Aalborg – A short break to Danish gastronomic delights

Less than 2 hours flying time from the UK, Denmark’s most Northern city, Aalborg, is developing a well-deserved reputation as a short break haven for those who literally enjoy sinking their teeth into a destination. Founded an ancient Viking settlement in North Jutland, this vibrant modern city now has more restaurants and bars per resident than any other town in Denmark. Ranging from international to traditional, there is something to suit everyone’s palette and pocket.

From the cream coloured interior and international fusion style of ‘Morten’s Kro’ (mortenskro.dk) to the Restaurant Rosdahls, where Mediterranean dishes are served with a Scandinavian twist in an old converted warehouse on the harbour front (rosdahls.dk) and newly opened Mungott (mungott.dk) on Tolbod Square with its brasserie styled menu, a wide range of tastes are well covered.

Italian and French also feature highly on the menu with SanGiovanni, the city’s famous ‘slow food’ restaurant, offering superb Italian food (sangiovanni.dk) and the exclusive Hos Boldt, in the 200yr old "Simonis Gård" district, serving up a delicious range of French specialities. For those who savour a venue with a difference, head to the harbour for a night onboard the handsome Dutch training ship ‘Princess Juliana’ (princessjuliana.dk), take a short drive to the Rold Forest to the idyllic forester’s cottage which houses the award-winning Restaurant Norlundi (restaurant-noelund.dk) or dine out in complete 400yr old style in the city’s ancient castle Sohngaardsholm Slot (sohngaardsholmslot.dk).

Surrounded by excellent pasturelands and miles of pristine coast, Aalborg’s markets and restaurants have the pick of some of the best local produce around.

Visit the Grønttorv market on Wednesday and Saturday from 7.00am to 2.00pm or the Torvet market on Wednesday from 8.00am to 5.00pm to get a real flavour for the local specialities. Look out for black Danish lobster from Hirsholmene, succulent Venø oysters and North Sea salmon, halibut and cod plucked from the sea; freshly churned butter from the local Ingstrup and Aabybro dairies; Lindegaard Dairy’s fragrant goat cheese from Nibe; wild boar from the Lille Vildmose moors; newly dug Vildmosegaard potatoes; wild mushrooms and mineral-rich pan salt from the island of Læsø.

In addition to its wealth of gourmet ingredients, Aalborg also produces some delicious liquid delights including the famous Aquavit – Denmark’s drink with a kick. The Aalborg Destilleriet, where Aquavit is made, is a great place to learn about its history, and get a taste, of this clear, high-spirited liquor. Beer is also very much part of the Danish diet so don’t miss a visit to one of the local breweries such as Søgaards (soegaardsbryghus.dk) or Nibe (nibebryghus.dk).

If only taking a weekend to savour all the delights of Aalborg, a good place to get started is Jomfru Ane Gade with the longest continuous stretch of restaurants, pubs, cafes, live-music venues and bars. Friday and Saturday evenings are the best time to experience the street’s lively atmosphere. Alternatively, if you can get away a day earlier, you’ll arrive in time for the Thursday night happy hour ensuring a high-spirited start to your stay.

Polishing off your gastronomic weekend away, why not indulge in a leisurely champagne Sunday brunch at the vibrant Utzon Center (utzoncenter.com) on the waterfront where an impressive exhibition of art, architecture and design makes for a very relaxing final day.

Getting there

Sterling offers direct daily flights from Gatwick to Aalborg in under two hours with fares starting from as little as £12 one-way. Only 15 minutes from the airport (6km), Aalborg offers a good range of central 3 and 4 star hotels with prices ranging from £80-£120 per room per night.

For more information on Aalborg go to visitaalborg.com. For details on North Jutland log on to Visitnordjylland.dk. For more information on Denmark see Vistidenmark.com.