How Zahida Became Copenhagen’s Beloved indian Restaurant: A Story of Family, Struggle, and Passion

The 3 horsemen of romersagde

When my brother and I opened Zahida in Copenhagen, we didn’t know how deeply this small restaurant would shape our lives. Or how connected we would feel to the people who walk through our doors each evening.

Zahida is named after our mother. She is the reason this restaurant exists.

We grew up around home cooking. The kitchen was always alive with spices, rice steaming on the stove, and food shared at a crowded table. When we moved from the UK to Copenhagen, what we missed most wasn’t only the flavours. It was that feeling.

In 2017, we opened a small food stall in WestMarket in Vesterbro. It was simple. We served family recipes and the spicy chicken burger we had been craving but couldn’t find anywhere in the city. That stall became the foundation for what Zahida is today.

Building an Indian and Pakistani Restaurant in Copenhagen

In 2019, we opened our first full restaurant near Nørreport Station in central Copenhagen. Three months later, COVID changed everything.

Like many restaurants, we were forced to close and reopen repeatedly. I ran Zahida alone for nearly a year. Cooking, cleaning, service, administration. At one point, our account showed minus 180,000 DKK. It was a difficult period.

What carried us through was consistency and support. Guests returned when restrictions allowed it. Copenhagen locals backed a small independent restaurant trying to survive.

Then came the deportation of two of our chefs, both with Michelin-level experience. The story reached national media. What stayed with us most was the number of guests and locals who reached out in support.

It confirmed something important. Zahida had become part of the city.

Our Approach to Indian and Pakistani Food

Every dish at Zahida reflects where we come from.

We work with traditional Pakistani and Indian flavours, then refine them with a modern approach. Butter chicken, karahi, grilled meats, vegetarian dishes. The roots are classic. The presentation is contemporary.

Our head chef Sherwin helps shape a menu that respects authenticity while fitting naturally into Copenhagen’s dining scene.

We focus on balance. Spice without overpowering heat. Rich sauces without heaviness. Dishes designed for sharing.

A Restaurant for Gatherings and Celebrations

Over the years, Zahida has become known in Copenhagen for group dinners, celebrations, and corporate events.

We have hosted birthdays, proposals, business dinners, and full restaurant buyouts. The atmosphere is lively but relaxed. People come for flavour, and stay for conversation.

Being located near Torvehallerne and Nørreport makes it easy for guests from across the city to meet in one place.

What We’ve Learned

Running an Indian and Pakistani restaurant in Copenhagen has been humbling.

Some evenings are fully booked. Others require problem-solving from start to finish. The lesson has been simple: consistency matters. Community matters.

We stay connected with other restaurateurs. We continue refining the menu. And we continue listening to our guests.

More Than Just a Restaurant

At its heart, Zahida is about hospitality.

When we walk the dining room and speak with guests, it rarely feels formal. It feels like conversation. Like familiarity. Like people returning and bringing someone new.

That is what makes Zahida more than just a restaurant in Copenhagen.

If you would like to experience it for yourself, book a table and join us for dinner.