Guide: Where to eat in Copenhagen for less than 100 DKK

After three years exploring Copenhagen’s budget eateries, this list highlights some of my favorites.

The rules are simple – that the food is good, the portions are large, and that the price for your meal is less than 100 DKK and ideally significantly cheaper than that. Prices change, as do quality so I make no guarantees that the information in this post is up to date but I make every effort possible to keep it accurate and reliable.This list is also divided into two sections: The City Center and Nørrebro. While people often talk about Vesterbro, it isn’t an area I focus on or turn to for cheap eats.

See Part I, ”This is How You Eat in Copenhagen For Less Than 100 DKK” where I discuss different genres of budget friendly food in Copenhagen.

Where to eat – City centre

Dalle Valle
Home to the nicest budget buffet in Copenhagen, Dalle Valle has a lunch buffet ~70 DKK and dinner buffet ~90 DKK. The buffet is large, fresh, has a variety of local Danish dishes, and is immensely popular with locals. The restaurant also offers a 50% off all entrees special part of the week (typically Saturday-Tuesday). This requires you purchase a drink (20 DKK for a tap water works) and means that you can pick up most items on their regular menu for between 45-60 DKK+drink. This makes it one of the cheapest traditional restaurant experiences in Copenhagen. Dalle Valle has been widely popular and now has several locations, with the most popular being the one in the city center. Be warned that drinks are quite expensive.

Read more about Dalle Valle

Restaurant Ankara
Situated along Strøget on the 1st floor this restaurant offers a fairly extensive buffet. The food is usually fresh, ingredients are decent, and there is a relatively large selection of salads and meat plates with reasonable flavor. The lunch buffet runs 59 DKK+drink while dinner will cost 89 DKK+drink. The food has a heavy Mediterranean/Turkish influence.

Read more about Restaurant Ankara

Samos Greek
With a lunch buffet that costs just 50 DKK and a dinner buffet that runs 79 DKK the food selection, and quality isn’t amazing but is definitely tolerable. If you need to re-fuel on a tight budget and enjoy Mediterranean food, this is a good spot for you.

Read more about Samos Greek

Magasin Cafe
Situated right off Nyhavn and Kongens Nytov the large department store Magasin has a cafe located on the top floor. While still slightly pricey, you’ll be able to find a good selection of traditional Danish foods for less than 100 DKK.

Read more about Magasin Cafe

Tria Deli
This bagel and salad shop makes fantastic sandwiches at very reasonable prices (typically less than 45 DKK) and is located just next to the 7/11 on Gothersgade making it one of the best budget friendly options in the immediate vicinity of Nyhavn.

Read more about Tria Deli

L’Appetit
Situated on Fredriksborggade just north of Norreport station this tiny salad place has a number of delicious salad options and is obviously vegetarian friendly with heaping portions, great menu items, and delicious samosas. Even if you’re not a salad person (I’m normally not) this is well worth the visit. Prices vary based on what you get, but items such as samosas can be purchased individually or as part of a meal. Expect to pay between 30-60 DKK.

Read more about L’Appetit

Where to eat – Nørrebro and Nordvest

Rita’s Smørrebrød
This is my favorite smørrebrød shop in Copenhagen. With a wide assortment of “budget” options starting at 12 DKK, Rita’s is always fresh, tasty, and is very popular with local Danes. With just enough room for three people to eat in (or two tables outside if the weather is nice) this is usually a good spot to order the smørrebrød to go. On a nice day, take it to the nearby bridge across the lakes and join Danes for sunbathing and good eats. Rita’s is open roughly from 10am-2pm Monday-Friday.

Read more about Rita’s Smørrebrød

Banana Joe’s
My favorite budget burger shop in Copenhagen. I discovered Banana Joe’s a couple years ago and am thrilled that people are starting to catch on to it. With an extremely affordable menu, this little hole in the wall cranks out some of the best burgers in town. The Banana Joe special burger is particularly good and consists of a hulking burger with an egg on top. It may not look like the type of place you should try fish from but, Banana Joe’s also has the best fish burger (real salmon fillets, perfectly cooked) in town. “Joe” is also a fantastic host – so make sure you try and grab one of the small tables and stay for a chat. Prices range from 35-75 DKK.

