A taste of Copenhagen with Nicole Bello
Eating and drinking in Copenhagen, life in Paris, creative work, and more
It took me a few weeks to pull this newsletter together but it’s finally here, and I’m especially happy about this one: this week, I’m sharing a lovely and down to earth chat with my dear friend, Nicole Bello.
Nicole was born in Sweden and lives in Copenhagen, where she works as a creative consultant for restaurants and brands. She’s always had a keen eye for beauty, and her Instagram is a dreamy scroll of mouthwatering food, inviting aperitivi, and sun-soaked getaways.
I met Nicole over a decade ago, while we both lived in the Marais in Paris. I was working in wine at the time and we kept running into each others at bars and cafés, until one day our mutual friend Pamela introduced us. And we’ve been friend ever since — despite years of living in different countries (and continents) juggling time zones and life shifts.
Nicole’s presence is always uplifting, playful, and quietly wise and I couldn’t think of a more fitting interview for the month of June.
In this conversation, she shares her favourite neighbourhoods and dining spots in Copenhagen, how she carved a path working in a creative field (yes, including tasting new dishes most days of the week), plus a few Paris tips for good measure. There are many more things I’d love to ask her, but I’ll leave that for part two!
And here is the interview.
Enjoy ♡
Hi Nicole, can you share your journey from Sweden to Paris, and eventually to Copenhagen? What inspired you to move to each city? And how has living in Copenhagen influenced your personal lifestyle or outlook on life?
I arrived in Paris in January 2012 to study French at La Sorbonne. The original plan was to do one semester, and then suddenly five years passed. Classic.
To be fair, like most decisions one makes in their twenties, there wasn’t much of a “plan” to begin with. It was just something I wanted to do or maybe even needed to do.
Anyone who has lived in Paris for a long stretch of time knows that the city really has magic to it, from sitting at your local café for a morning coffee & a croissant to walking across the Seine at sunset… Everything just feels so much more intense and beautiful than being anywhere else and doing the same things. But then there are all the annoying, frustrating everyday things that eventually pushed me to move away.
Copenhagen became a whole other chapter for me, equally essential but the perfect next step. I always described it as me looking for more ease and I definitely found it here. With all those of Paris life experiences, I felt I could decompress in Copenhagen, mature as well and lay the groundwork for what also led me to my current career.
How did you start creating content and consulting for restaurants? Was there a specific moment, project, or experience that sparked your interest?
I was always into visual creation. Back in fashion school, I remember enjoying sketching a collection and creating the mood boards far more than the tedious cutting, sewing and pressing of every little inch of a garment.
The interest was always there, but the moment that led me to focus on creative content came when a friend reached out during a tough time in my life — a moment when I was questioning my next step — and asked if I’d be keen to work for a startup as their Social Media Manager.
Copenhagen is known for its innovative and ever-evolving food culture and dining scene. What are some of your favourite restaurants and wine bars in the city, and what makes them special? Are there any hidden gems you’d recommend?
Too many to choose from! I do have some cute spots that are personal favourites, often lowkey but still amazing.
Omegn & venner is a deli in Torvehallerne, the famous food market. Its whole concept is what does it for me, local & delicious (which is also written on their Instagram bio). I just love sitting there people watching while enjoying some tasty seasonal dishes with a glass of wine.
I’ve been a big big fan of Selfish on Elmegade, ever since moving here in 2017. It’s a sushi bar in the heart of Nørrebro, and it’s always excellent. For wine bars there are so many options but I always return to Pompette.
For fancy occasions, maybe Ved Stranden 10 for the more decadent vibes and with a stunning view over the canal. Rosforth & Rosforth is also great and cheap. And La Banchina is probably the best for swimming & drinking.
And do you have any favourite food markets, bakeries, or street food spots in Copenhagen? What do you love most about them?
I mentioned earlier Torvehallerne, it has it all: coffee, pastry, veggies, and so many different options for food. For bakeries.. I like going Riviera at the moment. Chiara Barla, a friend of mine, is behind it. She is also the creator of a few other favourites of mine like Apotek 57 and Lido — and all the locations are so perfectly curated.
Outside of work, what does a perfect day in Copenhagen look like for you?
A perfect day for me here would be a day where I get to do the things I love. Have my morning coffee at Doomsday Deli or elsewhere as long as I get to have a great great coffee. From there, grabbing some lunch or a snack, checking out a nice museum (SMK is my favourite), squeeze in a Pilates session. If it’s summer, I’ll usually be at a sunny spot by the water reading my book and then joining friends for wine and a swim (and I guess that’s the magic of Copenhagen).
Are there any neighbourhoods or areas in Copenhagen that hold a special place in your heart? What makes them stand out for you?
I recently moved away from Nørrebro, which was home for me for the past 6.5 years. I love that area because it was always a bit rough, still cute but also more diverse. My new home is now in Vestebro which feels a bit more fancy than Nørrebro though I’m enjoying discovering what it has to offer.
You travel to Paris frequently—what are your go-to spots for eating and drinking when you’re there?
Always and forever Aux deux Amis. I lived on that street when it first opened, maybe early 2012, and I never stopped going. It’s unapologetically French — or rather, very Parisian in vibe. Often when I am in Paris I tend to go to the 2nd arrondissement for sushi, soba noodles (Kunitoraya is excellent) and then grabbing a coffee and enjoying a stroll in the gardens of the Palais Royal.
When you’re feeling creatively drained, are there any habits, rituals, or practices you turn to? How do you reignite your inspiration?
Well, first I think I always need to refocus my energy to myself when that happens. Doing the things that make me feel good, like sleeping, reading, or stretching, but mainly getting out the city. It’s always nice if it’s a trip to somewhere new or unfamiliar, though I often go home to my mom’s place in the south of Sweden. It’s in a small town, surrounded by so much greenery — forests, farm land, everything grows here, it is so lush! And it’s close to the beach too.
Do you enjoy cooking at home? If so, what’s your go-to dish when you’re not dining out? And what are the ingredients or flavours that always remind you of home?
I haven’t cooked at home now in a long time. Mainly because of my job. I tend to shoot often the new dishes at all restaurants I work with and by default often becomes my meals. And often I join staff meals to spend time with teams.
Finally, have you read any books lately that have inspired or impacted you? Are there any exhibitions, films, or performances you’ve experienced recently that you’d recommend?
I read A Gentleman in Moscow last year and loved it. It is set in Moscow during & post the revolution, and it follows the life of a count in this new world where the luxuries & privileges he was granted before are suddenly a thing of the past - it’s the kind of book that reminds you of the small things in life and moments that sometimes don’t seem like much yet but become your most cherished memories.
All photos are courtesy of Nicole.
You can check out her Instagram here.
Thank you for reading :)
xx Stefania