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New Noma Sign Contains Stern Warning for Kayakers

Do not harm the birds, do enjoy a sense of time and place

Hillary Dixler Canavan is Eater's restaurant editor and the author of the publication's debut book, Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes From the Authority on Where to Eat and Why It Matters (Abrams, September 2023). Her work focuses on dining trends and the people changing the industry — and scouting the next hot restaurant you need to try on Eater's annual Best New Restaurant list.

Look upon the new Noma sign, ye boaters, and despair.

The original sign was an oft-photographed pilgrimage site of the culinary world. Unlike that familiar moniker, the new sign includes a curious no boating sign. Eater reached to chef René Redzepi for more about Noma’s anti-kyaking agenda.

“Actually it’s because the water is a bird sanctuary,” Redzepi said. Below the no kayaking sign is a Danish sign that alerts visitor to the area’s bird sanctuary status. “It’s an agreement we have with the [Freetown Christiania] bird watching group.” According to Redzepi, sometimes he can see several hundreds of birds outside of Noma’s windows. He confirms the ducks that have featured prominently in his must-see Instagram stories are now parents. But, he also says, “We’ve had the local fox take two birds (mallards).”

News of the no kayaking rule comes as the chef is about to welcome guests for the first nights of the vegetable menu, which runs from June 26 to September 15. When the restaurant reopoened in its new location, Redzepi served a seafood-focused menu that was met with acclaim from critics. After vegetables comes game and forrest season, in early fall. Perhaps wild Danish fox will be on that menu?

@ReneRedzepiNoma [Twitter]