Den Lille Kabys, Odense Havn
Hearty Danish comfort food in a former harbour weighing station, serving generous weekday lunches steps from the water at Odense Havn.
Tucked beside Odense Harbour, Den Lille Kabys is a cosy Danish eatery serving generous, home-style classics for lunch on weekdays. Housed in a converted weighing station on Havnegade, it blends maritime character with the feel of a friendly local canteen. Expect hearty dishes like frikadeller, stegt flæsk and karbonader, simple decor, and a relaxed, no-fuss atmosphere that attracts both harbour workers and in-the-know visitors exploring the waterfront.
A brief summary to Den Lille Kabys
- Havnegade 17B, Odense, Odense C, 5000, DK
- +4553569390
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Budget
-
Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-3 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-3 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-3 pm
- Thursday 10 am-3 pm
- Friday 10 am-3 pm
Local tips
- Arrive on the early side of lunch if you want the full choice of daily specials; the most popular traditional dishes can sell out before closing.
- Portions are substantial, so consider sharing side dishes or skipping a starter if you have afternoon plans that require staying energetic.
- Bring a light jacket outside of summer; if you choose a table by the harbour, wind off the water can make it feel cooler than inland.
- Check the current weekday opening hours in advance, as the restaurant focuses on lunch service and is usually closed in the evenings and on weekends.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Den Lille Kabys location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Rain / Wet Weather
Discover more about Den Lille Kabys
Harbour-side hideaway at Odense Havn
Den Lille Kabys sits just back from the quay at Odense Harbour, in a low, unpretentious building that once served as a small weighing station. The name roughly translates as “the little galley”, and that nautical nod fits its setting among repurposed harbour warehouses, modern offices and a growing waterfront scene. Step inside and you leave the open, windy quay for a snug room where the focus is firmly on the plate rather than elaborate design. The interior feels closer to a traditional Danish lunch café than to a formal restaurant. Simple wooden tables, practical chairs and unfussy details keep the mood relaxed, with the counter and serving area at the heart of the space. In good weather, a few outdoor tables extend the experience onto the pavement, so you can eat within sight of moored boats and harbour life drifting by.Hearty Danish cooking like at home
The kitchen specialises in classic Danish comfort food, cooked in generous portions and with a focus on flavour over finesse. Typical dishes include crisp pork with parsley sauce, meatballs, fried fish fillets and thick-cut karbonader, the kind of plates associated with family meals rather than fine dining. Portions are known for being substantial, designed to satisfy appetites that might once have belonged to dockworkers. Expect rich gravies, potatoes prepared in several ways, and a reassuring emphasis on butter and cream. Seasonal touches appear, but the backbone of the menu is traditional, familiar and proudly old-fashioned. It is the sort of place where you order one main dish and leave feeling you have eaten both lunch and an early dinner in a single sitting.Weekday lunch rhythm and local clientele
Den Lille Kabys keeps focused opening hours, serving primarily as a weekday lunch spot. From Monday to Friday it opens late in the morning and closes by mid-afternoon, with no service in the evenings or at weekends. This rhythm shapes the atmosphere: busy midday services, quieter early hours, and a sense that this is part of everyday life rather than a special-occasion destination. You are likely to share the room with workers from nearby offices, harbour staff and Odense locals who plan their day around a substantial midday meal. Conversations drift between tables, and there is an almost canteen-like practicality to the way food appears swiftly from the kitchen, arrives hot, and is cleared so the next diners can take their place.A story rooted in a former weighing station
The building’s former life as a harbour vejerbod adds a layer of quiet character. Instead of being purpose-built as a restaurant, it has been adapted, keeping its modest footprint and functional lines. There is no grand façade; you notice the sign, the doorway tucked into the brickwork and the hint of activity inside. That understatement suits the owner’s philosophy of stepping away from high-pressure gourmet kitchens to focus on straightforward, satisfying meals. Around the restaurant, the harbour district tells its own story of transformation. Old industrial facilities sit alongside new residential blocks, cultural spaces and pedestrian routes. Den Lille Kabys feels like a culinary anchor in this changing landscape, connecting the area’s working past with a more leisurely present where people come to stroll, sit and eat.Experiencing Odense through its lunch table
For travellers, a meal here is an easy way to understand everyday Danish food culture beyond design-led cafés. There is no elaborate ritual: you find a table, read the board or menu, and order a dish that could have come from a Danish family kitchen. The emphasis on midday dining reflects the traditional idea of lunch as the day’s most substantial meal. Combined with a walk along the harbourfront or a visit to central Odense, Den Lille Kabys works well as a planned lunch stop on a broader day out. It is casual enough for families and solo diners, yet comforting for couples seeking an unfussy, local-feeling place to eat. You leave not only well fed, but with a sense of having stepped briefly into the city’s daily rhythm rather than its shopfronts and museums alone.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Odense St.
