Food & Drink

Chasing La Dolce Vita at Cecconi’s Copenhagen

Those looking for classic Italian food in Copenhagen can’t go wrong with Cecconi’s Copenhagen, a Venetian-style restaurant that brings to mind clinking glasses at aperitivo hour, streets steeped in history, abundant produce, and a quick espresso at the counter.

There’s a certain magic to Italy that sucks people around the world into daydreams ruled by dolce far niente. We’re unabashedly romanticizing, for sure. But what better remedy for the harshness of Scandinavian weather than a little bit of romance (is romance the new hygge? You decide!)? And good food, of course.

In Italy, food is the main character; for all of us who are eager to insert a dose of dolce vita into our non-Italian lives, food offers a welcome shortcut to do exactly that.

 

 

Founded in the 70s in London’s Mayfair, Cecconi’s became a part of Soho House in 2004 and can now be found across the globe, from New York to Mumbai to, yes, Copenhagen. On the menu: northern Italian classics, elevated, but without pretension.

Situated in a former customs house adjacent to the harbor, Cecconi’s Copenhagen boasts gorgeous sunset views across the water. While being located on the premises of members’ club Soho House, it’s open to the public from 1st April 2024.

Hailing from neighboring Malmö, Head chef Joakim Kjærkner infuses the restaurant’s Venetian-inspired cuisine with a Nordic note. He says, “The magic of Cecconi’s lies in its heritage as a traditional northern Italian restaurant, serving handmade pasta, seafood, and dishes from Italy enjoyed globally for over 30 years. You can expect all of our Cecconi’s favorites as well as dishes with a Nordic twist such as, Pike perch with venus clams and puttanesca and White asparagus, brown butter, and vendace roe as menu highlights, especially created for Cecconi’s Copenhagen.”

 

 

Snack on zucchini fritti or northern shrimps with aioli while grabbing a glass at aperitivo hour, sample the signature spaghetti lobster at your next dinner date, or share a pizza before a night out. Whatever you’re in the mood for, Cecconi’s has you covered.

The interior of the restaurant feels like a cozy blend of Rome and London, dotted throughout with nods to the space’s Scandi roots. Just as with the menu, it’s classic Italian with a Nordic twist. The color palette of the entire ground floor of the house is inspired by the proximity to Nyhavn with its boldly colored facades. Kvadrat linen curtains frame the stunning harbor views, creating a luminous effect against the almost floor-to-ceiling windows.

Like the rest of the social members club and co-working space Soho House, Cecconi’s features works by emerging and museum-level artists, among them Copenhagen-born Peter Bonde who manipulates and overpaints books covers from his personal library and Danish chef-turned-designer and artist Lulu Kaalund who’s known for her colorful crochet works.

 

 

Last but not least, the ultimate location for endless Scandi summer nights: the terrace overlooking the harbor, pastel skies included.

The restaurant offers dinner on Monday and Tuesday, both lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Friday, and a weekend brunch menu.

 

Cecconi’s Copenhagen

Havnegade 44
1058 Copenhagen K, Denmark

Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat 6:00 – midnight (dinner)
Weds – Fri 12:00 – 3:00 pm (lunch)
Sat & Sun 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (brunch)

Want more of the best food in Copenhagen? See our ultimate guide to all the restaurants you need to know about.

Looking for more Italian? Here are the best Italian restaurants in Stockholm.

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Kay Litzinger

Kay is a creative multi-hyphenate with a focus on lifestyle and travel. After growing up in Germany and stints in Stockholm and Mexico City, he's now based in Copenhagen. He loves to explore new cities, one cup of coffee or glass of wine at a time. Get a sneak peek at @kayltr.