Best Cheap Eats in Copenhagen Affordable Restaurants, Street Food & Budget-Friendly Spots

Copenhagen may be home to some of the world’s best restaurants, but that doesn’t mean eating well here has to be expensive. The Danish capital also has a thriving scene of affordable restaurants, street food stalls, and casual takeaway spots serving some of the best cheap eats in Copenhagen.

Whether you’re traveling on a budget, grabbing a quick lunch between sightseeing, or just craving great food without the fine dining price tag, there are plenty of excellent options across the city. From New York–style subs and crispy Korean fried chicken to Japanese onigiri, Thai street food, burgers, pizza, and hot dogs, Copenhagen’s budget food scene is far more diverse than you might expect.

Below, you’ll find our curated list of the best cheap eats in Copenhagen — the spots we return to again and again for delicious, value-for-money meals. These are casual, fast-moving places focused on quality ingredients and bold flavors, whether you’re eating on the go or at a simple counter seat.

Looking for more great spots for food and drinks in Copenhagen? Check out our city map of Copenhagen!

Best Affordable Restaurants in Copenhagen

To create this guide, we focused on affordable, casual spots serving satisfying savory meals rather than pastries or desserts. Think street food, takeaway counters, and relaxed fast-casual restaurants where you can eat well without spending much. If you’re looking for something sweet, check out our Copenhagen Bakery Guide instead.

We’ll continue updating this guide as we discover more great budget-friendly food in Copenhagen, so bookmark it for your next visit.

Juju – Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich

Fast food from a fine dining chef? Yep, Copenhagen’s best Korean fried chicken comes from Kristian Baumann, the chef behind two-Michelin-starred restaurant Koan. But there’s no fancy tasting menu here – just finger-lickin’ fried chicken. Start with the nuggets: poppable, bite-sized pieces that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, served with sauces like honey soy and tangy gochujang. Our favorite was the snow cheddar flavor, with an umami-rich cheese powder made with garlic and crushed cheese pops. Absolutely addicting! Juju serves three types of fried chicken sandwiches, all on soft, fluffy milk buns from Juno the Bakery. The original KFC sandwich comes with gochujang, smoked mayo, a perilla leaf, and pickles. But if you can handle more heat, try the super spicy version with buldak sauce. This just might be the spiciest sandwich in Denmark. Kaitlin’s favorite was the Snow Cheddar Cheese sandwich: sweet, salty, and buttery. Don’t skip the sides: nori fries with the most insane yuzu ketchup, plus kimchi and cucumbers for freshness.

JUJU

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Øster Farimagsgade 8, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hero Deli – Sub Sandwich

Hero Deli is a sandwich shop in Nørrebro serving heroes: New York-style sub sandwiches. It’s only open for lunch, with a few counter seats inside, and take-away is also available. But these are not your typical five-dollar footlongs. They bake their own hoagie rolls in-house daily; long, oblong loaves covered in sesame seeds, sliced in half, and filled with a variety of fixings. The bread is a major reason why these sandwiches are so delicious (dare we say it’s the real hero?). It’s the perfect vehicle: soft and fluffy, with a toasted crispy edge and just the right amount of sesame seed nuttiness. There are eight sub sandwiches on the menu (including one vegetarian option) and a weekly rotating special. We tried three: Anders’ favorite was the “Morta Deli,” their take on a classic Italian hoagie stuffed with mortadella, coppa, salami, mozzarella, tomato, lettuce, Italian dressing, roasted chili spread, and giardiniera. Kaitlin’s favorite was “The Hero,” their version of a meatball marinara. Huge, baseball-sized meatballs (made from a blend of organic pork and beef) are packed inside the roll and slathered with thick marinara sauce, melted provolone cheese, basil pesto, pecorino romano, and fresh basil. We also loved “The Rasputin,” a chicken parm made with breaded chicken cutlets, vodka sauce, and stracciatella.

