostine was up there!
Anda says
I like the restaurant setting and decor. The food looks really delicious, but the portions are very small. To be honest with you, I avoid places like these because although the food is great, they rip you off.
Brianna says
The portions were decently sized considering we got 18 courses. We typically don’t spend this much on a meal but a 40th birthday certainly deserves a splurge.
Anita says
It looks like a very special experience. Just a price tag seems a bit frightening 🙂
Brianna says
The price tag is certainly more than we normally spend but a 40th birthday definitely calls for a splurge.
Yasha Langford says
Wow! I’m so happy it worked out for you. This special experience will be a life-time memory.
Brianna says
It most certainly is!
Tami says
Looks like it was an amazing experience to savor new and delicious foods in a place like that. But when we travel, we generally cook for ourselves in apartments, to save money. If I had to pay to eat in places like this, I would never be able to travel!
Amber says
Beautiful pictures! I love the décor of the restaurant! I love the exposed rustic beams! I haven’t made it to Copenhagen yet, but I will have to check Noma out when I get there.
Brianna says
If you do make it to Noma you’re in for the meal of a lifetime!
Elaine J. Masters says
I love your write up and the pictures. Such great luck to get in and I know you worked for it but the stars aligned. Beautiful how local foraging and imagination can lead to such incredible dishes. I heard that they moved to Japan but perhaps it was just a sabbatical.
Brianna says
Noma packs up the entire operation for few months every year and heads to a different country. Last year they were in Noma and this year they are currently in Australia.
Fiona @ London-Unattached says
The food does look really amazing. I’d love to dine at Noma – and maybe one day I will – certainly I feel inspired reading your post
Brianna says
Noma is definitely worth the trip!
Megan says
Such an amazing experience. I agree with being an equal opportunity eater, but I’d take a few of these ones. I think that chocolate moss looks so interesting. Hope to get the chance to go some day. Thanks for sharing.
Brianna says
I was constantly surprised by each dish they brought out.
Wandering Carol says
I went food foraging in Cape Town but my meal wasn’t as gorgeous as this. I would love to eat at Noma! It would be worth a trip to Copenhagen just for the meal.
Kimberly Erin says
it is actually art.. this is food as art. It looks amazing and delicious and special. I would love to experience eating here. especially having spent some time in Denmark! Why havent I done this yet :P!
Brianna says
Looks like its time for a return trip 😉
Laura says
We’re very much the same – we love street food just as much as Michelin star restaurants. Did both in Copenhagen too, but we weren’t so lucky to get the reservation. We ate at Relae instead, which was also very good. All of the dishes at Noma look fascinating and I would love to pick them apart to examine the ingredients. Bone marrow! Yum.
Brianna says
I would also recommend Amass, run by another Noma protege the food was equally as artistic yet more accessible.
Nicole says
Just lovely! You make me want to trot out to Copenhagen now to enjoy a feast like this. Total foodie over here!
Brianna says
The Copenhagen is definitely a destination for you! The food everywhere was great.
Jennifer Melroy says
All the food looks amazing. I love langostine that dish looks a so good. Must go visit to get some langostine.
Brianna says
The langostine was definitely a favorite of mine.
anna says
Wow! An amazing experience. This is a perfect example of when food turns into art. Did you think it was worth the hefty price tag?
Brianna says
For a 40th birthday celebration I did think it was worth it.
Sue Reddel says
Thanks so much for sharing a very detailed and amazing visit to Noma. It’s definitely on our must eat at list. Have to save up for this really indulgent treat!
Charles McCool says
Nice detailed look at one of the top restaurants in the world. Looks like a magnificent experience.
Brianna says
Definitely one of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had.
krissb71 says
Went to Copenhagen but didn’t get a chance to get in!!! It is booked for months in advance. Now I really want to go back!!!
Brianna says
I also recommend Amass for a great Michelin starred meal.
Terrigal Accommodation says
This is an awesome presentation.. one of the best fine dine i read… i was wondering about that chocolate..