Best *Actually* Cheap Copenhagen Eats + How to Eat Cheap

Copenhagen is not the most budget-friendly destination, with a high quality of life comes a high cost of living. This is not only true for residents, but also for tourists who visit Copenhagen. You’ll be spending $6 USD on a latte! Which, to be honest, is not too far away from US prices. But if you’re visiting Copenhagen but you’re on a budget, one of the best ways to cut costs is to spend less on food. But where are the best Copenhagen cheap eats (that is not fast food)? And how do you eat cheap in Copenhagen if food costs are on the rise worldwide? I budgeted my way through Copenhagen for a month, so read on to discover my tips on how to eat cheap (and good) in Copenhagen.

Streetfood Halls: Why They’re Not Budget Friendly

All the cheap eats in Copenhagen guides will point you to food halls like Tivorhallen, Reffen, and more.

Tivorhallen is a trendy food market with food stalls ranging from cheese, olives, wine, and food trucks outside. Reffen is a seasonal street food market that has international cuisine and a bunch of alcohol stands. The vibes of both markets are nice, especially Reffen when you can enjoy the manmade beach during the summer.

While you can grab a cheap meal from from a stall or two, most of the time, the food markets are more upscale and not as affordable as they may seem.

Meals can start at 90 DKK ($12 USD) and up, and often don’t fill you up. You’ll be paying $15-20 USD just for a meal! You’ll blow right through your budget if you eat at food halls often. While I love street food halls as much as the other person, they really aren’t the place to go if you’re looking for a cheap meal.

Is Copenhagen Expensive to Eat Out?

Copenhagen is insanely expensive to eat out. It’s definitely not sustainable eating out often in the long-term, especially or tourists staying more than a couple days. If you eat out every day for every meal for three days, you’ll be out at least $100 USD! I spent one month in Copenhagen and can count on one hand how many times I ate out. Most of the time, I bought groceries and made my meals to cut costs. And most locals also make their meals since eating out is considered a luxury or an expensive outing.

Proper street food is also not really a thing compared to other countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mexico, or the United States. The closest thing you’ll find to street food are hot dog vendors, which I’ll get into more later.

How much is a meal at a restaurant in Copenhagen?

Obviously, this depends on where you go and how much they charge for a meal. You can find restaurants and kiosks charging all sorts of prices, so I can’t give a guaranteed price or average. However, I can give examples of the prices I paid with some of the meals I ate out in Copenhagen and the average amount I spent on meals:

• Smag: 90 DKK ot $13.03 USD for a small “salad” (more on this later)
• Scurryhub: 78 DKK or $11.35 USD for a thai curry entree
• Et Cetera: 233 DKK or $33.76 USD for a trendy, hipster brunch cafe (2 dishes and a drink)
• Palazzo Diner: 152 DKK or $21.95 USD for a trendy dinner and drink
• Whole Pizza: 129 DKK or $22.39 USD for a whole, freshly made 12 inch pizza + a drink

So, as you can see, eating out in Copenhagen is on the pricey side. Granted, the times I ate out were not with budgeting in mind, excluding Scurryhub which is the cheap option of this bunch. For an average meal out in Copenhagen, you’ll probably spend anywhere from 120 to 170 DKK (~$17-$25) and upwards of 200+ DKK for a nice one.

Is it cheap to eat in Denmark?

While it’s not cheap to eat out in Denmark, you can definitely eat cheap in Denmark. As long as you do some research and check out menus beforehand, you’ll find hidden gems and ways to eat cheap and good in Copenhagen! Cause let’s face it, no one wants to eat at McDonald’s or Burger King every day. And their prices are getting more expensive these days!

But if you don’t want to research, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with this guide on the actually cheap eats in Copenhagen that will be filling and good. So, let’s get our grub on!

If you’re on a budget, also check out the best free things to do in Copenhagen and save money while having fun!

Best Actually Cheap Eats in Copenhagen (That’s Not Fast Food)

Surprisingly, there are a lot of spots you can get a meal for around 70 DKK or less! There’s a lot of variety as well.

Scurryhub

Address: Fiolstræde 30, 1171 København, Denmark

Cuisine: Thai

Menu: https://www.scurryhub.dk/

Cost: All main dishes are 78 DKK each

Scurryhub is a classic Copenhagen cheap eats that is healthy and fresh. From their website, Scurrhub says they serve “Delicious Thai curries, stir-fried dishes and noodles. Healthy, home-cooked and always fresh.” So you know you’re getting high quality food for great value.