0.9 km
Central rail and bus hub of Funen, Odense Station links Denmark’s mainlines with the city’s historic heart, light rail and cultural sights in one integrated complex.
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
0.9 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
visit
1.4 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Oceania
1.5 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Kirsebærtræer, Ny Kongevej
1.6 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
1.6 km
A delicate paper boat turned gleaming sculpture, Papirbåden floats on Odense’s Fairytale Garden lake, quietly celebrating H.C. Andersen’s “Steadfast Tin Soldier.”
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
2.6 km
Small in size but huge in symbolism, this Odense statue honours the local coach who led Denmark to its unforgettable Euro 1992 triumph.
TheDoorOdense
2.7 km
Experience innovative architecture and 600 years of seafaring history at the award-winning M/S Maritime Museum, nestled below Helsingør’s iconic waterfront.
The Funen Village
4.7 km
Experience Denmark's rural past at The Funen Village, an open-air museum in Odense featuring authentic 18th and 19th-century buildings and traditional crafts.
Det gamle vandtårn
5.3 km
A striking red-brick monument to Odense's industrial heritage and early 20th-century urban modernization.
Sortehusene
5.9 km
Historic black houses preserving working-class resilience on Odense's waterfront.
Besættelsesmuseum Fyn... Besættelsesmuseum Fyn er kun åben den første søndag i måneden fra kl 11 til 15.
7.9 km
An immersive, architecturally acclaimed underground museum in Helsingør, bringing Denmark’s rich maritime history to life beside the legendary Kronborg Castle.
Sanderumgaard v/Erik Vind
11.2 km
Discover Sanderumgaard, Funen’s enchanting Romantic-era landscape park: a blend of historic estate, poetic gardens, and serene lakes just beyond Odense.
The Glavendrup Stone
12.6 km
Denmark's longest runic inscription, carved with divine invocation and protective curse.
Rolfshøj
14.3 km
A quiet Neolithic long barrow in the fields near Ferritslev Fyn, where a simple stone chamber and grassy mound bring Funen’s prehistoric past close at hand.
Unmissable attractions to see
Promenaden Treppe
0.3 km
A simple waterside staircase where Odense’s fjord path dips towards the water, inviting you to sit, slow down, and soak in big skies and quiet coastal scenery.
H. C. Andersen skulptur i havnen
0.3 km
A half-submerged Hans Christian Andersen rises from Odense Harbour, blending literary legend, protest art and waterfront atmosphere in one striking sculpture.
Street Art - Odense Havn
0.3 km
Colossal black‑and‑white animals climb old grain silos at Odense Harbour, turning raw industrial concrete into a striking, free open‑air artwork by the water.
Thriges Kraftcentral
0.4 km
A fully operational 1916 power station where vintage diesel engines roar to life monthly, preserving a century of industrial innovation.
North Atlantic House
0.4 km
A waterfront cultural village in Odense Harbour, where striking Nordic architecture, North Atlantic art, storytelling and cuisine meet beside the water’s edge.
Andelstrappen og Fortællegyngestolen
0.5 km
A compact urban nook in central Odense where a sculptural storytelling swing and stepped seating invite you to pause, daydream and weave your own city tales.
Danmarks Jernbanemuseum
0.7 km
Explore Denmark's railway heritage aboard historic locomotives and vintage carriages in an authentic 1954 depot.
