Great-value restaurants in Copenhagen

Copenhagen's best affordable places to eat and drink

Atelier September – for bistro lunch

This pretty café and gallery is hygge at its best – Danish crockery in neutral tones sits snuggly in chic dressers, bottles of wine are elegantly aligned on white shelves, and stylish locals slouch around the large communal table at the café’s heart cupping polkadot mugs of Swedish Koppi coffee. Order warm, cinnamon-infused apple juice and a traditional poppy seed-covered Te Birkes pastry. For lunch, harissa is stirred through a pumpkin purée sprinkled with crunchy toasted buckwheat and fresh coriander, while lemon oil, zest and fresh tomatoes add a citrusy kick to creamy straciatella. cafeatelierseptember.com

Den Vandrette – for natural wine

You’ll find this cosy, candlelit wine bar, sunk down from the pavement, just around the corner from the colourful buildings of Nyhaven. Dried flowers hang from arched ceilings, fur throws are draped across wooden benches and vintage rugs add warmth to concrete floors. Sune Rosforth, Copenhagen’s pioneering natural wine importer, has selected an imaginative list of natural wines to choose from. Try elegant Nas del Gegant rosé, La Sorga’s sparkling Belzebrut, or orange wines from Georgia. Nordic small plates include smoked celeriac with oyster leaf and crisp black chickpeas, Norwegian scallops with sea buckthorn and habanero, and Christiansø herring with brown butter and crème fraîche. denvandrette.dk

Lille Bakery – for local bakes

Cycle across the river, past Noma’s greenhouses, to vibrant Refshaleøen where you’ll find this warehouse turned bakery. The airy building has had a lick of white paint, but its earthy interiors remain intact, putting the open bakery and prep area (where colourful salads are chopped on the counter and daily bakes sit on cooling racks) in the spotlight. It’s difficult to choose between umami-rich Danish pork sausage rolls with apple and fennel seeds, cod with lentils, leeks and cavolo nero, and carrot, pumpkin and ricotta tart. All dishes come with homemade bread, and drinks – think hibiscus iced tea or iced coffee – are homemade. lillebakery.com

Høst – for great-value set menus

There’s an indoor-outdoor feel at this contemporary Nordic neighbourhood bistro in Nørrebro, while potted trees, hanging plants, reclaimed wood and French windows create cosy nooks. The playful three-or-five-course set menus are peppered with foraged Danish ingredients and come with plenty of extras in between – warm bread with wheatgrass butter, seaweed and dill waffle topped with Danish crayfish, rhubarb doughnuts – making them brilliant value. Dishes might include smoked scallops with horseradish cream, white currants and dill oil followed by a choice between dried ramson-flecked chicken schnitzel in creamy garlic sauce or grilled beef tenderloin with fermented black garlic purée and Madagascan pepper and morels sauce. Finish with the likes of rhubarb and cardamom parfait, vanilla tuilles and warm caramel. The matching wine pairing is generously poured and for an extra 100 krona you can bookend your meal with a glass of crémant and coffee and petits fours to finish. cofoco.dk

Moveat – for affordable restaurant hopping

Connect several eclectic stops in a great-value, self-guided restaurant hopping tour. Pick the neighbourhood, buy your ticket on the app (approx. £50) and choose your pace to hop between open sandwiches at quintessential delis, bitesize seafood dishes at new Nordic restaurants and slices at trendy pizza joints. The routes might take you along the city’s rectangular lakes, through Assistens Cemetery (where Hans Christian Andersen is buried) and down residential cobbled streets, making it a fresh way to explore the city’s eclectic neighbourhoods. moveat.co

Lidkoeb – for cocktails

Cool ‘cocktail house’ Lidkoeb is set back from busy Vesterbrogade (factor in time to find it!). Work your way up this three-storey building (previously a pharmacy) to the whisky den beneath the exposed beams of the attic, or stick to the lounge downstairs to watch mixologists create cocktails at a bar that spans the whole of one wall. Sink into a low, stylish chair by the fire to watch Nordic ingredients and local spirits being shaken into superb cocktails. To create Rimfrost, the braces-clad barman infuses Bulliet Rye whiskey with fresh dill and combines it with St. Germain elderflower liqueur and bitters then tops with Champagne. lidkoeb.dk

Reffen – for street food

Refshaleøen island is home to Copenhagen’s most vibrant street food market, a flock of sea containers strung together by colourful lights and Nordic flags. Reduce and reuse is the mantra here, so food businesses serve organic, local ingredients where possible to create globally inspired dishes. Apartamento 16 serves Italian charcuterie and wines amongst washing lines of jeans, Baobab use local vegetables to make hearty Gambian peanut stew, domoda, and Thrilla in Manila does a brisk trade in spicy Philippine skewers. There are also Nordic Hotdogs made with South Jutland sausages and Crispy Pig roast pork sandwiches for those in search of classic Danish street food. reffen.dk

