Det lille Apotek

Det lille Apotek ("The Little Pharmacy") is a historic Danish restaurant located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is widely recognized as the city's oldest restaurant, with its origins dating back to 1720. The establishment began as a pharmacy in Store Brøndstræde, where the pharmacist infused herbs in spirits to create flavored drams for the locals. This practice gave rise to the Danish proverb "bitter is not something you are, it is something you drink." In 1720, the pharmacist transformed the location into Copenhagen's first restaurant and coffee house, quickly becoming a popular gathering spot. Over the centuries, the restaurant survived fires and relocations, eventually settling at its current address on the corner of Store and Lille Kannikestræde after the 1808 fire. The building, reconstructed in 1829, features distinctive cut-off corners, a hallmark of post-fire architecture in Copenhagen. Det lille Apotek has hosted many notable Danish cultural figures, including fairy-tale author Hans Christian Andersen, who frequented the restaurant daily in 1854 while writing "The Ugly Duckling." His favorite dish was three kinds of herring with onion, capers, bread, fat, and butter. The restaurant's interior is divided into four rooms with low ceilings, oil lamps, and original hand-painted leaded glass windows depicting nymphs and forest gods from 1829. The menu offers classic Danish dishes such as open sandwiches, egg cake, sole fillet with remoulade, wiener schnitzel, roast duck with browned potatoes, and the famous Apothecary stew. Since 1982, when Lisbeth and Werner Ingemann took over, the premises have been updated to a more homely atmosphere while preserving its historic charm. In 2020, the Ingemanns retired and handed over the restaurant to long-time daily manager Ann Christina Haar Krag and her husband Henrik Haar Krag. Today, Det lille Apotek remains a popular dining destination, welcoming around 70,000 visitors annually from around the world.

Det lille Apotek, meaning "The Little Pharmacy," is a historic restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark, renowned as the city's oldest restaurant. Its story begins in 1720 when a pharmacist in Store Brøndstræde no. 4 started infusing various herbs in spirits, offering the city's residents drams with different flavors. This practice became very popular and gave rise to the Danish proverb "bitter is not something you are, it is something you drink." In that same year, the pharmacist transformed the place into Copenhagen's first restaurant and coffee house. The establishment quickly became a gathering spot for locals, particularly sailors and ladies of the night, in the notorious Brøndstræde district. After the last major fire in Copenhagen in 1808, which destroyed the slum district of Brøndstræderne, Det lille Apotek reemerged in 1829 at a property on the corner of Store and Lille Kannikestræde. The building's diagonal corner is a characteristic feature of post-fire reconstruction, as corners were cut off to prevent fire hoses from getting stuck. An old ship captain named Rhode obtained a license for serving alcohol on the premises. The restaurant became a regular haunt for students from Regensen, led by Christian Winter (1796-1876), who urged a boycott of the new economist and moved meetings to Det lille Apotek. Over the centuries, the restaurant has hosted many notable Danish cultural figures, including Hans Christian Andersen, who frequented the place daily in 1854 while writing "The Ugly Duckling." His favorite dish was three kinds of herring with onion, capers, bread, fat, and butter. Other famous patrons include Axel Sandemose and Peter Faber. The restaurant's interior features four separate rooms with low ceilings, oil lamps, and original hand-painted leaded glass windows from 1829 depicting nymphs and forest gods. In 1982, Lisbeth and Werner Ingemann took over the restaurant, renovating the premises to a more homely atmosphere while preserving its historic character. They retired on February 29, 2020, handing over the keys to long-time daily manager Ann Christina Haar Krag and her husband Henrik Haar Krag. Today, Det lille Apotek continues to serve traditional Danish cuisine based on old original recipes, welcoming around 70,000 visitors annually from around the world.

• 2020

  Lisbeth and Werner Ingemann retire on February 29 and hand over the restaurant to Ann Christina Haar Krag and Henrik Haar Krag.

• 1982

  Lisbeth and Werner Ingemann take over the restaurant, renovating the premises and updating the menu.

• 1854

  Hans Christian Andersen frequents Det lille Apotek daily while writing "The Ugly Duckling."

• 1829

  Det lille Apotek reemerges at a property on the corner of Store and Lille Kannikestræde, in a building constructed after the fire.

• 1808

  The last major fire in Copenhagen destroys the Brøndstræderne district, including the original Det lille Apotek.

• 1720

  Pharmacist in Store Brøndstræde begins infusing herbs in spirits and transforms the place into Copenhagen's first restaurant and coffee house.

Historic, traditional Danish restaurant offering classic cuisine in a nostalgic, old-world atmosphere.

• Danish open sandwiches (smørrebrød)

  Classic Danish open-faced sandwiches served on rye bread with various toppings.

• Traditional egg cake

  A traditional Danish dessert or dish made with eggs.

• Warm sole fillet with homemade remoulade

  A warm dish featuring sole fillet served with homemade remoulade sauce.

• Wiener schnitzel

  Breaded and fried veal cutlet, a classic dish.

• Roast duck with browned potatoes

  Traditional Danish roast duck served with caramelized potatoes.

• Apothecary stew

  A famous stew, likely a house specialty.

• Herring dishes

  Various herring preparations, including Hans Christian Andersen's favorite: three kinds of herring with onion, capers, bread, fat, and butter.

1. 1Frontpage - Det lille apotekdetlilleapotek.dk
2. 2History - Det lille apotekdetlilleapotek.dk
3. 3About us - Det lille apotekdetlilleapotek.dk
4. 4Det lille Apotek - Wikidatawikidata.org