- Aug 14, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 12
Illustration CopenVeganHagen @smartigraphicdesign
Vegan got glam! I've watched patiently (13 years now) as the vegan trend and climate consciousness collided, resulting in a starburst of flashy new plant-based places all over the world. I’m talking really good food + beautiful plating + chic surroundings. This was definitely evident in Copenhagen. So when someone recently asked for some recommendations, I went down a rabbit hole of nostalgia. Here's an ode (in countdown style) of my top 10 Danish vegan restaurants who made the culinary experience awesome:
Illustration Letz Sushi @smartigraphicdesign
No. 10: LETZ SUSHI
Most sushi places are ultra-boring for vegans - cucumber roll again, amiright? But Letz Sushi managed to spruce things up for the plant-based. They give some decent sushi options that expand courageously into the vegan palate. The location I list has some tables, but nothing special in ambiance so I'd recommend ordering in.
Pro tip: In the comment section, request "no soy sauce please" since we can all get our own soy sauce bottles and make do with a little less little plastic in the world.
Illustration Kösk Kebab @smartigraphicdesign
No. 9: KÖSK KEBAB
The Nørrebro neighborhood we lived in is choc-a-block full of kebab-eries. Suffice to say, we tried a lot of falafel during our time in Copenhagen. But Kösk is a step above. I think they're special because they put a little bit of cinnamon in their falafel and the sweet/savory taste result is so delicate and delightful. They are also a no-fuss place and they understand what you mean when you say you are vegan.
Pro tip: find the tea pitchers behind the soda machine and pour yourself a spot of hot tea to complete the dining experience.
Illustration 42 Raw @smartigraphicdesign
No, 8: 42RAW
I stumbled upon this place tucked into the Royal Academy of the Arts while I was stationed in London many moons ago. Their salads and raw desserts were gorgeous. Once I landed in Copenhagen, I tracked them down to the chain cafe they evolved into and enjoyed their smoothies and açai bowls on the regular. They aren't exclusively vegan anymore so pay attention when you order. Oh, and while they offer quite a list of suitable options, the best things on their menu are sweet.
Pro tip: Buy some granola if you can snag a bag - they go so fast!
Illustration Kung Fu @smartigraphicdesign
No. 7: KUNG FU RAMEN
Alright, so this place only offers a couple of things, but they are really brilliant. I might be swayed by the fact I lived too close to this place and it was so convenient, but hear me out: their falafels in the vegan miso ramen is incredible. They soak up the ramen juices and then M E L T in your mouth. It's something I never knew I was missing in my life.
Pro tip: come only as a pair and eat in the bar section - the high tables are fantastic and the space is less cramped than the other side of the restaurant.
Illustration Kaf @smartigraphicdesign
No. 6: KAF
100% vegan bakery cafe with a charming no-nonsense vibe. They have the best assortment of cakes in the city. AND because they have a no-work policy, the place isn't cluttered with laptops and digital nomads. Go here for a quiet break with a friend to peacefully savor that croissant-au-chocolat with deep, meaningful talk.
Pro tip: Unplug and enjoy it. Oh, and take your plates back inside after your snack to be extra courteous to the waitstaff.
Illustration Selva @smartigraphicdesign
No. 5: SELVA
On the popular shopping street of Elmegåde, there's a Brazilian cafe with a bright facade. Portuguese banter floats in the air, chairs are hard won and the fridge display case is brimming with bowls of various mixed salads in perfect marination. My partner got so obsessed with their tapioca crepes that even the owner himself had to tell him to slow down.
Pro tip: Skip the coconut water, go for the passionfruit juice. And that's saying something, because I normally hate passionfruit.
Illustration Nice Cream @smartigraphicdesign
No. 4: NICE CREAM
Nice Cream is a plant-based ice cream shop that serves up adventurous flavors. The cashew cream base is so rich and satisfying. They are also very generous with their portions. Some of the flavor combinations seem crazy but they all throw a dart on the bullseye. Although, if you're feeling less courageous, they also have a highly recommendable chocoholic and basic vanilla.
