Love is in the air

Copenhagen is full of romantic getaways, cosy restaurants by the canal and lovely castle gardens and parks to stroll in. Here are a few tips to activities and places you can visit to make the day really special.

Table for Two

Era Ora is said to be one of the most romantic restaurant in the city. The owners Elvio Milleri and Edelvita Santor have from the beginning in 1983 offered genuine Italian food to the Danes, something they’re so good at that they received a Michelin star in 1996. The restaurant, which is situated in the charming Christianshavn, has a cosmopolitan and romantic atmosphere and a lovely little patio where you can have a romantic dinner surrounded by flowers and art. The menu offers delicious food served in the Italian way; antipasti, pasta, main course, cheese and dessert.
Another good place to visit is Restaurant Frederiks Have is. It’s situated, as the name implies, in the romantic park Frederiksberg Have. In an old building from the 19th century they serve French-inspired dishes of high standard. When it’s nice weather it’s nice to sit under the awning by one of the tables with white cloths, flowers and candles.

Asian gourmet

Kiin Kiin offers something as spectacular as gourmet Thai food. The Michelin-awarded restaurant combines the finest tastes from the Asian kitchen and is a perfect choice for a dinner of two. Kiin Kiin has a special table, #9.This is their most romantic table and very popular, so you will have to make reservations in advance. They have a set menu which consists of 11 smaller dishes, such as quail in coconut milk and lime leafs or salads with orchids, codfish and roe.
The sister restaurant The Ricemarket also serves high quality Thai food and is perfect for a date, since here you can make reservations for one of their Asian four-poster beds to dine in.

Café 19th century style

Another tip is to visit Tea Time’s lovely café, inspired by eighteenth-century England. Sit in satin-covered sofas under cut-glass chandeliers and order “Afternoon Tea for Girls and Boys” with classic finger sandwiches, cupcakes and a glass of pink lemonade. To this you’re serves “love tea” which you sweeten with sugar from little bowls where the sugar is mixed with little, red hearts.

When the weather allows

Copenhagen has a lot of parks that suits perfectly for a picnic during nice weather. In Frederiksberg Have which surrounds Frederiksbergs Slot, you find Chinese pavilions, temples and a dripstone cave. There is also possibility to rent rowboats for a romantic tour around the lake and the canals in the park.
Another option is the Bernstorffsparken, which was designed with inspiration from the romantic English landscape gardens. Here you can stroll amongst large green lawns, oak- and beeches woods and visit The Queen Louise’s Teahouse with a view over the rose garden.
Fredensborg Slotshave and Kongens Have are also popular spots for couples in the spring and summer. Fredensborg Slotshave has the largest and most well-preserved baroque gardens in Denmark with 70 sculptures to look at.
Tivoli is also worth a visit at any season. When the spring arrives, Tivoli is decorated with thousands of flowers, plants and Chinese lanterns in beautiful colors that lights up the park when it gets dark. Then you can take a walk around the lake and watch the fireworks. In the winter the park is just as beautiful, colorful Christmas lights decorates the carrousels and a pleasant smell of roasted almonds spreads spread amongst the many little Christmas stalls.

Out on the water

Canal Tours offers guided boat tours along the charming canals of Copenhagen. If you want to make it a bit more special, you can go on a dinner cruise and enjoy good food and wine during a few hours boat ride.

Romance indoors

Since the capital city offers a world-class repertoire of theatre, opera and ballet, a visit to the Royal Theatre is a perfect way to spend the evening. See a production of a classic ballet at the Royal Theatre´s Old Stage or why not pay a visit to the new, magnificent opera house on Holmen?
Otherwise, dinner and a movie is a classic when it comes to dating. Copenhagen offers a range of options, stretching from large cinemas with the latest blockbusters to little and intimate movie theatres showing European independent movies. Many of the cinemas like Empire Bio and Metropol have so called “Love seats” i.e. large seats with room for two.

MALMOE

Malmoe and Skane have a lot to offer those who seek romance. Everything from cozy restaurants to fun excursions is at a convenient distance. To go on a date has never been as fun, or easy, as now!

Torso Twisted

Fashionable restaurant Torso Twisted is located at the foot of Turning Torso in the West harbor. It´s built around two concepts – “Torso” and “Twisted”: if you choose Torso, you choose everything from the menu as usual, while the concept Twisted let the personnel make the choices for you – everything from entrée to dessert. Begin the evening with a cocktail in the sofa by the open fire, or try their fine wine selection. Then you can decide whether you and your date would like to stick with the safe Torso-concept in the restaurant, or go for a Twisted evening… Even if you don´t fully agree with the personnel´s choices it sure makes as a good topic of conversation during the evening!

Authentic Chinese cooking

At Chinese restaurant Kin Long you won´t find any fried bananas with ice cream or “four small dishes”. Here the interior is modern and sober, and the food is authentic Chinese cuisine of highest standard. Book a table in their separate room where you get to sit on cushions on the carpet-covered floor. Just remember to wear clean socks since you must remove your shoes before you enter… Here you can have dinner or just pop in for an afternoon tea.

