Some of Denmark's most revered brands have storefronts around the world, but there are still reasons to browse the shops on their home turf. In many cases, these beautiful flagships are the only place to see all the offerings, including one-of-a-kind or limited-edition items.
The silver room at Georg Jensen (Amagertorv 4) has the world’s largest collection of the company’s masterpieces, all crafted by hand in the smithy at the brand’s headquarters nearby. Many, like Georg Jensen’s Grape Collection (1918), Henning Koppel’s Fish Dish (1954), and limited editions by Marc Newson (2015) and Kengo Kuma (2016), can be found only here. The smithy is usually not open to the public, but DEPARTURES readers can email gjny@georgjensen.com to request a tour.
Hay, for the uninitiated, is Denmark’s answer to Muji, with well-priced furniture and accessories for every room in the home. The cult brand has limited availability in the United States (the biggest selection is at the MoMA Design Store in New York City), so a visit to its shop is a must (Østergade 61). It’s set up like an apartment that spans two floors of a historic building in the heart of the city, with goods ranging from minimalist kitchen utensils to stylish desk accessories.
The Royal Smushi café is just one reason to visit the flagship of the 243-year-old porcelain brand Royal Copenhagen (Amagertorv 6). With its colorful decor, the eatery is open for breakfast, lunch, or drinks and is the ideal spot to refuel after shopping for exclusive merchandise, including Black Fluted dinnerware with its trademark saturated matte finish.
