Six Things to Do in Vesterbro, Copenhagen

Not sure what to do in Vesterbro? This neighborhood in the west part of Copenhagen (literally meaning Western Bridge), is an area that has changed significantly in a short period of time while retaining its charm. In particular, the popular Kødbyen, the city’s “Meatpacking District,” has morphed from a center of meat processing and production in the 1930s to an area filled with food, drink, and fun in the early 2000s. Though there are three sections that make up Kødbyen – white, grey and brown – it is the white buildings that have largely been re-purposed.

Though Vesterbro may be garnering international attention as one of the most “hipster” neighborhoods in the world (whatever that means), it’s got a fantastic selection of down-to-earth independent restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops.

Whether you’re a long-time Copenhagener or are planning a trip to Copenhagen, it’s equally likely that you’ll want to spend some time exploring this district.

Here’s where to eat, drink, stay, and shop in Vesterbro, Copenhagen:

Where to Eat in Vesterbro

For easy, affordable options for lunch or dinner check out pizza spots like Neighbourhood and Mother, or a quick burger at Tommi’s Burger Joint. Granola offers excellent lunch, coffee and a seriously addictive chocolate-banana cake with coconut ice cream.

The Caribbean Housewife serves up comforting homemade Caribbean and Latin-inspired soups and other dishes. The menu is mostly vegetarian or vegan, but the real treat is in tasting flavors that are hard to find elsehwere in Copenhagen, in one of the cosiest spots in the city. This location is only open in autumn and winter, so make sure you get there while you can!

Jamain Brigitha, The Caribbean Housewife

For health nuts, BioMio is an organic, vegetarian-friendly restaurant, with all food prepared in an ultra-trendy open kitchen. Bowl Market, where they make everything from porridge to acai bowls to great coffee, is a lovely place to relax with a bowl of something warm or get work done.

Bowlmarket on Gasværksvej

If you’re in the mood for something sweet but still vegan, try Nicecream at Enghave Plads; their acai bowls and “ice cream” sundaes are a a treat!

Vesterbro is home to Copenhagen’s “Chinatown”, and some of the few real Chinese restaurants in Copenhagen. For the best Sichuan food in Copenahgen, head to Magasasa on Istedgade.

For a more upscale options, we like Pate Pate, which offers Spanish-meets-French cuisine (try the, duh, pate) and Restaurant Cofoco, serving Southern European fare made from seasonal Danish produce.

Restaurant Sanchez, opened by former noma pastry chef Rosio Sanchez, offers Mexican brunch and dinner – both delicious – and they have the best margarita in town to make the meal complete. In addition, the best tacos in Copenhagen can be found at Hija de Sanchez in Kødbyen, where the food is casual but top notch. Check their website for upcoming chef collaborations, which always draw a big crowd.

Hija de Sanchez in Kødbyen, Vesterbro

And for those late nights that turn into early mornings, Kebabistan makes a mean kebab sandwich on Turkish bread, although some kebab purist argue that Ankara Durum House is even better (and we don’t recommend you argue with these Durum purists!).

The flæskesteg (roast pork) sandwich on Isted Grill is a Copenhagen classic, and the perfect amount of grease to take care of your hangover.

Where to Stay in Vesterbro

If you’re looking to stay around Vesterbro, Airbnb is a great choice.

Here are just a few Airbnb options:

Authentic Copenhagen

In a large, gorgeous flat with tons of books, you’ll have your own room. This one will be great for a person traveling on their own or a couple. It’s very close to the central station, making getting around easy.

Starting from 450 DKK/night
Private room in an apartment
1 bedroom, 1 shared bathroom
In central Vesterbro, very close to the Copenhagen Central Station (Hovedbånegard)
Up to 2 guests

Cosy flat with balcony – hippest, most central part

A full apartment with a cosy, Scandi interior. This one is located right in Vesterbro, near Kødbyen, so you’ll be in walking distance of all the best spots, especially for night out. There’s even a balcony so you can enjoy the long summer nights (or short winter days, whichever you choose!).

