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10 Of The Best Cheap Eats In Copenhagen 2026 [A Local’s Guide]

Danish open sandwiches

It’s no secret that Copenhagen is far from a budget destination. But that doesn’t mean a trip to Denmark’s capital has to blow your travel fund. There are plenty of ways to experience everything this city has to offer without breaking the bank, and that includes world famous food.

Which is why in this blog I’m sharing my favourite places to head to for delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners under £15 per person.

Plus, to help you plan the best day of eating, I’ve plotted all of these spots on the map below.

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Slagter Lund (expect to spend around £11)

Flaeskestegs sandwich, Slagter Lund, Copenhagen, Denmark

For a classic Danish lunch on a budget, head straight to Slagter Lund and order a flækesteg – a pork belly sandwich. But this isn’t just any sandwich… it’s a soft white bun loaded with expertly cooked pork, perfectly crunchy crackling, red cabbage, pickles and their own homemade sauce.

Trust me when I say this is one of the best sandwiches you will eat for a while.

And it’s not surprising, ‘slagter’ in Danish simply means butcher and this stand in Torvehallerne food market is first and foremost a place to buy fresh cuts of meat. But they also cook some of their finest pork belly for these hot takeaway sandwiches.

Plus, at just 95 DKK (around £11) per sandwich, they won’t damage your budget. Also, don’t be put off by the queue, it moves pretty fast I promise!

TOP TIP: If you’re thirsty for a glass of crisp white wine to go with your sandwich, you can find some of the most affordable options at Un Mercato just outside the food hall. Order a glass of their house white, rosé or red for 55 DKK (around £6).

Kopan Street (expect to spend around £9)

Kopan Street food, Copenhagen, Denmark

If you’re craving the super satisfying umami flavours of Korean dishes, Kopan is for you. Inside this tiny shop, their expert team cook the most delicious Hotteok – a chewy pancake bun filled with sweet or savoury fillings and fried until it becomes golden and crunchy on the outside and perfectly soft in the middle.

There are few things as satisfying as a Kopan. My favourite flavours are the Bul-Kim Hotteok filled with kimchi and BBQ beef as well as the Corn Cheese Hotteok filled with melty cheese and sweet corn.

These hot pockets are the perfect speedy lunch or light dinner and all cooked fresh to order. Prices start at 60 DKK (£7) for fewer fillings up to 90 DKK (£10) for beef. Plus, their walls are decorated with photos of customers so don’t forget to add your snap by taking a quick polaroid with their camera while you wait for your order.

Again, there’s often a queue out of the door for Kopan which shows just how good it is but don’t worry, it moves pretty quick!

Pasta La Pasta (expect to spend around £13)

Pasta La Pasta, Copenhagen, Denmark

For a taste of Italy, choose Pasta La Pasta – a pasta bar founded by a Michelin starred chef who wanted to bring the finest Italian flavours to Copenhagen. All of their pastas and sauces are handmade in Italy and cooked fresh in the city.

Choose from around five daily pasta dishes starting at 115 DKK (£13) from classic bolognese to fresh burrata and creamy gnocchi for an affordable and oh so satisfying lunch or dinner.

Either take your pasta to go and relax in nearby King’s Garden or pull up a stool to eat and people watch in their cosy restaurant.

Grød (expect to spend around £9)

Grod, Copenhagen, Denmark

For budget-friendly breakfasts, choose porridge restaurant, Grød. Now you might be thinking okay do I really want to eat porridge in Copenhagen? The answer is yes! This isn’t any old porridge. With gourmet toppings, truly hygge settings and unique seasonal flavours, there’s a lot to like about Grød.

In fact it’s so good, they’ve opened multiple locations to spread the porridge love – find all of them here.

So whether you’re craving a warm comforting bowl of porridge or cool refreshing overnight oats in summer, head to Grød for a filling breakfast starting at just 79 DKK (£9).

Baobab (expect to spend around £11)

Baobab, Copenhagen, Denmark

If I was pushed to declare my all-time favourite dish in Copenhagen, it would have to be this – the peanut stew from Baobab. Inspired by Gambian street food, this unassuming curry packs serious flavour and is actually vegan (although you can add meat!).

Think fresh fluffy rice topped with rich sweet and creamy peanut sauce, perfectly cooked sweet potato and lashings of herby spicy sauce. For me, it’s the ultimate meal and I know I’m not alone as this is a popular spot in Reffen Street Food Market.

Almost as famous as their curry, is the man who owns this business. He’s so friendly, chatty and passionate about the food they make it’s pretty hard not to be drawn in. Plus, he’s always offering tasters of their most-loved curry so stop by for a sample to see what all the fuss is about.

If like me, you can’t believe your taste buds then commit to a classic Domodar (the name of the curry) for 99 DKK (£11).