Hart Bageri – for sourdough treats

This mini chain of artisan bakeries from Danish chef Richard Hart spotlights sourdough in innovative sweet and savoury treats. Try doorstopper Danish ham and cheddar rye sourdough sandwiches, seasonal custard-filled croissant tarts and rotating Danish pastries. Relax by the water in the branch in maritime district Holmen or on the cobbled street patio in Nørrebro. hartbageri.com

Dyrehaven – for all-day casual dining

With black leather booths, patterned tabletops lit by sunset-coloured lampshades and a wood-panelled bar this hip Vesterbro hangout has a distinctly retro vibe. On weekend nights the DJs come out and cocktails are served but visit during the day and you’ll be rewarded with generous smorrebrods, the Danish open sandwich. Try homemade rye piled high with new potatoes, smoked cheese mayo, crunchy asparagus, cucumber and crisp onions. Dyrehaven also does an epic Flaeskesteg – roast pork (complete with crackling) served with red cabbage, red onion and pickled gherkins on a toasted sesame-topped burger bun.

Or, pop in for breakfast and start the day with a red grapefruit laced with ginger syrup and mint, or one of Denmark’s breakfast plates ­– avocado on malt bread with lime, olive, radish and fresh chilli, eggs Benedict and Icelandic skyr. dyrehavenkbh.dk

Grød – for porridge and risotto bowls

Grød is Danish for porridge, which is the speciality at this pared-back micro chain of restaurants. Go for breakfast and choose between oat porridge with caramel sauce, fresh apples and roast almonds or gluten-free acai-chia porridge made with almond milk and topped with fresh berries, nuts and organic skyr yoghurt. In the evening its custom-made ceramic bowls are filled with comforting risotto. Our favourite is dyed red with beetroot, thickened with parmesan and served with finely sliced rainbow beetroot, whipped ricotta and fresh thyme. If it’s a nice day, sit outside on wooden picnic-style benches. groed.com

Vækst – for a great-value plant-forward tasting menu

Nordic veggies and herbs are at the heart of the menu at this plant-filled restaurant, where – to reinforce the message – tables are centred around a greenhouse that’s been constructed inside the building. The three-course tasting menu is excellent value, the dishes peppered with amuse bouches and palate cleansers to extend the experience. Sourdough with lovage butter kicks things off, followed by chive oil-drizzled mushroom soup, pickled celeriac and lemon cream, and pan-fried halibut on parsley root purée with mussel sauce. Mains are accompanied by notable sides such as mash with smoked cheese and fried buckwheat, and crunchy green beans, green tomatoes and buttermilk dressing. cofoco.dk

Hija de Sanchez – for tacos

Rosio Sanchez is a Mexican, Noma-trained chef who’s now running a taco stand. This popular street food spot in Copenhagen’s Torvehallerne covered market does wonders with corn tortilla tacos ­– think spit-roast pork with little chunks of pineapple and onion topped with coriander, roast chicken in a rich chocolaty mole sauce, or grilled two month-aged, Mexican-style grilled cheese (albeit made from organic Danish milk) served with punchy guacamole and spicy morita chilli salsa. For dessert try Mexican ‘paletas’ – ice pops that combine Danish and Mexican ingredients (frozen avocado with freeze-dried raspberries, hibiscus tea with mezcal and oialla chocolate with Lakrids liqourice), or sip on a silky Aztec hot chocolate. hijadesanchez.dk

Café det Vide Hus – for ice cream

A favourite of Noma chef Rene Redzepi, Café det Vide Hus is a tiny spot with a view of fairytale Rosenborg castle and a penchant for locally foraged finds. Such special ingredients are used to compliment homemade ice creams – go for sea buckthorn sorbet dipped in white chocolate or elderflower ice cream dipped in chocolate and bee pollen. On cooler days, climb up the spiral staircase and find a seat in the snug lounge to sip on coffee from Copenhagen’s renowned roaster, The Coffee Collective. facebook.com/detvidehus

Torvehallerne – for market shopping

For high-end groceries and snacking, spend some time in Copenhagen’s biggest food market. Over 60 stalls sell Danish produce (local seafood and meats, open sandwiches, pastries, regional akvavits) as well as Mediterranean delicacies, exotic spices and freshly brewed coffee. The weekend crowds create a welcome buzz.

Mikeller – for craft beers

When maths and physics teacher Mikkel Borg Bjergso taught two of his students to brew they ended up taking the lesson so strongly to heart that they opened this seriously cool bar, with a staggering 40 micro-brewed beers on tap, along with over 200 bottled beers from Mikkeller, To Ol and other small-batch breweries. Shiny turquoise floors reflect onto bespoke pale wooden structures that create intimate corners and cubbyholes in the otherwise clean-lined canvas of the original Nørrebro bar. mikkeller.dk

Kiin Kiin Bao Bao – for Thai tapas

Danish chef Henrik Yde has recently opened a wallet-friendly alternative to his restaurant Guldbergsgade Kiin Kiin (the first Thai restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star). This more laid-back venture is a shimmering room that blends Thai and Danish design: soft grey walls, sleek tables and chairs, rounded sofas, globe lanterns and intricate teak panelling. The menu is tapas-style and there are over 25 small plate options – try the classic milky, fluffy bao with braised pork, peanuts and sweet hoisin sauce; a bowl of crispy kale chips with vibrant miso and pea mayo; fat, creamy Norwegian scallops in a mild ginger broth; and the 62 degrees egg, so silky and soft, with XO sauce and dried shrimp.

