The best pastries in Copenhagen: where to find them

Last Updated on August 3, 2026 by Ioana

If there is one thing I knew I wanted to eat in Copenhagen, it was pastries. That’s because I have a huge sweet tooth so I wanted to try the best pastries in Copenhagen. 

Denmark is famous for its pastries. From fluffy cardamom buns and cinnamon rolls to flaky croissants, sourdough bread, saffron buns, and beautifully decorated seasonal pastries, there is no shortage of things to try.

And if you’re anything like me, choosing where to go can actually be overwhelming. There are so many Copenhagen bakeries that it would be impossible to visit them all during one trip.

So I did what I always do when traveling: I ate my way through the city and formed some very strong opinions.

I tried pastries at several of Copenhagen’s most famous bakeries, including Juno the Bakery, Sankt Peders Bageri, and Andersen Bageri. Some were absolutely worth the hype. Others I wouldn’t go out of my way for.

In this guide, I’m sharing the best pastries in Copenhagen and where to find them. Including what I ordered, which bakeries have seating, and which ones I’d prioritize if you only have a few days in the Danish capital.

And yes, I have a favorite. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

Juno the Bakery: Best Cardamom Buns

If you’re searching for the best cardamom buns in Copenhagen, Juno the Bakery is probably going to come up again and again.

And for good reason.

Juno is one of the city’s most famous bakeries, and its fluffy cardamom buns have become something of an institution.

The bakery is located in Østerbro, so you’ll need to venture a little outside the main city center to get there.

I took the metro because I was determined to try it.

And yes, the pastry lived up to the hype. So much so that I came here twice.

The cardamom bun was soft, fragrant, and perfectly spiced without being overwhelmingly sweet.

I also tried other pastries from them. I loved their strawberry and cream milk bun. The rhubarb bun and vanilla custard bun were also great. I didn’t like their almond bun, however.

The only thing I didn’t love about Juno is the seating situation.

There are only a few tables outside, and they’re almost always occupied. What’s particularly awkward is that the queue runs right between the tables.

So if you’re sitting down eating your pastry, people waiting in line are essentially standing right next to you and staring at your food.

I decided not to sit down because I honestly felt like I would have choked on my cardamom bun with everyone watching me eat it lol.

There is no seating inside either.

Still, if love pastries, I think Juno is worth adding to your Copenhagen itinerary.

You can also buy butter cookies to take home as an edible souvenir. I bought their cardamom butter cookies. When in Denmark, you cardamom, duh.

What to order: Cardamom bun

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Seating: Very limited outdoor seating, no indoor seating

Worth the trip? Yes.

Sankt Peders Bageri: My Second Favorite

Sankt Peders Bageri was my second favorite bakery in Copenhagen. It’s a much more convenient option if you’re staying around the city center.

I actually preferred it to Juno in one respect: the queue was much shorter.

When I visited, I waited only about five minutes. That’s much better compared with the 20–30 minute lines at Juno.

And the pastries were really good. I truly believe that eating pastries is one of the best things to do in Copenhagen.

I tried the cardamom bun, which was soft and fragrant, but my favorite was the vanilla custard and saffron bun.

This was such a unique flavor combination. I hadn’t seen anything quite like it at the other Copenhagen bakeries I visited.

The bun itself was soft and the saffron added a subtle fragrance. There was plenty of creamy vanilla custard without the whole thing becoming overly sweet.

My only complaint is, once again, the seating.

Sankt Peders Bageri is tiny, with only about three tables inside. So while you can technically sit down, your chances of actually getting a table aren’t particularly high.

But if you’re looking for excellent Danish pastries without traveling all the way to Østerbro, this is a great spot.

What to order: Vanilla custard and saffron bun, cardamom bun

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Seating: About three tables inside

Worth the trip? Definitely, especially if you’re already in central Copenhagen.

Andersen Bageri: Best for Creative Cakes

I visited Andersen Bakery about an hour before closing since they were near my hotel (check out my Copenhagen hotel guide for my recommendations on where to stay).

So unfortunately, my cardamom bun wasn’t as fresh as it probably would have been earlier in the day.

The flavor was good, but the texture had lost some of that soft, fresh quality I look for in a great pastry.

However, the cakes completely redeemed the visit.

When I went, they were doing a special Japan-inspired theme, and the selection was absolutely beautiful.

I tried cakes featuring flavors including cherry blossom, pistachio and yuzu, and passion fruit.

And these were genuinely 10/10.

What I particularly loved was that the flavors actually matched their descriptions. Sometimes beautiful pastries sound incredible on paper but end up tasting mostly like sugar.

Not here.

The flavors were distinct, the cakes weren’t overly sweet, and everything looked as good as it tasted.

There are also a few tables inside, which is always a bonus in Copenhagen.

If you’re more interested in cakes and individual pastries than just getting a traditional cinnamon bun, I’d definitely put Andersen Bageri on your list.

What to order: Seasonal cakes, cardamom bun

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Seating: A few tables inside

Worth the trip? Yes, particularly if you’re a cake person.

