The Best Shops in Copenhagen for Sustainable (and Stylish) Souvenirs

When it opened in Copenhagen in 2010, Gågrøn (Go Green) put the once-dodgy stretch of Jægersborggade on the map with its smartly produced homewares and cleverly designed beauty supplies. Today the shop remains a haven of eco-conscious everyday products, like disposable plates made from biodegradable palm leaves. Nearby, B Corp–certified concept store Res-Res carries only responsibly minded brands—including Nørrebro’s own Kintobe, whose popular bum bags are produced from recycled materials. 

Among the best of a new breed of forward-thinking bakeries in the city is Collective Bakery, from local roasters Coffee Collective. The gourmet patisserie is committed to reinventing—and elevating—what would normally be discarded: Treats like the best-selling lemon wave are made from leftover croissant-dough trimmings, while unsold breads are repurposed in hardy rolls. Visitors can also get free sourdough starters or buy the same organic local flour used in the bakery. 

Design shop Knast (“knot in wood”) is all about serious craftsmanship, stocking only handmade items—from sleek wooden coffee tables and shelving units created by owner Anders Andersen to ceramics by co-owner Carla Jørsum. (Jørsum’s colorful “weather cups,” which are painted with primitivist images of rain clouds, suns, and rainbows, have become collector’s items among locals.) Andersen also runs regular workshops on crafts such as stool carving. 

With its small plates, craft beers on tap, and java brewed from locally roasted, eco-certified beans, corner café Arrebo is breathing new life into The Black Square, a less frequented part of Superkilen— the urban park designed in collaboration with superstar local architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group. Restaurant and bar Friheden (“Freedom”), meanwhile, sits at the heart of the district, between walls of street art and skate ramps. On offer: specialty coffee and a neat list of natural wines you can enjoy indoors and out. 

Down the street from Gågrøn, sleek secondhand shop Tú a Tú stocks pre-loved, expertly curated womenswear, exclusively selecting clothing in near-perfect condition and unworn items from contemporary Scandinavian brands such as Ganni and Acne Studios. There are rare finds to be snapped up, including Danish knitting phenomenon Lærke Bagger’s handcrafted sweaters, made entirely of yarn scraps. New accessories are scattered around the shop, from bright socks to hair clips in delicate pastels. 

A collection of concept menswear stores has popped up on charming Elmegade, each presenting a distinct take on contemporary Scandinavian menswear: Grocery carries high-end labels with timeless silhouettes, like sustainable Danish brand Another Aspect, while local streetwear favorite Packyard handpicks items that marry practicality with style—from The North Face puffers to Newline Halo’s activewear, inspired by the Danish special forces. 

For imbibing, Steffi, a natural-wine shop on the corner of Stefansgade, chooses its offerings based on whether they “taste well”—be they red, white, orange, or alcohol-free. This unpretentious approach is mirrored in the fun tennis-ball logo (the name is an homage to both the street and the German tennis legend), rose-painted floors, and a selection from predominantly small European wineries. Shoppers can borrow glasses and head to nearby Nørrebroparken to imbibe. steffigraf.dk

This article appeared in the December 2022 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.