What makes small, intimate restaurants so alluring? They embody the warmth of home while delivering top-tier cuisine—and in Copenhagen, Amator pairs that charm with impeccable design credentials.

Polish firm Wiercinski Studio designed the compact Østerbro dining spot to evoke the atmosphere of a breezy, light-filled hjemme spisested aka home-dining room, according to chef-owner Mateusz ‘Mati Pichci’ Sarnowski.

The firm dressed the 50-sq-m space with an organic material palette; its white-washed walls are hung with linen drapery and furnished with raw timber elements. Bespoke oak furniture and objects were designed by the studio and handmade in Poland before being shipped to the Danish capital, with Wiercinski Studio designing some 18 individual elements to enliven the space. Guests are seated across a mix of low oak tables and geometric bar stools at the window.

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Photography: Paolo Galgani

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Floating shelving—a mix of open-face and yellow cabinets that inject a subtle burst of colour into the scheme—hangs on the wall opposite while the kitchen is open-plan, providing entertainment and, of course, sustenance for diners.

Sarnowski embraces the listening bar trend with Amator’s wall-mounted speakers and Arda Audio hi-fi setup—more akin to an audiophile’s living room than a typical restaurant. Wiercinski’s bespoke vinyl storage, installed at the front of the dining room, houses the chef’s personal collection, which soundtracks the dining experience. On the menu is home-style favourites, including fresh omelettes and citrus tarts.

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