Just forty minutes from Copenhagen, Hillerød is home to the spectacular Frederiksborg Castle — a Renaissance masterpiece that draws countless visitors each year. But where should you eat while you’re here? We’ve rounded up the city’s best spots and will help you steer clear of tourist traps.
Frederiksborg Castle rises majestically above the lake at the heart of Hillerød, a city 40 minutes north of Copenhagen. With its red-brick walls and spires it is a shining example of Dutch Renaissance architecture. Built by the legendary Danish king Christian IV, the castle today houses magnificent art collections and offers one of the most picturesque settings in Denmark.
But if all that history and beauty leaves you hungry for more, you’ll want to satisfy your appetite as well as your curiosity. So where should you eat while visiting Hillerød? We’ve got you covered — here are our top recommendations.
When visiting Frederiksborg Castle, you don’t have to go far for a great meal — in fact, you don’t have to go anywhere at all. One of Hillerød’s best restaurants is located right on the castle grounds.
Rabarbergaarden på Slottet is the castle’s official café and restaurant, run by the same team behind the acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant Rabarbergaarden in Holløse, near the seaside town of Tisvilde. Here at the castle, they serve rustic yet refined dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients — most of them grown and harvested at their own farm. It’s honest, heartfelt food made from the best possible produce.
At lunch, you can enjoy traditional Danish smørrebrød, prepared to perfection with top-quality ingredients and precise culinary craftsmanship. There’s also the option of a daily three-course menu — perhaps featuring lamb and cabbage from the farm. For dinner, the restaurant opens on Fridays and Saturdays, offering a small but thoughtful selection of dishes, once again built around the farm’s own produce.
And to drink? Choose from quality craft beers or juicy, characterful natural wines — all perfectly suited to the food and the relaxed, elegant setting.
Rabarbergaarden på Slottet, Frederiksborg Slot, Møntportvejen 5, DK-3400 Hillerød, www.rabarbergaarden.dkj
Tucked away on a side street off Hillerød’s main shopping area, this cosy restaurant offers the closest thing to a fine dining experience in town. The owner and head chef, Martin Bjørn, is a seasoned talent who previously worked as chef and sous-chef at acclaimed restaurants such as Søllerød Kro and Dragsholm Slot. With Teddy by Bjørn, he has returned to his hometown to serve refined, sort of high-end cuisine in a relaxed and unpretentious setting.
The concept here is social dining, meaning that most dishes are designed to be shared. But don’t let that fool you — there’s nothing simple about the food. Each dish is precise, thoughtful, and bursting with flavour, making a meal at Teddy by Bjørn both satisfying and memorable, in terms of taste as well as the overall experience.
When booking, you can choose between a six- or ten-course menu, both offered at very reasonable prices. We recommend going all in with the full experience, which includes ten courses, wine pairing, a welcome drink, champagne, water, coffee, and even a digestif to round off the evening. At 1,250 DKK, it’s an exceptionally good deal for a dining experience of this calibre.
Restaurant Teddy /by Bjørn, Frederiksgade 6, DK-3400 Hillerød, www.restaurantteddy.dk
Sometimes, all you need is a good craft beer and some tapas-style bites — especially when everything is of the highest quality. And if that’s what you’re craving, there’s no better place in Hillerød than Skänk, a beer and wine bar that also serves simple yet delicious food.
Located right on the main square with views of the castle lake, Skänk is first and foremost a beer bar, pouring ten different draft beers at any given time, primarily from Danish craft breweries. In addition, you’ll find an extensive selection of bottled beers and a solid wine list, with at least twenty wines available by the glass.
The food at Skänk is straightforward but well made and satisfying. You can order various tapas plates with charcuterie, cheese, homemade jams, and freshly baked bread. Other options include premium canned fish, light snacks, and a creamy mozzarella dish. The large sharing board for two or more is highly recommended and easily serves as a full meal.
With its dim, cosy atmosphere right in the heart of town, Skänk is the perfect spot for a light meal or just a few drinks — perhaps after a visit to the stunning Frederiksborg Castle.
Skänk, Torvet 7, DK-3400 Hillerød, www.skaenk.dk
To find one of Hillerød’s best café-style spots, you’ll have to slip off the main shopping street, pass through a gate, and step into the courtyard behind it. Here you’ll discover Rømers — a French-inspired café with a modern twist, serving breakfast and lunch from Monday to Saturday.
At the heart of the room, a large central bar sets the scene, surrounded by tables where classic café dishes such as croque monsieur, tartiflette, and chèvre salad are served. They’re often accompanied by smaller bites like olives, charcuterie, or high-quality canned fish. The best approach is to order a few different dishes and share them for a relaxed, satisfying experience.
The warm dishes, in particular, are highly recommended. The croques and tartiflette elevate familiar French comfort food to another level — the croques, for instance, are made with homemade bread and a touch of mustard that gives just the right kick.
Rømers, Slotsgade 13, DK-3400 Hillerød, www.rømers.nu
If you’re craving a coffee, a slice of cake, or just a light bite to eat, Slottes Kaffebar on the main pedestrian street is the place to go. Throughout the day, this cosy, vintage-furnished café fills with people enjoying their coffee — often alongside a freshly baked roll with cheese and butter — and many linger for a while to work on their laptops. At lunchtime, guests gather for salads, sandwiches, and the other light dishes on the menu.
Slottes Kaffebar isn’t the spot for a large, elaborate meal, but it’s the perfect place in town for a relaxed coffee break. The atmosphere invites you to settle in, enjoy the music playing from spinning vinyl records, and perhaps even indulge in a drink or two from the bar.
Slottes Kaffebar, Slotsgade 10, DK-3400 Hillerød, www.rømerskaffebar.dk
