Kong Hans Kælder
A French restaurant in a vaulted medieval cellar off Kongens Nytorv, the first in Copenhagen with a Michelin star.
- Opened
- 1976
- Founded by
- Sven and Lene Grønlykke
- Address
- Copenhagen
Why it is renowned
Kong Hans Kælder received the first Michelin star given to a Copenhagen restaurant, in 1983, and has held two stars since September 2021.1 It is still in the Michelin Guide's 2026 edition.2
The story
The filmmakers Sven and Lene Grønlykke opened Kong Hans Kælder in 1976, with the writer Klaus Rifbjerg as an investor; it was the first French-style gourmet restaurant in Copenhagen.1 The first chef, Michel Michaud, came from Falsled Kro on Funen, and his successor Daniel Letz won the star in 1983.1 The restaurant sits in the whitewashed, vaulted cellar of one of the oldest houses in the city, a medieval merchant's house; the name means King John's cellar.1 Mark Lundgaard is head chef, and the cooking is classical French with Nordic influences.13
What to know it by
- Signature menuMark LundgaardThe tasting menu
- First Michelin star in Copenhagen1983Daniel Letz
- Second Michelin star2021Mark Lundgaard
Pictures © Kong Hans Kælder, from konghans.dk.
Sources
- Kong Hans Kælder, Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org, read 28 September 2026.
- List of Michelin-starred restaurants in Denmark, Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org, read 28 September 2026.
- Kong Hans Kælder. konghans.dk, read 28 September 2026.
Last checked 28 September 2026, against the maker's own pages.