What is it, exactly?
Reffen is a sprawling street-food and creative market on Refshaleøen, the former Burmeister & Wain shipyard island on Copenhagen’s harbour. Dozens of independent kitchens work out of colourful repurposed shipping containers along the waterfront, dishing up everything from Danish smørrebrød and smash burgers to Korean, Caribbean, Thai and vegan plates, all with a focus on organic, low-waste cooking. Add harbour-side bars, workshops and space to sit by the water and it is the spiritual successor to the old Papirøen (Paper Island) street-food hall.
Is it worth visiting?
For an easy, atmospheric feed, yes. Refshaleøen is where Copenhagen’s post-industrial cool lives — raw quaysides, murals, the odd sauna and world-famous restaurant Alchemist nearby — and Reffen lets you graze across the globe cheaply while looking back at the city skyline. It is a friendlier, tastier way to spend an evening than a pricey sit-down meal in the tourist core. Come hungry, bring friends, and share plates.
How do you get there?
The most scenic route is the yellow harbour bus (route 991/992) across the water toward Refshaleøen, which is part of the normal public-transport system. Otherwise bus 2A runs to Refshaleøen, or it is a lovely 20-to-25-minute cycle from the centre along the harbour. Reffen sits at Refshalevej 167A.
When to go, and what it costs
Reffen is seasonal, opening roughly April to October — check current dates and hours before you go, as they change with the season (broadly midday until evening, later on weekends). Entry is free; you pay per dish, with most street-food plates in the region of 80–130 DKK. Go early evening on a fair-weather day; sunset over the harbour is the whole point.
Insider tip
Do a full lap before you commit — the queues tell you which containers are worth it — then grab a drink and a spot on the waterfront edge facing the city. Bring a card; most stalls are cashless, and it is quieter (and easier to snag a good table) on a weekday.