French restaurant or luxurious brunch?

You won´t get closer to a French bistro than Café Rasoir. This stylish restaurant is connected to Elite Hotel in Malmoe and in Helsingborg. Classic interior, French cuisine and high class cocktails assure you´ll always have a good time at Rasoir. Friday nights they have a very popular After Work with buffet and DJs, so if you´re looking for a more intimate dinner experience, you should make reservations after 8 pm, or come another evening. On Sundays they serve a luxurious brunch, so if you´re after a romantic brunch this is a good option. Hotel Hilton also has an extravagant weekend brunch with champagne, oysters and a chocolate fountain. Make a table reservation ahead since it is very popular.

The Old Town

In the Western quarter of Malmoe you´ll find Italian restaurant Epicuré. The exterior is very modest, but it has a leafy little yard and wonderful Mediterranean delicacies that make their guests return time after time. Since being so popular it´s often fully seated, so be sure to make a reservation in time, alternatively go to Epicuré Due, their branch restaurant a few blocks down. Or you can always buy a basket full of delicacies from their deli counter and enjoy a cozy dinner at home with just the two of you. Not very far away is Johan P. In a classic setting you can dine on Malmoe´s best fish and seafood and enjoy some very fine wines. They also have a deli counter where you can buy lobster or fresh oysters.

Art and food

A lunch at relaxed gourmet restaurant SMAK doesn’t let anyone down. It´s highly popular due to the excellent Swedish cuisine and innovative salad buffet. Order a nice glass of wine and enjoy a long lunch with your date. Afterwards you can take a stroll in Malmö Konsthall, the art gallery that resides in the same premise, and take the opportunity to buy some new art books in their store. SMAK is only open during lunch, so if you prefer a gourmet dinner date in the evening, you should visit Atmosfär, Trio Restaurant, Mrs Brown and DOC Italiano – all excellent restaurants. If you´re into Asian cooking, then Vietnamese restaurant Mrs Saigon near Lilla Torg is spot on.

Malmborgen

In the building “Malmborgen” you´ll find Gränden – a cozy yard with a continental atmosphere. Here you can sit and sip a glass of wine under the open sky and reminisce about summers spent. Gränden is only open during summer, so during the rest of the year you can visit folksy restaurant Elysée and have fondue in front of the fire place, or why not have a wine tasting in gothic wine cellar Sankt Marcus Vinkällare – both located in the Malmborgen building.

Coffee date

If you like to have a nice cup of coffee you should head for rococo decorated Kafé Kungsgatan. They offer grilled sandwiches, pastries and salads and during weekend brunch you can make your own waffles. Moccasin is a café/ bistro and restaurant close to Davidshallstorg. Here you can have a filling lunch or an evening snack in the cozy couch.

Museums and picnic in the park

Slottsträdgårdens Café by Malmoe castle offer organic pastries and cookies that you can enjoy on the pier close by, or at one of the many outdoor tables. Right next to the small café you´ll find plantations with everything from sunflowers to bamboo. Stroll around and finish your date with a visit at Malmoe museum, Malmö Museer.

A picnic is always appreciated. Malmoe is also known as the City of Parks, so there won´t be any trouble finding a nice spot. Slottsparken is leafy and close to the canal as well as the library, Malmö Stadsbibliotek, and the Western district. Pildammsparken is a park with many beautiful settings with everything from open meadows to forest sections, and Ribersborgs strand holds kilometers of soft white sand. Bring a bottle of sparkling wine, organic bread from Vendel Ales Stenar / Organic Bakery and some cheese from Möllans Ost or Njutbar. Then you´re ready to spend the afternoon in good company! Folkets Park is suitable for a casual beer picnic with your friends – make sure to take a ride in the Ferris wheel with a view over entire Malmoe.

Excursions

There are many romantic and interesting destinations in Skåne suitable for an excursion trip. Sofiero slott och trädgård is well worth a visit all the year around and also houses a renowned gourmet restaurant; Sofiero slottsrestaurang. In the park you can walk through the rhododendron ravine, check out the garden and visit the orangery. Torups friluftsgård och bokskog / Bokskogen is also a fantastic destination. Visit their museum and have a cup of coffee in the old café. Österlen also has a lot of romantic locations. Go to Kiviks Musteri and taste their many different ciders, or make a reservation at restaurant Kärnhuset where they serve regional delicacies. When the apple trees are in bloom they offer an exquisite spring buffet. Other good ecursion goals are Lars Vilks "Nimis" at Kullabergs naturreservat, and Hovs Hallar where Ingmar Bergman recorded the famous chess scene for “The Seventh Seal”. If you have something special to celebrate Skåne has many romantic inns with old fashioned rooms and delicious food. Here is a selection: Inns

Now you have all the tips you need for the perfect romantic evening. Good luck!

Published 2009-02-05 10:03