1. A 50-course art installation.

Copenhagen’s dining scene is known for pushing boundaries, but The Alchemist takes things to a whole new universe. Chef Rasmus Munk didn’t just create a restaurant—he crafted a 50-course, multi-sensory adventure. One of the most famous examples is The Tongue Kiss, a dish served on a silicone tongue that playfully challenges your senses. Each dish is more than just dinner; it’s a deep dive into sustainability, social justice, and climate change, served with a side of “wow, I’ve never tasted that before.”

If this sounds like something out of a movie, you might be reminded of The Menu, where haute cuisine takes unexpected turns. But at The Alchemist, the surprises are real, and the experience is as much about engaging your mind as it is about delighting your palate. By blurring the lines between art, activism, and gastronomy, The Alchemist epitomizes Copenhagen's avant-garde approach to dining, cementing the city's reputation as the capital of edible enlightenment.

2. The library where you borrow a human instead of a book.

Born right in the heart of Copenhagen, The Human Library flips the whole idea of a library on its head. Instead of borrowing books, you "check out" people. These “human books” are individuals with powerful stories—people who've faced prejudice, addiction, mental health struggles, or come from underrepresented groups. You can have open, honest conversations that dig into topics you might otherwise tiptoe around. In a world where we’re so fast to label others based on preconceived notions, The Human Library creates a safe space for dialogue and openness.

Since launching in 2000, this simple but genius idea has gone global, popping up everywhere from universities to community centers. The magic of The Human Library is how it uses one-on-one conversations to break stereotypes and tackle tough subjects in the most personal way possible. It’s living proof of Copenhagen’s knack for sparking social innovation, showing how a simple idea can inspire a worldwide movement toward empathy and inclusion.

3. Ikea’s serious playground.

Space10, Copenhagen’s forward-thinking research lab, was a glimpse into the future of sustainable living. Founded in 2014 as IKEA’s external innovation hub, Space10 tackled the big issues—climate change, urbanization, food scarcity—and it did it with a mix of cutting-edge tech and sustainable living concepts. From vertical farms to AI-powered furniture, this visionary lab dreamt up solutions that were as inventive as they were green.

Over its nearly 10-year run, Space10 grew from a small team of big dreamers to one of the world’s top design labs. With over 500 collaborators, from rising stars to major global players, Space10 showed that real change happens when you focus on collaboration and bold ideas, not just tiny tweaks. Though it closed in August 2023, its impact lingers, proving that Copenhagen’s innovative DNA can fuel global shifts in how we live, build, and grow.