Dining out in Denmark can be expensive compared to your home country, but if you feel like splurging, you will not be disappointed! Aarhus's selection of restaurants, cafés, food festivals, and supermarkets increase every year, - by number, quality, and diversity. Besides the introduction sections you find listed below (Vegetarian, Traditional Danish food, and Family-friendly restaurants), you can check out these links with full lists (in English) on various eating places in Aarhus:
Food Markets in Aarhus
Vegetarian:
Most restaurants in Aarhus serves vegetarian dishes, and even those that don't will often be able to rustle something up if you ask. If you are interested in seeing some reviews of some of Aarhus' vegan, vegetarian, and vegetarian friendly restaurants, see here. The map (in Danish) on the Danish Vegetarian Association's website is a helpful resource for finding vegetarian restaurants, cafés, and shops in Aarhus, but here are a few to get you started.
Café Gaya offers homemade meals made with 100% fresh and organic ingredients in an energy-boosting atmosphere.
Mikuna is a vegan take-away café which offers deliciously-filling burgers and sandwiches.
Another option is the Folkekøkken run by the Trøjborg Community House (Trøjborg Beboerhus) where a meal cooked from ingredients donated by the Open Air Farmers' Market on Ingerslevs Boulevard and Emmerys Bakery is shared by members of the community for free. That means that everyone is welcome to join. The project also has a Facebook page where further information can be found.
Traditional Danish food
Several restaurants in Aarhus serve traditional Danish dishes.
Restaurant Pinden offers both lunch and dinner menus and on Saturdays. It is also possible to enjoy a truly Danish buffet.
Teater Bodega is an old and cosy restaurant near Aarhus Teater (Aarhus Theatre) serving both lunch and dinner menus.
Restaurant Kohalen is known for its big beefsteaks.
Kähler Spisesalon is one of the places serving the traditional Danish “smørrebrød”, a kind of open face sandwich. This restaurant is not in the cheap end of the scale, but the smørrebrød is great!
Raadhus Kafeen is an old and traditional place, across the street from the City Hall.
Den Lille Kro serves classic Danish dishes according to the standards of former generations.
Family-friendly restaurants
Bringing kids to the restaurant does not have to be a challenge. Here are a few Aarhus restaurants with family friendly menus and atmospheres.
Café Ziggy is a great place for food in a hurry. This is a classic café where nobody will look at you for bringing your children - the whole family is welcome. Also, the place is right next to the canal which gives an atmosphere of life and spirit. In the summer - or in autumn days with warm weather and gas lamps on - you can sit outside next to the canal. The menu includes wraps, burgers, sandwiches, and all sorts of salads.
Hos Sofies Forældre (At Sofie's Parents) feels like a home away from home. Visiting this place feels like coming home to the grandparents; soft, deep chairs and couches, nicely set tables with tablecloths and an easy and cosy vibe. The restaurant is only open during daytime and serves coffees, cakes, and lunch dishes.
GLAD! is, as the name indicates, happy food ("glad" means "happy"). The food, which is made of mostly organic ingredients, can be enjoyed either in the small, cosy café or as takeaway. Some examples of the dishes on offer are pancakes with stuffing, sandwiches, homemade cookies, smoothies, or a bun with eco-tella.
