Kosher in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark has a proud and historically significant Jewish community, and is the most kosher-friendly of the Nordic countries for travellers. Unlike Norway and Sweden, shechita – ritual slaughter – is permitted in Denmark, which means kosher meat is produced locally and is more readily available.
The Jewish Community of Denmark – Det Jødiske Samfund i Danmark
The Jewish Community of Denmark, formerly known as Mosaisk Troessamfund, is the official representative body for Danish Jews, with around 1,800 members out of an estimated 6,000–7,000 Jews in the country. The community operates the Great Synagogue in Copenhagen (Krystalgade), which was completed in 1833 and is one of the finest synagogues in Scandinavia. Services follow a traditional Orthodox liturgy and the synagogue welcomes visitors.
The community also operates a Sabbath hospitality programme – if you would like to spend Shabbat with a Danish Jewish family, contact the community at least two weeks in advance.
🌐 djs.dk
Machsike Hadas
Copenhagen also has a smaller Orthodox synagogue, Machsike Hadas, which maintains its own mikveh.
Shir Hatzafon
Shir Hatzafon is a progressive/Reform Jewish congregation based in the Øresund region, serving both Copenhagen and the Malmö area in southern Sweden. They welcome guests from abroad at services and Shabbat evenings.
Chabad of Denmark
Chabad is well established in Copenhagen and offers Shabbat meals, hospitality, and guidance for visiting Jews. Chabad also runs the kosher restaurant Taim (see below).
Kosher Food & Restaurants in Copenhagen
Denmark is the best-equipped Nordic country for kosher food. Shechita is permitted, meaning locally produced kosher meat is available.
Gils Deli – The only kosher butcher shop in Denmark, carrying fresh and frozen kosher meat, homemade sausages and cold cuts, Israeli products, and kosher wine. Located at Lyngbyvej 83, Copenhagen Ø. Open Tuesday–Wednesday 9:00–17:30, Thursday 10:00–19:30, Friday 8:00–13:00. 🌐 gilsdeli.dk
Taim Restaurant – Copenhagen's kosher meat restaurant, run by Chabad of Denmark. Located at Ole Suhrs Gade 10. Open Sunday–Thursday 17:00–20:30. Contact in advance to confirm opening times. 🌐 chabadenmark.com
D&A Kosher – Kosher meal delivery and catering for events and private orders in Copenhagen. Contact via the Jewish Community of Denmark.
Kosher Product Resources
The Jewish Community of Denmark publishes a kosher product list covering approved products available in regular Danish supermarkets, as well as an English-language guide to keeping kosher in Denmark.
📄 Download the Kosherlisten 2023 (PDF) 📄 Kosher Guide for Denmark in English (PDF) 🌐 mosaiske.dk/kosherlisten
Chabad of Denmark also maintains their own regularly updated kosher list: 🌐 Chabad Denmark Kosher List
Kosher Wine in Denmark
Kosher wine is available at Gils Deli, making Denmark the easiest Nordic country in which to purchase kosher wine locally. A selection may also be available in regular wine shops.
The Mikveh
There is a mikveh in Copenhagen, maintained by the Machsike Hadas synagogue. Contact the Jewish Community or Chabad for access and booking information.
Jewish Museum
The Danish Jewish Museum (Dansk Jødisk Museum) is located in the Royal Library garden in central Copenhagen. Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, it tells the story of Jewish life in Denmark over 400 years – including the remarkable rescue of Danish Jews during World War II.