"Noma" Dining At The World’s Best Restaurant - Things To Do In Copenhagen
Enter the world of fine living and beauty.
Denmark has some of the world’s most charming travel experiences, as well as a dining scene that sets it apart from the rest. It is one of the happiest countries in the world, and today we’ll look at some of its most beautiful natural wonders and places to visit while you’re in Copenhagen.
With its gorgeous scenery, attractive medieval-style towns, clean air, bike lanes, and friendly residents, you’ll have an urge to re-book a return trip even before you leave the country. To the Danes, life is meant to be lived to the fullest, not spent working in an office day and night.
Their motto is simple, “Just living is not enough.., one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
What was it like to eat at Noma - Ranked As The World's Best Restaurant :
Our journey started with a visit to the world’s best restaurant (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014) “Noma”.
Chef René Redzepi’s innovative recipes with locally produced ingredients make it a stand alone favorite for anyone visiting this place. The restaurant seats fewer than 100 diners each day, while thousands of people attempt to take one of Noma’s precious few tables the moment a ‘dining season’ opens for reservations on their website. To avoid last minute disappointment, it’s better to get your bookings done 3 to 4 months in advance.
The new Noma is located in the part of the city called Christiania, where fortified walls were built on landfill in the 1600’s to defend the city.
It’s important to remember that Noma has three distinct culinary seasons: Seafood, Vegetable, and Game. What was cool about the Seafood Season was that dishes were grouped into progressions based on the type of animal being served. First it was raw seafood, then shrimp, then fish, and finally finishing with crab before the dessert courses.
There is so much intricacy and thought put into everything at Noma, from the progression of dishes to the fact that a different type of wood is used in each of the dining areas, that it’s pretty much impossible to take it all in.
It was a beautiful Copenhagen summer day, and there is nothing more fun than hanging out at Noma just taking in the magic.
The 17 course Summer Season menu which runs through (June 1st – September 11th) appears one by one, properly timed, each delivered by their highly experienced chefs.
It began with a cold pressed beetroot juice served in a beautiful wooden like jar surrounded with the most delectable layer of flowers & plants – so that as you tilt your head to drink the juice, you get to smell the fragrant floral scents at the same time. It was a smooth start and got us all excited.
Redzepi spent two years researching whether eating ants is safe, where could he get them from, how to eat them, and how to build the courage to do so.
Today, the ants feature more modestly in one starter and one dessert while the grasshoppers feature in two of the starters.
The 1st juice pairing started with ‘ant lemonade’ (image on left) and the 2nd course was a cauliflower waffle (image on right) this was my mom’s favorite dish.
The 3rd course was – sliced red pepper looked like iberico ham (image on left) and the 4th course was gooseberry olives.
The 2nd juice pairing was citrus seaweed and jasmine, it has been told that seaweed improves heart health and jasmine promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut and has been found to eliminate harmful bacteria.
The taste was impeccable.
The 3rd juice pairing was of cucumber and parsley. Parsley is always known for its mild diuretic properties with high minerals and vitamins content. A healthy drink is always the right drink.
The 5th course was – Mexican oregano brushed with oyster & parsley and the oyster leaf was from their garden, each with their own “sauce” but with oyster as a recurring theme. A super rich and an intense dish, where each bite felt like winning an Olympic Gold medal.
One of my favorite bites of the night was this 6th course (Seafood Platter), which was served with a delicious paste underneath. It was rich in flavor and felt like every bite needed attention due to its remarkable taste.
The 4th juice pairing was of saffron and beeswax, delicate and fresh that punches your palate and refreshes the mouth again.
The 5th juice pairing was cold infused malawi antlers and cherry blossoms blended with a mirabelle blossom kombucha. The blossoms were lovingly hand-picked by their own team in May, when they were first in bloom.
The 7th course was shrimp mousse, this was my favorite by far, it literally melted in my mouth quicker than an ice cream!
The 8th course was Jellied peas, lightly cooked with mushroom gel and cream. We were told that these delicious peas are shelled twice; first from the husk, which is reserved for juicing and cooking the peas, and then shelled once more which results in a beautifully tender texture. Another dish that I instantly fell in love with.
The 6th juice pairing was with hipberry and rooibos. It tasted very healthy.
The below images are a continuation from our meal.
