This is a guest post by Josephine Remo, a former flight attendant of seven years, whose biggest passion is traveling. For the past ten years, Josephine has dedicated all her spare time to travel and is currently living as a digital nomad.
Copenhagen is a lovely city that is well worth any traveler’s time for numerous reasons. You might think of words such as cute, bicycles, NOMA, cold, or Hans Christian Andersen. A word that is rarely associated with Copenhagen, however, is cheap.
Many people believe that visiting Copenhagen is going to break the bank and it is true that Denmark is an expensive country. Nonetheless, over the years a bunch of great and economic options has opened all over the city in terms of food, accommodation, and things to do in Copenhagen. Eating amazing food in Copenhagen should be on the top of your list of priorities when visiting the city, and this does not have to be expensive at all.
Here is a list of the 7 absolute best places to eat around Copenhagen, for less than 100 DKK. All places mentioned below are local favorites that provide a great gastronomical experience, far away from overpriced tourist traps.
1. Folkehuset Absalon
Folkehuset Absalon is a particularly interesting and unique spot in Copenhagen that can be visited for more than just the food. As a converted church, Folkehuset Absalon functions as a restaurant, great café, event location, and hang-out spot.
The church opened its doors in 2015 intending to become a spot for the people that was both economic, inviting, and fun. Everything happens in the main hall where you find long tables, a bar, and ping pong tables. With its communal nightly dinners and events ranging from quizzes to croquis, Folkehuset Absolon is a place for all.
Dinner is served every night at 6 PM and presented in a communal format where everyone eats alongside at the long tables. The menu changes every night and costs 50 krone Sunday – Thursday. Friday and Saturday Folkehuset Absalon offer a 2-course menu for 100 DKK. Likewise, lunch is served every day from 12 PM and costs 50 DKK all days of the week.
You can check out their website for weekly events and an updated menu. Folkehuset Absalon is located in the trendy Vesterbro area at Sønder Blvd. 73, 1720 Copenhagen V.
2. Fabro
If you are craving a delicious and simple pasta dish in a laid back setup, head to Fabro. This small corner restaurant is located in the very center of the city and stands out with its economic prices and simple concept. You won’t find anything fancy in this place but instead simplicity, a nice atmosphere, and extremely friendly staff.
For just 85 DKK, Fabro serves great pasta dishes without the fuss. The menu doesn’t change much and the options are cut to the bone. Fabro offers 4 different pasta dishes, a few simple starters, and usually just one dessert. Check out the menu on their website if you are curious to know more beforehand.
Note that Fabro doesn’t take any reservations and you will have to drop in and possibly wait a bit for a table. Fabro is in the very center of Copenhagen at Borgergade 134, 1300 Copenhagen K.
3. Poulette
Poulette is a tiny joint in the heart of the Nørrebro area that specializes in fried chicken or vegetarian tofu burgers for 75 DKK. Other than that, you have a few other great options in terms of extras and fries – that’s it. Even though the place and menu are small, Poulette serves one of the best fried chicken burgers in town and the people know it. With its growing popularity and limited space, it’s not uncommon to be in line for a medium-short while at Poulette.
Note that you can’t sit inside at Poulette and with just one small bench outside, people tend to grab their food as take-away or pair it with a glass of wine from Pompette next door. You’ll find Poulette at Møllegade 1, 2200 Copenhagen N.
4. Holy Krapow
Holy Krapow is the only place in Copenhagen that serves the Thai spicy dish “Krapow”, and they do so perfectly. For 95 DKK you get an incredibly flavorful meal including rice, the meat or vegetarian topping of your choice, and a fried egg on top. Simple, tasty, and exclusively found at Holy Krapow in the Vesterbro area.
Holy Krapow is located in the Vesterbro area at Sankt Jørgens Allé 6, 1615 Copenhagen V. Note that you choose your own level of spiciness and when they say Thai spicy, they mean it.
5. GOLA
Located next to some of the best bars in Copenhagen, Gola has copied the New York concept of a pizza slice joint. Here Gola combines this concept with the Italian culinary tradition of the Roman-style pizza.
GOLA has a very casual and informal setting where people can order a few slices of pizza, costing 40 DKK a slice, and either grab a seat at the counter, in the front window or simply walk out the door with the pizza in hand. The menu at Gola changes seasonally and most toppings are made in-house using organic and locally produced ingredients. Besides pizza, GOLA serves a few fried bites called “fritti”, a few desserts, and a weekly pasta.
To know the exact menu, you have to either call the shop or visit GOLA at Ranzausgade 47, 2200 Copenhagen N.
6. Madglad
Madglad is a cafeteria in the Vesterbro area that serves tasty homemade meals at an affordable price in a fun and homey set-up. In the evening, Madglad serves the dish of the day, either including meat or as the vegetarian option, and offers side salads, bread, dips, and other fresh and home-cooked things in the buffet bar for 85 DKK. Alternatively, as take-away you can either choose the dish of the day including bread and hummus for 60 DKK, or get the full experience with salad for 75 DKK.
Find Madglad at Eskildsgade 13, 1657 Copenhagen V.
7. Garbanzo
This pita-specialized place opened in 2019, quickly became extremely popular, and is now spread out over the city with 4 different stores. Garbanzo has the philosophy that fast food doesn’t have to be unhealthy. Freshness is the foundational stone of their concept and Garbanzo prepares fresh salads, homemade pita bread, and sous-vide prepared protein fillings daily with vegan and gluten free options.
Photo courtesy Garbanzo.
Everything Garbanzo serves is mouth-watering good, and with pitas costing 69 DKK and bowls 89 DKK.
Visit Garbanzo either in the center of the city at Sværtegade 3, 1118 Copenhagen K, at Falkoner Allé 82, 2000 Frederiksberg, Århusgade 149, 2150 Nordhavn or in the Østerbro area at Ndr. Frihavnsgade 4, 2100 Copenhagen Ø.
Eating In Copenhagen
Eating in Copenhagen is a great and fun experience with numerous amazing options. While the city is pricey, eating great food in Copenhagen does not have to be. Know that Copenhagen is much more than NOMA and provides great economic options for a great dinner and even street food markets or local favorites.
At the 7 places in Copenhagen mentioned above, you are guaranteed a great meal at a very decent price.
Thank you Josephine for this tasty tour of Copenhagen! You can follow Josephine’s journey through her website, Instagram, and Pinterest. All photos in this post are courtesy Josephine Remo, except where otherwise noted.