The Best Cheap Eats In Copenhagen, Denmark

Where to eat in Copenhagen on a budget? 

Everyone warns you about Copenhagen prices before you go, and they’re not wrong. A sit-down dinner can easily run you 300–500 DKK per person, and I’ve paid 44 DKK for a flat white more than once.

But after spending a good chunk of time living and traveling here, I can tell you that eating well on a budget in Copenhagen is very doable. You just have to know which spots to go to.

From organic hotdog stands to all-you-can-eat buffets under 90 DKK, there’s a lot more to work with than people expect. Here’s my guide to the best cheap eats in Copenhagen, with prices and tips.

Planning a trip? Check out where to stay in Copenhagen and the best things to do in Copenhagen before you go.

Quick look: Best budget food in Copenhagen

1. Hotdogs: the most Danish cheap eats you can find

Danes take their pølser very seriously. Stopping at a hotdog stand feels touristy at first, but it’s something locals do all the time too.

It’s my go-to cheap lunch when I’m in the city and one of the most affordable things you can eat in Copenhagen.

DØP — organic hotdogs near the Round Tower

Location: Købmagergade 52, near Nørreport Station

DØP is the most talked-about hotdog stand in the city. It’s been featured on the Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil and for good reason.

Everything is organic, from the sausages to the remoulade to the crispy fried onions on top. Prices start from around 45 DKK, with a little extra for upgraded sausages or loaded toppings.

John’s Hotdog Deli — Central Station area

Location: Bernstorffsgade 5, just outside Central Station, across from Tivoli

John’s is my pick if you’re near Central Station. There’s usually a queue outside, which is always a good sign.

2. Reffen street food market (open spring to autumn)

Reffen is one of my favorite places to eat in Copenhagen when the weather is good.

It’s the largest street food market in the Nordic region, set right on the harbor in Refshaleøen with over 30 stalls serving food from all over the world.

You’ll find picnic tables with harbor views, live music on weekends, and a really creative atmosphere that feels very Copenhagen.

Dishes run roughly 80–150 DKK, which is good value by Copenhagen standards.

I’d recommend taking the harbor bus from Nyhavn rather than walking over. It’s an electric ferry, and it makes the whole trip feel like a proper outing rather than just going out for dinner.

3. Torvehallerne food market (open year-round)

Torvehallerne is one of my favorite spots in the whole city.

This covered food market sits right next to Nørreport Station and is packed with stalls selling fresh produce, baked goods, coffee, smørrebrød, seafood, and hot food from around the world.

It’s a great place to grab a cheap lunch in central Copenhagen, especially if you want to try some classic Danish food without paying restaurant prices.

Pick up a couple of open sandwiches from Hallernes Smørrebrød inside the market, and you have yourself a proper Danish lunch for well under 200 DKK.

If you’d rather have a local show you around, a Copenhagen food tour is a fun way to cover the market and a few neighborhood spots in one go.

4. Smørrebrød: the classic Danish open sandwich

If there’s one affordable food in Copenhagen that most visitors skip, it’s smørrebrød.

These are traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches served on dense dark rye bread and loaded with toppings like roast beef, hand-peeled prawns, pickled herring, egg and mayo, or smoked salmon.

They’re filling, delicious, and they cost a fraction of what a restaurant meal would set you back.

You can find smørrebrød at Torvehallerne, at dedicated smørrebrød shops around the city, and at most bakeries. Budget around 80–100 DKK for a couple of pieces, which is more than enough for lunch.

5. Dalle Valle buffet

Dalle Valle isn’t fancy, and it doesn’t pretend to be. But when I want to eat a lot for very little money in Copenhagen, this is where I go.

It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet chain with multiple locations across the city. You get hot and cold dishes, salads, pasta, meat, pizza, and dessert, all for a price that’s hard to match anywhere in Copenhagen.

It’s a great budget restaurant option when you want a proper sit-down meal without the price tag.

