Århus & Food

Århus is Denmark’s second city and the dining scene doesn’t feel like it.

Frederikshøj and Substans both score a perfect 100 on Vota. French restaurants are the most-rated category in the city, which is unusual and worth paying attention to. The scene is smaller than Copenhagen but the gap at the top is smaller than you’d think.

Prices are generally lower than the capital. A good pizza costs 85–95 DKK, a casual meal 100–150 DKK. The Mexican and Middle Eastern scenes are better here than they have any right to be. Faour is a genuine standout.

Århus has a younger, more relaxed feel than Copenhagen. Fewer tourist traps, more neighbourhood spots that genuinely deliver. If you have one serious meal here, make it fine dining or French.

Before you eat

Stjerneskud. The classic Danish lunch dish — fried plaice on white bread with remoulade, shrimp, and lemon. You’ll see it everywhere. Try Kohalen if you want it done properly.

Port city. Århus is a working port and the seafood reflects it. The harbour area has several good spots worth the walk.

University city. The largest university in Denmark is here. Lots of young people, which keeps the food scene honest and prices a bit more reasonable than Copenhagen.

Reservations. Fine dining books up fast, especially on weekends. Everywhere else you can usually walk in or call a day ahead.

Budget. Cheaper than Copenhagen. A good lunch runs 100–180 DKK, dinner 200–400 DKK. Fine dining starts around 600 DKK per person and goes from there.

Fine Dining

The ceiling here is as high as anywhere in Denmark. Frederikshøj (Vota 100) and Substans (Vota 100) both score perfectly and are worth going out of your way for. Expect tasting menus, book well in advance.

100
Frederikshøj
One of the best restaurants in Denmark. Serious tasting menus, serious wine list.
Fine Dining
Oddervej 19-21, 8000 Århus C
100
Substans
Simple, natural, focused. Inspired by the landscape around Århus. Very good.
Fine Dining
Mariane Thomsens Gade 2F, Århus, 8000, Denmark
100
Varna Palæet
A Neoclassical building from 1908, right by the water. Beautiful setting for a special occasion.
Fine Dining
Ørneredevej 3, 8000 Århus, Denmark

French

French is the most-rated category in Århus, which tells you something about what this city does well. Restaurant ET (Vota 100) and ET (Vota 99) are both excellent, both operating in the French-Danish tradition. Vota 80 or above.

100
Restaurant Anker
French and Danish cooking together in a fine dining setting. One of the best meals in the city.
French
Fiskerivej 12, 8000 Århus, Denmark
100
ET
French
Mindegade 8B stuen, 8000 Århus C
99
Atelier 33
Smaller and more inventive than the bigger names. Worth seeking out.
French
M. P. Bruuns Gade 33, 8000 Århus, DK

Most popular dishes

DishTypical price
Steak Tartare99 DKK
Confit de Canard135 DKK
Moules Frites92 DKK
Salmon240 DKK
Ribeye158 DKK

Pizza

Smaller scene than Copenhagen but the top end is solid. Il Locale (Vota 94) leads by a clear margin. Most pizzas cost 85–95 DKK. Vota 75 or above.

94
Il Locale
The best pizza in Århus, and it’s not particularly close. Good ingredients, done well.
Pizza
Guldsmedgade 36, 8000 Århus, DK
89
Il Padrino Pizzeria since 1994
Authentic sourdough, been doing it since 1994. Cozy and reliable.
Pizza
Storegade 11, 8382 Hinnerup, DK
85
Spröd
Wood-fired and ecological. Good for a quality slice without the sit-down.
Pizza
Rosenvangs Allé 214, Århus, 8270, DK

Most popular dishes

DishTypical price
Pizza Pepperoni89 DKK
Calzone90 DKK
Pizza Margherita79 DKK
Pizza Hawaii84 DKK
Pizza Gorgonzola93 DKK

Burger

Fewer options than Copenhagen and scores are lower, but Brødrenes Original (Vota 88) is a proper burger spot. Vota 65 or above is your filter here.

91
Brødrenes Original
The go-to burger in Århus. Danish beef, good buns, no fuss.
Burger
Borggade 12B, Århus, 8000, Denmark
71
Slap Af
Relaxed and affordable. Does a 3-course menu alongside the burgers.
Burger
Studsgade 8, Århus, 8000, Denmark
48
Burger Boom
Danish beef and organic buns. More thoughtful than most.
Burger
Østergade 14, 8000 Århus, Denmark

Most popular dishes

DishTypical price
Cheeseburger89 DKK
Chicken Burger80 DKK
Classic Burger89 DKK
Bacon Burger80 DKK
Veggie Burger65 DKK

Italian

Basso (Vota 98) and MELVÆRK (Vota 96) are both strong. MELVÆRK does Italian with a Nordic twist, which works well here. Pasta runs 110–150 DKK. Vota 75 or above.