Read more about Banana Joe’s

Harry’s Place
It doesn’t get more Danish than this tiny place. This shop is just wide enough for one person, and embodies everything you want in a tiny undiscovered local’s eatery. Prices are good, and they’ve got some of the best hot dogs and traditional Danish eats in Copenhagen. If you’re itching to try a traditional Danish Flæskesteg sandwich, this is definitely the place to do it.

Read more about Harry’s Place

Mama Africa
If you want heaping portions and are itching for a good meat plate at a rock bottom price this is a great option. I usually opt for either a #4 or #6 but most of the menu is good. While the food is African in nature, the staff and majority of their customers are Somali. For 65 DKK you’ll find tasty lamb or beef options served with a heaping serving of flavored rice and a couple of small sides. The meat is good quality, though often 2nd tier cuts – so be prepared to use your fingers and work your way through a tender shoulder or knee cut if you opt for the #4. While decent the menu’s weak spots are the Ethiopian platter and chicken offerings. The kaka (yeah) is also a tasty vegetarian (?) option if you wan’t something more exotic. Most mains start at 65 DKK and go up to 80 DKK. It’s worth noting that it can be slightly intimidating for non-Somali’s when you first walk into the place just because you feel a bit like an outsider. Don’t let that dissuade you, folks are friendly and the atmosphere is vibrant! A knife and fork is optional and make sure to try their delicious green chili salsa.

Read more about Mama Africa

Torvets Kebab
Nothing fancy or complicated about this place. Just one of the best kebabs in Nørrebro. Good prices, and fresh meat with a high turnover. The kebab place next door may look more promising, but this is where you want to go. Also, as a fun quirk check the place’s counter out – it is decorated with verses from Machiavelli’s The Prince. I strongly suggest opting for the mixed pita or durum, especially if you’re hungry, but they’ve also got tasty falafel. Pitas and Durums range from 20-33 DKK.

Read more about Torvets Kebab

La Centrale
While the majority of what these guys do focuses around kebab and pizza, they have recently diversified into a wide assortment of middle eastern food. This includes rotisserie chicken, a wide selection of middle eastern dishes, and other tasty eats. They have good daily specials and make a tasty chicken burger (about 60 DKK for a meal/drink).

Read more about La Centrale

Ma’ed Ethiopian
One of Copenhagen’s only Ethiopian restaurants, this place also has a decent menu. It’s not the best Ethiopian you’ll ever try, but it is definitely good enough to return to repeatedly and some of the best in Copenhagen. With a very authentic vibe, the best bet for folks on a budget is to visit for their lunch special which will serve up a hearty portion with a couple flavors for about 50 DKK. If ordering off the regular menu expect to pay between 60-80 DKK for a filling meal.

Read more about Ma’ed Ethiopian

Kosk Kebab
Quite possibly the most popular kebab shop in Copenhagen. While a little ways from the city center (lines 350S, 5A both drop you off nearby at Norrebro station) it is usually worth the trip. With large servings and addictive rice, their plates are well priced and the quality is quite high. Expect to pay between 60-70 DKK for a plate which includes two skewers, rice, and salad.

Read more about Kosk Kebab

Føtex, Kvikly, & Super Brugsen
All typically have Deli sections. As with any Deli freshness varies widely. However, these provide a super cheap and convenient opportunity to get access to and sample some traditional Danish food on the cheap.

Read more about Føtex, Kvikly and Super Brugsen

Where to eat – Other areas

Green Mango Thai (Christianshavn)
With a weekday lunch special that drops the price of a main to 59 DKK, this is some of the cheapest and best Thai Food in Copenhagen. I always opt for the Pad Thai which is super fresh, a hearty portion, and has great flavor and presentation. The location makes it a super convenient stop on the way to Christiania or the city center.

Read more about Green Mango Thai

Magasasa Chinese
If you ask Chinese folks in Copenhagen where to go for budget friendly semi-authentic Chinese food, they’ll almost all tell you Magasasa. It is located right next to the central station and has a large menu. Prices vary but mains usually start around 60 DKK with the bulk falling in the 70-80 DKK range.

Read more about Magasasa Chinese

Have your own suggestions? Post them in a comment and I’ll add the best to the list!

See the original article on Alex’s blog, here.

Don’t forget to check out the first part of this post, ”This is How You Eat in Copenhagen For Less Than 100 DKK” , where I talk about eating out in Copenhagen on a budget in more general terms.

Alex Berger is a Communication and Cognition Master’s graduate based in Copenhagen. You can follow his latest travels on his blog, VirtualWayfarer.

universitypost@adm.ku.dk

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