For any visitor to the Danish capital, The Meatpacking District is one of the best places to get great food and drink, but most importantly to experience the Danish culture. The ‘complete’ in the title of this piece is obviously tricky, as I know that by its very nature, the Meatpacking District is a melting pot of new ideas and innovation, which frequently introduces new and exciting cafes, bars, live venues and restaurants. However, I will try to keep this article updated with the latest places! Let me know what you think and if I missed anything by commenting below.

Before we dive in, one thing I will say is that there are so many great places to visit in the district and I encourage you to explore the whole area, beyond Flæsketorvet (where many of the best knowns institutions of the area lie), to the maze of brown-brick warehouses and workshops - where some of the best hidden goodies lie in wait.

P.S. As you’ll see from my photos, I visited the Meatpacking District on an especially cold and snowy day in February. I promise, it’s not always like this in Denmark! Although Copenhagen in the snow, especially the stark colour contrasts of the Meatpacking District, has a beautiful bleak charm.

The Danish name of this area is Kødbyen, which literally translates as “The Meat Town,” and not so long ago, the Copenhagen Meatpacking District was once exactly that. Starting in the late 19th century, the area was made up of huge halls for cattle and well as slaughterhouses and butchers, providing meat for transportation across the Baltics and mainland Europe.

After the decline of the area in the late 20th and early 21st century, the area has seen a period of regeneration with artists moving in, alongside studios, startup firms, shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Let’s take a look at some of the amazing places which this district has to offer. As there is so much to see, I’ve divided the article into food options, cafes/bars and ‘other’ (which includes shops and galleries). I hope you enjoy and find this valuable for your visit to this amazing area.

The best food options in The Meatpacking District:

Wedo

Starting with one of my absolute favourites, Wedogreens make delicious, fresh and healthy salads. Offering a range of their own suggested mixes on the menu, you can of course make you own choice from their full range, mixing a wide choice of proteins, spinach, avocado, chili, peanuts, delicious bread.

They offer vegan bowls, sandwiches and amazing salads - the real clincher for me are the dressings (like goma, tarragon and chipotle) which take their dishes to the next level. There are several stores throughout Copenhagen, so I thoroughly recommend trying Wedo when you get the chance.

hija de sanchez copenhagen — Hija de Sanchez

One of a group of taquerias across Copenhagen, this place makes mouth-watering Mexican cuisine using local products.
It’s a simple menu made up of delicious, corn-based tacos with tasty sides a dips like nachos, guacamole and esquite. Check out the full Hija de Sanchez menu and see their other stores (like the one at Torvehallene).

Paté Paté

Paté Paté is one of the oldest restaurants in the Meatpacking District. They offer a cosy and laid-back atmosphere, serving mouthwatering dishes from the cuisine of the South of France, frequently adding a Spanish and North African twist to tehir local ingredients.

Expect sharing plates of delicious comfort food from a seasonal menu - I thoroughly recommend.

Camour

This restaurant originally opened in 2021 under the name Camino, specialising in Spanish cuisine. Since early in 2025, they have rebranded as Camour, expanding their gastronomic offerings to include food from France and Italy.
Camour is a lovely place to eat and enjoy yourself, they offer a delicious 7-course tasting menu for 350 kr which is frequently updated with dishes like mussels, ragout and beef tartare.

Gaza Grill

Gaza Grill is an Arabic restaurant, based on family recipes from Palestine. You can feel their love for the rich Middle Eastern cuisine, communal dining and sharing dishes, I always bring friends and family here on their first visit to Copenhagen.

All their food is organic, with the beef and halloumi cheese they use being Danish produced,

tommis burger joint — *Tommi’s Burger Joint*

Tommi’s Burger Joint started in Reykjavik, Iceland but has since spread to eight cities all over Europe.
You will notice the smell before you see it, as the grilling meat and delicious veggie burgers wafts from the open doors. They offer a selection of great dips to go with the fries and, although it might be hard to believe from this snowy photo, in the summer the wooden tables are crowded with burger fans enjoying a bite in the sunshine.

