aye aye, Rising Restaurant Star of Admiral Hotel, Wins Gold at the Star Wine List of the Year Denmark 2025

In a city like Copenhagen—known for its exciting food and drink scene—it takes something unique to stand out. aye aye, the maritime dining room of Admiral Hotel, has done just that. Its sharply curated wine list has been named the winner of Denmark’s Best Newcomer Wine List at the Star Wine List of the Year Denmark 2025, firmly cementing its place among the country’s most exciting arrivals. 

Copenhagen’s waterfront has no shortage of noteworthy destinations. Few are, however, as compelling as Admiral Hotel. Once two working grain drying warehouses, this 18th-century architectural treasure has long been a landmark of the city’s past. Today, its raw timber beams and muted color palette frame something more contemporary: a hotel epitomizing a Nordic sensibility, and now also a restaurant that has quickly become a standout on the city’s culinary scene.

That restaurant is aye aye. Here, social dining meets a maritime spirit, celebrating open-fire cooking, fresh seafood, and subtle Mediterranean flavors. In just a year, aye aye has not only managed to find its footing in a food-centric city; it has also secured a major accolade. Recently, it won the Best Newcomer List at Star Wine List of the Year Denmark 2025. The award places aye aye among the world’s most thoughtfully assembled wine programs—no small feat given that only 48 venues in Denmark made the finals.

– We are incredibly proud of this recognition. The award is a pat on the back for our entire team and a confirmation that our vision of creating world-class wine and food experiences is being noticed—also outside Denmark, says Jesper Stubgaard, Managing Director at Admiral Hotel. 

“An Exceptionally Ambitious and Confident Debut”

For Admiral Hotel, the award adds a new layer to its ongoing reinvention. aye aye is an important part of its new, modern outlook. Its culinary philosophy is rooted in a Southern European tradition while honoring Nordic ingredients, using the Josper grill as an essential part of its cooking. With a focus on fresh seafood, quality meats, and seasonal vegetables, this is where ingredients are allowed to shine.

Looking beyond the food, it is the wine program at aye aye that has recently gained attention. Here, wine is treated as its own narrative thread, bringing flavor, atmosphere, and history to the table. The wine list features everything from prestigious wine regions to hidden gems produced by passionate winemakers. Each bottle is selected for its unique character and ability to elevate the dining experience, from fresh and aromatic white wines to deep and nuanced reds.

Besides the Gold Star in the category Best Newcomer List, aye aye was also awarded a Silver Star in the Best Italian Wine List category. Kathrine Larsen-Robert, Master Sommelier and Head of Wine (Europe) at 67 Pall Mall in London, is a judge in the category Best Newcomer List.

– An exceptionally ambitious and confident debut. The depth, clarity, and breadth of the list are remarkable; the layout is easy to read. Some key areas will benefit from more maturity, but it’s a hugely promising start and an extraordinary achievement within just a year, says Kathrine Larsen-Robert.

Selections Made with Passion and Expertise

At the heart of Admiral Hotel’s wine universe is Sommelier and Wine Director Christoffer Schwarz-Nielsen. A passionate expert, he has meticulously curated a selection of wines rooted in Europe’s most esteemed wine regions. With a strong focus on sustainable producers, he has created an experience that blends tradition and innovation. Among the many exquisite wines, the German selections deserve special recognition, as their exceptional quality and vibrant acidity pair perfectly with aye aye’s culinary creations.

According to Christoffer, the ambition has been to create a wine list that centers craftsmanship, terroir and personality. This philosophy is evident in a collection celebrating both the classic wine countries and the new, curious producers. From Piedmont to Jura, from Etna to California, the wines of aye aye always focus on authenticity and gastronomic balance.

– Our wine list should be vibrant—it should reflect curiosity and respect for winegrowers who dare to go their own way. It is wine that suits our cuisine, but also wine that tells stories and creates dialogue around the table, says Christoffer Schwarz-Nielsen. 

Star Wine List is the guide to great wine bars and wine restaurants around the world, often referred to as the “Michelin guide of wine”. With an international network of ambassadors, composed of sommeliers, wine writers and wine experts in each region, the Star Wine List keeps its finger on the pulse of emerging trends on the global food and wine scene. Star Wine List of the Year is the guide’s award, celebrating the top wine lists of the world and, most importantly, the teams behind them. It hosts the awards in many countries around the world each year, culminating in an International Final every summer.