Inspired by the diners of America, the classic coffee shop came to Denmark in the 1930's. By the 1950's there were hundreds of coffee shops throughout Copenhagen. They provided a relaxed, homey establishment where blue collar workers — like craftsmen, moving people, mailmen and taxi drivers — would come by on a daily basis. No alcohol was served. The workers could bring food from home and come by early morning till mid afternoon. Or buy a loaf of white bread with cheese and a cup of drip coffee, eat while reading the newspaper and getting warm before going back to work.

 

Later they expanded into serving small, simple, no fuss open faced sandwiches on rye called 'håndmadder'. These sandwiches didn't have a lot of toppings, just the basics, and could be eaten by hand. Workers could pick up a pre-made lunch bag with '4 unspecified halves' that somewhat resembled the typical lunchbox a wife or mom would make. They would bring their lunch bags back to work or simply sit at the kaffebar and enjoy it in an easy going, approachable and unpretentious atmosphere.