Mother

Another one of my absolute favourites in the Meatpacking District is mother, a pizzeria serving delicious, wood-fired pizzas with a frequently changing menu of fantastic toppings. Their ingredients come fresh from Italy and the sourdough pizzas are made on-site from their historic soughdough starter named: Mother. In case that’s not enough, they also offer great wines and cocktails. Visit on a Friday or Saturday night and expect a more upbeat vibe with drinks flowing and house music pumping!

Superbon

Superbon brings a delicious menu of traditional Asian cuisine, providing everything from steaming bao buns and grilled lobster to crispy soft-shell crab. On top of that, there is a great bar serving up a wide selection of cocktails.

Chicky grill

Chicky Grill has served traditional Danish food in the same location here for over 45 years - back when the meat was really getting packed in this area. It’s hard to describe the vibe of this place without you visiting, but think of a family-run diner with leather-seats and laden with all manner of decor from the 90s and you get the idea.

They bring a classic menu which delights locals and tourists alike, The menu consists of all the Danish grill bar favorites, from open sandwiches (Smørrebrød), prawn cocktail, crispy potatoes with roast pork and thick brown sauce. They also offer great desserts and the bar is open until late.

Kodbyens fiskebar

Fiskebaren specialises in fresh local fish and seafood - another one of my favourite places. They boast a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide to Nordic Cities and present an oldschool, retro atmosphere with plenty of inside and outside to enjoy a drink and meal in the sun.

Fleisch

Fleisch place top-quality meats as their focal point, so the Meatpacking District is the perfect location for them. They bring organic meat daily from Danish farms to offer a frequently updated menu of delicious dishes.

Despite what you may think from my description, there is nothing pretentious in the way they do things, expect generous portions, beautiful cuts of meat and a joyful homage to the open sandwich tradition (Smørrebrød) of Kødbyen.

Restaurant Gorilla

Restaurant Gorilla specialises in Mediterranean cuisine and have divided their menu into shareable snacks and a la carte dishes, alongside a price-friendly tasting menu consisting of 10 or 15 shareable servings.

With one half of Gorilla set aside to the restaurant, they also boast a lovely bar, with a wine list filled with European varieties of delicious fruity wines. And as with most places on this list, they of course offer an excellent cocktail or two!

H15 (Madenitaly)

H15 is a hard place to define, offering a diverse mix of food and cultural experiences. Under the motto "Room for All", they house a music venue and cultural center, hosting everything from club nights, rock concerts, and jazz to theater, art exhibitions, and film screenings.

Madenitaly is located inside H15 and serves 100% plant-based dishes inspired by Italian cuisine - hence the name. It is truly one of the best vegetarian restaurants I have come across in the Danish capital and offer a diverse, frequently updated menu of classic Italian comfort food like Roman-style pizza, escuisite pasta dishes, and mouth-watering desserts.

Magasasa Dim Sum and cocktails

Easily one of the best Chinese restaurants in Copenhagen. Magasasa Dim Sum & Cocktails features authentic Cantonese cuisine, specializing in Dim Sum steamed buns and refreshing cocktails. The menu is large and, if arriving on an empty stomach, can be a easy place to over-order as you salivate at the many delicious delights on offer - don’t say I didn’t warn you!

The best cafes and bars in the Meatpacking District:

Mesteren & Lærlingen

A walk around the Meatpacking District in the summer months (actually any day when the sun is out) will see people sitting out around the hub of the area at Mesteren & Lærlingen. The bar serves beer at good prices with great music to chill out to while the sun shines.

Ismageriet

The time has come to talk about my favourite ice cream shop in Copenhagen (although there is fierce competition for second place - check out my guide to the best ice cream in Copenhagen). With a guaranteed 32 flavours always available, guests are greeted to a smorgasbord of flavours spread out before them. From traditional fruity sorbets and creamy ice creams, Ismageriet offers some out-of-the-box choices like baklava, peanut & yuzu, mango pannacotta and sea buckthorn to name but a few. No matter when you are visiting (the shop is open until 1am!), Ismageriet is a must-see for any visitor the Meatpacking District.

