Ibens Smørrebrød awarded by Falstaff: Among the best Nordic street food destinations

The Copenhagen lunch restaurant receives high marks for its food, service and style in a newly published editorial restaurant guide.

Things have gotten busy in Denmark's smallest open-faced sandwich restaurant. The small place with only 6 tables and room for just 20 guests is buzzing with life and smiles these days. For Iben Herrik, it's almost too much of a good thing: “We should never forget the love behind what we serve – otherwise, we would be better off not serving it at all,” says the restaurateur who is posing here for a newspaper article in a Finnish daily.

Ibens Smørrebrød has been awarded 94 out of 100 points in the newly published Falstaff Streetfood Guide Nordics 2026 – an, for the restaurant unexpected, recognition that places the small Copenhagen restaurant among the guide’s notable destinations in Scandinavia.

Falstaff awarded the increasingly popular lunch restaurant 57 out of 60 points for food, 19 out of 20 for service and 18 out of 20 for style.

In its review, Falstaff highlights founder Iben Herrik’s two decades of experience working with Danish restaurateur Claus Meyer before opening her own smørrebrød restaurant in 2020. The guide draws particular attention to “the lavishly topped open-faced sandwiches”, served in a selection of three classics and three seasonal varieties.

Media interest in Ibens Smørrebrød has grown over the past few years. Once considered by visitors and locals as a hidden gem, the small lunch restaurant on Store Kongensgade in the heart of Copenhagen is now attracting increasing attention. Here, a Korean television crew visits the restaurant for a feature on Danish food traditions.

According to Falstaff’s editorial review, the egg and prawn smørrebrød is a guest favourite. The restaurant’s homemade iced tea is also singled out as an appealing alternative to the selection of beer and wine.

The recognition reflects the principles that have shaped Ibens Smørrebrød from the beginning: respect for Danish culinary tradition, carefully selected ingredients and an approach to hospitality that is both personal and informal.

High scores for food, service and style

From its home on Store Kongensgade in central Copenhagen, Ibens Smørrebrød presents a contemporary interpretation of one of Denmark’s most distinctive food traditions. Familiar flavors and classic craftsmanship are combined with seasonal inspiration, allowing the menu to remain rooted in tradition while continuing to evolve.

The 94-point rating is an acknowledgement of the work behind every plate – from the preparation of each individual component to the final composition and the welcome extended to every guest.

Reviews: Best traditional Danish lunch

The Falstaff recognition follows a series of mentions and reviews in Danish and international food magazines.

According to the user experience platform Google Reviews, Iben Herrik’s small, homely Danish lunch oasis is – described by previous visitors – placed in the top class of the Copenhagen food scene – an average of 747 guest reviews rates Iben’s Smørrebrød in the category of the very best Danish cuisine restaurants in Copenhagen, among places like Restaurant Schønnemann, Restaurant Møntergade and Kong Hans Kælder.

Ibens Smørrebrød is located at Store Kongensgade 116A, Copenhagen, Denmark.