Lagkagehuset: Best for Seating

Here’s a bakery I have a little history with.

If you’ve been to New York City, you may already know Lagkagehuset under a different name: Ole & Steen.

When I was living in NYC, there was one just a couple of blocks from me near Bryant Park, and it became my go-to bakery.

So naturally, I had to visit the original Danish version while I was in Copenhagen.

And I was very happy to see that the pastries were just as good.

I tried the cardamom and cinnamon social, as well as some of their bread and seed buns, which are the kind of bread I love eating with butter and cheese.

The big advantage of Lagkagehuset for travelers is the seating.

One of my biggest pet peeves with Copenhagen bakeries is how little seating many of them have. You can wait in a long line, buy an amazing pastry, and then realize there is nowhere to actually sit down and enjoy it.

Lagkagehuset is different.

It’s one of the better options if you want to sit down with your pastry and a cup of coffee rather than eating it while walking around Copenhagen.

It’s also a chain, so it doesn’t have quite the same tiny, neighborhood-bakery feel as Juno or Sankt Peders. But sometimes convenience wins.

What to order: Cardamom social, cinnamon social, seed buns

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Seating: Much more seating than most Copenhagen bakeries

Worth the trip? Yes, especially if you want somewhere comfortable to sit.

Andersen & Maillard: Best for Coffee and Pastries

Andersen & Maillard is another name you’ll see frequently when researching the best bakeries in Copenhagen.

The bakery and coffee shop is known for combining high-quality coffee with beautifully made pastries, so it’s a particularly good option if you want both rather than treating the pastry as an afterthought.

Their pastries tend to be more modern than traditional Danish bakery fare, with laminated doughs, seasonal ingredients, and creative combinations.

It’s the kind of place I’d put on my list for a slower morning: grab a pastry, order good coffee, and take your time rather than rushing in and out.

If you’re a serious coffee person as well as a pastry lover, this is one to consider.

What to order: Seasonal pastries and coffee

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Seating: Varies by location

Worth the trip? Yes if you’re interested in both specialty coffee and pastries.

Hart Bageri: A Copenhagen Bakery Classic

You’ll probably notice Hart Bageri while exploring Copenhagen because it has multiple locations throughout the city.

The bakery was founded by Richard Hart, a former Noma head baker, and has developed a strong reputation for sourdough bread and flaky pastries.

Think buttery croissant, cinnamon bun, cardamom croissant (not just buns!), sourdough breakfast buns, and excellent bread.

I didn’t actually stop for a full pastry experience at Hart during my trip. Thus, I can’t give you the same firsthand review I can for Juno or Sankt Peders.

But if you’re looking for a bakery that combines serious bread-making with high quality pastries, it’s a very good name to know.

And because there are several locations, it’s easy to work into your sightseeing rather than planning your entire morning around a bakery.

What to order: Cardamom buns, cinnamon buns, croissants, sourdough bread

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Worth the trip? Yes, especially if you happen to pass one.

Conditori La Glace: Best for Cakes

If you’re looking for cakes rather than breakfast pastries, head to Conditori La Glace.

This is Copenhagen’s historic cake institution and is very different from the modern bakeries on this list.

The interior feels old-fashioned and elegant, and there is plenty of seating both inside and outside.

And then there’s the cake menu.

There were so many options that I found it genuinely overwhelming to decide what to order.

My mom and I eventually chose two cakes, and both were very good. One was a mousse-based cake and the other one had apples and custard.

The big advantage here is that you can actually sit down and make an occasion out of it.

There was one thing that left a bad taste in my mouth, though. And it wasn’t the cake.

When my mom and I arrived, we already had iced coffees we’d bought from another coffee shop. We were still drinking them when we decided to stop at La Glace for cake.

The servers told us we couldn’t keep the coffees on the table. And that had to put them on the ground because only their own drinks were allowed on the tables.

I completely understand the restaurant’s policy. What bothered me was the way it was handled.

We weren’t deliberately trying to break the rules. And I would have been perfectly happy to move the drinks if someone had simply explained it kindly.

The complete lack of empathy left me with a bad impression despite genuinely enjoying the cakes.

Another thing to know: La Glace only serves brewed coffee rather than espresso-based drinks.

What to order: Cake. Whichever flavor catches your eye!

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐

Seating: Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating

Worth the trip? Yes, especially for cake lovers.

Lille Bakery: A Small Neighborhood Favorite

If you want to get away from the most famous tourist bakeries, Lille Bakery is a lovely option.

The name literally means “little bakery,” and that’s part of its charm. It has more of that neighborhood atmosphere that makes Copenhagen’s food scene so appealing.

You’ll find bread, pastries, and seasonal baked goods made with high-quality ingredients.

It’s a good choice if you want to experience the Copenhagen bakery scene the way locals do rather than chasing only the viral spots.

What to order: Seasonal pastries and bread

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bageriet Brød: Great for Traditional Danish Baking

Bageriet Brød is another bakery worth adding to your list if you want traditional Danish baking rather than elaborate modern pastries.