Artspace Bar

This is a great bar in the heart of the Meatpacking District. They offer a range of wines, great craft beers on tap and soft drinks with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. In the summer months, you can expect live music, sport on big screens and art events at Artspace Bar.

ÅBEN Kødbyen

This is one of my favourite spots in the Meatpacking District. ÅBEN Kødbyen is a bar, restaurant and brewery in one.

Their beers are delicious and served straight from the fermentation tanks and the open kitchen offers a fantastic and regularly updated seasonal menu. The entire brewery is on display to visitors which I love, allowing nosy people like me to look at their setup and the whole brewing process.

Throughout the year, ÅBEN run a number of festivals and have opened up several bars serving their beers throughout Denmark, check out their website for more info.

Prolog Coffee Bar

This Prolog Coffee is one of three located throughout the city and is well worth a visit for a tired tourist or two.
They offer an unpretentious setting and their love of quality beans, roasting and preparation is apparent in the high-quality coffee they provide.
As they put it themselves: “To celebrate our love for coffee, we celebrate you.”

Baggen

Baggen is a popular nightclub set right in the heart of the Meatpacking District. With a frequent calendar of events featuring some big names, it is well worth a visit. Do bear in mind that you can expect fairly large queues on a Friday or Saturday night especially.

NOHO

NOHO is a bar and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to hungry entrepreneurs and tourists alike. Several of my friends work for companies located on the floor above at NOHO’s twin co-working space, SOHO. The menu specialises in a social dining concept with may shared dishes, so this place is ideal for a group to chill out in relaxed surroundings.

Hart Bakery

As outlined in my guide to the best bakeries in Copenhagen, Hart is truly exceptional.
Fresh, high-quality pastries, loaves and savoury snacks are baked on-site every day to get your mouth watering. Excellent coffee too.

Kødbyens Øl & Cocktailbar

This place does what it says in the name. Great beer (Øl) and cocktails are brought together with good music and vibes - oh and shuffleboard!

Jolene Bar

Jolene is a bit of a mainstay of the Meatpacking District as the area’s ‘Electronic Music hotspot since 2007’. Expect no frills, just well-priced (for Copenhagen!) drinks and great music late into the early hours. They host a regular schedule of electronic dance music from house to dub and techno - find out more on their social media.

Warpigs

This place is a must-see and would probably be number 1 on the list for a lot of people. They combine 2 things which they do excellently: delicious Texan-style barbecue and amazing beers.

Set among the ceramic white tiles of one of the original butchers of the Meatpacking District, Warpigs has perfectly retained the vibe of the area. It can get busy both inside and out so head there earlier in the day to guarantee a table and a chance to sample of delights of their menu.

The best theatres, galleries and…other, in the Meatpacking District:

V1 Gallery

V1 Gallery is a space highlighting artwork created by Danish and international artists for a diverse audience. Inspired by a desire to spark intrigue and conversation, V1 Gallery aims to give artists a mouthpiece to discuss the society and politics of their time.

Galleri Bo Bjerggaard

Galleri Bo Bjerggaard is a gallery space specialising in exhibiting paintings and other international contemporary art from Europe and America - including sculpture, photography, video, and installations.

Alongside exhibitions of lesser known artists, the gallery’s growing collections hosts work from well-known Danish artists like Per Kirkby, Per Bak Jensen, John Kørner and Erik Steffensen. Well worth a visit for any fan of 20th century art, alongside a visit to the next stop on the list:

Gallery Poulsen

Just off the beaten track of the main byways of the Meatpacking District lies the slightly hidden Gallery Poulsen. They play host to over 25 international artists, all united by a passion for storytelling and a love of craftsmanship in their work.

With around 10 annual shows, Gallery Poulsen presents itself as a space for ”the most adventurous art audience” with engaging, accessible and provocative exhibitions.

Øksnehallene

Øksnehallen is a vast exhibition building, playing host to regular events and festivals. I have been there for the International Citizens Day, Mikkeller Beer Festival and the Danish History Festival and each time am amazing by the space itself.

Øksnehallen was originally built as a huge cattle market by the Copenhagen City Council, with space for 1,600 cattle.
You can check out what the venue is next being used for on the DGI website. Even if you can’t go inside, I recommend strolling around the large concourse outside to get an idea of the scale of industry that used to take place here not so long ago.

