This is your ultimate guide to cheap eats in Copenhagen, Denmark! We currently live about three hours away from Copenhagen and I’ve compiled this Copenhagen food guide from our experiences from our 10+ trips to the city.
(Side note: The town we live in is called Billund and it’s a must-stop if you want to visit LEGO’s headquarters. Check out my Ultimate Guide to the LEGO House Home of the Brick and my guide to all things LEGO in Billund. It makes for a great overnighter from Copenhagen. On the way, be sure to swing by Roskilde to see original, 1,000-year-old Viking ships. They are pretty amazing.)
Anyways, back to Copenhagen food- food in Copenhagen is pricey. We always expect to pay around $20 per person for a basic meal at a street food type of establishment.
You may have heard people rave about the amazing food in Copenhagen. Most of the time, they are referring to one of the very fancy Michelin-starred restaurants that call Copenhagen home.
Currently, the city has 13 restaurants with Michelin stars. Some of the most popular ones are NOMA, Alchemist or Geranium.
To experience these restaurants you will easily be paying $300-$500 per person😳. Obviouslyyyyy these restaurants don’t fit into this budget Copenhagen food guide (or into my own budget for that matter😅).
So, if you don’t want to spend all of your money on food while you’re visiting, swing by one of these affordable places to eat in Copenhagen.
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Copenhagen Street Food Markets
I’ll start off this guide with Copenhagen’s four amazing street food markets. This is one thing I really enjoy about Copenhagen and Denmark in general. Most larger cities are home to a ‘street food market’.
This is basically another way of saying a food hall full of unique food stalls from all over the world. The great thing about these food markets is they are generally some of the best-priced food you’ll find. Again you’ll still be paying about $15-$20 per meal… but that’s better than most places. Copenhagen’s four food halls are: Reffen, Torvehallerne, Broens Gadekøkken, and Tivoli Food Hall.
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Reffen
- Locations: 1 Location with 30+ Food Stalls
- Diet: Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
Reffen is Copenhagen’s most unique and hip street food market and the largest street food market you’ll find in the Nordic. Reffen is located in a unique area of Copenhagen, along the harbor, that features a human-made ski hill, lots of art and design and even an area to go bungee jumping.
This food market features over 30 food stalls, plus workshops selling art and other items. You will find food from all over the world or stick to a local street food favorite (sausages/hotdogs) at Nordic Hotdog.
Reffen is only open in the spring/summer months and you can enjoy beautiful harbor views while eating dinner on one of the many picnic tables or interesting sitting areas. One unique way to get to Reffen is to take Copenhagen’s harbor bus (aka an electric ferry) which makes the entire trip and meal an experience!
TorvehallerneKBH
TorvehallerneKBH is another awesome food market in a completely different area of Copenhagen than Reffen. Torvehallerne is located close to Copenhagen’s three lakes (Søerne) and features fresh fruit, produce and more than 60 stands filled with eateries, bakeries, cheese, meats, flowers, and more!
It’s one of Copenhagen’s food halls that is open year-round since the majority of the stalls are located inside. This is where we tried our yummy ice cream from BANANA which I mention in this post. Torvehallerne is definitely a classic Copenhagen food stop.
You will find food from all around the world at Torvehallerne, or it’s also a great place to try the Danish classic smørrebrød at Hallernes Smørrebrød. Smørrebrød is a traditional open-faced sandwich with very particular toppings like pickled herring, cold shrimp, salmon, and potatoes.
Broens Gadekøkken
- Locations: 1 location with 16+ food stalls
- Diet: Vegan & Gluten-Free Options
I first noticed Broens Gadekøkken while taking a boat ride through Copenhagen’s canals. It’s another one of Copenhagen’s four street food markets (which I am all about). Something their website really highlights is that the food stalls found here are hand-selected by some of the people behind the Michelin-star restaurant, NOMA.
One extra fun thing about Broens Gadekøkken is that in the winter, the area turns into a fun ice skating rink and you can try some of Denmark’s traditional Christmas foods like gløgg (you can usually find both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and æbleskivers (fried dough balls).
Tivoli Food Hall
- Locations: 1 location with 14 food stalls
- Diet: Vegan & Gluten-Free Options
Even though Tivoli Food Hall is connected to Copenhagen’s fairytale-like amusement park, Tivoli Gardens, you don’t need a pass to be able to eat there. Tivoli Food Hall can be accessed from both within Tivoli or from a street entrance on the outside. However, you can eat out on the patio and get a small glimpse into the magic of Tivoli Gardens.
We tried Zócalo when we ate at Tivoli Food Hall and very much enjoyed our dinner. This is another great place to try the traditional Danish favorite, smørrebrød, at Hallernes Smørrebrød (the same place that is also at Torvehallerne Food Market). Tivoli Food Hall is open year-round.
Additional Places to Eat in Copenhagen on a Budget
The remaining eateries on this list are located all around Copenhagen, with many of them having many locations. Some of their locations may actually be inside one of the above-mentioned street food markets. These are tried-and-true locations that we have been to or hope to visit on our next Copenhagen getaway.