Fredens Kirke
0.8 km
A luminous 1920 “Church of Peace” in Odense’s Skibhus Quarter, blending Jensen Klint’s thoughtful brick architecture with stained glass, music and local community life.
Banegårdspladsen
0.8 km
A busy railway forecourt where commuters, cyclists and an eight‑metre Hans Christian Andersen–inspired sculpture share the same lively urban stage.
The City's Bridge
0.9 km
Stunning coastal headland at Funen’s northern tip, offering wild landscapes, panoramic sea views, rare birdlife, and serene walking trails in a pristine Danish nature reserve.
King's Garden
1.0 km
Odense’s historic royal garden – a formal yet welcoming green gateway of lawns, sculptures and summer concerts beside the city’s castle.
Odense Castle
1.1 km
Step into Denmark’s Gothic heart at Odense Cathedral—site of St. Canute’s martyrdom, renowned Renaissance art, and centuries of royal and religious history.
Saint Hans Church
1.1 km
A medieval monastic church of red brick and quiet light, Saint Hans links Odense’s castle, sacred history and old-town charm in one compact, atmospheric stop.
Carl Nielsen Museum
1.1 km
Compact yet richly layered museum in Odense’s musical quarter, tracing Carl Nielsen’s life, music and partnership with sculptor Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen.
Danaë
1.1 km
A serene bronze heroine from Greek myth, Gerhard Henning’s Danaë reclines quietly in Odense’s King’s Garden, bridging baroque greenery and modern city life.
Essential places to dine
Den Lille Kabys
0.0 km
Hearty Danish comfort food in a former harbour weighing station, serving generous weekday lunches steps from the water at Odense Havn.
Restaurant Nordatlanten ApS
0.4 km
Refined North Atlantic cuisine and harbour views meet under one roof at Odense’s Nordatlantisk Hus, where seasonal ingredients and Nordic design shape a memorable meal.
Restaurant Sezer v/Askin
0.5 km
Cosy Odense neighborhood steakhouse and Italian-inspired eatery serving generous plates, grilled favorites and comfort classics in a warm, easygoing atmosphere.
Restaurant Næsbyhoved Skov
0.6 km
Woodland restaurant by Odense Harbour, pairing classic Danish cuisine and seasonal menus with leafy views, bright banquet rooms and easy access to forest paths.
Giraffen
0.8 km
Hearty Danish comfort food and a casual bar atmosphere right inside Odense’s main station, ideal for hungry travelers and locals on the go.
Brasserie Bordeaux
1.2 km
A classic French brasserie in central Odense, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with thoughtful wines and cocktails in warm, candlelit surroundings.
Restaurant Under Lindetræet
1.2 km
Intimate fine dining in a 1771 townhouse opposite Hans Christian Andersen’s home, where seasonal Danish cuisine meets softly lit Odense history.
Pinsame Odense ApS
1.2 km
Roman-style pinsa in an unfussy Odense neighborhood setting, serving long-fermented, crisp-yet-airy bases with both classic and creative toppings for dine-in or takeaway.
Restaurant Oluf Bagers Gaard
1.2 km
Historic merchant's house serving refined Danish cuisine and social dining in the heart of Odense.
Bar Tapas
1.2 km
Cosy Nordic-Spanish tapas in central Odense, serving a curated ten-course evening of shared plates, Spanish wines and sangria in a warm, candlelit setting.
Restaurant Mam
1.2 km
Intimate French-inspired dining in central Odense, where seasonal Danish ingredients, local culinary heritage and thoughtful service come together over unhurried dinners.
Restaurant HOS
1.3 km
Intimate Nordic dining in central Odense, serving elevated smørrebrød by day and seasonal set menus by night in a calm, minimalist setting on lively Kongensgade.
Restaurant Ribelli
1.3 km
Inventive Italian fine dining with a Funen twist, served in an intimate, design-conscious dining room in the historic heart of Odense.
GOMA
1.3 km
Refined omakase-inspired Japanese dining in the heart of Odense, blending Nordic ingredients, meticulous sushi and crafted drinks in an intimate urban setting.