Husets Teatre

Located just beside Øksnehallene is Husets Teater, a performing arts venue specialising in creativity and exploration in theatre. They offer a range of frequent performances both in Danish and English and is well worth a visit for fans of the creative arts.

Warehouse9

This venue is one which is hard to define. Their regular calendar features music performances, performance art pieces, art galleries, and social gathering space for the LGBTQ community and allies. Founded in 2007 in the derelict former stables of the Meatpacking District, Warehouse9 is artist-run, supported by the Danish Arts Foundation and the longest-running queer arts organisation in Denmark.

Keep your eye out for the International Performance Art Festival, which usually takes place at Warehouse9 in March each year. This festival features performances, exhibits and artists talks.

The hows and whys of Kødbyen?

There you have it! My guide to the amazing Meatpacking District. Please let me know in the comments below if I missed anywhere off the list or any new additions I might not have visited yet and I will happily add it.

Below you’ll find a few common questions which I hope might help you in your exploration of this amazing neighbourhood.

Where is Kødbyen located?

A: Kødbyen is located in the western part of Copenhagen, near the Central Station (Københavns Hovedbanegård) in the Vesterbro neighborhood. It’s within walking distance of many popular areas in the city.

What’s the difference between the White, Grey, and Brown Kødbyen?

A: These refer to different sections of the district:

White Kødby (Den Hvide Kødby): Built in the 1930s, now a hub for galleries, design firms, and eateries.
Grey Kødby (Den Grå Kødby): Older buildings still used by meat businesses and wholesalers.
Brown Kødby (Den Brune Kødby): Less prominent, formerly housing stables and older industry buildings.

Is Kødbyen family-friendly?

A: During the day, yes. There are casual eateries and open spaces where families can relax. At night, it’s more oriented toward adults and nightlife.

Is Kødbyen safe to visit at night?

A: Yes, Kødbyen is generally safe, especially on weekends when it's full of locals and tourists. Like any nightlife area, it's good to stay aware of your surroundings.

Are there any events or markets in Kødbyen?

A: Yes, Kødbyen regularly hosts street food markets, art exhibitions, pop-ups, and music events, especially in warmer months. Check listings of the many places on this list above for up-to-date happenings.

Getting to the Meatpacking District

Walking:

If you're staying in or around central Copenhagen, the Meatpacking District is an easy and pleasant walk. From the City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen), it's just a 15-minute stroll south along Vesterbrogade, one of the main streets in Copenhagen. As you walk, you'll pass through lively parts of the city, including the bustling shopping area of Vesterbro. Once you reach the Kødbyen area, you'll be greeted by the colorful buildings and warehouses that give the district its unique vibe.

Cycling:

Copenhagen is one of the best cities in the world for cycling, with bike lanes and infrastructure that make it both safe and enjoyable. From most parts of the city, cycling to the Meatpacking District is easy. If you're coming from the city center, simply hop on your bike and head southwest along Vesterbrogade. The bike lanes are well-marked, and you'll have a smooth ride toward the district. Alternatively, you can rent a city bike (Bycyklen) or use bike-sharing services that are widely available throughout the city.

Public Transport:

If you're not in the mood for walking or cycling, Copenhagen's public transport system is quick and efficient. You can take a metro, bus, or train to get close to the Meatpacking District. The nearest metro stations are "Vesterbro" and "Enghave Plads," both of which are just a short walk from the district. Alternatively, you can take a bus to the area; routes like 1A, 2A, and 5C will get you close to the Meatpacking District. The public transport system in Copenhagen is easy to navigate, and with a valid ticket, you can travel seamlessly across the city.

Want to see more of Scandinavia and northern Europe?

Check out my guides to

The best Bakeries in Copenhagen

The best Danish pastries (In my opinion!).
The ultimate Iceland Roadtrip
Another epic Roadtrip exploring the Baltic countries of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.
Or explore the rest of the Scandi Culture Experiences to find out what’s on offer.

A complete guide to the amazing Meatpacking District, Copenhagen