Discover Copenhagen: Ørgreen Eyewear, Food and Architecture
As the UK experienced another hot weekend, Chris was lucky enough to be invited by Ørgreen Optics, along with a selection of representatives from independent opticians across Europe, to escape to the slightly cooler climate of Copenhagen in Denmark.
But it wasn’t all Danish open sandwiches and boat rides – as much fun as that was! Chris and his fellow industry professionals had the opportunity to visit the Ørgreen headquarters, where they gained a comprehensive understanding of all things Ørgreen eyewear. They spent time with the design team and explored the incredible library-like warehouse system. They learned about the design processes and observed firsthand some of the inspirations behind the beautifully crafted Japanese eyewear we now stock at Respectacle.
We’ve previously blogged about the Ørgreen brand, their ethos and creative processes, which you can read here. So, we thought we’d use this opportunity to share Chris’s experience of his whirlwind trip to Denmark’s capital city. You might find it useful if you’re looking to enjoy a city break anytime soon.
Exploring Copenhagen: Fun Things to See and Do
Assuming you’re arriving via Copenhagen airport, you’ll be pleased to know that the Copenhagen Metro takes just 15 minutes to travel from the airport to the province of Christianshavn, located in the city centre. The service runs like clockwork and is the first glimpse of the infrastructure that contributes to Copenhagen having one of the best ecological footprints in Europe. Many residents of Copenhagen will use the metro to travel, and then walk or cycle from their stop to their destination. In the warmer months, some locals head to the canals for a swim before, during, or after work.
Copenhagen is a must-visit if you enjoy stunning architecture and cultural landmarks. Whether you’re visiting the city for a weekend or longer, you’ll find numerous guided tour options available to ensure you don’t miss the best bits. You could choose the hop-on hop-off open top bus, a private canal tour, a guided walking excursion, or a cycling tour – the latter of which is particularly popular.
Whatever way you decide to explore Copenhagen, make sure not to miss the key architectural pieces, or one of the interspersed museums, which range from design based, to military and art. It was Chris’s first visit to this beautiful city, and it certainly won’t be his last. He’s keen for a return trip to explore both the Designmuseum Danmark and the Thorvaldsens Museum. And to eat more of the delicious Danish open sandwiches, of course!
One of the most visited attractions in Copenhagen is the ‘Little Mermaid’ statue, which lives up to her name, at just 125cm tall. The famous statue has been stolen, defaced, and even decapitated over the years. However, the resilience of the Danish population in having her consistently maintained, restored and protected means that she remains a firm favourite for tourists to see. At the time of Chris’s visit, a gigantic French helicopter carrier – called The Mistral – was stationed behind the statue. Its position reinforced just how tiny the Little Mermaid is!
For something unusual and unique, visitors to Copenhagen would be remiss if the Tivoli Gardens wasn’t top of their to-see list! A delightful combination of pleasure gardens and amusement park, Tivoli is the third oldest amusement park in the world. As well as having one of the world’s oldest rollercoasters, the park also offers plenty of entertainment to enjoy whilst visiting the gardens, including The Glass Hall, The Harmony Pavilion, and the Promenade Pavilion. The park is extremely tranquil and picturesque, with trees, flowers, and buildings utilised to keep the aesthetic of the gardens subtle and inviting for all ages.
As you move inland, there are so many cafés, restaurants, shops and food markets to discover. Chris visited Broens Street Food in between his arranged activities with Ørgreen and was overwhelmed by the selection and diversity available at the market. If you’re a foodie, it’s a must-visit.
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Copenhagen – According to Ørgreen
Copenhagen has so much choice for food lovers – almost too much choice! So, we asked our friends at Ørgreen for their top recommendations:
Reffen Street Food – this place is something of a Copenhagen institution and therefore not to be missed! It’s the largest street-food market in northern Europe, with more than 40 different food stalls. From authentic Danish food to global cuisines, there’s something for everyone. Try the cakes, ice creams and coffee at White Rabbit.
Refshalevej 167 | 1432 København
Broens Street Food – a key player in the city’s food scene since 2018, it’s home to some of Copenhagen’s top restaurateurs and passionate chefs. Smaller than Reffen, Broens is closer to the inner city and offers high quality street food. Try the gourmet sausages from Kejser Sausage – it’s classic Danish street food with a modern twist.
Strandgade 95 | 1401 København
La Banchina – if the weather is nice, this is the hot spot for all the city goers. A small sustainable restaurant, café and wine bar, La Banchina is the perfect combination of wonderful food, and a fantastic location for a refreshing swim. There’s even an on-site sauna!
Refshalevej 141 | 1432 København
La Glace – a beloved patisserie and the oldest one in Copenhagen, La Glace has been around since 1870! The popular patisserie serves locals and tourists alike and has even crafted cakes for royal weddings over the years. Not to be missed if you love coffee or have a sweet tooth!
Skubogade 3 | 1158 København
A big thank you to Ørgreen for hosting Chris in their beautiful home city. We are proud to stock this exceptional Danish eyewear brand here at Respectacle in Market Harborough. If you would like to know more about the Ørgreen acetate collection, pop into our Manor Walk practice and have a chat with Chris.
Further reading:
Top Frame Styles Trending Now at Respectacle in Market Harborough
Fresh Frames Have Arrived: New Models from Ørgreen, Albert I’mStein, and Woow
