Esmée
Indre By, Copenhagen
Restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark
Book with PearlThe Read
Chef
Andreas Bagh
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Esmée is a strong Copenhagen choice for a polished central meal near Kongens Nytorv, especially when the occasion needs chef-led cooking without a formal tasting-menu commitment. Choose it over Restaurant Palægade for a more flexible evening meal, or over Barabba when Italian cooking is not the main brief.
About Esmée
Consider Esmée if the goal is a chef-led Copenhagen restaurant with broad opening hours and a smart-casual dress code. Andreas Bagh is the chef/owner, the venue is in Copenhagen, it has recognition from Opinionated About Dining's Casual in Europe ranking.
The main reason to consider it is the named chef rather than a documented specialty. Without a specified cuisine category, signature dish, menu format, or price range, first-timers should treat Esmée as a broader chef-led option rather than arriving for one specific style of meal. That makes it a better fit for diners comfortable choosing on the strength of the venue and chef, a weaker fit for anyone who needs a tightly documented format before deciding.
Chef-led cooking for a Copenhagen occasion
Esmée is a Copenhagen restaurant led by Andreas Bagh. Its hours run from midday to midnight Monday through Thursday, midday to 1 AM Friday and Saturday, 11 AM to midnight Sunday, giving it a wider schedule than many restaurants with a narrower service window.
For diners comparing other options, Barabba may be another option to consider, while Esmée is the clearer pick when the priority is a Copenhagen restaurant with a named chef/owner, smart-casual dress code, OAD Casual in Europe recognition. Restaurant Palægade, Koefoed, Den Lille Fede, Ravage are also possible comparison points, depending on the kind of meal the group wants.
Who should choose it, who should cross-shop
This is a sensible shortlist choice for guests who value these qualities: Andreas Bagh as chef/owner, Copenhagen location, smart-casual dress, long opening hours, an Opinionated About Dining Casual in Europe ranking of #109 in 2026. It is less useful for diners trying to control budget tightly before committing, because a price range is not specified.
The published hours are: Monday through Thursday from 12 PM to 12 AM, Friday and Saturday from 12 PM to 1 AM, Sunday from 11 AM to 12 AM. Those hours make Esmée flexible across the week, but they do not imply a particular menu, meal format, or service style.
Use it when the decision is about a Copenhagen restaurant with a named chef/owner, smart-casual dress code, long hours, OAD Casual in Europe recognition. Cross-shop other Copenhagen dining if the group needs a specified cuisine, price point, dietary policy, or specific menu format before booking.
Planning details
- Location
- Kongens Nytorv 8, 1050 København, Denmark
- Reservations
- Book on SevenRooms
- Website
- esmee.dk
- Phone
- +4533133713
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Esmée presents itself as a refined, contemporary French restaurant that leans into Copenhagen's established dining architecture. Sitting at Kongens Nytorv, the room inherits the square's serious, historic presence, which frames the meal in a measured, considered manner. The writing positions the kitchen as contemporary—part of the city's ingredient-led conversation—while the overall tone stays restrained rather than theatrical. The result is an elegant, sophisticated experience with cozy undercurrents: a place that feels composed and intentional, where service and pacing encourage lingering over food rather than rushing through it.
Best For
Esmée is best suited to diners seeking an elevated evening in central Copenhagen. Its placement in Kongens Nytorv and positioning within the city’s fine-dining tier make it appropriate for date nights and special occasions when guests want a composed, memorable meal. The restaurant’s context—surrounded by cultural institutions and historic architecture—reinforces a sense of occasion, and the contemporary French menu appeals to guests who appreciate ingredient-led cooking. Reservations for evening service are the sensible choice for those planning a considered night out.
Ordering Tips
The description highlights a handful of signature items that help define Esmée's menu identity. Seek out the truffle gougères to start, and consider the rotisserie whole sole if it appears on the evening's offerings. The jamón ibérico and gruyère toast is another named specialty that signals the kitchen’s blend of classic technique and bold flavors. Because the narrative emphasizes a measured pace and a fine-dining context, allow the kitchen to guide timing and sequencing rather than rushing through courses.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm understated luxury with lush greenery, thick curtains, rich marble surfaces, and modern orangery feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- truffle gougères
- rotisserie whole sole
- jamón ibérico and gruyere toast
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Restaurant context
How Esmée compares in Copenhagen
Choose Esmée for a central, polished occasion where the group wants chef-led cooking and an easier booking path. Restaurant Palægade is better for a defined smørrebrød meal at €€; Esmée is better when the meal needs to work for dinner, drinks, a broader celebration rather than a traditional Danish format.
Barabba is the stronger call when modern Italian is the reason to book. Koefoed, listed as Modern Cuisine at €, gives the clearest value signal in this set, so price-sensitive diners should start there. Esmée makes more sense when location, room confidence, occasion-readiness matter more than locking in the lowest spend.
Ravage and Den Lille Fede are worth cross-shopping if Esmée is full or the group wants a different room dynamic in Copenhagen. For first-timers, Esmée is the safer central pick; for diners who already know exactly which cuisine they want, Palægade, Barabba, or Koefoed gives a more specific lane.
Explore Copenhagen
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Esmée guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Esmée
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esmée | Copenhagen | ; | 2026 OAD Casual in Europe Ranked · #1092026 White Guide Denmark Restaurants - Masters Level | ; |
| Ravage | Copenhagen | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Restaurant Palægade | Copenhagen | Smørrebrød | No published awards | €€ |
| Barabba | Copenhagen | Modern Italian | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2026 White Guide Denmark Restaurants - Very Fine Level2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #1742024 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #1972023 OAD Top New Restaurants in Europe Recommended | ; |
| Koefoed | Copenhagen | Modern Cuisine | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #1Michelin Guide Nordic Countries 20262025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Plate | € |
| Den Lille Fede | Copenhagen | No published awards | ; | ; |
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How Esmée Copenhagen compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Esmée?
Treat it as a Copenhagen restaurant led by chef/owner Andreas Bagh. It features a smart-casual dress code, broad opening hours, a 2026 Opinionated About Dining Casual in Europe ranking at #109.
Does Esmée handle dietary restrictions?
What is Esmée known for?
Esmée is a Copenhagen restaurant led by Andreas Bagh, with smart-casual dress and recognition in Opinionated About Dining's Casual in Europe ranking.