Look for classic sweet pastries, cinnamon buns, rye bread, and other freshly baked goods.

It’s the kind of neighborhood bakery where you can pick up something simple and grab a cup of coffee.

If this is your first time in Copenhagen, don’t feel like every pastry needs to be something wildly inventive.

Some of the best Danish pastries are the simplest ones, made with excellent dough, butter, spices, and quality ingredients.

What to order: Cinnamon bun, Danish pastry, rye bread

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mirabelle Bakery: Best for Bread and Pastries

Mirabelle Bakery is another great option for anyone interested in Copenhagen’s sourdough and bread culture as much as its sweet pastries.

The bakery focuses heavily on naturally fermented bread and high-quality ingredients, with pastries available alongside the loaves.

If you’re staying in the area, it’s a good place to pick up breakfast or something to take back to your hotel.

And if you love bread as much as I do, don’t overlook the savory side of Copenhagen’s bakeries. A really good sourdough loaf with butter and cheese can be just as satisfying as a cinnamon bun.

What to order: Sourdough bread and seasonal pastries

My verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Favorite Copenhagen Pastries

If you’re short on time and don’t want to visit ten bakeries, here’s where I’d focus.

🥇 Juno the Bakery

Get: Cardamom bun

My top pick for the classic Copenhagen cardamom bun. The seating is terrible, but the pastry is worth it.

🥈 Sankt Peders Bageri

Get: Vanilla custard and saffron bun

My second favorite bakery and my favorite pastry discovery. The saffron and vanilla custard combination was so good.

🥉 Andersen Bageri

Get: Seasonal cakes

The cardamom bun wasn’t as fresh when I visited near closing, but the cakes were outstanding.

For seating: Lagkagehuset

If you actually want to sit down and enjoy your pastry with coffee, this is one of my top choices.

For cake: Conditori La Glace

Go here when you want a proper cake-and-coffee break rather than a quick pastry.

What Pastries Should You Try in Copenhagen?

If it’s your first time in Copenhagen, don’t leave without trying at least a few of these:

• Cardamom bun – probably my favorite Scandinavian pastry. If you take a day trip from Copenhagen to Sweden, make sure to try a cardamom bun there too.
• Cinnamon bun – a classic and usually easy to find
• Saffron bun – particularly if you find one like the incredible version at Sankt Peders
• Danish pastry – try a few different fillings because they’re not all the same
• Croissant – Copenhagen bakeries do excellent laminated pastries
• Sourdough bread – especially if you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen
• Rye bread – a staple of Danish food culture
• Seasonal pastries – these can be some of the most creative things in the pastry case

And don’t be afraid to order something you’ve never heard of.

That’s how I ended up discovering my favorite pastry of the entire trip: the vanilla custard and saffron bun at Sankt Peders.

Tips for Visiting Copenhagen’s Best Bakeries

Go early

If there’s a specific pastry you absolutely want to try, go earlier rather than later.

I learned this at Andersen Bageri, where I visited about an hour before closing. The cardamom bun was still good, but it wasn’t nearly as fresh in texture as it would have been earlier in the day.

Don’t assume there will be seating

This is probably my biggest Copenhagen bakery tip.

Many bakeries have very limited seating.

Juno has only a few outdoor tables and no indoor seating. Sankt Peders has only a handful of tables. Even some of the most famous bakeries are designed more for takeaway than for sitting down.

If you want to linger over a pastry and coffee, look specifically for a bakery with an adjoining café. Or choose somewhere like Lagkagehuset or Conditori La Glace.

Expect queues at the famous bakeries

The most popular Copenhagen bakeries can have long lines, particularly on weekends.

Juno is the most obvious example. I waited around 20–30 minutes, while Sankt Peders took only about five minutes when I visited.

Personally, I’d rather wait 20 minutes for an exceptional pastry than an hour for something that’s merely Instagram-famous.

Try more than cardamom buns

I love a cardamom bun as much as anyone, but Copenhagen’s bakery scene goes far beyond them.

Try cinnamon swirls, flaky croissants, seasonal pastries, sourdough bread, rye bread, cakes, and savory pastries.

Some of my favorite discoveries were the things I hadn’t specifically gone looking for.

My Perfect Copenhagen Bakery Day

If I could repeat one pastry-filled morning in Copenhagen, I’d keep it simple.

I’d start with a cardamom bun from Juno, head back toward the city center, and stop at Sankt Peders for the vanilla custard and saffron bun.

Then I’d find a coffee shop, sit somewhere with a little natural light, and take a break from sightseeing.

And if I still had room (which is a big if!) I’d finish with one of the beautiful cakes at Andersen Bageri.

Copenhagen is one of Europe’s culinary hotspots, and honestly, its bakeries are one of my favorite reasons to visit.

You don’t need a complicated food itinerary. Pick a bakery, order something that looks good, and grab a cup of coffee.

Enjoy the very Danish ritual of slowing down for a pastry. Sometimes that’s the best part of traveling.