Noma is an experiment that combines a counterculture vibe with the best food in the world. The service was flawless, and I have nothing but praise for this team's fantastic creations.
Noma isn’t a place where you go to “have a meal”, it's a place where you let your taste buds tingle.
Top 4 Must See Natural Wonders Of Denmark :
Stevens Klint :
This is one of Denmark’s most spectacular natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This geological site comprises a 15 km-long fossil-rich coastal cliff, offering exceptional evidence of the impact of the meteorite that crashed into the planet at the end of the Cretaceous, about 65 million years ago.
Researchers think that this caused the most remarkable mass extinction ever, responsible for the disappearance of over 50 per cent of all life on Earth. The layers in the cliff reveal one of the biggest events in the history of the Earth: which contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs and half of the Earth’s flora and fauna.
The site harbors a record of the cloud of ash formed by the impact of the meteorite – the exact site being at the bottom of the ocean off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. An exceptional fossil record is visible at the site, showing the complete succession of fauna and micro-fauna charting the recovery after the mass extinction.
Mors Island :
A stunning island in Denmark’s Limfjorden, Mors Island is certainly worth your time. Known for its beautiful landscape, local delicacies, and long, undisturbed coastline, the Limfjord is a haven for foodies, nature lovers and families alike!
The island is a hidden gem, complete with spectacular views. Here at Mors, you have to see Hanklit, which is the most famous MoClay dune, all of 61 meter high. Its rich history is as old as time, and its beauty is very special to say the least.
Råbjerg Mile :
The largest migrating dune in Denmark, Råbjerg Mile is 1 km long, and 1 km wide. The dune is migrating because each year it moves about 15 meters Northeast. This happens due to harsh winds and is a unique phenomenon.
Råbjerg Mile is located in the Northern Jutland area of Denmark. With white sand beaches, endless grass, sand dunes, and vast forests make up some of the most remarkable sceneries. North Jutland is also home to towering lighthouses, national parks and magnificent nature for those who prefer hiking trips and relaxing walks, rather than busy cities filled with car horns and lots of people.
Northern Lights :
Talking about natural wonders, one cannot possibly overlook the Northern Lights, also called aurora borealis. They’re caused by solar storms and giant flares from the sun, which send blasts of charged particles towards our planet. When these particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, the glowing colors we know as the northern lights are the result.
These displays can take on different shapes, movements, colors and brightness, they are often perceived as being green, but when conditions are right, they can appear in a veritable rainbow of other colors. This atmospheric phenomenon is best viewed on clear nights with no moon and few clouds. Denmark is blessed with this beautiful phenomenon, and you have to see it with your own eyes to believe it.
Top 4 Must Visit Places And Things To Do In Copenhagen :
Tivoli Gardens :
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen is the second oldest amusement park in the world, known for its vintage and fairytale charm. Opened in 1843, the park makes you feel like you have stepped back in time.
The Garden has many attractions that could keep a visitor busy for hours. There is a laser light show, pantomime show and nostalgic rides like a ferris wheel and carousel from a bygone era.
Fun Facts :
– Most visited seasonal park in the world.
– Consists of an amusement park, concert hall, aquarium and performing arts theater.
– Walt Disney was inspired by what he saw at Tivoli Gardens and created Disneyland based on similar concepts.
– There are nearly forty-five different types of restaurants, cafes and food stands.
Boat Tours :
Since Copenhagen is an old maritime city, one of the best things to do in Copenhagen is to sail down its charming canals. You can either join a guided canal tour or rent a solar-energy driven boat and be your own captain. Seeing the city from the water can help you find your bearings before diving into the maze of historic streets on foot.
Take a trip to Flakfortet which is a 100-year old man-made island and fortress or enjoy the sailing cruises in the harbor along the coast.
Christiansborg Palace :
Copenhagen was officially founded in 1167 on the very spot where Christiansborg Palace is located. Established upon the Slotsholmen islet, this palace is now a home to the Supreme Court of Denmark, Prime Minister’s Office, and Danish Parliament.
For those who are curious about the political scenario of the country and have a thing for well-architectured buildings, Christiansborg Palace is a must visit!
What to see in the Palace :
– The Queen’s reception rooms
– The ruins beneath christiansborg palace
– The palace church (Open only on Sundays)
– The parliament (folketinget)
– The royal kitchen
The National Museum of Denmark :
