Julefrokost at a Restaurant: How to Find the Right Place

Boligfritid.dk is a Danish magazine for homeowners. This English version is written for international residents in Denmark. Read the original in Danish.

The julefrokost (the Danish Christmas lunch) is one of the biggest parties of the year. Many people choose to hold it at a restaurant, so nobody has to stand in the kitchen or spend the next day washing up. Here is our guide to finding the right place, booking in good time and having a julefrokost everyone will be talking about afterwards.

Disclosure: The owner of BoligFritid.dk has bought Spiseliv.dk, which we link to in this article, and takes over the site on 1 January 2027.

Why many people hold their julefrokost out

• Nobody stuck in the kitchen: the host can join the party from the start.
• No tidying up and no full dishwasher the next day.
• Room for lots of people: restaurants have the tables, chairs, tableware and staff for large groups.
• Less risk at home: fewer lit candles and pots on the cooker in a busy home. See our advice on a fire-safe Christmas if you are holding it at home.

How to find the right place

1. Know your group

How many of you there are decides a lot. A small group can sit at an ordinary table, while a company or a large family often needs a separate room. Ask whether you will have the room to yourselves, and how long you can stay.

2. Choose a style

• Classic Danish julefrokost with herring, snaps (Danish aquavit), flæskesteg (roast pork with crackling), duck and risalamande (rice pudding with whipped cream and almonds). See, for example, the guide to a classic julefrokost in Copenhagen (in Danish).
• Julebord or buffet (a Christmas spread), where everyone can help themselves to what they fancy. Good for large groups.
• Modern Christmas menu with several courses, for those who want to try something new.

3. Check location and transport

Choose a place that is easy to reach by public transport, and agree in advance how everyone will get home. Never drive if you have been drinking.

Book in good time

The best dates at the end of November and in December go quickly. Many people book as early as September and October, but there are often still tables available on weekdays and in early December. Also ask whether the venue has special julefrokost offers.

What to ask before you book

• Price per person, and what is included: food, drinks, snaps, coffee.
• Is there a minimum spend or a minimum number of guests?
• Can the kitchen cater for vegetarians, allergies and other requests?
• When does the number of guests need to be final, and what does a cancellation cost?
• Are you allowed to play music, make speeches or play pakkeleg (the Danish gift-swapping dice game)?
• When does the venue close, and can you carry on somewhere else afterwards?

Find your julefrokost on Spiseliv.dk

On Spiseliv.dk (in Danish) you can find restaurants all over the country and read reviews. Right now these Christmas guides, among others, are available:

• Julefrokost venues around Zealand (Sjælland) (in Danish)
• Julefrokost in Copenhagen (in Danish)
• Classic julefrokost in Copenhagen (in Danish)
• Current offers from restaurants (in Danish), e.g. julebord and Christmas menus

Good advice for the day itself

• Eat breakfast and drink water along the way; a julefrokost goes on for a long time.
• Agree on a set time for speeches, singing and pakkeleg, so the food does not go cold.
• Have a plan for getting home, and share a taxi or take the train together.
• Remember to thank the staff. They are busy in December.

According to a new survey, eating out is one of the first things Danes want to cut back on; read more in our news story on Danes preferring to save on restaurant visits rather than on holidays (in Danish). That is why it pays to compare prices and look out for julefrokost offers.

Frequently asked questions

When should you book a julefrokost?

The sooner, the better. If you are a large group, or you want a Friday or Saturday in December, try to book in September or October.

How much does a julefrokost at a restaurant cost?

It varies a lot depending on the city, the menu and the drinks. Always ask for a total price per person including drinks, so you can compare venues.

What is served at a classic Danish julefrokost?

Typically herring, egg and prawns, warm leverpostej (liver pâté), frikadeller (Danish meatballs), flæskesteg or duck with red cabbage, cheese and risalamande with cherry sauce. Many places also serve snaps and juleøl (Christmas beer).

Skal I holde julefrokost? Sådan finder I den rette restaurant.