BOBE was one of the unexpected delights of our recent trip to Copenhagen. Located at Gråbrødretorv 11, it is tucked away on one of the prettiest and most atmospheric squares in Copenhagen’s historic centre. The cobblestone square is lined with colourful old buildings, cafés and restaurants, and on the beautiful summer day we visited, it seemed as though everyone was sitting outside enjoying lunch. We happily joined them.
The restaurant itself occupies a historic yellow townhouse dating back to 1731, and much of the characterof the original building has been preserved. Inside, you’ll find wide plank wooden floors, beautiful oldwoodwork and an open fireplace, giving the restaurant a warmth and character that is quite different from Copenhagen’s more minimalist contemporary dining rooms. There is also a wine bar tucked away in the cellar.
BOBE is the creation of acclaimed Danish chef, Bo Bech, one of the better known names on Copenhagen’s restaurant scene. Bech was previously behind the highly regarded Geist, which occupied a beautiful space on Kongens Nytorv for many years. With BOBE, he has created something that feels sophisticated yet much more relaxed, somewhere between a neighbourhood bistro and a destination restaurant.
The restaurant has also received recognition from the Michelin Guide, earning a Bib Gourmand for offering particularly good food at a more moderate price point, quite an accomplishment in a city known for its ambitious and often very expensive restaurants.
We came for lunch, when the focus is smørrebrød, Denmark’s famous open faced sandwiches. I was expecting the usual classics, but BOBE’s menu turned out to be far more interesting and creative. There was a huge selection, and so many sounded good that it was difficult to decide what to order.
The peeled shrimp came with a mild harissa dressing, adding just enough spice and personality without overwhelming the delicate shrimp. Gravlax was paired with mustard seeds, saffron and bronze fennel, another clever combination that took something familiar and made it feel completely different. I particularly enjoyed the chicken salad with black trumpet mushrooms and crispy parsnip, with its wonderful contrast of creamy, earthy and crunchy flavours and textures.
And then there was the bread. The dark pumpernickel bread underneath the toppings was absolutely delicious. With smørrebrød the bread is every bit as important as what goes on top, and this was dense, deeply flavourful and the perfect base for the generous toppings.
The drinks menu was equally well considered. There was a selection of beer and snaps, naturally appropriate for a traditional Danish lunch, along with nonalcoholic beverages and a good choice of wines available both by the glass and bottle.
Dessert could be either cheeses or something sweet, and we chose the buttermilk ice cream with strawberries. It was an absolute delight, light, refreshing and not overly sweet, exactly what I wanted after our lunch.
What I enjoyed most about BOBE was the way it managed to respect Danish tradition without feeling bound by it. The smørrebrød were recognizable as the classics Copenhagen is famous for, but Bo Bech and his kitchen gave them their own personality through interesting ingredients, unexpected flavour combinations, and beautiful presentation.
And then there was the setting. Sitting outside on Gråbrødretorv on a gorgeous Copenhagen afternoon, surrounded by colourful historic buildings and the buzz of people enjoying lunch, made the experience even more memorable.
Copenhagen has no shortage of celebrated restaurants, and we certainly ate at some extraordinary ones during our trip, but BOBE was one of those places that caught me completely by surprise. I went expecting a good lunch and left thinking about how thoroughly enjoyable the entire experience had been.
Sometimes it is the restaurants you least expect that turn out to be among the most delightful discoveries of a trip. BOBE was definitely one of those for me.
Recommended.
Happy dining,
Shanea
09/06/2026