98
Basso
The top Italian in Århus. Focused menu, executed well.
Italian
Skolegade 21, 8000 Århus, Denmark
96
MELVÆRK
Italian with a Nordic angle. Passionate about the details. Good takeout option too.
Italian
Møllehatten 32, 8240 Århus, DK
95
Piccolo Risskov
Homemade pasta, family atmosphere. The neighbourhood Italian you want nearby.
Italian
Nordre Strandvej 39, 8240 Risskov

Most popular dishes

DishTypical price
Pizza Margherita110 DKK
Calzone134 DKK
Pizza Parma142 DKK
Risotto155 DKK
Pizza Capricciosa122 DKK

Casual Dining

Klokken (Vota 94) does traditional Danish well. Hanzō (Vota 92) is the pan-Asian option if you want something different. Both worth it. Vota 70 or above.

94
Hanzō
Pan-Asian menu in a colourful, spacious room. Fun for dinner.
Casual Dining
M.P. Bruuns Gade 22, 8000 Århus C
94
Klokken
Traditional Danish in a cozy setting. Good for a proper lunch.
Casual Dining
Mindegade 6, Århus, 8000, Denmark
92
Det Glade Vanvid
Casual Dining
Pakkerivej 2b, 8000 Århus, DK

Most popular dishes

DishTypical price
Tartare175 DKK
Roast Beef208 DKK
Chicken Salad105 DKK
Beef Fillet / Steak266 DKK
Fried Plaice / Cod258 DKK

Sushi

Solid for a smaller city. Oishii Sushi (Vota 96) and Sota Sushi Bar (Vota 95) are both very good. Vota 75 or above.

96
Oishii Sushi
Modern Japanese, well executed. The go-to sushi in Århus.
Sushi
Nørregade 38, 8000 Århus, DK
94
Sota Sushi Bar
Wide selection of sushi and grill dishes. Dine-in or takeaway.
Sushi
Vestergade 48, 8000 Århus, Denmark
94
A+ Siam Sushi
More pan-Asian in scope but the sushi is solid.
Sushi
Frederiksgade 32, 8000 Århus, Denmark

Most popular dishes

DishTypical price
California Roll80 DKK
Spicy Tuna Roll87 DKK
Spicy Salmon Roll84 DKK
Rainbow Roll129 DKK

Mexican

Better than you’d expect. Cinco (Vota 78) has over 50 ratings, which means people keep coming back. Burritos and tacos around 99–129 DKK. Vota 65 or above.

80
Cinco
The most popular Mexican in Århus by a long way. Consistent, that’s why it works.
Mexican
Klostertorvet 9, 8000 Århus, Denmark
74
Vaca
Creative take on Mexican finger food. High-quality ingredients.
Mexican
Mejlgade 17, 8000 Århus, DK
72
Rømer
Latin American-inspired with a full bar. Good for drinks and food together.
Mexican
Åboulevarden 50, Århus, 8000, Denmark

Most popular dishes

DishTypical price
Tacos99 DKK
Burrito99 DKK
Quesadilla99 DKK
Chili con Carne114 DKK
Fajitas119 DKK

Middle Eastern

One of Århus’s distinctive categories. Faour (Vota 96) does proper Arabic food — falafel, mezze — and takes it seriously. Worth seeking out. Vota 65 or above.

96
Faour
Authentic Arabic food. Falafel, mezze, vegetarian-friendly. Very good.
Middle Eastern
Klostergade 32, 8000 Århus, DK
92
Royal Shawarma Bar
High-quality shawarma. Simple and consistent.
Middle Eastern
Ryesgade 28, Århus, 8000, Denmark
64
De Fyrretyve Røvere
Pita and pizza with a Middle Eastern touch. Casual and affordable.
Middle Eastern
Niels Juels Gade 57, 8200 Århus N

Most popular dishes

DishTypical price
Falafel74 DKK
Pita / Wrap80 DKK
Doner72 DKK

Seafood

Århus is a port city and the seafood reflects it. Havnær (Vota 99) and Elle Belle (Vota 97) are both excellent. Elle Belle’s small plates approach suits the Århus style well. Vota 75 or above.

99
Havnær
Gastronomic cooking with excellent ingredients. One of the best in the city.
Seafood
Dagmar Petersens Gade 119, 8000 Århus C
97
Elle Belle
Small plates, fresh seafood and vegetables, cocktails. Very much the Århus way.
Seafood
Åboulevarden 55, 8000 Århus, Denmark
96
Mefisto
Quality ingredients and good craftsmanship. Also does pizza if you want something lighter.
Seafood
Volden 28, 8000 Århus, Denmark