NOMA SUMMER 2020

Wine and burgers in rural city surroundings

In 2003 a new restaurant opened in Copenhagen. The name was noma, and the angle was Nordic. Nordic taste and Nordic produce – like a conglomerate of Nordic culture served on a plate. Ants and local herbs foraged in nature close by were some of the ingredients that forever placed noma and chef René Redzepi at the top of every global foodie, critic or chefs list. In 2005 Noma received its first Michelin star. Number two came in 2007, and the rest is a history of awards, nominations and a bustling restaurant. In 2017 noma decided to close the restaurant and move to a new and very contrasting location.

For fourteen years noma resided in a maritime and charming building in Christianshavn, but in 2018 the restaurant reopened in Holmen. Even though the new noma is only 2,5 km away, it is a whole other unique setting and seasonal concept that sets the bar even higher for what a restaurant could be and do. Since reopening in the new space, Skagerak has been present in the outdoor area with umbrellas, Plank Benches and Overlap Tables and benches. This has been particularly true for the summer of 2020 when noma opened its garden and outdoor spaces for a temporary wine and burger bar, where their goal was to connect with the community, and to celebrate summer in the best and safest way. The furniture allowed the noma team to extend service into the gardens, providing a perfect balance of quality and craftsmanship to this summer at home-pop-up.

A unique and historic location
The world-famous Michelin-star restaurant reinvents itself in the outskirts of Copenhagen, at the very rim of the city. From the road, you can spot the iconic Marble Church behind the Royal Castle across the harbour. And in the back yard, you'll find one of Copenhagens biggest tourist attractions, the autonomous Freetown of Christiania, established in 1971.

In front of the restaurant, a small lake resides and makes it almost impossible to imagine that the city centre is only ten minutes away by bike. The new noma ­opened in 2018 after nearly two years of building and restoration. The new location is a former naval depot from 1917 and used to be a hang-out for graffiti painters. The site and building lie in the area of Christianshavns Vold – an old rampart which was part of the bastioned fortification ring surrounding Copenhagen – hence the lake that is part of the former moat. The building is protected, but the Danish government permitted noma to rebuild the parcel, transforming the graffiti lot into a new urban farming space and world-class Michelin restaurant.

Wildflowers, wine and burgers
Wildflowers grow alongside the paths creating an authentic Nordic and natural vibe as a sharp contrast to the backdrop of modern residential housing and Copenhill - a powerplant transformed into a skiing hill designed by BIG – an urban reminder amid these rural surroundings. An atypical city view to appreciate while sipping a glass of wine and enjoying a bona fide noma burger packed with umami and a little magic from their fermentation cellar.

Noma opened their outdoor wine bar pop-up late May resulting in thousands of burgers, long lines during and before opening hours and many excited faces soaking in the total experience. The democratic concept brought together a community after a tenacious time and underlined the importance of bold entrepreneurship. Even though the wine bar is closed now, the new noma 2.0 is still an oasis, a hidden gem in the city.