Gail Bailey is our guest blogger. Gail calls New York City home. However, she is currently on a discovery mission to find wonderful, secret places in Europe. One of her latest “finds” is the gourmet street Værnedamsvej. She shares with us why we must not miss Little Paris on our next trip into Copenhagen.
One of Copenhagen’s sweetest gems is the tiny street, Værnedamsvej, or better known as ‘Little Paris’. Bordering the neighborhoods of Vesterbro and Frederiksberg, it is lined with charming gourmet specialty shops and restaurants that have the look and feel of a bygone era. Head here to experience the joie de vivre that the Danes are so famous for.
These are some places you simply shouldn’t miss.
- Lagkagehuset Bakery, Værnedamsvej 1
One of the best bakeries in the city. Besides traditional Danish rye bread, Copenhageners come here for the amazing desserts. Most popular are the layered strawberry cream tarts, the kartoffelkage (potato cake filled with cream and covered in marzipan) and, of course, the variety of danishes. Take a number when you walk in. If there is room, enjoy your desert at the window bar.
Lagkagehuset Bakery
- Le Gourmand, Værnedamsvej 3A
Without exception, every morsel in this petite deli hails from France. The owner takes great pride in his personal relationships with small French producers. He’ll tell you exactly where your chosen delicacy comes from and how it is prepared. The day I went in I sampled a mouth-watering duck rillettes (slowly cooked to the consistency of pâté) and a chunk of hazelnut sausage. Perfect place to stock a picnic basket or takeaway a pre-prepared gourmet meal.
- Summerbird Chokolaterie, Værnedamsvej 9
This chocolate boutique is famous for its flødeboller (translation: snowball). Instead of the ice cold variety, this Danish snowball is covered in chocolate filled with a white creamy filling. Inside you can find a surprise such as apple compote and at the bottom, a nutty base. Simply divine! All of Summerbird’s chocolates are 100% Danish and handmade on the island of Fyn.
- Les Trois Cochon, Værnedamsvej 10
Excellent and inexpensive French food is a rare combination. Les Trois Cochon dishes out a three-course meal for under $50. It has a fixed menu that changes seasonally: think of your favorite French dish (but with a Scandinavian twist). Intimacy is also up for serving. Diners share long oak candle lit tables, which creates a dinner party atmosphere. Book ahead!
There is a lot to sample on this small street, so come with an empty stomach.
