Copenhagen bookstore jaunt-Boghandel Books and Museum Shop

Not just an ordinary giftshop housed in a museum, this is actually a branch of the Arnold Busck bookstore (which I have posted earlier here). With all white interior and statue decoration, this bookstore is very modern and chic, not to mention the collections! Well-stocked collection of Danish and foreign books, periodical arts, artists and histories, including the museum’s catalogs. This is also a nice place to get artsy souvenirs; from postcards, painting supplies, art books for children. The Statens Museum for Kunst itself is also very beautiful, I will post the detail trip on a separate post. Therefore, don’t forget to spare at least half day when visiting this place!

Arnold Busck bookstore in Statens Museum

Arnold Busck

Statens Museum for Kunst
Sølvgade 48-50
DK-1307 København K

Copenhagen bookstore jaunt

Before exploring the independent bookstores, usually I like to start by visiting the biggest and most popular ones, just to get a glimpse on the popular titles at the current moment. My first visit was Arnold Busck, located in Købmagergade, a side street to Strøget, the most populat tourist area. This bookstore has an American bookstore feel, with wood and green interior and signage, similar to Borders and Starbuck’s. Therefore I only spent a few minutes here, browsing all 3 floors within 10 minutes. There is a small cafe, Baresso by the corner, where customers can sit facing the window, enjoying their books and people-watch.

The Bookshop is located in a 3 floor building and it has been a central part of the city atmosphere since the beginning of the 1900s. Here, you can find a great assortment of books on arts, architecture and photography, interesting books on food and wine, as well as children’s books, audio books, tourist guides and maps. You will also find a wide range of literature in the Danish language as well as English and many many other. Also, there is a famous coffee bar called Baresso on the second floor of the building.

I wish to be the girl who sit by the window sill, watching the passerby while reading and sipping coffee on such a glorious sunny day

Købmagergade 49
1150 København K
33 73 35 00
Mon-Thur 10-18 Fri 10-19 Sat 10-16

Good things are hard to find (and pronounce), like Lagkagehuset

Lagkagehuset / Frederiksborggade 6/ Kobenhavn

When you found a review that says ‘best bakery in town for sandwich and cake’ sometimes it won’t be harm to believe it and judge it yourself. Just like what I did in Lagkagehuset, which on any given day, you will never able to find if not on purpose. Located inside the Copenhagen Tourist Office across the famous Tivoli park, the café doesn’t seem like a destination for a bite of sweet. Even the seating are limited, only a narrow table filled with people reading newspaper and enjoying min-afternoon snack. One tip of advice, don’t bother with your dictionary to translate the meaning of the cakes; Christiamshavnerkage, Kanel crème or Chokoladekage, go with your guts and choose anything that make your mouth waters. Although the price doesn’t come cheap, around DKR 25-DKR 64 per cake, but the taste of the cakes won’t fail to impress you.

Don't bother trying to pronounce the names, just choose the eye-catching one!

Very tiny cakeshop with big (mouthwatering) selections

The Mysterious Beauty of Ivan Grundahl

Ivan Grundahl / Niels Hemmingsens Gade 4 / 1153 Kobenhavn

It is quite rare to find a designer who can use a palette of dark muted colors such as black, grey and beige cleverly, and Ivan Grundhal is one of them. Playing with only black and grey, with careful layering of asymmetrical lines and uneven silhouettes, each of his collection is very avant garde with a mysterious aura. Although he already has 3 boutiques located in Denmark. Norway and New York, but his first shop was opened in Niels Hemmingsens Gade 1982, which surely you don’t wanna miss. What I especially like about his collection is each items are like an investment that you can keep on wear and layer, never out of season.

Ivan Grundahl avant-garde collection

Storm, the Fashionista Paradise

Storm / 1110 Copenhagen

This very hip boutique is the city’s high fashion centerpiece, with everything from Dior Homme, Dries van Noten, Visvim to Kitsuné, all carefully curated and displayed. No wonder it was once awarded as “best retail space” in 2008 by Dansk Fashion Award and has been the most sought address among stylists, photographers and other movers and shakers in the fashion industry. After scouting many hip boutiques in this city in search for a Han Kjøbenhavn handmade specs, I shouldn’t be surprised when I finally found them here. Inspired by 1950’s luxurious eyewear, this hard-to-find items come in sunglasses or normal frames. As a big fan of fresh, unique and extraordinary perfume, I was delighted to find a Byredo Palermo perfume which is perfect for warmer climate with its Bergamott and rose hints.

Despite the name, you will feel calm with Storm' fresh and clean interior

Byredo Palermo perfume with Bergamott and rose hints

Hard-to-find-elsewhere Han Kjobenhavn eyewear

Very artsy graphic pattern dress