HERO DELI

Address & Contact Information
Nørrebrogade 200, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Comé Rice Kitchen – Japanese Snacks

Comé Rice Kitchen is a must-visit, on-the-go lunch spot in Copenhagen. Picture this: all your favorite Japanese conbini items like chicken karaage, onigiri, and tempura, but made fresh inside this tiny shop next to Ume Asian Market in Kødbyen. Japanese chef Hiroo Machida previously worked in fine dining before going completely casual at this hole-in-the-wall eatery, but sometimes good things come in small packages. The ingredients here are extremely high quality, and the prices are unbelievable – this is the best value-for-money meal in town. Each piece of juicy, crispy, freshly fried chicken karaage is only 12 DKK ($2), and the menchi katsu (our favorite item) is only 40 DKK ($6). It’s like a fried meat cake – a big, panko-breaded dumpling with a pork, beef, and onion filling, drizzled with a sweet and salty tonkatsu sauce. The onigiri is another must-order: each rice ball is 35 DKK ($5) or you can get two for 65 DKK ($10). We love the green chili miso onigiri, but our favorite is the shrimp tempura onigiri – plump, juicy shrimp with crispy breading and the fluffiest Japanese rice. They also have freshly sliced sashimi (100 g for 60-85 DKK, or $9-12 depending on the fish) and boxes of pickles, kimchi, and salads. Authentic Japanese food at extremely reasonable prices – this is a Copenhagen gem.

COMÉ RICE KITCHEN

Address & Contact Information
Flæsketorvet 44, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Diamond Slice – Pizza Slice

Slice, slice baby! The pizza joint Diamond Slice is serving legit New York-style pizza. Part of the team was formerly of beloved pizza restaurant Bæst, before opening their restaurant and take-away pizza window in the fall of 2022 – so they know a thing or two about pizza. Our favorite flavor is the Hot Honey – sweet and a little spicy – with four types of cheese (including lots of ricotta), roasted garlic, double cream, and a drizzle of hot honey. We also love the tomato slice, topped with a rich and concentrated tomato paste and roasted tomatoes. (Pro tip: add stracciatella on top.) The dough has a hearty whole wheat flavor, with a thin, crispy bottom and a spongey crust – excellent for dipping into one of their crust dips. (The black garlic cream is our favorite.) Large slices and whole pies are available for dine-in, pickup, or delivery.

DIAMOND SLICE



Address & Contact Information
Blågårdsgade 27, Copenhagen, Denmark
Tagensvej 79, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Killer Kebab – Killer Falafel

For a modern take on a falafel wrap, Killer Kebab has become our go-to. Everything is made in-house, from the sourdough flatbread to the crispy falafel balls and mouthwatering dips. We love their rustic falafels: bright green, nutty, and perfectly chunky in texture. They’re swaddled in a fluffy sourdough flatbread with pointed cabbage, apples, mint, and an insanely delicious truffle mayonnaise. If you can handle a bit of heat, add some of the harissa hot sauce on top. Killer Kebab now has several locations around Copenhagen, including Vesterbro, Christianshavn, and Nørrebro.

KILLER KEBAB

Address & Contact Information
Viktoriagade 11, Copenhagen, Denmark
Dronningensgade 46, Copenhagen, Denmark
Borgergade 18, Copenhagen, Denmark
Rantzausgade 17, Copenhagen, Denmark
Kalvebod Brygge 59, Copenhagen, Denmark
Sylows Alle 1, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Poulette – Fried Chicken Sandwich

On the menu at this Nørrebro hotspot are two sandwiches: the signature Nashville-style hot fried chicken sandwich and a fried mapo tofu sandwich. The chicken in Poulette’s signature sandwich is brined and breaded in a panko crust, then fried until crispy and golden. It’s topped with a secret spice mix, a dollop of kewpie mayo, a slice of iceberg lettuce, and pickled cucumbers, and served on a toasted brioche bun. The meat is juicy with just the perfect amount of fat and great flavor. Be warned, it’s quite spicy, but not in an overpowering or inedible way. While the chicken is our favorite, the mapo tofu sandwich is a delicious vegetarian alternative with a completely different flavor profile. Inspired by the Chinese dish of the same name, it’s made with Sichuan chili oil and a mapo mayo flavored with doubanjiang (a fermented Chinese bean paste).

POULETTE

Address & Contact Information
Møllegade 1, Copenhagen, Denmark
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John’s Hot Dog Deli – Hot Dog

A hot dog is the ultimate cheap eat in Denmark. You can’t visit Copenhagen without having at least one, and this guide wouldn’t be complete without a pølse on the list. John’s Hot Dog Deli is our favorite vendor; you’ll find his pølsevogn (sausage cart) right outside Copenhagen Central Station, across from Tivoli. John makes all his toppings himself. Of course, he serves the classic remoulades, but he also offers some creative options like miso mayonnaise, bacon jam, beetroot chutney, and wasabi mustard if you want to fancy up your dog.

