Nyhavns Færgekro is a cosy Danish restaurant serving authentic fresh fare with a French twist. While their menu may be small (open for brunch, lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers traditional Danish lunch fare such as a Herring Buffet and various Smørrebrød), it is anything but predictable. Close to Kongens Nytorv, this lovely restaurant is located in the appealing and idyllic Nyhavn.
Housed in one of the harbour’s historic buildings, it has a charming maritime atmosphere that is at its best when the sun is shining. The first floor windows pay homage to the area’s emigrant history, and as the sun shines through, patrons can see the names of different destinations such as New York and Sao Paolo etched in the windows.
Wanting to feel a touch of sophistication, my partner chose to start with the exclusive ‘Löjrom caviar’, a roe that comes from the vendace fish. It was served the traditional Danish way with chopped red onions, crème fraîche and toasted bread and butter. My companion wasn’t sure what to expect, but luckily he wasn’t disappointed, commenting that it tasted fine and delicate.
I chose to have the Carpaccio, which the menu explained was a dish that was dedicated to Lady Moncenigo when she found her diet too boring. Hoping to feel like a lady myself, I tucked into the thin slices of raw beef filet, served with a mild dressing, freshly chopped basil and parmesan cheese. From the first mouthful it was a wonderful taste sensation, as the softness of the meat and the burst of accompanying flavours combined.
Moving on to our main courses, we waited in anticipation as my partner’s Entrecôte and my Grilled salmon arrived. Whilst the presentation wasn’t the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen, the portion sizes were decent and everything looked fresh. My partner’s Entrecôte was a juicy and tender beef that had been grilled and served with crisp summer vegetables, homemade potato wedges and homemade herb sauce.
He devoured it quickly, paying homage to the tastiness of the meat and the unique flavouring of the herb sauce. As for the wedges, he was more than impressed and said that they were fantastic.
My Grilled salmon was a beautiful piece served with a fried salmon soufflé, small new potatoes, and tomato hollandaise, decorated with fresh herbs. The salmon skin was crispy and flaky, while the lovely moist meat underneath was cooked to perfection. The soufflé was a nice addition, and the tomato hollandaise was the ideal pairing for the fish and vegetables.
Accompanying our starters and mains we enjoyed a bottle of the La Truffière 2009. It was slightly softer than most reds, making it the perfect choice for those wanting to share a bottle, regardless of whether you’re eating red or white meat.
For dessert I chose the Strawberries, whilst my chocolate-loving companion chose the Chocolate cake. Often I’m left disappointed by the sizes of desserts in many restaurants here, but this was definitely not the case at Nyhavns Færgekro. My tasty strawberries, which were turned in lightly whipped cream with small pieces of meringue, were almost as big as the main meal! As I struggled to eat it all, I was surprised how such a simple concept of strawberries, cream and meringue could work so well together. The flavours were simple, fresh and quite simply sweet, as many desserts should be.
My companion meanwhile was enjoying the homemade Chocolate cake, purportedly made from the finest Belgian chocolate, served with vanilla ice cream spiced with Bourbon vanilla. He was impressed with the richness and quality of the cake and couldn’t stop raving about how tasty the ice cream was.
Nyhavns Færgekro’s menu may be small, but this harbour-side restaurant won’t disappoint. Their produce is fresh and well prepared, their service quick and friendly and their location second to none.
Nyhavns Færgekro
Nyhavn 5, Cph K;
3315 1588
Open daily 09:00-00:00
Cuisine: French/Scandinavian
Top Dish: Grilled salmon
Price Range: Two-course menu: 225 kr
