If you want to eat well in Copenhagen without the fine-dining bill, the street food markets are where the city really comes alive. This Copenhagen street food guide covers all the main players — Reffen, the sprawling 50-vendor market on Refshaleøen (April–October); Broens Gadekøkken, the smaller year-round spot on the bridge by Nyhavn; and the indoor halls at Tivoli and Torvehallerne. The scene grew out of the much-missed Papirøen and the post-Noma idea that anyone could open a stall, and it now marries world cuisines with Danish ingredients, craft beer, harbour views and, finally, prices that make the city feel affordable.
For everything beyond the markets, our complete restaurant and food-hall guide covers the full picture, and if you’re counting kroner, so does our cheap eats guide.
The markets at a glance
| Market | Location | Hours | Vendors | Avg meal (DKK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reffen | Refshaleøen | Apr-Oct, 12:00-22:00 | 50+ | 85-155 |
| Broens Gadekøkken | Inderhavnsbroen (Nyhavn) | Year-round, 11:00-22:00 | 10 | 95-145 |
| Tivoli Food Hall | Inside Tivoli Gardens | 11:00-23:00 (Tivoli season) | 12 | 95-155 |
| Torvehallerne | Israels Plads (Indre By) | Year-round, 10:00-19:00 | 60+ | 75-145 |
| WestMarket Frederiksberg | Vesterbrogade 97 | 11:00-22:00 | 15+ | 85-145 |
Reffen — the flagship market
Reffen is the heir to the legendary Papirøen, and the current heart of the scene. It sits on Refshaleøen, the old Burmeister & Wain shipyard island, where 50-plus vendors trade from repurposed shipping containers along a quay looking back at the city. It’s open April to October only, daily 12:00–22:00, and on a summer evening it’s genuinely one of the best places to eat in Copenhagen.
Go for: Hija de Sanchez (Mexican-Nordic tacos), Bronut (burgers and doughnuts), Korean BBQ Pop, Ramen to Bíiru, Goodfellas pizza. Getting there: the 991 harbour bus from Nyhavn is the scenic route — 15 minutes, about 40 DKK on a transport pass — or take the 9A to Refshalevej. Our full public-transport rundown has the details.
Broens Gadekøkken — year-round, by Nyhavn
Broens Gadekøkken (“Bridge Street Kitchen”) sits on the Inderhavnsbroen at the Nyhavn end, and it’s the easy one — open all year (11:00–22:00) and a five-minute walk from the harbour. With just 10 carefully chosen vendors, it’s smaller and more curated than Reffen, which arguably makes the food more consistent even if it loses some of the buzz.
Go for: Hija de Sanchez (a smaller outpost), War Pigs pulled pork, Halifax Burgers, Rico’s Mexican. Getting there: a five-minute walk from Nyhavn across the bridge.
Tivoli Food Hall — indoor and central
The Tivoli Food Hall brings the same energy indoors, inside Tivoli Gardens: a dozen independent stalls under one handsome roof, from smørrebrød and sushi to falafel, ramen, pizza and burgers, at 95–155 DKK a main. You’ll need Tivoli entry (195 DKK, or free with the Copenhagen Card), so it’s best on a day you’re at the park anyway — see our Tivoli Gardens guide.
Torvehallerne — the covered market
Torvehallerne (Israels Plads, open since 2011) is more upmarket specialty market than street food, but with 60-plus stalls under two glass halls it earns a place here. Hallernes Smørrebrød, the original Hija de Sanchez and a Coffee Collective stall all do street-food-style lunches at 75–145 DKK. Our Torvehallerne guide covers it stall by stall.
The vendors worth queuing for
Hija de Sanchez — Mexican-Nordic tacos
Rosio Sanchez, once Noma’s head pastry chef, opened Hija de Sanchez in 2015 as the city’s first proper taqueria, and it’s still the one to beat. Three locations — Torvehallerne (the original), Vesterbro (as Sanchez Cantina) and Reffen in season — do Mexican-Nordic tacos built on Danish ingredients, like pickled herring or smoked Faroese salmon. Reckon on 80–110 DKK a taco, or 145 for a three-taco plate.
