Restaurant
Geranium
Rasmus Kofoed and Søren Ledet's three-Michelin-star restaurant on the eighth floor above Fælledparken, serving long seasonal tasting menus with views over the park.
Restaurant Schønnemann
A cellar lunch restaurant on Hauser Plads serving traditional Danish smørrebrød, herring and a large snaps list since 1877.
At a glance
- Type
- Traditional Danish lunch and smørrebrød
- Area
- Indre By, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Opening
- Open daily · 11:30–17:00
- Official site
- restaurantschonnemann.dk
Good to know
- Smørrebrød
- Herring
- More than 140 snaps
- Online booking
Why we recommend it
Restaurant Schønnemann has been serving traditional Danish lunch since 1877, which makes it one of the oldest lunch restaurants in Copenhagen. It occupies an old cellar tavern on Hauser Plads, a small square in the Latin Quarter, and has been run by several generations over its long history. It is one of the best places in the city to try smørrebrød, the Danish open sandwich, in a setting that has hardly changed for decades.
The menu is organised the old way, by category. Herring comes first, in several preparations, followed by plaice and other flatfish, smoked fish, shellfish, preserved fish, duck and chicken, pork, veal and beef, tartare, tartlets and seasonal dishes, before cheese and desserts. Two or three pieces per person make a filling lunch. The drinks list is a large part of the experience, with 24 kinds of beer and more than 140 kinds of snaps, the Danish aquavit traditionally drunk with herring.
Schønnemann suits anyone who wants to understand Danish lunch culture, and it works for couples, small groups and solo diners. It is a lunch restaurant, not an evening one, except during the Christmas season, when a Christmas buffet is served on Thursday to Saturday evenings. Ask your server for advice if the menu feels overwhelming; starting with herring and snaps and moving on to fish and meat is the traditional order.
Lunch is served every day from 11:30 to 17:00 in two seatings, one from 11:30 or 12:00 to 14:00 and an afternoon seating until 17:00. Booking is strongly recommended, especially on Fridays and Saturdays and in December, and can be made online. The restaurant closes for a week in August and over Christmas and New Year, from 24 December to 5 January.
Hauser Plads is a short walk from Nørreport station, the Round Tower and Strøget, in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Combine lunch with a climb up the Round Tower or a visit to Rosenborg Castle, both within ten minutes on foot.
The restaurant notes that only a few tables remain early in the week during the Christmas season, which shows how popular it is with Danes as well as visitors, so reserve as early as you can if you are travelling in November or December.
Restaurant Schønnemann FAQs
When is Schønnemann open?
Lunch is served every day from 11:30 to 17:00 in two seatings. The restaurant closes from 24 December to 5 January and for a week in August.
Do I need to book?
Booking is strongly recommended and can be made online, especially at weekends and in December.
What should I order?
Start with herring and a snaps, then choose two or three pieces of smørrebrød with fish, meat or cheese.
How many snaps are on the list?
More than 140 kinds of snaps, along with 24 kinds of beer.
How old is Schønnemann?
The restaurant has served traditional Danish lunch since 1877.
Is it open for dinner?
Normally no. It is a lunch restaurant, though a Christmas buffet is served on Thursday to Saturday evenings in the Christmas season.
Where is Schønnemann?
At Hauser Plads 16 in the Latin Quarter, a short walk from Nørreport station.
Is it suitable for vegetarians?
The menu is traditional and heavy on fish and meat, but cheese and some seasonal dishes are available.