Restaurant Schønnemann

Restaurant Schønnemann at Hauser Plads 16, in Copenhagen's Indre By near Kultorvet, is a lunch-only smørrebrød house that has served Denmark's best-known open-faced sandwiches since 1877. It is run in the same traditional style it has kept for generations, and it is regarded by many Copenhageners as a benchmark for classic smørrebrød rather than a modern reinterpretation. The cooking is Danish and unfussy: dark rye bread is the base, and each piece is built with butter, a main topping and garnishes in the old-fashioned way. Signature plates include the herring plate with curry salad and rye bread, pan-fried plaice fillet on rye with remoulade, and roast beef with remoulade and crispy onions. Orders are placed one piece at a time, and the traditional pairing is a cold snaps, often caraway or another aquavit, alongside a beer. The dining room is low-ceilinged and wood-panelled, with a long-established, slightly hushed feel, a mix of local office workers, regulars and visitors, and no dress code beyond everyday smart-casual. Noise levels are moderate, and the room is small enough that conversations at neighbouring tables are easy to overhear. Service is brisk and formal in the Danish lunch tradition. Because the restaurant serves lunch only, typically Monday to Saturday from about 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on Sunday, the sittings are compressed and tables fill quickly. Walk-in lunch is possible, but tables are limited, so booking by phone on +45 33 12 07 85 or through the website is the safer approach, particularly for groups and on weekends in the tourist season. Most diners spend about DKK 300-500 (about USD 47-78) per person depending on how many pieces and how much snaps they order. A first-time visitor typically orders three to four pieces each, mixing one fish, one meat and one lighter option, which fills a full lunch without needing a separate starter.