GOOD TO KNOW: Whether you choose to eat here or not, a visit to Reffen Market is a must-do on any Copenhagen trip. There’s so many incredible food stalls here serving dishes from around the world. You can eat your way around continents as the sun sets over the harbour and their resident DJ plays tunes in the background. It doesn’t get much better on a summer evening!

Warpigs (expect to spend around £15)

Warpigs Brewpub, Copenhagen, Denmark

If you’re looking for a fun dinner spot with friends, Warpigs is the one. Located in the buzzing Meatpacking District, this old warehouse turned Texas BBQ brewhouse serves melt in your mouth meat, delicious sides and house-brewed beers.

When we have friends visiting, we often take them to Warpigs because their sharing platters make ordering more flexible and bring the cost down. Plus, the atmosphere is great and there’s no need to book a table. You just turn up and find space on one of their long benches. And don’t worry, while it does get busy, I’ve never not been able to find a seat!

Order a BBQ plate like you can see above for 285 DKK (£30) and it will easily serve two people for £15 each. Trust me, it’s deceptively filling!

TOP TIP: Craving a sweet treat after dinner? Next door just happens to be my favourite ice cream place in the city. This is Ismageriet – they have a few shops around Copenhagen but this one has the best atmosphere. Think classic retro ice cream shop meets unique modern flavours. They make all of their ice cream in-house and switch out the flavours with the seasons so you can always find something new and fun to try.

Fatty’s (expect to spend around £11)

Fatty's Burgers, Copenhagen, Denmark

For the best burgers in Copenhagen, my personal favourite is Fatty’s. This spot is actually part of a cosy bar called Bootleggers so it’s also perfect if you’re wanting to try a local beer, hang out, or relax after a day of exploring.

Just head to the bar to order one of their signature burgers for 98 DKK (£11) or make it a meal with fries and a dip for 149 DKK (£17). My choice is almost always their fried chicken burger – the batter is just so crispy, the cajun sauce is delicious and it comes in a soft and fluffy brioche bun.

HONOURABLE MENTION: Claiming anywhere to have the best burgers in the city is contentious and so I have to caveat it with a shout out to Gasoline Grill. This is a chain of burger restaurants that was founded in Copenhagen, originally on the site of an old gas station. Many Copenhagen locals would argue there’s no better place to go but for me personally, Fatty’s takes the crown. But if you’re interested in visiting a Danish icon then it could be worth swinging by a Gasoline Grill. Prices start at 100 DKK (£11) – just be ready to queue.

Wulff & Konstali (expect to spend £18)

Wulff and Konstali, Copenhagen, Denmark

For a breakfast or brunch option with a little more elegance, head to Wulff & Konstali. Their beautiful restaurants offer the quintessentially Danish outdoor dining scenes with perfectly brewed barista quality coffee on the side.

To order your brunch, simply fill in their little paper order form when you arrive, selecting five dishes from 22 options for £18. There are different sections for meat like bacon and sausages, lighter bowls like granola or chia pudding, pastries and sweet treats, eggs, smoked salmon and fruit. So you’re sure to find a brunch spread you like – if anything it’s actually hard to choose just five.

Plus, Wulff & Konstali have restaurants all over the city (find them all here) but my personal favourite is on Amager close to the beach.

Itacho Sushi (expect to spend around £15)

Itacho Sushi, Copenhagen, Denmark

If you can’t stop thinking about sushi but don’t want to blow your budget, head to Itacho Sushi. Their sushi is really high quality, all made fresh and is really reasonably priced.

You can buy individual items like 12 California rolls for 110 DKK (£12), poke bowls for 120 DKK (£14) or mixed 16 piece platters for as little as 139 DKK (£16). Plus, their menu is pretty extensive and has plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans too.

TOP TIP: As this restaurant is so close to Amager Beach I recommend ordering in advance online, picking up your order and then heading to the beach to relax and enjoy it with the ultimate view.

DØP – The Organic Sausage Man (expect to spend £5)

DOP Sausage Man, Copenhagen, Denmark

Last but by no means least, the cheapest eat on this list comes from DØP – purveyors of the finest hot dogs in the city. With all organic ingredients this may be fast food but it doesn’t taste like it!

As you explore Copenhagen, you’ll see quite a few hot dog stands – Danes love them. But for me, none are as good as DØP so head to one of their permanent stands around the city for a quick, easy and affordable lunch, dinner or snack.

Their classic roasted hot dog with all the toppings is my go-to order but you can also switch out your pork sausage for a beef, spicy, cheese, chicken, vegetarian or even goat sausage.

And when it comes to toppings, you’ve got to go all in on the Danish classics – pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard and remoulade. All of that, just for 47 DKK (£5).

There we have it – those are my go-to places to get the best food in the city without breaking the bank. I hope you enjoy these spots as much as I do and if you have any questions about visiting Copenhagen or recommendations of your own to add please let me know in the comments below. Happy travelling!

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