JOHN'S HOT DOG DELI

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Bernstorffsgade 5, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Gasoline Grill – Cheeseburger

If you’re looking for fuel, look no further than Gasoline Grill. This world-famous burger joint is located inside a still-operating gas station, hence the name. Not only does Gasoline Grill make our favorite burger in Copenhagen, but they’ve also perfected the art of high-quality fast food. Gasoline Grill uses better quality meat and ingredients than any other fast food burger spot we’ve seen – everything is organic. Each shop grinds their own meat daily, semi-smashes it on a griddle to get perfect caramelization, and sandwiches it inside a freshly baked potato bun. The flavors of the cheeseburger are simple: melt-in-your-mouth meat and cheese, onions and pickles for acidity, and Gasoline’s signature sauce, a tart and tangy chili mayo.

GASOLINE GRILL

Address & Contact Information
Landgreven 10, Copenhagen, Denmark
Niels Hemmingsens Gade 20, Copenhagen, Denmark
Bryggernes Plads 1, Copenhagen, Denmark
Værnedamsvej 2, Copenhagen, Denmark
Købmagergade 23, Copenhagen, Denmark
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The Fat Greek – Pork Gyro

The Fat Greek’s first location was inside Boltens Food Court on Gothersgade, but they later moved into a much bigger venue on Ryesgade in Østerbro and have since expanded with another location in Carlsberg Byen. They serve pork, chicken, lamb, and vegan gyros – our favorite is the pork. They don’t skimp on the meat here – the soft, fluffy bread is filled to the brim with juicy strips of grilled meat. Also wrapped inside are crispy fries, onions, tomatoes, and a creamy tzatziki sauce. This is the best gyro we’ve had outside of Greece!

THE FAT GREEK

Address & Contact Information
Ryesgade 30B, Copenhagen, Denmark
Tapperitorvet 1, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Isted Grill – Flæskesteg Sandwich

Your best (and only) option for late-night food in Copenhagen is the famous Danish flæskesteg sandwich. Isted Grill on Istedgade in Vesterbro is the local favorite spot for this Danish specialty. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have run the shop since the 1975, serving crispy slabs of pork belly with pickles, red cabbage, and Béarnaise-flavored mayo on sesame seed burger buns. Isted Grill is open until 2 a.m. most nights and 5 a.m. on weekends — drunken nights have never tasted so good.

ISTED GRILL

Address & Contact Information
Istedgade 92, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hija de Sanchez – Tacos

It wouldn’t be a cheap eats guide without tacos, and if you’re looking for the best in Copenhagen, you won’t find anything better than Hija de Sanchez. Rosio Sanchez’s casual taqueria has several outposts: one in Kødbyen, one in Carlsberg Byen, one in Nordhavn, one at Torvehallerne, and one at Broens Gadekøkken during the summer. The taco flavors vary, but you can always expect to find their signature al pastor on the menu; their fully stacked trompo is a thing of beauty. They import dried corn from Oaxaca to make the masa for their house-made corn tortillas, while the rest of the ingredients are sourced locally. Our favorite is the gringa, a large flour tortilla filled with grilled cheese, pork, cilantro, onion, jalapeño salsa, and pineapple.

HIJA DE SANCHEZ

Address & Contact Information
Slagterboderne 8, Copenhagen, Denmark
Frederiksborggade 21, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hamborg Pl. 5, Copenhagen, Denmark
Franciska Clausens Plads 27, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Holy Krapow – Pad Krapow

After spending 16 years in Bangkok, Sofie Lisby returned to Denmark to open a Thai street food concept called Holy Krapow. There’s only one dish on the menu: pad krapow, one of the most popular dishes in Thailand. It’s most commonly made with pork, but Holy Krapow offers four choices of protein: pork, chicken, beef, or mushroom. The base of the dish is jasmine rice, topped with a stir-fry of meat, garlic, and basil cooked in a wok over extremely high heat. The rice bowl is then finished with an over-easy fried egg. The krapow (holy basil) brings the heat — peppery, spicy, and packed with a uniquely aromatic flavor. Holy Krapow is located at the Reffen Street Food market in Refshaleøen, open from spring through autumn.

HOLY KRAPOW

Address & Contact Information
Reffen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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What are your favorite cheap eats in Copenhagen? Please leave a comment below.