Barabba – for late-night Italian

Local chefs head to this buzzy Italian restaurant for post-shift plates of pasta, punchy cocktails and natural wines. The vibe is shabby chic, with ornate chandeliers on the rough walls, antique dressers on terrazzo tiles and wooden tables and chairs laid with vases of white flowers. Try silky folds of pappardelle with rich hare ragu, juniper and taggiasche olives, gnocchi with wild mushrooms or spaghettone with savoy cabbage and mussels. For a more substantial meal, follow your pasta course with a small but perfectly formed piece of brill, cooked on the bone with quince and citrus cream. Then finish with a crunchy, chocolatey semi-frozen hazelnut “rocher” with sour cherry coulis. The kitchen stays open until 2am with a late-night menu and there are regular negroni-fuelled parties, so keep an eye on Barabba’s Instagram feed to be kept in the know. barabba.dk

Now you've got your list of restaurants and places to eat in Copenhagen, check out where to stay below...

Where to stay in Copenhagen

All hotels have been chosen and reviewed independently by our expert locals.

Hotel Alexandra – for design-led comfort

• Double room from £97 per night based on two people sharing; check availability at booking.com, Michelin Guide

For a primer on mid-century Danish design that’s almost as good as a trip to Copenhagen’s Design Museum, book a room at this stylish hotel. The hotel owner has curated pieces built in Denmark in the 1950s and ‘60s, so the bedrooms’ wooden floorboards and large windows form the perfect backdrop to a collection of rattan headboards, graphic turquoise armchairs and wooden writing desks. Larger suites are like decorative tributes to individual designers – one is dominated by Jens Risom’s sleek sofa and wooden geometric side table, the Verner Panton suite comes complete with a groovy orange living area.

The stylish lobby area doubles up as an all-day hangout, with an honesty bar, complimentary wine hour and a record player ready to play the hotel’s selection of vinyl. In the morning, head down to connected bistro Godtfolk and create your own breakfast wheels from the continental buffet laid out in the conservatory – dill gravalax, Danish sausages, holey cheeses and slices of seeded, malty rye. The hotel is perfectly situated for exploring all of Copenhagen’s foodie neighbourhoods in one weekend, with Vesterbro’s Meatpacking District 15 minutes’ walk West, Torvehallerne food market a brisk 10-minute walk through Ørsteds Park, and Tivoli and the train station less than 500m away.

Central Hotel og Café – for pint-sized café chic

• Rooms from £285 per night based on two people sharing; check availability at Central Hotel og Café

The first floor of this wonky one-up, one-down building is home to a single-bedroom hotel. The pint-sized coffee shop below doubles up as the reception; pop in for a Risteriet coffee, old-fashioned milkshake or thick hot chocolate in the morning before mooching over to sister café Granola for brunch.

Coffee aromas follow you upstairs to a matchbox room, perfectly befitting of a hotel in Hans Christian Anderson’s hometown. Oak beams, dark green walls and a traditional writing desk add to the hygge vibe. Luxurious finishes are kept local – Geismars bed linen is woven in a nearby mill, bespoke Tromborg toiletries await in the tiny bathroom, and contemporary art by Danish artists hangs from sage green wallpaper. Borrow a yellow bike free of charge to explore trendy neighbourhood Vesterbro.

Nimb – for luxury set in the grounds of Tivoli Gardens

• Rooms from £390 per night based on two people sharing; check availability at booking.com, Hilton, Mr & Mrs Smith

This five-star luxury hotel is nestled on the edge of the iconic Tivoli Gardens theme park, and reservations come with free access to Tivoli Gardens and all its rides. Original Moorish-inspired palatial features intertwine with contemporary Scandinavian design to create a uniquely serene space adorned with chandeliers, trickling fountains and antique furniture. The original façade’s signature starry pattern is worked into trellising and even woven through bedding and ties of the attentive concierges. All but one of the 38 rooms face onto Tivoli Gardens, and most have balconies and sweeping terraces to soak up the fairground vibes. Each is unique while consistently catering to every luxury, including four-poster beds, two-person Agape bathtubs and complimentary danish treats in the mini bar.

A large brasserie-style space serves Scandi French fusion, with prime positioning to watch Tivoli’s Friday night concerts, while old school frills and seasonal smørrebrøds are served park-side at Fru Nimb. Set on its own boating lake in the gardens, The Japanese Pagoda curates a rotation of residencies from Michelin-starred restaurants across the world, a recent gem being Nicolas Min Jørgensen’s greenhouse-like Tri perched in the Danish North Sea fjords. Amble back beneath twinkling lights to Nimb’s ballroom turned bar for fairytale themed cocktails, such as forest margaritas laced with pine tree liqueur, sipped by the striking fireplace.

First published January 2017, updated November 2019 and June 2025