Eating Outside in Copenhagen this Summer
One of the best things about summer is eating outside! We have food markets, parks, terrace cafes, secret gardens, bars with tables outside, ice cream, street food markets - we love to find them all in Copenhagen and share our local tips with you! From Reffen's huge street food market on the waterfront to ice cream on the beach, we have all the top tips for eating your way around Copenhagen this summer, bite by bite! And all of it is outside in the beautiful Danish summer - what more could you want? Check out our local tips for alfresco dining and drinks around town.
Here are our favourite spots to enjoy eating outide in Copenhagen this summer...
Reffen Street Food Market (Refshaleøen)
This place is our number 1 favourite. The largest street food market in the Nordics - Reffen is where it’s at in summer in Copenhagen - live music, concerts, DJS, art and music festivals, and of course - Food! There are so many food trucks here that you would need multiple visits to try everything. This summer there is a whole programme of live music and concerts - with the party going on until 1am at the weekends! A great spot for sunset on the waterfront, family day or night out dancing - you can find everything right here. And of course there are over 50 food stalls with flavours from all over the world. Tacos, momos, crepes, sushi, curry, burgers, hot dogs, poke bowls, ice cream, everything sweet and savoury. In fact so much choice you're going to have to come again....
With the bars open from 11am to 11pm, and 1am at the weekends, you have all day and night to enjoy the vibe here. Coffee starts at 10.30, food at 11.30 until 9.30pm. It’s family friendly and everyone is welcome! So grab a seat outside and enjoy the vibe, morning or night. Inspired by the original Copenhagen Street Food on Paper Island (Papirøen) a few years ago, this is a place to relax, explore global cuisine, and soak up some culture through connection. Food, art, music, good vibes and being outside in nature. Perfect!
Reffen is Copenhagen’s ultimate collision of creativity, sustainability, and global street food. Set against a backdrop of shipyards and docks, it embraces an industrial port vibe—think upcycled shipping containers, old fire trucks, and vintage vans turned into vibrant food stalls. Every container kitchen reflects the flavors and culture of a different country, creating an open-air food village that feels both international and authentic.
With more than 75 reused containers and quirky structures scattered across the waterfront, Reffen is like a little food village with streets and sunny hangout spots, and non-stop smells that will have you eating your way around the world right here in Copenhagen!
Check out the events they have here
Broens Gadekøkken, The Bridge Street Kitchen
This is a food paradise with an oasis of street food, flea markets, outside seats and music. Just across the bridge from the colorful harbour of Nyhavn, you'll find Broens Gadekøkken, or The Bridge Street Kitchen.
The Bridge Street Kitchen is a lively, open-air street food market that blends food from around the world with relaxed Copenhagen vibes. Set right along the waterfront between Nyhavn and Christianshavn, this buzzing food hub is perfect for grabbing a bite with friends, catching the sun, and soaking in the harbor atmosphere. From juicy burgers at Gasoline Grill to Latin-Asian fusion plates from Lola Impact and fresh vegan wraps from Organic Boho, the variety of food trucks and stalls make it easy to find something exciting (and affordable) to eat. Prices are friendly too, especially compared to sit-down spots, with most meals landing between 75–120 DKK.
The setup is simple but it works fine for us! There are communal wooden tables, string fairy lights overhead, DJs or live music on weekends, and a backdrop of boats drifting by. They have everything here from yoga to craft beer, so all you need to do is turn up! Broens is a great spot to hang out before heading to Freetown Christiania, or as a chill alternative to the more touristy waterfront restaurants nearby. It’s a very chilled place to while away some time soaking up the atmosphere, views, and good vibes.
Torvehallerne – Chill Spot for Foodies (Rain or Shine!)
Open until 7pm, this is the perfect spot for a day visit or early evening aperitif! On the other side of town you have the upmarket indoor/ outdoor Copenhagen Food Market at Torvehallerne by Nørreport Station. This is a stylish place to grab a bite to eat or try local produce - with two glass food halls and a fresh market outside for local produce and outdoor seating. Flowers and food, bbq and bars - there is plenty to see on the terrace here.