Nestled near Norreport station, it’s a popular eatery with students and workers. It’s $11.30 USD or 78 DKK for a hearty dish, which includes curry, noodle soup, or rice.

I had it on my first day in Copenhagen for a quick, cheap meal and it was so filling! You can tell the dishes are made with love.

King of Kebab Pizza & Grill

Address: Nørrebrogade 20, 2200 København, Denmark

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Menu: https://www.dagensmenu.dk/pizzeria/king-of-kebab-pizza-grill-københavn-n?ad-id=1670

Cost: 60 DKK for kebab plate and fries

Seems like affordable Middle Eastern food is cheap all throughout Europe and in Denmark! Nestled away in the Nørrebro neighborhood is this classic kebab and pizza place that is famously open all day and night. It’s open from midnight until 4 or 6 AM most days, so you know all the late-night clubbers and drinkers hit up this cheap, filling spot.

You can get a durum, pita, or kebab plate for under 60 DKK. You can also grab pizza, burgers, fries, falafels, and all sorts of other fast foods. But for a healthier option, opt for the durum or pita.

Isted Grill

Address: Istedgade 92, 1650 København, Denmark

Cuisine: Danish

Menu: https://www.istedgrill.dk/secondframe.html

Cost: 45 DKK for a small sandwich or 75 DKK for a large

This well-known, late-night munchies grill run by a Taiwanese Chinese couple is a staple drunk food or night out eat. They’re famous for their Flæskestegssandwich, which is a traditional roast pork with crispy skin sandwich. It’s served with pickles, pickled cabbage, and beautifully roasted pork.

It’s a classic, delicious almost-street food that’s perfect for a quick meal. They also serve other burgers from 50 DKK to 78 DKK, so there’s something for everyone. It’s probably one of the quintessential Copenhagen cheap eats for students (almost a rite of passage, every university city has one).

Madglad

Address: Eskildsgade 13, 1657 København V, Denmark

Cuisine: Varies

Menu: https://www.madglad.net/

Cost: 50 DKK for lunch and 65-80 DKK for dinner

This is a beloved neighborhood cafeteria serving fresh, homemade food at an affordable price. They have lunch and dinner offers, with daily lunch offers at 50 DKK and dinner dishes of the day for takeaway for 65 to 80 DKK.

For both lunch and dinner, you get the main dish plus salad, bread, and hummus! The more expensive options allow you to get more sides or try different dishes! The dishes change every day, so check out their menu to see what they’re offering for the week! They also serve mostly vegetarian dishes, so it’s friendly for all diets.

They’re also known for their warm and welcoming atmosphere!

IKEA

Address: Dybbølsbro 4, 1577 København V, Denmark

Cuisine: Swedish

Menu: https://www.ikea.com/dk/da/stores/restaurant/svensk-restaurant-menu-pub623e9380

Cost: 39 DKK for meatballs

Who doesn’t love IKEA? Known for its affordable furniture and lifestyle goods, it’s also great for affordable meals! I’m an avid lover of IKEA meatballs and it’s a staple for American university students and families. Luckily, that affordability translates to every IKEA, and it’s a great hack for getting a cheap meal.

You can get the meatballs, or you can also get the vegetarian option for 29 DKK!

Tip: If you sign up for an IKEA Family membership (it’s free), you’ll get half off the main meatball course price every Friday! So instead of 39 DKK, you’ll pay 19.50 DKK for the meal, which is a steal.

China Box

Address: Købmagergade 63, 1150 København, Denmark

Cuisine: Chinese

Menu: N/A

Cost: 3 dishes for 45 DKK, 4 dishes for 55 DKK, and 5 dishes for 65 DKK

For Americans, this is like Panda Express! It’s a cheap and filling Chinese fast food place, which gives out huge portions. An order of 4 dishes can fill 2 people! It’s also popular with students and workers, as its affordable and fast.

Plus, it’s tasty! It might not be the healthiest (depending on what you choose), but you can easily get vegetables and non-fried protein for a filling and decently nutritious meal.

Reinh. Van Hauen

Address: Store Kongensgade 45, 1264 København, Denmark

Cuisine: Bakery

Menu: https://rvh.dk/

Cost: All sandwiches are 59 DKK

A popular bakery known for its high value to cost ratio. You get quality baked goods and breads for an affordable price, and you can get a light meal for less than 70 DKK. There are also savory breads and snacks from 22 DKK to 38 DKK, from topped focaccia to sausage buns. You can also grab a bread on the way out as a snack later.

