Bella Trattoria

The Verdict

If you're deciding between Brace and Copenhagen's heavier-hitting tasting menu restaurants, the calculus is simpler than it looks. Brace is the Italian option in a city where New Nordic dominates, for diners who want serious cooking without committing to the theatrics of Alchemist or the mythology of Noma, that distinction matters. Chef Nicola Fanetti's restaurant earned an Opinionated About Dining Leading New Restaurants in Europe recommendation in 2023, then held a ranked position at #543 on the OAD Leading Restaurants in Europe list in 2024 — two consecutive years of recognition that confirms this isn't a flash-in-the-pan opening. Book it for a date night or a celebration dinner when you want Italian at a level Copenhagen doesn't otherwise offer.

What Brace Is

Brace sits at an unusual intersection: Italian cuisine executed in Copenhagen, a city whose restaurant culture has been shaped almost entirely by Nordic produce and New Nordic technique. That tension is productive. Chef Fanetti's kitchen draws on Italian tradition while operating inside a food culture that prizes ingredient sourcing and precision, which means the cooking here tends to be both disciplined and ingredient-led. The OAD recognition — particularly the 2023 new-restaurant recommendation, signals that Brace arrived with a coherent point of view, not a generic concept. By 2024, the ranked position confirmed it had staying power.

For a special occasion, Brace delivers on the experience side. The format is dinner-focused: the kitchen opens Tuesday through Thursday from the late afternoon, the weekend schedule adds Friday and Saturday lunch from noon, making it one of the few options in this quality tier that works for a longer weekend afternoon meal. Sunday runs a compressed lunch-only window, noon to 5 pm, so Sunday dinner is off the table. Plan accordingly.

The wine program is the dimension that most rewards attention here. Italian cuisine at this level in a Scandinavian capital creates a natural opportunity for a wine list that bridges Italian regional depth with Nordic-influenced curation. While specific list details aren't available from the venue record, the OAD credentialing and Italian focus suggest the cellar earns its place as a primary reason to book rather than an afterthought. For Italian restaurants elsewhere operating at comparable recognition levels, such as 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Hong Kong or cenci in Kyoto, the wine list tends to be a substantial part of what justifies the booking. Expect Brace to operate in that same territory. If wine pairing is important to your decision, confirm the pairing option when you reserve.

On the Italian front in Copenhagen specifically, Brace sits above Paesàno in terms of formality and ambition, occupies different territory from L'Enoteca di Mr. Brunello. If Italian cuisine at a celebration-worthy level is the brief, Brace is the answer in this city.

Practical Details

Booking at Brace is rated easy, so last-minute reservations are possible, but for a specific date, anniversary, birthday, a Friday or Saturday dinner, give yourself a week or two to be safe. The OAD recognition brings a degree of outside attention that can tighten availability on prime evenings. Price range data isn't in the public record for Brace, so confirm costs directly when you book; given the OAD ranking and the Italian fine-dining positioning, expect to spend at a level consistent with Copenhagen's serious restaurant tier. Hours are Tuesday 5–10:30 pm; Wednesday 4–11 pm; Thursday 4 pm–midnight; Friday noon–midnight; Saturday noon–midnight; Sunday noon–5 pm. Monday is closed.

For a broader picture of where Brace sits in the city's dining options, the full Copenhagen restaurants guide covers the complete field. If you're building a full trip around the meal, the Copenhagen hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide are worth checking before you land. For wine-focused travel around Denmark, the Copenhagen wineries guide rounds out the picture. Outside the capital, restaurants like Jordnær in Gentofte and Frederikshøj in Aarhus represent the strongest alternatives if you're willing to travel for a meal, alongside destination options such as Henne Kirkeby Kro, Frederiksminde in Præstø, Ti Trin Ned in Fredericia, and Dragsholm Slot Gourmet in Hørve.