Bronut — Reffen’s cult burger
Bronut at Reffen is the smash burger everyone argues about — Hart Bageri brioche buns, aged Danish beef and a house sauce, for 145 DKK. The queue routinely tops 30 minutes at peak, which tells you what people think of it. Worth it once; join the line early.
Gasoline Grill — the reliable burger
If you don’t fancy the wait, Gasoline Grill (several locations) is the dependable alternative. Started by an ex-Noma chef, it does grass-fed Danish beef aged 28-plus days on a simple bun, no fuss, for 95–125 DKK.
War Pigs — American barbecue
War Pigs (Flæsketorvet 25–37, in Kødbyen) is the Mikkeller × 3 Floyds collaboration: brisket, ribs, pulled pork and cornbread, paired with 24-plus craft taps, at 145–195 DKK a main. Loud, meaty and very good.
Mother — pizza, including late
Mother (Halmtorvet 19, Vesterbro) does wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, and its lunchtime slices at 50 DKK are the city’s best cheap pizza. Whole pies run 95–145 DKK, and it stays open until midnight at weekends.
Craft beer to go with it
Copenhagen’s craft beer is world-class, and street food is the natural excuse to drink it. Where to go:
- Mikkeller (multiple): the city’s craft-beer pioneer, with bars including Mikkeller Vesterbro and War Pigs.
- Brus (Nørrebro): a big taproom with food and a rooftop.
- Empirical Spirits (Refshaleøen): ex-Noma founders doing experimental spirits and beer, right by Reffen.
- Reffen Beer Garden: 24-plus rotating taps to drink alongside any stall.
- To Øl (multiple): brewery and bars with adventurous sours and IPAs.
The best time to go
Lunch (12:00–15:00)
Quieter and cheaper. Many stalls run 95–115 DKK lunch sets that climb to 145–185 DKK by dinner, so this is the budget window — and Reffen is far calmer.
Afternoon (15:00–18:00)
The lull. A few stalls close to prep, the beer gardens open, and it’s a nice time for a slow, unhurried afternoon.
Dinner (18:00–21:00)
The peak, and the point. Reffen around 7pm in summer — sunset over the water, live music, packed communal tables — is about the best dining atmosphere in the city. It’s walk-in only, so aim to arrive by 6:30 to grab a table.
Late evening (21:00–22:00)
Markets close at 22:00, with last orders around 21:30. It’s quieter, sometimes with end-of-night deals on remaining stock — good if you’d rather skip the crush.
Copenhagen street food guide: by cuisine
Mexican
Hija de Sanchez (three locations), Sanchez Cantina (Vesterbro), Rico’s (Broens Gadekøkken), El Camino (Reffen). Generally 80–145 DKK a dish.
American barbecue
War Pigs (Vesterbro), the pulled-pork stall at Reffen, Halifax Burgers (Broens Gadekøkken). 145–195 DKK a main.
Asian
Korean BBQ Pop and Ramen to Bíiru at Reffen, Slurp Ramen Joint (Indre By), Pho 3 Brothers (Nørrebro), Sticks’n’Sushi, Tao Burger. 75–155 DKK a dish.
Middle Eastern
Falafel Babba (Reffen), Hummus Bar, Marrakech (Vesterbro), Habibi (Nørrebro). 65–115 DKK a dish.
Italian
Mother (Vesterbro), Goodfellas (Reffen), Bæst (Nørrebro), L’Altro (Indre By). 95–145 DKK a pizza.
Danish and Nordic
Hallernes Smørrebrød (Torvehallerne), Aamanns Take Away, the sausage carts citywide, and Reffen’s Danish-classics stand. 75–145 DKK a dish.
Practical tips
- Carry a bit of cash. Nearly all stalls take cards and phone payments, but a few older Reffen vendors are still cash-only.
- Sharing tables is normal — just ask before you sit if there’s gear on the bench.
- There’s no table service — order at the counter, collect when called.
- No tipping needed — it’s built into the price.
- Dress for the weather at Reffen. It’s mostly open-air; bring a layer in spring and autumn, though the containers shelter you from rain.