It’s a small bakery, but it’s cozy! If you’re a student, you can also get 15% off if you show your student ID.

Madbaren Marmorkirken

Address: Store Kongensgade 77, 1264 København, Denmark

Cuisine: Bistro

Menu: https://bestil.madbaren.dk/

Cost: 69 DKK for a sandwich or a large salad

This pizza and sandwich place is also a beloved local place with fresh, delicious food and a really lovely owner. Everyone loves how pleasant and friendly he is, with a passion for providing good quality, affordable to the public.

You can get a filling and fresh sandwich for 69 DKK and there are a variety of fillings and flavors you can choose from. The place is tiny, with one table inside and two outside, so it’s more of a takeout spot. That’s probably how they keep the costs so affordable, haha. But for cheap, delicious food, it’s worth it.

Harry’s Place

Address: Nordre Fasanvej 269, 2200 København, Denmark

Cuisine: Danish Street Food

Menu: https://www.harrysplace.dk/

Cost: 42 DKK for a hotdog

You can’t leave Copenhagen or Denmark without trying a Danish hot dog! Different from American hot dogs, Danish hot dogs come with a variety of sauces and condiments like pickles, fried onions, and more. The hot dogs have a satisfying snap and pair really well with the condiments. You can find hot dog stands all over the city, but there are few that stand out, one of them being Harry’s Place.

This iconic hot dog stand is said to be one of the original stands, starting in 1965. It’s a little out of the city center, but it’s worth the trek. Try renting a bike and biking there from the city center! It’s convenient, affordable, and easy to learn the biking rules.

They give you unlimited condiments and people love their spicy sauce. It’s easy to spot their tiny corner stall with the white paint and red sign.

Folkehuset Absalon

Address: Sønder Blvd. 73, 1720 København, Denmark

Cuisine: Varies

Menu: https://absaloncph.dk/en/food/

Cost: 60 DKK per meal (lunch or dinner) Wed – Sun and 100 DKK for dinner Thurs – Sat

This renovated church turned community space serves up fresh meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at an affordable price. Each meal is 60 DKK and usually is two courses plus a small side.

From Thursday to Saturday, there is a communal dinner event you can reserve tickets for for 100 DKK each and that is a three-course meal.

In addition to great food and vibes, there’s loads of activities available to do with friends. From ping pong, backgammon, chess, yoga, and more, Absalon is really a community-oriented space designed to feel like an extension of your living room.

Kylling Bar

Address: Nørrebrogade 108, 2200 København, Denmark

Cuisine: Turkish

Menu: https://kyllingbar.dk/?utm_source=GMBmenu&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google My Business

Cost: 55 DKK for a durum or pita

Another great cheap eatery in Norrebro with amazing homemade Turkish food for cheap. It’s hard to find a shop that makes fresh, homemade food that tastes amazing AND is affordable in Copenhagen. People love their borek and homemade bread, and people love their chicken. The food is tasty, and filling, and it seems like a neighborhood staple.

There’s lots of seating inside and the owner is really nice! It’s also right next to the Norrebro metro station and right on the main street. You can’t go wrong sampling any of their food!

VietThai

Address: Frederiksborgvej 81, 2400 København, Denmark

Cuisine: Vietnamese and Thai

Menu: https://www.vietthai.dk/menu/

Cost: 45-55 DKK for a banh mi, 80 DKK for pho

Another cheap eatery located outside the city center, but worth it for their delicious pho and banh mis. They’re famous for their pho, which has great broth, herbs, and beef slices. The portion is also large so you’ll leave satisfied!

The restaurant itself is quite small, but cozy (and free entertainment via the fish tank)! People like taking it to go to get cheaper prices. It’s one of the more popular Asian restaurants in Copenhagen with true, Vietnamese flavors.

Smag

Address: Fælledvej 25, 2200 Kbh K, Denmark or Linnésgade 17, 1363 København, Denmark (in Torvehallerne)

Cuisine: Salad Bar

Menu: https://smagnu.dk/salater/

Cost: 94 DKK for a small “salad”

Okay, the price is on the higher end, but hear me out! This is my favorite healthy but good value meal in Copenhagen. The salads aren’t your traditional lettuce or spinach salads. Smag makes dense, nutrient packed and tasty salads that are scooped. For example, read this description of one of their June salads: “Green bean salad with tomato, grilled carrot, spinach, olives & green pesto dressing”.