Current prices (approximate):

• Lunch buffet: around 79–89 DKK
• Dinner buffet: around 119–159 DKK

Download the Dalle Valle app before you go, as it unlocks deals and two-for-one offers that aren’t available to walk-ins. One important thing to know: tap water costs extra here, so order a drink or factor that into your budget.

Locations: Fiolstræde in the city center, Fisketorvet Shopping Mall, and several other spots around Greater Copenhagen.

Read more: Where to find cheap beers in Copenhagen?.

6. Gasoline Grill: best burgers in Copenhagen on a budget

Gasoline Grill started as a burger stand inside a converted gas station near Kongens Nytorv, and it has since grown into a small cult-favorite chain with a few locations across the city.

It made Bloomberg’s list of the best burgers in the world back in 2017, and locals are still obsessed with it.

The burgers are made with 100% organic beef, freshly ground daily, and they’re very good.

A single burger costs around 110 DKK, and a combo with fries and a drink runs around 165–170 DKK.

They open at 11 am and close when they sell out, so getting there earlier in the day is worth it.

7. Grød

Grød sounds like a strange recommendation. The name literally means porridge.

But oat porridge topped with salted caramel, fresh apples, and roasted almonds is one of my favorite affordable breakfasts in Copenhagen.

Not into porridge? They also do savory options like congee, risotto, and grain bowls. Breakfast bowls start from around 79 DKK, and savory dishes run around 70–90 DKK.

My usual spot is the stall inside Torvehallerne, which is really convenient if you’re already at the market.

8. Madglad: communal dining in Vesterbro

Madglad is a communal dining restaurant in Vesterbro that does exactly what Copenhagen does well: relaxed, unpretentious, and surprisingly affordable.

You’ll find long shared tables, colorful tablecloths, and a daily changing meal served with salads, hummus, and fresh bread.

It runs Monday to Friday from around 4:30 to 9pm. The daily special with sides costs around 85 DKK, which is one of the best value sit-down dinners you’ll find in this city. No booking needed, just show up.

Address: Store Kannikestræde 19, 1169 København

9. Pizza

Takeaway pizza is one of the most reliable, cheap eating options in Copenhagen. There are good spots across most neighborhoods.

Pizzeria La Fiorita — my favorite

La Fiorita is my go-to for affordable pizza in Copenhagen. The dough is crispy, the toppings are fresh, and prices start from around 60 DKK.

There are vegan options on the menu, and the bruschetta is worth ordering alongside your pizza if you’re hungry. It’s small and cozy and feels nothing like a tourist trap.

Address: Charlotte Ammundsens Plads 2, 1359 Kbh. K

Forno (Frederiksberg)

Forno is a neighborhood favorite in Frederiksberg with a good value menu. It’s worth knowing about if you’re staying on that side of the city.

10. Sunset Boulevard: cheap burgers near Central Station

Sunset Boulevard is a Danish fast food chain near the Fish Market area, close to Central Station.

It’s a solid option when you need something quick, filling, and cheap. Burgers start from around 43 DKK, and the Snack Burger is just 15 DKK.

11. RizRaz: vegetarian buffet in central Copenhagen

RizRaz has been going since 1989 and shows up on just about every Copenhagen budget food guide for a reason.

The Mediterranean spread covers salads, falafels, hummus, warm dishes, pasta, and comfort food. And if you arrive before 4 pm, they also put out vegetarian pizza.

There are two locations: St. Kannikestræde and Kompagnistræde.

Current prices (approximate):

• Lunch buffet (11:30–15:00): around 145 DKK
• Evening buffet (15:00–midnight): around 185 DKK

It’s not the cheapest option on this list, but for an unlimited sit-down Mediterranean meal in the center of Copenhagen, the value is real.

And if you want to try it for much less, keep an eye on Too Good To Go, where RizRaz bags sometimes come up for as little as 29 DKK.