Joe and the Juice
- Locations: 15+ locations
- Diet: vegan & gluten-free options
Joe and the Juice is a great, healthy chain to know about in Copenhagen and Denmark in general. With over 15 locations in downtown Copenhagen, you are sure to never be far from one. This means it’s a great place to keep on your radar in case you find yourself getting hangry but don’t know where to go 😅.
They offer up simple paninis, salads, juices, and more.
However, I do like everything else Joe and the Juice offers. My go-to menu items are an avocado sandwich and a juice. They are perfect for a quick, healthy lunch or dinner, and you’ll be able to find a location whenever you need one!
Landbageriet
- Locations: 1 location
- Diet: vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free options
Landbageriet is a must-stop bakery for everyone with a vegan, gluten-free or sugar-free diet. They have amazing bread, cake, and traditional Danish pastries like kanelsnegl (cinammon rolls).
My all-time favorite item there is the carrot cake (gulerodskage). We go out of our way to pick up multiple pieces of the carrot cake each time we visit Copenhagen (which is 10+ times). The banana muffins are another favorite treat from there as well.
One great thing about Landbageriet is they display the ingredients used for each item on the card by the item. This makes it easy to know which items are compliant with your way of eating.
They also have a small section selling other plant-based and organic groceries in case you are looking for something specific while in Copenhagen. Grab some treats and head over to Copenhagen’s nearby lakes (Søerne) to enjoy your snacks.
BANANA
- Locations: 3 locations
- Diet: vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free options
BANANA is a fun soft-serve ice cream shop with a unique concept. Created in 2018, BANANA aims to provide delicious ice cream made from bananas from a local grocery store that would otherwise be discarded because of their appearance. Their ice cream not only is delicious but also helps reduce food waste in Copenhagen!
You can order soft serve in a cup, shakes, lots of delicious toppings and banana bread! One of the BANANA locations (and the one we visited) is within Copenhagen’s unique Torvehallen Food Hall (TorvehallenKBH) which is worth a visit on its own.
Grød
- Locations: 6 locations
- Diet: vegan & gluten-free options
Grød is the one place I haven’t visited yet on this ultimate Copenhagen food guide, but I plan to soon! When you think of Grød, think of fancy, sweet, and savory porridge to have for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. They opened in 2011 with the idea to recreate porridge which was often thought of as a ‘boring poor man’s food’.
Now, their menu boasts many interesting porridges, risottos and fruit bowls (menu changes with the season, check their website for current menu options). If you are looking for a fun and unique place to eat, Grød might be for you!
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La Neta
- Locations: 2 locations
- Diet: Vegan & Gluten-Free options
La Neta is a cute Mexican joint with a simple menu of delicious street tacos and quesadillas. They have two locations in Copenhagen, however, we have only visited their Vesterbro location (but we’ve been there three times).
Denmark isn’t exactly known for its great Mexican food, but La Neta’s street tacos in Copenhagen do not disappoint. Being from the US and living in Denmark, we are constantly on the lookout for great Mexican food. When we stumbled upon La Neta one evening in Copenhagen we were so delighted to have found some amazing street tacos.
La Neta is located near one of our favorite hotels in Copenhagen and an almost hidden, urban park called Skydebanehaven. The park is tucked behind a huge castle wall and is perfect to take dinner to-go if you need a place for your kids to play while you eat.
Gasoline Grill
- Locations: 6 locations
- Diet: Vegetarian options
Gasoline Grill is your classic, heart-attack-inducing burger joint with a small menu that you sometimes just have to visit. But really, I think their burgers may be worth it 😅.
They have multiple locations within Copenhagen, however, I recommend swinging by the quirky Landgreven location. This location is a small walk-up eatery connected to a working, 2-pump gas station. Plus, it’s only a 5-minute walk to Kongens Have and Rosenborg Castle which makes for a perfect picnic destination with your to-go order.
You can choose from four hamburger types all served on delicious brioche buns and with their special ‘gasoline sauce’ and of course, you’ve got to get an order of their crinkle fries.
Plus, they have a ‘green burger’ made with grilled seasonal veggies for the vegetarian in your party. One important thing to note is they open at 11:00 am and close when they sell out, so I recommend swinging by for lunch.
DØP:Den Økologiske Pølsemand
- Locations: 2 locations
- Diet: Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
One thing Copenhagen is known for is its many pølsevogns or sausage carts around the city. Sausages/hot dogs are one of Denmark’s most popular street foods and a great option for a quick, easy and inexpensive meal in Copenhagen. One cart that stands out above the others is Den Økologiske Pølsemand (The Organic Sausage Man).
DØP has your traditional sausage choices, but also some unique sausage options like a pork sausage with wild garlic, a spicy beef sausage, or a vegan tofu sausage. Their website says, “We have reinvented the hotdog concept and made a more healthy and modern eatery.”
One thing DØP is known for is their vegan tofu dog. Let me just say, I’m not usually a fan of vegan hot dogs, however, I enjoyed the one we tried from DØP! It’s a tofu-based sausage with the traditional Danish toppings (or the toppings of your choice) and it’s a great option if you are vegan.