- You can’t book — it’s walk-in only, so arrive early on summer weekends.
- Not every stall trades every day — individual vendors take days off.
- Pair with craft beer at the Reffen Beer Garden, War Pigs or Mikkeller.
- Vegans and gluten-free are covered at most stalls — just ask.
Papirøen — where it all started
If you’re wondering where all this came from: Papirøen (“Paper Island”) opened in 2014 in the old paper warehouses in Christianshavn, across from Nyhavn, and more or less invented Copenhagen street food before closing in December 2017 for redevelopment. A new Papirøen 2.0 — housing plus a culture-and-food complex — opened on the site in 2024, but it isn’t the old market. Its vendors scattered instead to Reffen, Broens Gadekøkken, the Tivoli Food Hall and beyond, which is why the scene feels so joined-up today.
Seasonal pop-ups and festivals
Beyond the fixed markets, the calendar throws up plenty more:
- Copenhagen Cooking & Food Festival — late August, 250-plus events, many with street food.
- Distortion — the June street parties spawn food clusters across Nørrebro and Vesterbro.
- Christmas markets — Tivoli, Nyhavn and Højbro Plads (November–January) with festive street food.
- Neighbourhood street festivals — pop up around the city through late summer.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best street food market in Copenhagen?
Reffen, on Refshaleøen — the flagship, with 50-plus vendors and the best atmosphere, though it’s April to October only. For year-round access in a tighter, more curated lineup, Broens Gadekøkken by Nyhavn.
What does it cost?
Mains run 85–155 DKK: tacos 80–110, burgers 95–145, a pizza slice 50 (or 95–145 whole), Asian noodles 75–115. Add 65–85 DKK for a craft beer, and a full meal with a drink lands around 150–240 DKK a head.
Is Reffen open all year?
No — Reffen runs April to October only, as it’s outdoors. Broens Gadekøkken and Torvehallerne are year-round, and the Tivoli Food Hall follows the Tivoli season.
How do I get to Reffen?
The 991 harbour bus from Nyhavn is the nicest way — a 15-minute ride for about 40 DKK on a transport pass. Otherwise the 9A bus to Refshalevej, or 15 minutes by bike. Our full guide to getting around Copenhagen has the routes.
Are the markets good with kids?
Very — especially Reffen and the Tivoli Food Hall. There’s plenty of space, kid-friendly stalls (burgers, pizza, ice cream) and communal seating. Just go earlier rather than late, once the beer gardens fill up. See our Copenhagen with kids guide.
Do they take cards?
Almost all take cards and phone payments. A handful of older Reffen stalls are cash-only, so keep 200 DKK on you as backup.
Reffen or Broens Gadekøkken?
Reffen is the experience — 50-plus stalls, outdoors, harbour-front, summer only, big and a bit chaotic, and a harbour bus away. Broens Gadekøkken is the convenience — 10 stalls, covered, year-round, a short walk from Nyhavn. Both are worth your time.
Is Papirøen still going?
Not as the old market — that closed in December 2017. A new Papirøen 2.0 opened on the site in 2024, but it’s housing and culture rather than the legendary street food hall. Reffen carries the torch.
Related reading
- Where to eat in Copenhagen — the full scene.
- Cheap eats in Copenhagen.
- Torvehallerne.
- Tivoli Gardens — home to the Food Hall.
- Copenhagen’s best coffee bars.
- Best vegan restaurants — plenty at the markets.
- Public transport in Copenhagen — the harbour bus to Reffen.
- Free things to do in Copenhagen.
Final thoughts
Copenhagen’s street food scene takes you from the summer chaos of Reffen’s 50 stalls on the harbour to the tidy year-round comfort of Broens Gadekøkken by Nyhavn, with the Tivoli Food Hall and Torvehallerne filling in when the weather turns. Go for Hija de Sanchez, Bronut, War Pigs and Mother; budget 85–155 DKK a main; expect to share a table and pair it with a good beer. And if you do just one thing from this whole guide, make it Reffen at seven on a summer Friday — it’s the best atmosphere the city serves up.
Last updated: July 2026. Photo credits: images courtesy of copenhagentourism.org.
