Gastronomic Delight at Spiseloppen in Copenhagen's Hippie Town

Don't judge a book by appearances, indeed! That's what I learned when I visited restaurant Spiseloppen at Copenhagen's own free town, Christiania. This autonomous neighborhood in the borough of Christianshavn is more known for the mild scent of cannabis in the air on Pusher Street, its no-cars-allowed rule, homemade houses and the remains of the hippie movement, so imagine my delight when I found out that this nondescript entrance....

... led up to this cozy restaurant!

Spiseloppen has quite a nice menu. My husband and my friend chose dishes like shrimp and venison while I opted for an appetizer of a green bean salad with nuts and toasted goat's cheese, a main course of chicken leg stuffed with shrimp and served with vegetables and a small melon-apple salad and for dessert--a divine chocolate cake with chocolate ganache, berries and mango ice cream. YUMYUMYUM!

Just take a look at how gorgeous that looks! And the taste was just as beautiful and bursting with flavor!

It will definitely not be the last time I visit Christiania for a culinary experience at Spiseloppen, and maybe to explore some of the other cafes in the free town.

What To Do In Copenhagen On A Summer Day

Go to one of the many flea markets about town and get yourself a good deal on nice stuff, e.g. Royal Copenhagen porcelain, like here at Kongens Nytorv.

Sit outdoors at a cafe and enjoy watching the Copenhageners walk by. 

Grab a quick lunch from one of the many takeout places in town and enjoy your meal in the sun. 

Hang out at a hotspot like Nyhavn with all types of people from tourists to hipsters. You can find other suggestions about what's fun to do in the area around Nyhavn here as well.

Be a photo buff for a day, break out the fancy lenses and cameras and shoot away.

Enjoy an old-fashioned Danish ice cream cone complete with whipped cream and a dollop of jam, like here in Nyhavn.

Have a dinner party outdoors and don't forget to chill some Asti for the occasion. 

Barbecue, Barbecue, Barbecue!!! Have grill, must barbecue!

Cross one of the many bridges in central Copenhagen and enjoy the view of the city on either side. 

Go sightseeing from the water and hop on one of the canal tour boats that offer guided tours around town.

Or you can rent a canoe and steer the boat yourself, like here in Lyngby Lake just outside Copenhagen.

Or rent a kayak in central Copenhagen, like here right near Børsen (The Stock Exchange).

And here's yet another option for exploring the city on your own by water while chilling with your pals. 

Sit in one of the many lovely parks in town, like here in Frederiksberg Have (Frederiksberg Garden).

Sugar and Sun After A Day's Work

I am privileged to work so centrally in Copenhagen that I'm only a few minutes away from the different "green oases", as they're called, that were built to give busy city people a break from hectic days.

One of these places is the spot by the lake beside Planetariet, which I've blogged about before. Five minutes walk from work, a 7-11 along the way to grab some sugar and I'm right there where the  sun shines, the breeze blows and I can people-watch to my heart's content. Or duck/seagull-watch. They actually outnumber the people...

Perfect for a short pit stop on the way home after a busy, hot work day indoors!

Street Market On Copenhagen's Little Bit Of Paris

One of my favorite streets in Copenhagen, Værnedamsvej, has welcomed springtime with a street market on this beautiful, sunny Saturday.

Værnedamsvej is a small street that connects Gammel Kongevej and Vesterbrogade on Frederiksberg. It's been known as the street that is a little bit of Paris in Copenhagen, because a number of French restaurants and shops as well as the French private school, Lycée Francais, are located on this street. It's a great area to explore if you want your morning muffin and coffee, new threads or a gastronomic fix, as lots of local Frederiksberg and Vesterbro residents do.

Crowded with happy people with strollers, dogs and bikes, there was a great feel to the street market, helped along with funky music that set the beat for everyone.

 

 

 Local shops had some great offers and displays for the day.

Check out the local optometrist's funky window display.

Some people had also arranged their own little flea markets with used clothes, dvds, porcelain and a lot more.

And then there were the more special things on sale. Like these vintage lamps...

...and these spotlights, which looked like they came straight from the rafters of a theatre.

 The restaurants and cafes of Værnedamsvej had their bit of the street market, too. 

People were also enjoying a little something for their taste buds in the sun at popular spots, like Les Trois Cochons...

... the wine bar, Falernum....

...and one of my favorite cafes from when I lived up on Gammel Kongevej, Caffe Viggo.

The guys of Cafe Viggo added to the street party feel as well by manning a hot dog stand. Nomnom!

The lucky ones, like these guys, had great vantage points from which they could follow everything going on up and down the street.

But whether or not there's a street market or party going on, I'd recommend a trip to Værnedamsvej if you like small, cozy shops, good food and wine.

Saturday Stupor Aka. Spoils of A Wedding Party

Getting over a (second) weddding party after a day of preparations, intense dancing and only one hour of sitting before finally getting some sleep at 4 a.m. makes for a very tired bride.

I needed a breakfast of quiche and cake, a relaxed walk down Gammel Kongevej while window shopping and a dose of caffeine in the sun by Planteriet and Sankt Jørgens Sø (Saint George's Lake) so that....

...I had strength to go back home with my husband and sort through all the wedding presents that needed unwrapping and the spoils of the party that needed storing. As if that was a hard task.  (Note the irony?)

I DO love wedding parties...especially my own! That's why it's so great that I've had the privilege of having two...or is it three....?

Spring Is Here! No, This Time It Really Is

Ok, so I've written a few times that spring has finally arrived in Copenhagen and every time had had to amend this because winter apparently wasn't quite done with its stay in town. But this time, THIS TIME, it's here! The temperature finally reached over 6 degrees Celcius, the sun was out and it was warm enough to enjoy being outdoors for a long walk.

If you don't believe me, check out the photos below:

Here are some sights from Frederiksberg Have (Frederiksberg Park)...

..... and here, by one of The Lakes, Sankt Jørgens Sø (St. George's Lake), near Tycho Brahe Planetarium...

Notice the swans' nest with eggs below.

The husband didn't mind posing by this fountain on Frederiksberg Alle on this fantastic official first real spring day. Can't wait until the trees start sprouting green leaves!

And as I might have mentioned in an earlier post, once the sun comes out, the Copenhageners find their spot in it and just soak in all its warm goodness. Like so:

Now to celebrate with some additions to my spring wardrobe... It's as good an excuse as any. :-)

An Afternoon at Christianshavn

The last day of the 5-day Easter holiday was another chilly yet sunny day.

My day was spent getting coffee and reading a book in the sun in Christianshavn, the neighborhood just across Knippelsbro (Knippel Bridge). No visit to the free town Christiania today, though. Just relaxing and enjoying my day off.

With a view of the canals, Vor Frelsers Kirke (Our Saviors Church) and the interesting people -- locals and tourists alike -- out enjoying the first day of April, I guess it's true that it's really those simple things that makes life a pleasure.