Nørrebro is perceived because the rougher facet of Denmark — nevertheless it’s truly the hippest and spot in Copenhagen that’s surprisingly Muslim-friendly.
Photo credit score: The World Through My Camera through Twitter
“Assalamualaikum!” greeted a person as he wound down his window.
While travelling in Denmark again in May 2022, my household was stopped by a sweeper truck.
Turns out, the person was a Muslim immigrant who had been residing in Copenhagen for over 30 years. We chatted for a bit and I requested the place we might discover a Halal Danish Hot Dog stand.
“You should go to Nørrebro, everything is Halal!”
That neighbourhood popped up a bunch once I was researching about Halal meals in Copenhagen — together with lots of unhealthy rep…
Read additionally: 7 Pro-Tips to Finding Halal Food Easily in Non-Muslim Countries
A Ghetto in Copenhagen
Photo credit score: Mads Christensen Photography through Facebook
Nørrebro’s vibe is distinct.
Walk the streets of Nørrebro and also you’ll see that almost all of its residents are a mixture of ethnically Middle Eastern, African, and South Asian folks.
Most are first or second-generation migrants and whereas the entire space isn’t essentially thought of a ghetto, this ethnic range, historical past of riots and housing estates like Mjølnerparken have sadly landed it in Denmark’s ‘ghetto list‘.
Photo credit: Finn Rasmussen via Google Photos
Prior to my trip to Denmark, I even came across The Government of Canada’s journey recommendation stating Nørrebro as a neighbourhood the place gang-related violence was more likely to happen in Copenhagen.
At that cut-off date, it actually appeared like everybody knew about Nørrebro’s repute as a ghetto.
Nørrebro right this moment
Photo credit score: Sam Srinivasan through Google Photos
“We even call it Little Istanbul!” replied a employee as we expressed our amazement in direction of Nørrebro’s Muslim-friendliness.
After spending a little bit of time in Copenhagen and the Faroe Islands, seeing the number of Halal meals and Middle Eastern nook shops (akin to mama outlets in Singapore) in Nørrebro was a breath of recent air.
Photo credit score: Armando Mareña through Google Photos
Nørrebro can be culturally various — so seeing Hijabis simply biking on their merry method made me really feel rather less misplaced.
Photo credit score: Stine Hvid through Facebook
On the opposite hand, Nørrebro is a energetic and artsy neighbourhood the place avenue artwork and murals are a typical and virtually definitive sight.
When we ventured to the extra gentrified areas (by chance), there was a transparent youthful vibe contributed by inventive areas, stylish outlets, cafes, and a vibrant nightlife.
Experiencing Nørrebro Firsthand
Photo credit score: Khalid Bin Sattar through Google Photos
Our primary purpose in going to Nørrebro was to refill on Halal meat and go to the Halal Danish scorching canine stand.
As we drove from Copenhagen metropolis centre into Nørrebro, the panorama and infrastructure slowly transitioned from polished to edgy and barely tough across the edges.
Photo credit score: Giuseppe Liverino through Visit Copenhagen
Some say Nørrebro’s the damaging facet of city and I perceive why. Nothing outrightly threatened my security however there was a vibe that stored me weary and on guard. Perhaps it was as a result of others had been on guard too.
Despite that, I used to be pleased to see many ethnic minorities and Muslim institutions!
Friendly folks
Photo credit score: @danny_maiorca through Instagram
I observed folks had been tight-knit with one another.
At one of many Middle Eastern grocers, the shopkeeper was detached to me and my household. When their associates got here, the temper shortly lightened up.
So, I used to be stunned to even obtain a little bit of Nørrebro hospitality at Alhoda Slagter — a Halal butchery with meats born, raised, and slaughtered in Denmark.
We tried the lamb ribs right here and it was actually recent. It was fairly priced and one of many butchers gave us a free reusable bag though we initially wished to pay for it!
On our final day in Denmark, we wished to buy a particular sauce solely accessible at Alhoda Slagter however once we arrived, they had been closed and already cleansing up. We tried saying that we solely wished to purchase a bottle of sauce however they apologetically shook their head “no”.
Desperate, I went to the window and confirmed them “It’s our last day in Copenhagen” on my notes app. Probably amused, one of many butchers (the identical one who gave us the reusable bag) unlocked the door and allow us to in.
We scrambled for precise change to pay for the sauce however he ended up giving it to us as a parting present :’)
Alhoda Slagter
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
Address: Nørrebrogade 223, 2200 København, Denmark
How to get there: 3 minutes stroll from M3 Nørrebro Station
Nørrebro positively has a special vibe from the remainder of Denmark. There’s a way of neighborhood and closeness the place persons are energetic, pleasant, and appear to look out for one another.
Things to do in Nørrebro
Photo credit score: Daniel Rasmussen through Visit Copenhagen
Despite it being a non-touristy spot, there are fairly numerous cool issues to do in Nørrebro!
Superkilen
Photo credit score: @bratosiewicz through Instagram
Reflective of the totally different communities residing in Nørrebro, Superkilen is a park furnished with gadgets from over 50 totally different nationalities. You’ll discover cultural artifacts and gadgets like a boxing ring from Thailand, a fountain from Morocco, and a donut signal from the United States.
All objects displayed are both originals or 1:1 replicas so take your time to discover and uncover the place every of the gadgets originate from.
