Danish lunch looks like edible art. Each slice of dark rye bread is piled so high with toppings that you cannot see the bread: herring with onion rings and dill, a tangle of hand-peeled shrimp over egg, crisp fried fish with a lemon twist. You eat it with a knife and fork, one careful corner at a time.
Smørrebrød are Danish open sandwiches: a slice of dense rye bread (rugbrød) topped with anything from pickled herring and shrimp to egg, fish, roast beef or cheese. In Copenhagen they are a classic lunch, served at traditional restaurants such as Schønnemann (open since 1877) and Ida Davidsen, and at modern delis. In 2026 one piece costs roughly DKK 80–200 at a restaurant. Many toppings are fish or egg, which makes smørrebrød easier for Muslim travellers than most European lunches; some classics are pork.
This guide covers the toppings, the traditional order, how to eat them, where to go, halal points, prices and Danish phrases.
The bread matters
Danish rye bread is dark, dense, sour and packed with whole grains and seeds. It is spread with butter, or traditionally with pork fat (fedt) under some meat toppings, and must be sturdy enough to carry a heavy load.
Toppings and the traditional order
Danes eat smørrebrød in a set sequence: fish first, then meat, then cheese.
| Course | Topping | Halal check |
|---|---|---|
| Fish | Pickled herring (sild) with onion and dill | Fish; fine |
| Fish | Stjerneskud: fried and steamed plaice with shrimp, caviar and dressing | Fish; ask about the dressing |
| Fish | Egg and hand-peeled shrimp (æg og rejer) | Seafood; fine for most |
| Fish | Smoked salmon or smoked eel | Fish; fine |
| Vegetable | Potato with chives and crispy onions (kartoffelmad) | Usually fine; ask about mayo and fat |
| Meat | Roast beef with remoulade and crispy onions | Beef not halal-slaughtered |
| Meat | Liver pâté (leverpostej) with bacon | Usually pork: not halal |
| Meat | Meatballs (frikadeller) | Usually pork: not halal |
| Cheese | Aged Danish cheese with onion or radish | Usually fine; rennet varies |
How to eat smørrebrød
- Use a knife and fork. Picking it up is for takeaway only.
- Order two or three pieces per person for lunch.
- Follow the order: fish, meat, cheese.
- Share, and try as many toppings as you can.
Halal note: herring, shrimp, smoked salmon, stjerneskud, egg and potato toppings contain no pork, but ask whether the bread is spread with butter or pork fat, and about mayonnaise-based dressings. Liver pâté and meatballs are usually pork, and roast beef is not halal-slaughtered. Traditional lunches are often served with beer and aquavit; order water or juice. Copenhagen’s Nørrebro district has many halal restaurants. See our halal food travel guide.
Where to eat smørrebrød in Copenhagen
- Schønnemann – a classic lunch restaurant open since 1877; book ahead.
- Ida Davidsen – a family-run smørrebrød institution with a very long menu.
- Modern smørrebrød delis – lighter, more creative versions, often with takeaway.
- Torvehallerne food market – stalls selling smørrebrød to eat in or take away.
Smørrebrød is a lunch food; many traditional places close mid-afternoon. Check hours and book.
What it costs (2026)
| Order | Typical price |
|---|---|
| One piece at a traditional restaurant | About DKK 90–200 |
| One piece at a deli or market | About DKK 60–120 |
| Lunch for one (two or three pieces) | About DKK 200–450 |
Plan your budget with the Denmark food budget calculator and see tipping in Denmark.
Danish phrases
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sild, tak | Herring, please |
| Er der svinekød i? | Is there pork in it? |
| Er det smørret med smør eller fedt? | Is it spread with butter or pork fat? |
| Er det halal? | Is it halal? |
| Uden alkohol | Without alcohol |
| Tak | Thank you |
Frequently asked questions
What is smørrebrød?
Danish open sandwiches on dark rye bread, piled with toppings such as herring, shrimp, egg or roast beef.
Is smørrebrød halal?
Fish, egg and potato toppings are usually pork-free. Ask about pork fat on the bread, and avoid liver pâté and meatballs.
What order do you eat smørrebrød in?
Fish first, then meat, then cheese.
How much is smørrebrød in Copenhagen?
About DKK 60–200 per piece in 2026.
More from Northern Europe: raw herring in Amsterdam. See all Europe food guides.
Sources
- Visit Copenhagen – official tourism site.
- Smørrebrød.