We stopped by the DØP cart right outside The Round Tower which is a great place to go for beautiful Copenhagen views.
You’ll also find other hot dog carts throughout Copenhagen and all of them are worth a visit. This one is just best if you have specific dietary needs.
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Frankies Pizza
- Locations: 7 locations
- Diet: Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
If you are looking for super yummy pizza that’s served at a super Instagrammable place, try out Frankies Pizza. Frankies is a super cute pizza joint in Copenhagen with multiple locations to choose from. Each location is just as cute and quirky as the last.
We visited Frankies Strøget location which is a cute, corner shop with a second-level patio right on Copenhagen’s huge shopping/pedestrian street. I tried the Bianco pizza with potatoes, rosemary, and goat cheese and I definitely recommend it.
This pizza place will be sure to please everyone in your party with plenty of meat, vegan and gluten-free options.
Rajuize
- Locations: 1 location
- Diet: Vegan and Gluten-Free
I felt like we discovered a local, neighborhood secret when we stumbled upon Rajuize Smoothie & Juice Bar. Rajuize is a small, down-to-earth joint with loads of amazing smoothie and juice options made fresh-to-order with fresh fruit sitting on the counter. There was a line of locals out the door when we walked up (which is always a great sign) and we knew we had to stop.
They have compiled every flavor of smoothie you could ever want with your typical fruits, but also exotic fruits you may not usually try. We picked up Rajuize between lunch and our late dinner to help keep us going as we walked around the city. Our little tot loved our smoothies and it was nice to find some food she was more than happy to eat.
Lagkagehuset
- Locations: 10+ Locations
- Diet: Possibly Gluten-Free Options
Lagkagehuset is a delicious bakery chain located throughout Denmark with multiple locations in Copenhagen. I will say that almost any bakery you visit in Copenhagen will have generally the same choice of traditional Danish pastries and they will all probably be pretty tasty no matter where you get them. However, Lagkagehuset is a good place to know as they dot the city and there is always one close by.
If you are coming from the US, I’m sure you’ve heard of a pastry called a ‘Danish’. Well, I hate to say it, but there are no pastries called ‘Danish’ in Denmark. The closest thing you will find is called a Spandauer.
However, my all-time favorite treat to buy is a quarter of a huge wiener kringle or a piece of a drømmekage. The wienerkringle is a delicious pastry with custard and flaky crust and drømmekage is a yummy coconut cake. 🤤.
Other classic treats to try are rumkuglers which are sprinkle-covered balls made from leftover cakes and pastries and infused with rum or flødeboller which is kind of like chocolate-dipped marshmallow cream with various toppings.
Zócalo
- Locations: 3 Locations
- Diet: Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
Zócalo is a Mexican fresh fast food joint with 3 locations in Copenhagen. They feature huge burritos, yummy fresh salads plus tacos and quesadillas. We ate here after a long day of walking in the city and it was exactly what we needed to fuel up in a healthy but tasty way.
One great thing is their menu is very flexible with options to choose your ‘protein’ with each meal with yummy vegan options available. I tried their Mission District burrito with pulled jackfruit and it was so yummy and very filling. I even had leftovers which seems rare in Copenhagen. My parents both got a chicken Lucha Libra salad and they couldn’t stop raving about it!
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7-Eleven
- Locations: 30+ Locations
- Diet: Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
Yes, you read that correctly, I said 7-Eleven. If you are from the States, 7-Eleven will most likely bring to mind unhealthy and not-so-tasty food.
However, in Denmark, 7-Eleven is an amazing place to find healthy, yummy food to go at a cheap price. And surprisingly, it is a great place to find delicious vegan and gluten-free meals with easy-to-find labels on the containers.
I know multiple families who pick up most of their meals from 7-Eleven while in Copenhagen to help save money and to have multiple options for their kids.
Here you can find packaged salads, sandwiches, smoothies, yogurts, and pasta along with more traditional heated items like little pizzas and pølserhorns which are basically delicious ‘pigs in a blanket’.
Pølserhorns are one of the most popular snack foods in Denmark and you for sure need to try a few while in Copenhagen. They are the kind of things that both kids and adults buy at the bakery to snack on while shopping or walking around town.
Check out these other posts, I know you’ll love them:
- 8 Incredible and Budget-Friendly Copenhagen Hotels
- 24 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Copenhagen Denmark
- The Only Itinerary You Need for One Day in Copenhagen
- 10 Things You Need to Know Before Renting a Cargo Bike in Copenhagen
- How to Visit Islands Brygge Harbour Bath in Copenhagen (Havnebadet Islands Brygge)
- A Local’s Ultimate Guide to The LEGO House Home of the Brick in Billund Denmark
- Roskilde Viking Ship Museum Denmark: Everything You Need to Know
- Lindholm Høje: Explore a Beautiful Viking Burial Site in Denmark
- Aarhus, Denmark: 8 amazing things to do, see, and eat
- 8 Unique Canal Tours in Copenhagen You Need to Book
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