Bone's Odense
1.3 km
Family-friendly American barbecue in the heart of Odense, with saloon-style interiors, slow-cooked ribs, salad and soft-ice bar, and space for relaxed group dinners.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Butik Nordatlanten i Odense
0.4 km
Small but beautifully curated harbour shop in Nordatlantisk Hus, showcasing design, crafts and delicacies from Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
ButikZoom
0.4 km
Industrial-chic furniture and décor in a former Odense industrial setting, blending raw materials, moody lighting and Nordic restraint into a compact design showcase.
Veda Womenswear Denmark
0.5 km
A cozy neighborhood womenswear boutique in Odense C, offering a curated rack of wearable Danish-style pieces in a calm, morning-only shopping atmosphere.
Dorthe Riber - Trend of Wear
0.5 km
Owner-run Odense boutique offering Scandinavian-inspired everyday fashion, warm personal service and carefully chosen pieces on lively Skibhusvej.
Klassisk Design
0.5 km
An intimate Odense showroom dedicated to restored Danish design classics, where mid‑century furniture by iconic architects finds a new life in contemporary homes.
Asian Stitching & Applied Arts v / Hong Diem Phan
0.8 km
A small Odense atelier where Asian tailoring craft, careful alterations and garment repair give your favourite clothes a better fit and a longer life.
Hipstory | SHOWROOM ODENSE
0.8 km
Educational art celebrating history's most influential figures in contemporary design.
Baggårdsbutikken
1.0 km
Curated vintage and secondhand fashion in the heart of Odense's city center.
Living Nice / Café Kleist
1.1 km
Stylish hybrid café and design store in Odense’s Odeons Kvarter, where Scandinavian interiors meet French–Italian café indulgence in a relaxed, home-like setting.
Klods Hans
1.2 km
Characterful fairy-tale souvenir shop in Odense’s historic quarter, offering Andersen-themed gifts and Danish keepsakes in a cosy half-timbered setting.
Cadenhead's Whisky Shop, Denmark
1.2 km
A spacious, lounge‑like whisky specialist in central Odense, pairing rare independent bottlings with relaxed tastings and knowledgeable, down‑to‑earth guidance.
Look At This
1.2 km
A small, curated clothing store tucked inside a redbrick former textile factory, where Odense’s industrial past meets calm, contemporary Scandinavian style.
House of Amber Odense
1.3 km
A warm, glowing boutique in central Odense where millions of years of Baltic amber meet clean Danish jewellery design and thoughtfully curated gifts.
Faraos Cigarer
1.3 km
A vast 600 m² universe of comics, games, miniatures and cosplay, Faraos Cigarer Odense is the city’s colourful hub for Nordic geek culture and tabletop fun.
Boutique India v/ shahzad ali
1.3 km
A colourful little Odense shop where Indian textiles, clothing and homewares bring the patterns, textures and warmth of the subcontinent to historic Overgade.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Ungarsk Vinstue
0.8 km
A warmly worn, dog-friendly brown bodega in central Odense, where cheap beer, local regulars and analog pub life keep a slice of old Denmark quietly alive.
Sir Club
1.1 km
Long‑running Odense beer bar with 27 taps, quiz nights and a relaxed, lived‑in atmosphere where specialty brews and come‑as‑you‑are evenings take the spotlight.
Lørups Vinstue
1.3 km
Old‑school Odense pub with red‑checked tablecloths, cheap beers and sing‑along classics, where students, locals and night owls start – and often finish – a night out.
Viggos
1.3 km
Lively, wallet-friendly brown bar in central Odense, pouring cold draft beer, simple pub food and long, sociable nights for students, locals and night owls.
Bar Rar Ltd.
1.3 km
Intimate, candlelit cocktail bar in central Odense, pairing Nordic simplicity with carefully crafted drinks and a relaxed, late-night neighbourhood vibe.
Pianobar odense
1.3 km
Lively late-night piano bar in the heart of Odense C, mixing sing-along classics, casual drinks and a compact, buzzing atmosphere on Kongensgade.
Grand Bar & Lounge
1.3 km
Sophisticated cocktails and refined ambiance in a historic 1897 building at the heart of Odense.
Pub 47 - Bills Pub
1.3 km
Smoky, old-school Danish pub energy in the heart of Odense’s main shopping street, with cheap beers, loud nights and a lived-in, brown-bar charm.
Rabalder Bar Odense
1.4 km
A small, homely Odense bar styled like grandma’s living room, serving easygoing drinks and sing‑along hits in the heart of the city’s weekend nightlife.
Kick Off - Sportspub
1.4 km
Buzzing Odense sports pub with wall-to-wall screens, cold beer and classic bar games, perfect for catching the big match in relaxed, local surroundings.
The Flower and the Bee
1.4 km
Experience Odense's vibrant nightlife at The Flower and the Bee, a premier weekend dance bar offering quality cocktails and dynamic music in a lively atmosphere.
Den Standhaftige Tinsoldat Af Odense
1.4 km
A small, steadfast neighborhood beer bar in Odense C where inexpensive drinks, local regulars, and a laid-back dive-bar atmosphere tell their own quiet story.
Bootleggers Craft Beer Bar - Odense C
1.4 km
Urban craft beer sanctuary on Odense’s Gråbrødre Plads, pouring rotating specialty brews, free popcorn and laid-back good times from afternoon until late night.
The Boat House
1.4 km
A cozy, spirits-focused bar in central Odense, famed for its extensive whisky shelves, creative cocktails and laid-back themed evenings in soft, lounge-like surroundings.
June Bar
1.4 km
Intimate candlelit cocktails, shareable tapas and a warm, relaxed buzz right in the heart of Odense’s nightlife district.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
The slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus
1.2 km
Experience industrial-cool nights, live music, and eclectic parties at The Slaughterhouse Nightclub & Eventhus, Odense’s dynamic hub for nightlife and contemporary culture.
Boogie Dance Café
1.3 km
Odense's oldest disco where retro charm meets genuine community dancing.
BUTCHERS Odense
1.4 km
High-energy nightclub on Odense’s Overgade, mixing pounding bass, lights and late-night drinks in a central old-town setting steps from major sights.
Dansebar Odense
1.4 km
Lively central Odense nightclub with mainstream hits, colorful lights and a sociable dance floor vibe from late evening into the early hours.
Dance Odense, Funen Square Dance Club
6.5 km
Community-driven square dancing in a cozy Odense neighborhood hall, where callers, patterns and shared rhythm turn an ordinary evening into a friendly social event.
Muzirkus
27.1 km
Nyborg's independent music sanctuary where local bands rehearse, collaborate, and perform since 1974.
KJ's bodel
27.7 km
Laid‑back local nightspot on Nyborg’s main square, mixing simple drinks, sociable bar chatter and a compact dance floor in an unpretentious setting.
Crazy Daisy Svendborg
41.5 km
Compact, high-energy weekend nightclub in central Svendborg, serving mainstream beats, drinks and a sociable dance floor until the early hours.
AHA Livestage
43.1 km
Intimate live music and cocktail-driven nightlife in the heart of Fredericia, where high-quality sound and curated events turn selected evenings into standout parties.
Falkecenter Samsø ApS
46.4 km
Witness awe-inspiring live falconry shows and get up close with eagles, owls, and hawks at Samsø’s premier raptor center, blending living heritage with wilderness spectacle.
Vinkapellet Samsø
47.4 km
Experience the finest organic and natural wines at Vinkapellet Samsø, a cozy haven for wine enthusiasts in the heart of Brundby.
Samsø Island Distillery
48.9 km
Experience authentic Danish craftsmanship at Samsø Island Distillery, where local botanicals and sustainable practices fuse to create distinctive gin and aquavit on scenic Samsø.
Ræven
49.0 km
Island spirit and Danish hospitality await at Ræven, Samsø—a cozy neighborhood bar with local brews, lively evenings, and a real taste of authentic island life.
Garagen
49.7 km
Garagen is Samsø’s beloved island bar, famed for live music, a rustic woodland setting, and its welcoming, laid-back vibe—a true hub for locals and travelers alike.
Ærø Golf Klub
50.2 km
Distinctive links course on Ærø’s northwest cape, blending historic lighthouse views, Nordic coastlines, and a classic Danish golfing challenge.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Casual
- Unique
- Fun-filled
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
- Business Friendly