Copenhagen: Europe's Coolest Green City

16 Feb 2011

Cutting edge architecture, miles of cycle routes and green spaces galore have made the Danish capital a hotspot for green travellers. Ruth Styles packed her bags for a weekend in Europe’s greenest capital city

If you thought doing local, seasonal food Danish-style meant 101 ways to cook herring, then think again. I’m sitting in the brasserie at Nimb – a white Moroccan style confection in the middle of the Tivoli Gardens - and there’s not a fish in sight. There’s local game, seasonal nuts and berries and an absolutely sensational sheep’s milk bavarois but definitely no herring. It’s still typically Danish but its also unexpected, interesting and, of course, green.

On this side of the North Sea, we’ve been hearing about Denmark’s whizziness on all things eco-friendly for years but what does that really mean in the Nordic capital of cool? As far as the culinary scene is concerned, it means seasonal and with Noma’s René Redzepi leading the charge, it also means unexpected, quirky and precise.

Take Nimb for example. Located in what used to be known as Carsten’s Bazaar, its wedding cake of an exterior is belied by the chic, serene décor inside, and the ultra-modern take on seasonal food on offer in the brasserie.

Guided by supremely knowledgeable waiter, Christian, we ate sustainably sourced organic veal, wild mushrooms, nuts and berries, and locally produced dairy. The combinations were subtle and interesting, and made use of every last bit, whether beast, fish or fruit. In the UK, this would be unusual. In Copenhagen, this is becoming the norm.