12. Thai Asien: cheap food right next to Nyhavn

If you’re spending the afternoon around Nyhavn and don’t want to pay canal-side prices for dinner, this is my recommendation.

Thai Asien is right on Holbergsgade, just steps from the canal, and it’s one of the rare affordable places to eat in that part of the city.

Meals average around 99 DKK, the pad thai is good, and the portions are generous.

13. Punjab Bites Amager: great value Indian takeaway

Punjab Bites is one of my regular takeaways when I’m in the Amager area. The mutter paneer with rice or naan costs around 75 DKK, and the portion is massive.

Two people can eat well for around 100 DKK with a few extras, which makes it one of the best budget eating options on that side of the city.

14. Absalon — community dinners and cheap coffee

Absalon is a community space in Vesterbro that runs affordable communal dinners most weekdays.

You sit at long tables with other people and eat a decent meal. It feels local rather than touristy, which is exactly what I love about it.

Coffee and cake will set you back around 25 DKK, and dinner is similarly well priced. Check what’s on at absaloncph.dk before you go, as the program changes regularly.

15. Too Good To Go app — the best budget hack in Copenhagen

If you only download one app before your trip, make it Too Good To Go. Restaurants, bakeries, and cafes use it to sell off surplus food at a big discount before closing time, and the deals can be remarkable.

I’ve picked up bags from RizRaz, local bakeries, and all-you-can-eat restaurants for as little as 29 DKK. You can’t always choose exactly what you get, but that’s a small trade-off for the savings.

How it works:

1. Register and browse restaurants near your location
2. Buy your deal in the app and note the collection window
3. Arrive a few minutes before your slot so you don’t miss the queue
4. Show your ticket, collect your food and go

16. YourLocal app — for supermarket deals too

YourLocal works on a similar principle to Too Good To Go but covers a wider range of shops, including standard supermarkets like IRMA.

So instead of just restaurant leftovers, you can pick up fresh meat, fruit, vegetables, and ingredients to cook at home.

I use both apps alongside each other, and between the two, you can eat very well in Copenhagen for very little. Both are free and available on the App Store and Google Play.

17. Netto and other budget supermarkets

Netto is everywhere in Copenhagen and open until late, which makes it my go-to when I want something quick without sitting down anywhere. I regularly pick up a ready-made salad, a sandwich, or a hot dish for 30–60 DKK.

Other budget chains to look out for include Lidl, Aldi, and Fakta. And grabbing picnic supplies and eating by the canal or in one of the city’s parks is one of the nicest ways to eat in Copenhagen, especially in summer.

Where to stay in Copenhagen without breaking the bank

For accommodation, I’d look at Vesterbro or Nørrebro. Both neighborhoods put you within walking distance of Madglad, Dalle Valle, Gasoline Grill, and some of the best affordable pizza in the city.

Both areas are well connected by metro and bus, and hotels tend to be cheaper than in the city center.

Compare budget hotels in Copenhagen on Booking.com or browse Agoda for last-minute deals.

Staying longer or thinking about moving to Copenhagen? It’s worth sorting travel or expat insurance before you land. I use SafetyWing for longer trips and find it a good value for what you get.

My quick tips for cheap eats Copenhagen

• Go for lunch over dinner. Lots of restaurants here run lunch specials that are significantly cheaper than the same dishes at dinner.
• Make use of the food markets. Reffen and Torvehallerne give you restaurant-quality food at much lower prices.
• Download Too Good To Go and YourLocal before you arrive. Both are free, and I use them every time I’m in Copenhagen.
• Pick up supermarket takeaway. Netto is my go-to for a quick and cheap breakfast or late-night meal.
• Get the Dalle Valle app. The in-app deals are considerably better than the walk-in prices.
• Sort your data before you land. You’ll need mobile data for apps like Too Good To Go and for navigating between spots. Grab an Airalo eSIM for Denmark before you fly so you’re connected the moment you arrive.

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