Canadian World Traveller

Local Suggestions by an Expat in Denmark
by Olivia Balsinger
Imoved to Denmark for love and stayed
because of my infatuation with this tiny
Scandinavian nation repeatedly named
“The Happiest Country on Earth.” When I first
moved, I indulged in my fair share of touristic
activities: I took a selfie at the Little Mermaid
statue, I gallivanted down Strøget (the city
center’s walking street) and I ate a smørrebrød
(open-faced) sandwich on the harbor
banks, the quaint and colorful Nyhavn houses
providing a scenic background. After all
the quintessential touristic experiences, it was
time to start exploring like a local - and now I
have that inside scoop for your next trip to
Denmark.
My first piece of advice would be to rent a
bicycle - it's not just a stereotype that Danes
move everywhere on two wheels. In fact,
Copenhagen has more bikes than people and
is one of the few cities that has dedicated biking
highways.
Once you are equipped with your new ride,
my next piece of advice is to leave
Copenhagen’s center and explore the outer
neighborhoods where you’ll begin to understand
that the capital is dynamic and international
with a mélange of cultures. The neighborhood
of Nørrebro is particularly famous
for the diversity in cuisines - kebab shops and
the smell of fresh curries intrigue senses as
you wander around secondhand vintage
shops and boutiques sporting Danish fashion.
One Nørrebro restaurant that lovers of spice
will adore is Kiin Kiin - Copenhagen’s first
Michelin-awarded Asian gourmet restaurant
and the only Thai restaurant outside Thailand
with a Michelin star.
chance to glimpse into local life. There is
nothing like packing a picnic and watching
the flocks of geese at eastern Copenhagen’s
picturesque chain of lakes. The neighborhood
is also home to Denmark's only three-
Michelin-starred restaurant, Geranium, which
stylistically transforms local ingredients into
pieces of Nordic artwork, redefining the typical
Danish cuisine. However, if typical is what
you are looking for, Grisens is the place to
spot locals indulging in the greasy yet mouthwatering
Hue Bøfsandwich, or Danish gravy
burger. Arteries may temporarily clog, but a
burger drowning in onions and double sauce
with a side of “Danish Nachos” (chips
drenched in homemade gravy) is certainly a
local experience.
Perhaps my greatest realization living in
Denmark is that it lives up to its “happiest
country in the world” stereotype, but not for
the reason’s first time tourists may think. It is a
dynamic country that has melded timeless
Danish traditions with a multicultural modern
twist. And once you visit like a local, you’ll
soon experience that happiness too.
www.visitdenmark.com
Another lesser-known Copenhagen neighborhood
is Østerbro, known primarily for its
sprawling green space and luxury. What
many tourists don’t realize, however, is that
Østerbro is also a paradise for relation, with
one of the largest parks in the city and the