If you’re a food lover visiting Copenhagen, there’s one place you simply cannot miss — Reffen Street Food Market. Known as the largest street food market in Northern Europe, Reffen is more than just a place to eat — it’s an entire experience.
From Industrial Grounds to Food Haven
What once was a dusty, neglected industrial site by the harbour has been completely transformed since its opening in 2018. Today, Reffen spans over 12,000 square metres, bringing new life to old shipyard surroundings. With the waterfront as its backdrop, the atmosphere here feels raw, creative, and full of energy — a perfect blend of Copenhagen’s edgy and laid-back vibes.
A Global Feast in One Location
Reffen is home to around 35 food stalls, 10 bars, 4 creative workshops, and even its own brewery. What makes it truly special is that every stall is run by independent entrepreneurs, each bringing their own passion and unique flavours to the table.
You’ll find cuisines from all over the world — Italian, Argentine, French, German, British, Greek, Mexican, Hawaiian, Middle Eastern, Indian, Japanese, Thai, Chinese and more. It’s basically like travelling the world… one bite at a time.
Werkstatt: The Heart of Reffen
One of the most interesting spaces here is Werkstatt — a massive indoor hall that used to be part of the old B&W shipyard. Now, it serves as a multi-purpose venue for concerts, exhibitions, flea markets, and dining.
Even when the weather turns, this space keeps the vibe alive. It’s where people gather, connect, and soak in the community spirit that Reffen is known for.
Sunset Views & The Struggle to Choose
We decided to sit by the riverside first, just to take in the view. The sunset over the harbour? Honestly, that alone is worth the visit.
But choosing what to eat… that’s where things got tough.
With so many options, we spent quite a while walking around before finally deciding. What caught our attention? A Thai food stall with a long queue — and from experience, that’s usually a good sign.
Was It Worth the Wait?
It definitely took some time before we got our food, so expectations were high.
We ordered:
- Pad Kra Pao (with pork, egg, and rice — plus an extra fried egg for me)
- Fried Noodles with Prawns
The Pad Kra Pao was a solid choice. Flavourful, satisfying, and honestly, you can never go wrong with a perfectly fried egg on top — that extra egg made it even better for me.
As for the Fried Noodles with Prawns — I’m personally not much of a noodles person, so while it was decent, it didn’t stand out as much to me. But if you’re into noodles, you might enjoy it more.
Reffen isn’t just about the food — it’s about the entire experience. The setting, the variety, the people, and that unbeatable waterfront vibe all come together to create something special.
If you’re in Copenhagen and want a place where you can eat, chill, and just soak in the atmosphere — this is it.