Giraffen, Odense

Station-side dining in the heart of Odense

Giraffen occupies a prime corner of Odense Banegårdscenter, the city’s railway hub, turning a functional station concourse into a convenient place to sit down for a real meal. Behind the wide glass frontage and simple signage, you step into a warm, no-fuss room of tables, banquettes and a long bar, all just a short stroll from the platforms. It is the kind of place where travelers with luggage, commuters and locals comfortably share the same space. Since opening alongside the station complex in 1995, the restaurant has kept its focus on being a dependable stop: somewhere you can rely on for a full plate, a cold beer and a seat indoors when the Danish weather turns. The décor is straightforward and lived-in rather than polished, more about coziness and familiarity than design statements.

Classic Danish comfort food and hearty portions

The menu leans heavily into traditional Danish fare and filling bistro-style dishes. You can expect crispy pork with potatoes and parsley sauce, wiener schnitzel with peas and buttery potatoes, pan-fried fish fillets with remoulade, open-faced sandwiches and substantial steaks with fries and béarnaise. Plates are generous, designed to satisfy a real appetite rather than just tide you over. Alongside the classics there are international crowd-pleasers such as nachos, club sandwiches, burgers and a mixed “Giraffe’s plate” of tempura prawns, chicken bites, onion rings and wedges. A small dessert list, including chocolate cake and pancakes with ice cream, rounds things off. Prices sit in the mid-range by Danish standards, with clear Danish kroner and euro indications on the menu, making it easy for international travelers to gauge costs.

A relaxed bar for beers, sports and social breaks

Giraffen also functions as a neighborhood bar inside the station complex. Draft beer and standard soft drinks flow from the bar, and sports matches are regularly shown on the TVs, drawing in fans for football evenings or a post-work pint. It is as much a rendezvous spot as a restaurant, used as a meeting point before cinema visits, concerts or nights out in the city. The mood is casual and sociable: it is common to see groups rolling dice over a game, friends sharing a snack platter, or solo travelers nursing a drink while waiting for a train. The open plan layout makes it easy to people-watch the ebb and flow of station life while still feeling slightly removed from the main concourse.

Practical comforts for travelers and locals

Being integrated into Odense Banegårdscenter gives Giraffen a very practical edge. You are under cover, with restrooms, shops and transport options nearby, and you do not need to worry about the weather while you wait. Long opening hours from late morning to late evening every day make it a reliable fallback when other city restaurants may be closed between services. The atmosphere is informal enough for families with children, students on a budget and seniors looking for straightforward plates. Service aims for friendly efficiency rather than ceremony, with staff moving quickly between tables to keep pace with train timetables and busy meal periods.

Everyday Odense rather than a special-occasion venue

Giraffen is not a fine-dining destination or a place of elaborate culinary experimentation; its appeal lies in its practicality and consistency. It offers a slice of everyday Odense life, where traditional dishes and simple bar comforts are served to a cross-section of the city and its visitors. For many, it becomes a familiar landmark in their travel routine: somewhere to grab a last plate of Danish food before departure, or a first cold beer on arrival in town.