With local produce and international flavours, there is both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s an ideal pit stop to try something or enjoy a meal, hang out, or fuel up while exploring Copenhagen on foot. Over 115,000 locals visit every week, so it is always buzzing with plenty of people and you will be lucky to find a seat!
Expect a global spread: grab fresh sushi, Argentinian empanadas, Spanish tapas, artisanal cheeses, organic wines, and local Danish treats. Don’t miss the ice cream stalls or a coffee from one of the top-notch roasters. It’s also a great place to pick up unique spices or snacks for your trip!
For Coffee Lovers
Looking for a caffeine hit? We have picked our favourite spots for affordable cafés with outdoor seating—perfect for soaking in summer sun and enjoining an ice coffee on a budget.
Lille Petra Café
Kronprinsessegade 4, Indre By - More affordable than it looks! This leafy courtyard café offers seasonal snacks,, locally-sourced produce, sourdough toasts, and great coffee. Located in the city centre by the King’s Garden, it’s very tranquil for the city centre.
Kafferiet
Entrance to Kongens Have - “Slow coffee since 1998” is what they are serving up here in this cosy little corner. Enjoy this peaceful terrace just outside King's Garden where there are shady trees and drinks and snacks. Perfect for a walk to or from the park.
Café Bopa - Bopa Plads, Østerbro
A little away from the tourist zone is this French-inspired café on a small square with a terrace. They have a French inspired menu, bon appetite!
Zaggi’s Café - Frederiksborggade 43, near The Lakes
This road-side joint by the lake offers great coffee and cheesecake - or try their pastries! A great spot for watching the world (or bikes) go by!
Best Ice Cream - Pick a spot and enjoy some ice!
Sightseeing is a serious business in summer and there’s no better excuse than taking a break on a hot sunny day for some ice cream. Copenhagen has a lot of good ice cream to choose from - us Danes even like it in winter! We serve up creamy classics, vegan sorbets, or creative new flavours - here are some of our top tips.
Ismageriet (Meatpacking District / near Tivoli)
Be prepared to queue for these delicious flavours (over 30!) Regularly given the number one spot for the best ice cream in all of Denmark, Ismageriet serves up creamy, artisanal scoops made from organic dairy and fruit sorbets. With at least 30 flavors—seasonal hits include pistachio, amarena cherry, and even champagne sorbet—there will definitely be something that floats your boat!
Rajissimo (Inner City near Strøget)
This is not just ice cream, it's also waffle cones and cakes - anything sweet and creamy is here. With over 50 flavors to choose from, Rajissimo is a classic gelateria-style shop where you can watch waffle cones being made and pick from fruit-packed sorbets to rich cream-based scoops. Perfect for taking a break from sight seeing on the pedestrian streets around Strøget.
Istid (Nørrebro - Jægersborggade street)
Organic ice cream that is then frozen with nitrogen - novelty and delicious! If you're over in trendy Jægersborggade in Nørrebro neighbourghood then get yourself to Istid for a cone! Here you can watch their scientific ice cream making right befor your eyes Istid serves "nitrogen-frozen ice cream" made as you wait. It’s creamy, rich, and they’re known for creative combos using organic ingredients. They also have vegan choices too!
What goes better with beaches than ice cream?? Head over to Alice’s for the locals’ favourite ice cream in Amager - they even have evening specials for summer! Check out the homemade cones and the selection of delicious flavours - expect fruit sorbets and creamy chocolate. All of them are to die for!
Original Dining Experiences!
Gro Spiseri- Roof Top Garden Dining
Tucked atop a former auction house in Østerbro, Gro Spiseri combines sustainability, community, and gourmet cuisine in one unforgettable setting. Climb a spiral staircase (or take the elevator) and step into Denmark’s first rooftop farm, ØsterGRO—a lush garden of vegetables, herbs, and flowers where your food actually grows.
This is not the most budget option for dinner but from June through September, Gro Spiseri runs a Rooftop Garden Bar on select evenings—no booking needed, and they also serve a fixed 3-course lunch on weekends (DKK 380).
Gro Spiseri is more than a meal—it’s an immersive taste of Copenhagen’s eco-conscious food scene, where you dine among growing greens and meet other curious travelers. Whether you come for lunch, dinner, or just a rooftop drink, it’s an ideal summer stop for food lovers who care about origin, flavor, and experience.
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