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.
Kong Hans Kælder
A two-Michelin-star French-inspired restaurant in a whitewashed vaulted cellar off Kongens Nytorv, the first restaurant in Copenhagen to win a Michelin star.
At a glance
- Type
- French-inspired fine dining in a medieval cellar
- Area
- Indre By, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Opening
- Open 4 days a week (closed Monday, Tuesday, Sunday) · 18:00–00:00
- Official site
- konghans.dk
Good to know
- Vaulted cellar dining room
- Signature menu
- Wine menu
- Private dining
Why we recommend it
Kong Hans Kælder occupies a whitewashed, vaulted basement beneath one of the oldest houses in Copenhagen, a former merchant's home dating back to the Middle Ages, in a small street just off Kongens Nytorv. The restaurant opened in 1976 as the first French-style gourmet restaurant in the city, and in 1983 it became the first Copenhagen restaurant to receive a Michelin star. It lost its star in 2014, regained it a year later and was awarded a second star in 2021.
The cooking is rooted in French technique, in keeping with the restaurant's history. Head chef Mark Lundgaard describes his food as the dishes he most likes to eat himself. Guests are served a signature menu with a matching wine menu, and the whitewashed vaulted dining room is one of the most atmospheric in the city.
The restaurant suits couples, anniversaries and business dinners, and anyone who prefers classic fine dining to experimental menus. Dress smartly. Private dining can be arranged, with a menu composed by the head chef, and the restaurant can work with specific requests for ingredients or presentation.
Kong Hans Kælder is open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, from 18:00 to midnight, with the last seating at 21:00. It is closed from Sunday to Tuesday. Reservations are made online through the restaurant's website, and the office is staffed on weekday daytimes for questions. Book well ahead for weekend evenings, and mention any allergies when you reserve.
The restaurant is in Vingårdstræde, a narrow lane just off Kongens Nytorv, so the metro station there is only a couple of minutes away. Nyhavn, the Royal Danish Theatre and Strøget are all close by, which makes it easy to combine dinner with an evening walk along the canal or a performance beforehand.
The name means King John's Cellar. The restaurant was founded by the film-makers Sven and Lene Grønlykke, with the author Klaus Rifbjerg among the investors, and its first head chef was the Frenchman Michel Michaud. Daniel Letz led the kitchen when the first star arrived, followed from 1998 by Thomas Rode Andersen, before Mark Lundgaard took over. Gift cards are also available through the restaurant's website.
Kong Hans Kælder FAQs
When is Kong Hans Kælder open?
Wednesday to Saturday from 18:00 to midnight, with the last seating at 21:00. It is closed Sunday to Tuesday.
How many Michelin stars does it have?
Two. It won Copenhagen's first Michelin star in 1983 and received its second star in 2021.
What kind of food is served?
Fine dining rooted in French technique, served as a signature menu with a wine menu.
Who is the head chef?
Mark Lundgaard.
Where is Kong Hans Kælder?
At Vingårdstræde 6, a narrow street just off Kongens Nytorv.
How do I book?
Reservations are made through the online booking link on the restaurant's website.
Is private dining available?
Yes, with a menu composed by the head chef.
What is special about the dining room?
It is a whitewashed, vaulted cellar beneath one of Copenhagen's oldest houses.