Have you tried them all?: These restaurants opened in 2023
After several years of everything from corona epidemics to inflation and rising electricity prices, it wouldn’t be surprising if the city’s gastronomic players held back from opening new places.
Fortunately, that has not been the case, as 2023 has been a year of continuous expansion for Aalborg’s food scene.
In this article, we will gather the new eateries that you may have already encountered – or perhaps should.
The restaurants are listed in random order.
Note: Have we forgotten any? Please mention them in the comments on Facebook.
Doticelli
On The Dot has long been one of Reberbansgade’s major attractions with its delicious burgers, crispy Quesadilla, and tasty side orders.
But that wasn’t enough.
In July, the owners of On The Dot took over the neighboring premises, which had previously housed a pasta joint. And they chose to pursue this adventure.
This led to Doticelli, which offers traditional pasta with a twist – at prices everyone can afford.
Yummy Pasta
Speaking of pasta.
A bit closer to the center, another pasta place has just opened its doors to the people of Aalborg.
The premises at Bispensgade 29 have hosted a variety of establishments, but now it’s Aalborg’s newest taste of Italy.
The concept is simple and clear: three different pasta shapes combined with your preferred pasta sauce.
Moreover, they promise that it will take a maximum of five minutes from ordering your food to receiving it.
According to the owners, they aim to offer homemade, fresh pasta with tasty authentic sauces at an affordable price for everyone.
AI Japan
Over the years, the premises in Brandstrupsgade have been home to several “fancy” restaurants.
This year, a new player has moved in.
In April, AI Japan opened its doors with a special menu featuring a wide range of Japanese classics, as well as Korean and Hawaiian touches such as bibimbap and poké bowls – and of course, unlimited sushi.
In September, they expanded with a new concept that transforms AI Japan into a café in the afternoons, offering light lunch dishes, desserts, coffee, and matcha.
Ocean Sushi
Sushi remains incredibly popular, and this is reflected in the number of sushi restaurants in the city.
In July, another one opened, and this time at an iconic address.
What was a Chinese restaurant for years has now transformed into (yet) another place offering all-you-can-eat sushi. And the people of Aalborg are sure to appreciate that.
In addition to delicious sushi, you can also get more traditional Chinese dishes.
Chachaa
In June, Nordur, the popular plant-based restaurant in Reberbansgade 16, closed its doors.
But good news was on the way – the historic premises were set to reopen as the new Chaacha on November 7.
The restaurant offers a unique dining experience with Indian, Sri Lankan, and Pakistani cuisine.
The menu includes vegetarian and vegan dishes, marked with different ‘spice’ levels.
In addition to the food, innovative cocktails are served to complement the experience.
Restaurant Rustik
Rustik, an established restaurant by the water in Øster Hurup, announced earlier this year that they were expanding to Aalborg in Nordkraft.
The owner, Rashed Mesayer Rashed, brings the concept to the city with a focus on tasty, affordable food.
The menu includes flavorful burgers, salads, and refined gourmet dishes such as blue mussels and tender steaks of the highest quality from Ireland.
The new restaurant also has a cocktail bar and a build-your-own brunch.
BonDjorno
In May, a group of the city’s top restaurateurs announced that they weren’t satisfied with their already huge restaurant empire.
This led to the opening of BonDjorno, specializing in delicious pizzas – even all-you-can-eat.
For only DKK 400 or 500, you can get unlimited pizza and drinks for two or three hours from Monday to Thursday.
The price on weekends is a flat 50 extra.
You can also, of course, get a single pizza at the individual price – and there are also both draft beer and cocktails on the menu.
Hr. and FruSøgaard
Some of the first this year to lead the way in opening a new eatery in Aalborg were Hr. and Fru Søgaard.
Søgaards Bryghus has been in the same spot on C.W. Obels Plads for years with a concept that has evolved over time.
At the beginning of 2023, the couple announced that there would be even bigger changes in the premises going forward.
Søgaards Bryghus would now be divided into two parts: Hr. and Fru Søgaard.
On one end of the premises, there is now a cozy and #instaworthy café and bakery, while on the right, the Gastropub concept continues, focusing on craft beer and classic dishes.
There is also an increased focus on being a sports bar, where you can enjoy top sports with good beer and food.
Sulten
Admittedly, it wasn’t the first time that Aalborg had encountered “Sulten” (Hungry).
But at the end of the year, it made a comeback.
After the closure of USundt in Reberbansgade, Sulten came to life at the same address.
With a menu consisting of American, Mexican, and Danish dishes, Sulten is most known for its varied selection of burgers.
From classic to extravagant, such as the Experience Burger with 1000 grams of minced beef, they also offer an “Epic Burger” for DKK 7,999 with 13 kg of beef, 2.5 kg of fries, and a soda.
In addition to burgers, the menu includes everything from spare ribs to nachos, durum, pita, hot wings, and nuggets.
Alleys
Xuan Thanh Ngo, Vi Pham, and Zhenbin Lin, known from Catch Sushi Bar, opened “Alleys,” a new Asian restaurant in Vesterå, in June.
Alleys focuses on street food-inspired dishes in elegant surroundings, offering a menu with flavor experiences from Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, including Pho, Ramen, Pad Thai, and various unique dishes like the “Alleys salad.”
The restaurant also prides itself on reasonable prices, with starters from DKK 65, main courses from DKK 120, and desserts from DKK 65.
Leben
In April, Østre Havn added a new restaurant to its repertoire when “Leben” opened its doors at Stjernepladsen.
The driving forces behind this atypical Aalborg concept are Edwin Adkins and Maria Hartmann, whose impressive background from restaurants like Aamans, Umani, and Michelin establishments in London and Tokyo immediately put Leben on the Aalborg map.
With colorful interiors and a diverse menu featuring open-faced sandwiches, salads, fast dishes, and snacks at reasonable prices, the café has reportedly quickly gained popularity in the eastern part of the city.