Starting from 600 DKK/night
Full apartment
1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Very close to Kødbyen, the meatpacking district with lots of restaurants, bars, and clubs
Up to 2 guests

Gorgeous flat with extra loft in Vesterbro

How beautiful does this flat look? The small extra loft is the perfect cosy spot to cuddle up or have some quiet time to yourself. If you’re looking for something a bit more long-term, this could be the place for you!

Starting from 998 DKK/night
Full apartment
1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Lofted bedroom
Long-term rental is possible at this location
Up to 2 guests

For a reasonably-priced but still cool hostel, check out Urban House. There’s no check in; book your room online then just enter your door code when you arrive. Instead of a breakfast buffet, a healthy and delicious bagged breakfast waits for you in the morning so that you can grab-and-go. The hotel also hosts a bar with Ugly Duckling Brewery beers, perfect for a laid-back evening with the neighborhood crowd.

Where to Get Coffee in Vesterbro

The options for coffee in Vesterbro can seem endless, but there are a few places really worth your time.

For those into both design and really excellent coffee, tiny Prolog Coffee Bar in Kødbyen has become a favorite of the cool-kids crowd, but it lives up to the hype with their home-roasted beans. In the warmer months, their outdoor seating area is the place to be.

Risteriet roasts their own coffee, which is strong and flavorful. Some uber coffee-nerds argue that it’s the best coffee in Copenhagen. Rist Kaffebar, with it’s small, minimalist interior, is a great place to stop in for a quick cup during a busy day.

Kaffe on Istegade is the kind of quirky, cosy space that wants you want to hang around, sipping your latte, for hours.

Where to Drink in Vesterbro

Some of the best bars of Copenhagen are in Vesterbro. If you’re looking for a fancy-pants drink, Vesterbro doesn’t have quite the same vibe as, say, central Copenhagen. But there are plenty of cosy places to imbibe. Favorites include Lidkoeb, which has an outstanding selection of both cocktails and beers (including Ugly Duck Brewing Co) and Duck and Cover, for a next-level hygge cocktail bar.

Want to dance or listen to live music? Head to Jolene, a local bar teeming with bright young things. For great live music and a more laid-back nightclub/bar scene that’s still fun, give Mesteren & Lærlingen a try. You’ll find bigger music events at VEGA.

Tasty, flavorful cocktails can be found at Neighbourhood (yes, the pizza place). Mikkeller Bar and Bang og Jensen serve great beers – Bang og Jensen also offers a great brunch in the morning.

If it’s wine you’re after, Malbeck has Argentinian wine and very reasonable happy hour deals. For takeaway wine, we always recommend the friendly folks at Vin Super Natural.

Where to Shop in Vesterbro

It’s easy to only shop in the center of the city, but Vesterbro has a range of great stores. Shop Dora has a wonderful selection of off-beat interior goods as well as some curate vintage pieces.

For cycle enthusiasts, Recycles reupholsters and sells bicycles from their workshop. Cykelfabrikken is very trendy small bike store in Vesterbro, and have designed their own very classic and minimalist bicycle frames.

DANSKmadeforrooms is an interior design shop on Istedgade. The minimalist aesthetic and high-quality brands make this a must-see for Scandinavian design lovers.

For great fashion, including Scandi brands like Ganni, Just Female, and Samsøe Samsøe, Donn Ya Doll is one of the top boutiques in the area.

What to do in Vesterbro

There’s nothing better than having a lazy morning or a day to get lost, wandering the streets of a new (or remembered) neighborhood. The area around Enghave Plads, with the indoor skate park and music venue KPH Volume nearby, attracting the younger crowd.

There’s Absalon, where you can get a bite to eat at their cafe, take a yoga class, or go to a gig in the evening. Check out their calendar for something fun to do.

Need something child-friendly, or just want to reach for the stars? The Ty Brache Planetarium, situated against the lakes, is a great spot for something a otherworldly. Their IMAX theatre always has a fascinating film to see.

Though we recommend finding your own path, here are some areas to get you started: