Reffen – Skøjteøen

A waterfront playground on Refshaleøen

Reffen – Skøjteøen occupies a former industrial shipyard at Refshalevej 167, turning weathered concrete and corrugated warehouses into a 12,000 m² playground for food, culture and winter fun. The setting feels distinctly maritime: you smell salt on the breeze, hear the creak of moored boats and look straight across to Copenhagen’s skyline over the harbour. Shipping containers stacked and staggered around open yards give everything a raw, improvised feel, softened by pockets of greenery and colourful signs. Refshaleøen’s shipbuilding past is still visible in rusted rails and steel beams, but today the mood is relaxed and informal. Families, groups of friends and solo wanderers spread out across long communal tables, deckchairs in the sand and wooden benches tucked between containers. As daylight slides into evening, strings of bulbs and firepits take over, and the whole area glows like a small village of food stalls and bars at the edge of the city.

Street food from every corner of the globe

Reffen’s core is its street food market, with roughly 35 independent stalls and food trucks serving flavours from every continent. You might move from Pakistani chaat to Mexican tacos, then on to Moroccan tagines, Neapolitan-style pizza, Nordic gourmet hotdogs or delicate Japanese gyoza in a single lap of the yard. Many stalls are compact kitchens squeezed into converted containers, adding to the sense of culinary improvisation and experimentation. The focus is on casual, high-quality dishes served fast, so it is easy for mixed groups to all find something they like and regroup at one of the shared seating areas. Several bars and a coffee corner pour everything from craft beer and natural wine to hot chocolate and speciality coffee. On cooler days, the covered Beer Garden and the big indoor Werkstatt hall offer shelter, meaning you can linger over food and drinks even when the weather is uncooperative.

From industrial hall to cultural hotspot

Beyond eating and drinking, Reffen functions as a seasonal cultural stage. The former machine hall now known as Werkstatt hosts live concerts, club-style nights, markets and exhibitions under its high steel roof. The acoustics and scale of the hall suit everything from electronic sets to brass bands and vintage fairs. Around the yard, small creative workshops and studios showcase crafts such as glass, tattoos and vintage clothing, adding a maker’s edge to the food focus. Outdoor spaces are constantly reconfigured: one weekend the sandy area may hold a mini festival with DJs and pop-up bars, another it might be set up for family-friendly activities or art events. This fluidity is part of Reffen’s character; stalls change from season to season, line-ups evolve and new concepts appear, so each visit can feel slightly different while the overall atmosphere stays recognisably laid-back and social.

Skøjteøen: winter lights on the ice

In the darker months, Skøjteøen turns the central yard into a winter island of ice and light. Two ice rinks – a main rink and a smaller one tailored to younger or less confident skaters – are framed by glowing installations, music and the smell of woodsmoke from nearby fires. The harbour air feels sharper, but the combination of movement, hot drinks and food stalls serving steaming comfort dishes keeps the chill at bay. The programme typically includes themed skate nights, informal ice-hockey sessions, karaoke on ice and playful “winter Olympics” activities that invite visitors of all ages to join in. Between sessions, you can warm your hands on a mulled drink, try a rich stew or share something sweet under heat lamps. Markets, workshops and small concerts spill out around the rinks, so even non-skaters find plenty to do while soaking up the festive atmosphere.

Practicalities and pace of a visit

Entry to Reffen itself is free, with costs depending on what you choose to eat, drink or book on the ice. It works especially well as a relaxed half-day stop where you can combine a harbour stroll with unhurried grazing from stall to stall. Seating ranges from simple benches to loungey deckchairs, and the flat surfaces and broad walkways make it easy to navigate with prams or wheelchairs, though some areas are gravel or sand. Mobile reception is generally strong, and the site provides restrooms, bins and information boards to help you get your bearings and check what is on. At peak times – sunny summer evenings or December weekends – crowds and queues build around popular stalls, while weekday afternoons in season and earlier time slots are usually calmer. Whenever you come, the mix of harbour views, container architecture and the seasonal switch from sun to ice makes Reffen – Skøjteøen one of Copenhagen’s most distinctive casual hangouts.