Esse
★ 4.9 · 78 reviews Copenhagen Opened 2025
Matt Orlando's return, built on fermentation and salvage
Matt Orlando ran Amass for a decade before closing it in 2022, one of the city's most quietly influential restaurants for its zero-waste kitchen and staff-first culture. Esse, which opened in Nordhavn in 2025, picks up where it left off: whole-ingredient cooking where fermentation, ageing and preservation aren't techniques for flavor alone but the entire sourcing philosophy.
The restaurant earned a Michelin star within its first year. Expect a menu that treats vegetable trim and fish bones as ingredients rather than waste, the same instinct that made Amass a pilgrimage site for chefs long before diners caught on.
What guests say
Reviews by Google-
Malkiel Cohen 84 reviews · Local Guide 2 August 2026
I came here to try the summer lunch set menu, and it made for a really interesting meal. The opening shrimp course was light, nice, and refreshing. The fermented potato bread with their homemade butter was distinct and very unique. The mackerel filet was slightly seared, and the accompanying salad gave the dish great summer flavors. The braised chicken breast, served in a rich chicken broth, was packed with flavor and had an amazingly smooth texture. The strawberry and milk ice cream dessert was my least favorite part of the meal, though everything else was enjoyable! The space is spacious with high ceilings and an open kitchen, and the display of fermented items adds a nice design touch. One personal note, as elsewhere in Copenhagen, I don't like being accustomed to being charged for water at such a high-priced restaurant.
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Ivan Bretan 65 reviews · Local Guide 17 July 2026
The setting of this wonderful restaurant is worth a visit by itself. A relaxed, aesthetic reuse of an old industrial building combined with the typical Danish flair for knowing exactly what and how much quality design details will mesh with the surroundings - creating that uniquely satisfying combination of the casual and the luxurious which in my opinion you only find in Denmark. So what about the food? Oh my dear, our three hour seating was an amazing excursion among sophisticated but still natural taste combinations based on local ingredients prepared by a kitchen brimming with talent. The excellent wines were chosen from the domain of minimum intervention, providing a super fresh and elegantly compatible backdrop to all of the wildly changing and positively surprising tastes of the seven courses served. I could go on writing a small essay here, but will instead refer to the accompanying photos which at least give a hint of the savory cuisine served at this amazing establishment. Mange takk!
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Jonas Mathiesen 352 reviews · Local Guide 12 June 2026
The hug. Have never entered a restaurant and just felt immediately relaxed, until today. The space and ambience and artwork and the big jars of colourful preserves, ferments and pickles gave us a metaphysical hug. The chairs and tables are so beautiful and perfect for the room, and comfortable - another hug. The food was beautiful, utterly delicious, comforting, and the absolute best, local produce available - a hug. The service and especially the presentation of the food was given with such a high note of dedication and pride rarely seen - a hug. Hugs back to you Matt and team! Cannot wait to come back for more extraordinary comfort.
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David Friis 17 reviews · Local Guide 10 June 2026
Great food, great vibe and one of the best front of house in town. Service is personal, attentive and relaxed. The price point is second to none. Best value fine dining in cph by quite a margin.
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Lorenza Iacobuzio 131 reviews · Local Guide 7 June 2026
Beautiful menu and juice pairing, lovely staff, and totally deserved Michelin star. Absolutely recommend!
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