St. Martin's Eve 2026
A cozy Mortensaften with succulent duck in Christianshavn
We don't roast the geese, but instead prepare juicy duck breast and confit duck legs for the guests at Færgecaféen.
We celebrate Mortensaften (St. Martin's Eve ) on November 10, as is tradition, with classic duck – but also the day before, on November 9, so that everyone has the opportunity to taste the first duck of the year with red cabbage, gravy, and potatoes.
The story goes that Morten Bisp hid in the goose pen because he did not want to be appointed bishop. But the geese cackled and told on Morten, who decided that, in revenge, all households should eat goose one day a year.
Remember to book a table well in advance – and see the menu for Morten's Evening below.
Menu St. Martin's Eve & Little St. Martin's Eve
410 per person for 3 courses
First serving
Herring of the day
Pan-fried fish fillet with remoulade
Eggs and shrimp with dill mayonnaise
Cold smoked salmon with shallot cream
Second serving
Puffed pastry with chicken and mushrooms
Meatballs with pickled cucumber
Pork roast with red cabbage
Dessert
Old-fashioned apple trifle
Why do we celebrate Mortensaften?
On Mortensaften, we celebrate Martin of Tours, who lived in the Roman Empire in the 4th century. According to legend, he helped the poor, could cure the sick, and bring the dead back to life. He is also known as Saint Martin and Morten Bisp.
Morten – or Martin, if you prefer – was born in 336 in what we now call Hungary. The story goes that, at the age of 15, he enlisted in the army and ended up in Gaul, where rumors of his goodness and healing abilities spread, and he soon became known as a holy man. He later became a monk and returned to Hungary to convert his compatriots to Christianity. Without success. It is said that he only managed to convince his own mother of the cause. He was expelled and had to flee back to Gaul, where he settled and lived in peace and harmony. That is, until the citizens of Tours decided to make him bishop.
From this story, we know the tale of poor Morten, who hid among the geese that gossiped about him. Morten became bishop and punished the geese by decreeing that one day a year, goose would be served in every household. But since geese are hard to come by these days, we eat duck instead.