Pro tip: Vesterbro location has seats inside, otherwise wait for a sunny day to indulge.
Illustration Flavour Bastards @smartigraphicdesign
No. 3: FLAVOUR BASTARDS
This informal vegan space is a cool hang with an eclectic seating arrangement, outdoor benches and a decent brunch spread. To be honest, the dinner menu has changed a lot from these big saucy plate options when they started. It slowly whittled down to a tiny list of greek mezzo options - so I can't say it's anything special. But - the brunch menu ROCKS! Savory scrambled tofu toast? Loaded waffles? Stuffed French toast? Yes, yeeeeeesssss, Y E S ! I'm all in. And then once you are stuffed, take a slow waterside stroll along the lakes. *perfection*
Pro tip: Book the nook to sit in a cozy space for people-watching and doodling
Illustration Eden Jax @smartigraphicdesign
No. 2: EDEN JAX
Go to this burger joint for a beautiful burger and best thin fries experience in Copenhagen. They are a vegan fast-food spot so their menu is safe no matter what you choose, and burger sauces are a no-brainer. I could maybe even drink the tangy burger dipping sauce - it's so good!
Pro tip: order it on Wolt app so you can stay at home on bad weather days and have your burger levitate it's way to you via bike messenger.
Illustration Ark @smartigraphicdesign
No. 1: ARK
I'd never been to a Michelin-star restaurant...until I got to Copenhagen. Danes love the artsy gourmet food experience. It made sense that Copenhagen would eventually elevate the vegan trend into a gourmet food experience too. And so voila: Ark. The single Green Michelin star rated restaurant with a 7-course tasting menu and cocktail/mocktail pairing. I love the wondrous descriptions and tantalizing tastes and it's knocked the socks off all the guests who visited me.
Pro tip: come exactly on time and expect to stay a little later since the course presentation is steady and entertaining enough that times will just melt away.
That's it! That's my top 10 Copen-Vegan-Hagen eats. At the time of publication, all of these establishments are still in existence. But you know, the restaurant economy is fickle and things change from time to time. If you've gotten the chance to eat at any of these places, I'm beyond ecstatic for you!
And if you haven't yet booked a trip, then I hope this will entice you to give their vegan spaces a visit. Danish are very forward-minded, and many have adopted meatless meals to their lifestyle to be climate conscious so there's lots of options on menus. Best of all, you won't feel isolated or dismissed like in some other countries - a welcome and wonderful relief.
For a country so small, they Danes really step up to make the world a better place - and that extends with what's on the plate. Thank you Copenhagen for making life delicious for vegans, too. No wonder its one of the happiest countries in the world!
bon apetite, dear friends,
smarti
- Jul 14, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 12
Photo: My family completing the greek god puzzle @smartigraphicdesign
The stories, the mystery, the characters. Ah, Greek mythology. My darling niece has been jazzed up on Greek mythology for several years now. She practically cried when we found the sculpture of Artemis during a Louvre Museum scavenger hunt one year. So sometimes last spring (during a FaceTime drawing date) we discussed the different gods and goddesses and their stories. We joked about who in our family could role play each character. And this gave me an idea to draw it up and make it into a summer puzzle.
Each god/dess has a symbolic accessories and exhibits special character traits. Hera has peacock feathers, Zeus has a lightning bolt, etc. Fishing out the details is such a delicious part of the research process. Biking to the library, pulling out books, taking notes in the stacks. It's also such a joy to draw my family members as these characters. I often busted up laughing maniacally imagining them with crowns, tridents, wings. I almost felt giddy inside pulling this together.
Photograph: Initial sketches and layout of the greek gods and goddess project idea ©smartigraphicdesign
Illustration: My whole family drawn up as greek gods and goddesses ©smartigraphicdesign
I figured it would be perfect to reveal during a family vacation we were planning to the Greek island of Crete. My family really enjoys puzzles. So I thought, voila - I’ll send this drawing out to be cut into a puzzle and we’ll have something special to enjoy on our vacation. I ended up also making a series of worksheets as teasers that would lead up to the puzzle reveal. It was a joyful creation, and it came when I was actually tied up with a whole host of other projects. But sometimes, that’s how creativity flows when one feels inspired!
