Table for One - PATIO (Helsingør) Review

I think I may have developed a new addiction, and it’s lemon tarts.

After a windswept visit to Kronborg Castle (Hamlet’s castle, for tourists like me) in the coastal town of Helsingør, Denmark - I ended up chatting with one of the museum staff, who kindly tipped me off about a place back in the town centre called Patio.

I assumed it meant some sort of outdoor café with fairy lights and exposed brick—perhaps a courtyard with blankets and overpriced tea. But no, it’s much better than that.

When you reach the centre of town, keep your eyes peeled for a quiet little side street and a cream wooden sign marked in thin black letters that simply reads “Patio.” Follow it, trust me.

You enter from a busy high street into a small, quiet courtyard that’s humming with conversation. Usually, I’d take the seat outside, but after being knocked about by high winds on top of a castle I head inside with the hope of finding an inside place to perch and I do.

The space itself is achingly minimalist. All white walls, soft light, and neutral-toned furniture make you immediately and painfully aware of the state of your own shoes. I felt mildly scruffy, but also calm, it is a vastly welcoming space.

There’s something about being seated on a wide windowsill, with a plate of food balanced on a ledge and a view of the courtyard where families and friends gathered for their Sunday meet-up, that makes you forget you’re wearing slightly mismatched socks. It’s like you’re part of it, but luckily for me - I’m very much a people watcher

I’d come in search of coffee and something sweet, but the menu gently convinced me to stay for lunch.

I ordered a sandwich - mozzarella and courgette on homemade sourdough, an unusual sandwich filling for me at least, but something told me to do it. I’d thought I’d already had courgette in every possible form, but here, it was delicate, full of flavour, and quietly excellent. No fuss, just perfectly handled ingredients that spoke for themselves. I asked for a wine recommendation and was brought a glass of orange wine by the manager. It was the perfect match: dry, floral, slightly tannic, and a gorgeous colour in the sunlight.

As I left, I ordered a lemon tart and a coffee to go for the train ride back to Copenhagen Central and I’m glad because if I hadn’t of and stayed in I guarantee you I would never have left the ledge and I would still be there now eating them - buttery, sharp, just sweet enough, with a thin, delicate pastry crust that shattered the moment I bit into it.

As the train pulled away I tucked into my tart and sipped my coffee contendly - it was the perfect end to a very gentle adventure.