Sofie Kælderen — Restaurant in Copenhagen Municipality

I visited Sofie’s Kalderen with my elderly parents (in their 70s) and my 11-year-old niece. Despite multiple empty tables on the terrace, we were told they were "fully booked for dinner" and we wanted to only have a drink. We obliged, but after sitting nearby for over an hour, not a single person was seated for dinner—just more drinkers like us.

It’s baffling why we were turned away when the tables remained unused. Were we not the "right kind" of customers? The excuse felt dishonest. Tourists be warned—you might be turned away for no good reason, even when the place is half-empty.

Update: Thank you, but there’s no need to lecture me on basic economics — I do understand how restaurants operate. My concern wasn’t about your business model, but rather about why we weren’t offered a table while several other guests, who also didn’t appear to be eating anything, were seated. Perhaps they miscommunicated their intentions, or maybe they chose to have drinks for an hour before ordering more. I’ll leave it to other customers to draw their own...

We pass by, get a seat to wait for order drink and food. We did buy cake and coffee to bring home after but the waiter come and say you cant stay here even we say we want order. The other people stay next by also just have one drink and their bag on table but ok and we are not. First time to see bad service like this in the city. I never give 1 star for any place. The other place they will remind customers and if the table is reserved or the restaurant is full they usually have good way to tell to the customer but your place like want to kick us out without listening. And I can see most of the 1,2 star at your place is the attitude of staff but you can't see that problem in your service and just back to complain customers. Anw just leave my...

Sofie Kælderen is a pretty big favorite amongst me and my coworkers. Its central location on Christianshavn, combined with outdoor seating on the canal, make it a great spot for after-work drinks.

They serve traditional Danish fare after 6pm (and cakes before then) for the inevitable moment when you get hungry, though I admittedly have never tried anything, despite going there regularly.

They don't have any happy hour specials, but the environment is convivial, and they have local musicians coming into play on occasion as well.

The space is also available for private parties, if you're looking for that...