Photograph: Greek mythology worksheets I made as part of a family challenge ©smartigraphicdesign
Illustration: Extras doodles inspired by readings in preparation for the project ©smartigraphicdesign
Here's the reveal of the worksheets in July on the first day of our vacation, and both the kiddos and adults were intrigued. It led to some fun moments of competition and a lot of laughs. I thank my lucky stars to have a family willing and ready to play! I was surprised at who was the fastest, who studied, and who was helping other people cheat. Ha! In the end, the puzzle was a calm and fun reflexive activity to wind down the last of our vacation days. It was a sweet way to be silly about the idiosyncrasies of my very special family.
Illustration: From layout sketch to inking colors and finally coloring in characters.. ©smartigraphicdesign
Illustration: The finished Greek God illustration for the puzzle. ©smartigraphicdesign
If you know someone who would enjoy a little Greek mythology worksheets with their loved ones - you are welcome to download your own copy. Just check beforehand to make sure you find it appropriate for the ages and culture in your family - Greek mythology pulls no punches!
Happy playing, smarti
- Jun 14, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 12
Illustration: the autumnal tradition of a Harvest Loaf ©smartigraphicdesign
Cold weather is upon us in Namibia. (The seasonal weather is flipped when you live under the equator.) The desert sun here is still bright. BUT the leaves are falling from some trees and the locals are donning sweaters and boots as the temperature drops in the morning and evening hours. So while my family in the northern hemisphere prance about in bathing suits, I'm gearing up for the autumnal tradition of baking harvest loaves.
This is something really special to me - like all childhood memories. Momola's pumpkin-chocolate loaf recipe marked the start of the harvest season. Every place we lived, we gifted loaves to friends and neighbors. Soft and moist with a heavenly smell, the bread harmonizes a densely caramelized pumpkin with a perfectly sharp chocolate. Perfect way to celebrate the fall, coziness and togetherness. It makes a great gift. And a toasted slice pairs so nicely with a warm cup of tea.
Left to Right: Illustration of chocolate, pumpkin, cinnamon. Photograph of baking pumpkin chocolate loaf. Illustration of Furoshiki folding of the harvest loaf. ©smartigraphicdesign
T his is a family tradition that has slowly earned several layers of ritual as we moved around as a military family. The way Momola tells it - she learned to roast a pumpkin when she moved to the USA. In New Mexico, she baked a loaf of pumpkin bread from a magazine recipe. By the time we moved as a family to Maryland, she was mixing in cocoa powder and chocolate. In Japan, the art of furoshiki wowed us and we would wrap each loaf up in pretty fabric folds of new kitchen towels.
I've always felt so proud about how it symbolically encapsulates gratitude and community. Gifting to others shows how we are actively grateful for the people who surround us. It also helps bond the community in an act of collective harvest. And at the very least, it creates an opening for generosity - even amongst the most prickliest of neighbors.
On my own, I've attempted to carry the tradition forward - with mixed results. In Buenos Aires, it was a fun and unexpected gift to make. But Paris was a bit of a disaster because corner bakeries were plentiful. In Copenhagen, I hit gold with Bianca Zapatki's marbled recipe. But it doesn't matter what I bake for the harvest loaf. In the end, the magic is sharing it with my neighbors and friends. It always brings me back to the warm fuzzy joy of my childhood again.
Left to Right: Photograph of loaves lined up. Illustration of harvest loaf gifting. Photograph of Furoshiki folded loaf. ©smartigraphicdesign
My finishing touch is to write a little note that explains the backstory of the Harvest Loaf. In the note I also share my gratitude and wish people well for the harvest season. I think that makes it a sweeter package. Little bit of a paper joy + zero-waste, edible gift. It's a tradition best kept for those close enough to receive the in-person gesture, so this year I plan on gifting them to the people who are helping me settle into Windhoek, Namibia. It'll be a meaningful thank you to celebrate the start of our new assignment here.
happy harvest,
smarti
