Wind down the afternoon with a visit to Copenhagen’s most relaxed waterside café. Located on the northern island of Refshaleøen and best accessible by bike (about 15 minutes from the center), La Banchina looks like an upscale surf shack – complete with a wooden pier, moored houseboats and a year-round sauna. The bar specializes in natural Italian wines and a must-try spritz that’s made with prosecco in place of straight up fizz and the organic aperitivo Rondo in place of Aperol. Started as a “Havnekneipe” (harbor pub) and transitioned into an eatery, more than anything the team behind La Banchina wants people to feel like they’re on vacation: With a no-reservations policy, no music outside (to better enjoy the birds and waves), an outdoor kitchen, and a barefoot-luxury vibe that has guests dangling one foot in the water with the other balancing a plate of oysters – we think there’s definitely something special in the air – and it’s not the subtle hint of algae. (Text: Victoria Pease / Photos: Anders Elmshøj, Eder Lopez Ponce)
La Banchina, Refshalevej 141A, 1432 Copenhagen-Refshaleøen; map
May-September Mon-Fri 8-23h, Sat-Sun 9-24h; October-April Mon-Fri 8-16h, Sat-Sun 9-16h