DINING

Smørrebrød is a highly popular traditional Danish dish that is often eaten for lunch. It consists of a slice of dark bread with butter, topped with slices of meat, fish or cheese and generously garnished. It bears no resemblance to traditional sandwiches and needs to be eaten sitting down with a knife and fork. Buffet-style lunch (the koldt bord) is also popular with a variety of fish, meats, hot dishes, cheese and sweets, usually on a self-service basis. Danes do not mix the various dishes on their plates but have them in strict order. A normal Danish breakfast, or morgen-complet , consists of coffee or tea and an assortment of breads, rolls, jam and cheese, often also sliced meats, boiled eggs and warm Danish pastries. Given its geographical position, it is not surprising that shellfish also forms an important part of Danish cuisine. Apart from traditional dishes, French or international cuisine is the order of the day. In Copenhagen, superb gourmet restaurants can be found, whilst Ålborg is noted for its impressive number of restaurants. Most towns have ‘fast food’ outlets for hamburgers and pizzas, and the sausage stalls on most street corners, selling hot sausages, hamburgers, soft drinks and beer, are popular.
Danish coffee is delicious. Denmark also has many varieties of beer, famous breweries being Carlsberg and Tuborg. Most popular is pilsner (a lager) but there are also darker beers. The other national drink is akvavit, popularly known as snaps, which is neither an aperitif, cocktail nor liqueur and is meant to be drunk with food, preferably with a beer chaser. It is served ice cold and only accompanies cold food. There are no licensing hours.

Note
The Danish Hotel and Restaurant Association displays signs indicating restaurants where the needs of diabetics are given special attention. It consists of the words ‘Diabetes mad – sund mad for alle’ (‘Food for Diabetics – healthy food for everyone’) encircling a chef’s head.

Nightlife
There is a wide selection of nightlife, particularly in Copenhagen, where the first morning restaurants open to coincide with closing time at 0500. Jazz and dance clubs in the capital city are top quality and world-famous performers appear regularly. There are numerous beer gardens.