Reffen Street Food

Perched on the edge of the Refshaleøen industrial waterfront, Reffen is a sprawling, sun-drenched bazaar where repurposed shipping containers serve as incubators for global street food and sustainable innovation.

What to expect — what visitors actually see/do

Stepping into Reffen feels like entering a festival that never ends. The market is organized around a core of communal wooden picnic tables, flanked by dozens of brightly painted, stacked shipping containers. The air is thick with the competing aromas of wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, authentic Gambian domoda, and sizzling Yakitori skewers.

This isn't a polished food court; it is raw and tactile. You will navigate gravel paths and weathered timber decks while overlooking the calm, deep waters of the Copenhagen harbor. During the day, the vibe is relaxed and family-friendly, with locals lounging in beach chairs. As the sun sets, the string lights flicker on, the music volume rises, and the space transitions into an open-air bar scene centered around the "Werkstatt" zone, which hosts DJs and craft beer stations. Expect roughly 30-40 independent food startups, most of which operate under a strict "everything must be compostable/recycled" mandate.

History & significance — brief background

Before its transformation, Refshaleøen was the beating heart of the Burmeister & Wain shipyard, once one of the world's largest shipbuilding sites. Following the shipyard's bankruptcy in the 1990s, this sprawling industrial peninsula sat dormant for decades. Reffen replaced the former "Copenhagen Street Food" location at Papirøen in 2018, breathing life into a desolate zone. It serves as a flagship case study for urban renewal, proving that sustainable gastronomy and startup culture can effectively reclaim abandoned industrial relics.

Practical tips — opening hours norms, tickets, queues, best time of day

• Seasonality: Reffen is seasonal. It typically operates from late April/early May through late September. Check their official website before heading out in early spring or autumn.
• Best time: Aim for a weekday afternoon (around 3:00 PM) to avoid the intense weekend crush. If you visit on a weekend evening, prepare for lines at popular vendors.
• Tickets/Cash: Entry is free. Like most of Copenhagen, Reffen is entirely cashless; bring your credit card or use mobile payment (MobilePay).
• Comfort: The ground is uneven gravel, so leave the stilettos at home. Even on warm days, the harborside wind can be biting, so bring a light layer.

Getting there — neighbourhood, transport

The most iconic way to arrive is via the yellow Havnebus (Harbour Bus) 991 or 992. Board at Nyhavn or Holmens Kirke; it costs the same as a regular bus ticket and offers a breezy 15-minute scenic commute past the Opera House and the Little Mermaid. Alternatively, cycling from the city center takes about 20 minutes via the Inderhavnsbroen bridge and the dedicated bike paths running through Christiania toward Refshalevej.

Nearby — 2-3 sights or eats within walking distance

• CopenHill (Amager Bakke): A ten-minute cycle away, this is a functioning waste-to-energy plant with an artificial ski slope on its roof and a climbing wall on its exterior.
• La Banchina: A tiny, beloved seaside café and sauna located on the walk toward Reffen; it is the perfect spot for a morning coffee or a dip in the harbor.
• Alchemist: For high-end travelers, one of the world’s most exclusive avant-garde dining experiences is hidden in a massive warehouse just down the street from the market.