A small salad comes with 3 salads, 2 dressings, and your choice of bread. The salads have a lot of protein in them (depending on what you pick) and will leave you full. At first, the price may be a lot, but the workers absolutely PACK the bowl. It’s practically overflowing, I’m serious!! Truly one of the best meals I had in Copenhagen and it was enough to be one and a half meals. It’s just chef’s kiss.

How to Eat Cheap in Copenhagen

Besides looking for Copenhagen cheap eats, there are also some other ways to eat cheap in Copenhagen. If you’re savvy, you can make your buck go far! Here are some tips and tricks to scoring cheap eats in Copenhagen.

Discount Food at Supermarkets

This was my lifesaver when I stayed in Copenhagen for a month. I didn’t want to spend egregious amounts of money on eating out, so cooking was my main source of fuel. But groceries in Copenhagen can also be expensive. Luckily, my host told me about the secret-not-so-secret discounted food in the supermarkets.

Supermarkets like Netto or MENY discount pre-packaged foods that are about to expire about 1-2 days in advance. For example, a protein wrap expiring in two days will cost at least half its original price. The closer to expiration something is, the cheaper it will be. I’ve definitely scored a wrap or mixed veggie mix for less than $2 USD doing this.

You’ll also find packaged raw meat on discount as well and will have a yellow discount sticker on the package. In the yogurt or dairy aisle, there are usually discounted items on the bottom shelf in a corner as well.

As long as you are okay consuming close to expired products, this is a great way to save some money and eat nutritious food!

Too Good to Go

Too Good to Go is an app that connects users to restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and more food places that have extra unsold food that needs consuming. Similar to how the near expiration food discounts at grocery stores work, the food sellers will sell their leftover food at discounted prices on the app. You can browse from restaurants near you and pay for it through the app, then pick it up in person. You can also use this with other things like flowers as well.

A good tip is to use it in the evenings when stores close up shop. Since Copenhagen has so many bakeries, it’s great to get quality baked goods for a fraction of the price. You can buy as much as is available then freeze it to make it last longer. You can also try post brunch or lunch for leftovers from a hotel buffet or brunch café.

Lunch Specials + Happy Hour

This is more generic advice that can be applied to anywhere you go, but lunch will usually be cheaper than dinner. Most restaurants make their money during dinner, so to get more people to come during the day they’ll have special offers for lunch.

You can find these online via Google Maps by searching around or just by walking on the street. You’ll usually see posters in the window or signs on the sidewalk advertising a lunch menu or special. The discount will usually be a couple dollars off or more value for the price you pay.

Happy hour is also a great way to get a discount on drinks and a meal. Depending on what the restaurant is offering, you can get a light meal for a discount and cheap alcohol as well. The more affordable ones will be advertised on the street, so it’s best to keep your eyes peeled as you walk around the city.

University Canteens

This is something I didn’t learn until after I left Copenhagen, but you can get really cheap meals at university canteens. The University of Copenhagen’s south campus has a community kitchen where you can get a cheap, nourishing student meal for 28 DKK. I’ve heard that they don’t check ID’s, so you can try and test your luck.

But the canteen also has social dining every Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM where students pay 50 DKK and the public pays 60 DKK. The meals change on a daily basis and they’re always fresh and nutritious.

Danish Bodegas

Bodegas are the place to go for cheap drinks. They’re essentially Danish pubs or beer halls that sell tap beer for about 25 DKK per pint. Some popular ones are Minas Kaffebar (which is always busy when I’ve walked past), McKluud, and Skippers. They’ve all got a traditional, cozy vibe and can get crowded during peak hours.

Enjoy Copenhagen Cheap Eats on a Budget!

While Copenhagen isn’t the most affordable tourist destination for many visitors, there are ways you can work it into your budget. As this article shows, it’s possible to eat cheap in Copenhagen and have great tasting, nutritious food. The most budget-friendly option for food is to cook, but if you’re only visiting for a few days, then it’s not really an option. There are a plethora of cheap eats you can choose from: Turkish, Vietnamese, Thai, Danish, fast food, and more. You just need to know where to go and when. And hopefully, this cheap eats guide to Copenhagen helps you save some money on your trip. Happy travels (and eating)!