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: Nørrebrogade 210, 2200 København, Denmark
How to get there: 5 minutes stroll from M3 Nørrebro Station
Assistens Kirkegaard
Photo credit score: Sebastian Himmelstrup through Visit Copenhagen
Go the place the locals go — to the cemetary. Okay, hear me out.
Assistens Kirkegaard is primarily the ultimate resting place of many notable Danish figures like fairytale creator Hans Christian Anderson (The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea). Unexpectedly, it’s additionally a favorite spot amongst locals.
In the serene ambiance and exquisite foliage of the cemetery, you’ll discover guests jogging, sitting amongst gravestones or simply hanging out — treating it as if it had been another park.
Opening hours: 7AM – 10PM
Address: Kapelvej 2, 2200 København N, Denmark
How to get there: 1 min stroll from M3 Nørrebros Runddel St.
Jægersborggade Shopping Street
Photo credit score: Sebastian Himmelstrup through Visit Copenhagen
Originally a harmful and uncared for a part of Copenhagen, Jægersborggade has reworked right into a buzzing and stylish procuring avenue in Nørrebro.
A majority of retailers right here have an eco-conscious ethos — merchandise are normally locally-sourced, sustainable, and natural. Restaurants and cafes right here promise high quality too with an progressive menu.
Halal Food in Nørrebro
Photo credit score: Sheik’s Shawarma through Facebook
As that man from the sweeper truck stated, all the things actually is Halal in Nørrebro! At virtually each nook, you’ll discover a Halal kebab store.
But we didn’t journey all the way in which to Denmark and Nørrebro only for kebabs.
Byens Pølser (Halal Danish Hot Dogs)
Halal standing: Muslim owned
As Jennifer Coolidge as soon as stated, “[Being in Denmark] makes me wanna hotdog real bad”.
One of the traditional Danish icons, you’ll discover a scorching canine stand at each nook of Denmark. The Danish method of consuming one is to have it doused with mayonnaise, mustard, remoulade, ketchup, sprinkled with all of the toppings (fried onions, uncooked onions and pickled cucumber) and paired with a Cocio (Danish chocolate milk).
A Halal choice is Byens Pølser — a scorching canine stand run by a Denmark-born Moroccan.
Photo credit score: @halal_byenspoelser through Instagram
I attempted the Beef and Lamb Ristet Hot Dog (DKK32, ~S$6.15) which is the proprietor’s personal distinctive mix! It was snappy, juicy, smokey, and an absolute mess to eat.
Sitting on a picket chair proper subsequent to the recent canine stand was actually a vibe. I used to be pleased to expertise one thing so quintessentially Danish in a Halal method.
On our final day in Denmark, we purchased some scorching canine to deliver house to my sisters in Singapore (my household tends to deliver meals house as souvenirs LOL). The proprietor stated we must always simply get a pack of sausages from him subsequent time. Curious, I requested how a lot it value.
“No, I give you now.” He gave us an entire 8-pack of lamb and beef sausages for FREE!
Cost: From DKK20 (~S$2.90)
Opening hours: 11AM – 7PM
How to get there: 1 min stroll from M3 Nørrebro Station
Mexihagen
Halal standing: Halal meat
Photo credit score: MexiHagen DK through Facebook
Halal Birria tacos needs to be sufficient to persuade you to attempt Mexihagen.
This meals truck’s primary specialty are birria tacos (DKK199 for a field of eight) — crispy and saucy corn tortillas full of tender stewed beef. It’s primarily based on a 47-year-old recipe from a Mexican Abuela so you recognize you’re getting the true deal.
Mexihagen additionally has its personal tacky and flavourful tackle a quesadilla referred to as Quesabirria!
Opening hours: 12PM – 8PM
Address: Lygten 2, 2400 København, Denmark
How to get there: 2 min stroll from M3 Nørrebro Station
Send Flere Krydderier
Photo credit score: Send Flere Krydderier – Nørrebrohallen through Facebook
This social enterprise goals to offer these girls with employment and expertise to enter the Danish labor market.
Literally translating to ‘send more spices’, Send Flere Krydderier is a neighborhood café run solely by girls of ethnic minorities. Food served is predicated on the traditions of the cooks’ international locations of origin — so you’ll be able to count on to devour meals from international locations like Somalia, Pakistan, or Lebanon.
Photo credit score: Send Flere Krydderier – Nørrebrohallen through Facebook
Besides their customary day by day menu, Send Flere Krydderier holds folkekøkken (public kitchen) — a less expensive choice (DKK 65) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings of their Nørrebrohallen outlet. Folkekøkken menus are refreshed day by day on their Facebook web page — so there’s at all times a motive to return ????
Opening hours: Varies
Address: Nørre Allé 7 and Nørrebrohallen
Is Nørrebro actually that scary?
Photo credit score: Martin Heiberg through Visit Copenhagen
Nørrebro could have a darkish previous however the district actually isn’t as intense because it appears.
I feel that we must always at all times give new locations a attempt to discover with recent eyes. It’s potential that infamous locations are simply that — however if you enter with out prejudices, you permit your self to find a special facet.
I used to be solely in Nørrebro twice however my interactions with the locals had been fairly healthful. There’s a powerful sense of neighborhood in Nørrebro that felt totally different from the remainder of Denmark and I’m pleased to have skilled only a fraction of it.
Cultures Explained is a sequence the place we uncover and honour the cultural variations of communities all around the world. What different cultures would you prefer to know extra about? Let us know within the feedback under.