The Best Gluten-Free Food in Copenhagen

From gluten-free croissants to duck confit and everything in between

Back in October, I visited Copenhagen for the first time with my friend Louise—and it truly was a gluten-free paradise!

The highlights of my itinerary included a stop at the popular Tivoli Gardens amusement park, which was fully decked out for Halloween while I was there; a three-hour Hey Captain boat tour to see the city’s architecture; and a day trip to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and Kronborg Castle (the setting for Hamlet!).

Additionally, I really enjoyed checking out the Design Museum Danmark and the Royal Danish Library (aka the Black Diamond). I also made multiple stops at Studio Arhoj to pick up some kitschy Danish decor for my apartment.

Obviously, any time I travel, I prioritize exploring the gluten-free food scene, and Copenhagen seriously impressed me.

Ahead, I break down everywhere I ate in Copenhagen. (Just note not every restaurant listed here is dedicated gluten-free—if you have celiac disease, you should do your research and ask your own questions to assess your comfort level before dining at any of these places.)

Table of contents:

• Best gluten-free food in Copenhagen

  • H.U.G. Bargeri

  • Palaeo

  • Breto Creperie

  • Osteria Alfredo

  • Maple Casual Dining

  • Llama

  • Tight Restaurant & Bar

  • Scandic Copenhagen

  • McDonald’s

Best gluten-free food in Copenhagen

H.U.G. Bageri

My first stop after settling into my hotel room on day one in Copenhagen was H.U.G. Bageri. This gluten-free bakery specializes in organic, high-quality breads and baked goods. I had to try the pain au chocolat, and it was flaky, buttery perfection. I also purchased a seeded bun and a vegan cinnamon roll filled with dates for later. I came back another day for more croissants because I just couldn’t resist!

Palaeo

Palaeo, a fast-casual gluten-free spot, was on my list of places to try in Copenhagen. I found myself near one of the locations—inside an upscale shopping mall—one day while walking around the city, so I stopped in for lunch. I treated myself to a gluten-free pulled pork wrap, which filled me up until dinnertime.

Breto Creperie

I’m a big fan of crepes, so I was excited to try Breto Creperie, a sit-down creperie with many gluten-free options, for lunch one day. I opted for the smoked duck buckwheat galette, which contained cheese, smoked duck breast, egg, caramelized leek, and creme fraiche and came with a side salad.

Osteria Alfredo

For our first dinner in Copenhagen, we made reservations at Osteria Alfredo, an Italian restaurant that was highly rated on Find Me Gluten-Free (use my code to get $5 off a premium subscription to the app!). For an appetizer, we shared grilled lobster with green olives and celery.

For my main, I had a gluten-free pizza with pesto and sausage. Per the restaurant’s website, they do not use gluten-free wheat starch in their dough, and they have a separate workstation and oven to make the gluten-free pizzas.

Maple Casual Dining

After spending a few hours at Tivoli Gardens taking in the Halloween sights, we went to Maple Casual Dining for dinner on night two. This restaurant came highly recommended for its many gluten-free options. We shared Danish blue mussels with gluten-free bread and tuna tostada (minus the tortilla chips, which are prepared in a shared fryer) as our appetizers.

Then, I had the duck confit with mashed potatoes and grilled veggies as my main, along with a fun mocktail. We had the raspberry trio for dessert, which had fresh berries, panna cotta with raspberry sauce, and bite-size chocolates with raspberry sauce.

Llama

On day three, we ventured outside the city by train to the Louisiana Art Museum and Kronborg Castle, both of which I think are must-visits. When we got back, we grabbed dinner at Llama, a funky Latin American restaurant with many gluten-free options.

We shared a bunch of small plates, including guacamole with homemade tortilla chips; ceviche with cod and mango; tomato and watermelon salad; and grilled lobster with roasted tomatoes and pineapple. I also had an order of pork tacos.

Tight Restaurant & Bar

Our final night in Copenhagen called for a special dinner at Tight Restaurant & Bar. Most menu items at this tiny spot (the name is definitely fitting!) can be made gluten-free. I had tomato soup with gluten-free bread followed by a homey beef entree with potatoes and veggies.

McDonald’s

When I realized McDonald’s in Denmark offered gluten-free buns, I knew I had to get a burger. So, on our way back from sightseeing one day, we popped into a McDonald’s and I grabbed a cheeseburger on a gluten-free bun.

This was my first time eating McDonald’s since my celiac diagnosis six years ago, and it really hit the spot! You do have to order at the counter (rather than from the machines) if you want the gluten-free bun.

Scandic Copenhagen

My hot tip for traveling to Europe is to stay at a hotel that has breakfast included since they tend to offer way more gluten-free options available than here in the U.S. I stayed at the Scandic Copenhagen and enjoyed freshly made gluten-free pancakes, gluten-free bread with a dedicated toaster, and more every morning.

Tell me: Have you been to Copenhagen—and if so, what were your favorite gluten-free finds?

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