La Banchina

Tiny blue harbour house on Refshaleøen blending seasonal pescatarian cooking, natural wines, sauna culture and swims into one uniquely Copenhagen experience.

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La Banchina

Perched on the water’s edge of Refshaleøen, La Banchina is a tiny blue wooden house that doubles as café, natural wine bar, harbour sauna and swim spot. From early-morning sourdough and coffee to seasonal vegetable and seafood plates and low-intervention wines, everything leans organic, local and quietly inventive. In summer the pier becomes a sun-drenched hangout for dips in the harbour; in winter it turns into a candlelit refuge with cosy dinners and steaming sauna sessions.

A brief summary to La Banchina

Refshalevej 141, Copenhagen, Indre By, 1432, DK
+4531266561
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 4 hours
Mid ranged
Mixed
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Monday 8 am-10 pm
Tuesday 8 am-10 pm
Wednesday 8 am-10 pm
Thursday 8 am-10 pm
Friday 8 am-10 pm
Saturday 8 am-10 pm
Sunday 8 am-10 pm

Local tips

Arrive early on sunny days if you want a spot on the pier; seating is limited and the best places by the water fill quickly.
Pack swimwear and a towel if you plan to use the sauna or take a harbour dip; there are only basic changing options on site.
In winter, consider booking an evening set menu well in advance, as the indoor space is small and runs on limited seatings.
Bring an extra layer even in summer; the harbour breeze can feel cool once the sun drops behind the city skyline.
If you have dietary restrictions, mention them when booking dinners; menus are set but the kitchen is used to working flexibly with vegetables and fish.

La Banchina location weather suitability

Any Weather
Clear Skies
Windy Conditions
Cold Weather
Mild Temperatures
Hot Weather

Discover more about La Banchina

A Little Blue House at the Edge of the Harbour

La Banchina sits right on the waterfront of Refshaleøen, a former industrial island that now feels like Copenhagen’s experimental backyard. The restaurant occupies a modest blue wooden house with big windows that frame the harbour like a moving painting, while a narrow pier stretches out into the water, dotted with benches, towels and glasses of wine. The name means “the pier” in Italian, and that is exactly what it feels like: a casual, lived‑in jetty where people drift between swimming, sipping, chatting and warming up again. Despite being only a short hop from the city centre, the setting feels distinctly removed from the urban rush, with seabirds, boat traffic and shifting Nordic light providing a constantly changing backdrop.

Seasonal Plates from Sea and Soil

The kitchen follows a strictly seasonal, organic and largely pescatarian philosophy, working with Danish vegetables and responsibly caught seafood. Menus change frequently and are often written on the windows, but you can expect simple breakfasts built around sourdough, butter and cheese, yoghurt with granola and excellent coffee. Later in the day, small plates might feature grilled leeks with herb pesto and cheese sauce, tomato soups brightened with smoked dairy, or Danish cod paired with mussels and greens. The cooking style is Nordic in its clarity but relaxed in spirit, designed to be shared alongside natural wines, local beers and house snacks on the pier or at the compact indoor counter.

Wine Bar, Sauna and Swim Jetty in One

La Banchina is as much about atmosphere as it is about food. A strong focus on low‑intervention wines means shelves lined with cloudy whites, amber‑hued skin‑contact bottles and chillable reds, poured informally by the glass or carafe. On warm days, guests spill out onto the dock, turning it into a floating living room where people alternate between sunbathing and harbour dips. Tucked just behind the main building is a small sauna that can be booked for steaming sessions throughout the year. In colder months, the rhythm of hot wood panelling, sea‑salted air and quick plunges into the frigid harbour becomes a key part of the experience, with blankets and bonfires adding to the sense of Nordic "hygge".

Winter Dinner Clubs and Summer All‑Day Café Life

The restaurant shifts character with the seasons. In winter, evenings often revolve around set multi‑course menus that explore Danish produce in more detail, turning the tiny dining room into an intimate supper space lit by candles and the glow from the open kitchen. Courses lean heavily on vegetables, grains and fish, paired with thoughtful wine matches. In summer, the mood loosens into an all‑day café and bar. Breakfast flows into lunch plates of vegetables and seafood, then into late‑afternoon snacks and glasses of wine. Swimmers come and go in bathrobes, and it is not unusual to see people in wetsuits queueing next to diners in light linen. The constant, regardless of season, is a commitment to organic, biodynamic sourcing and a low‑key, convivial vibe.

Sustainability by the Waterline

Sustainability runs through La Banchina’s identity, from its no‑meat kitchen to its preference for local, seasonal produce and natural wines. The team works closely with farmers, fishers and small producers around Denmark, aiming to keep supply chains short and transparent. Organic and biodynamic ingredients are the rule rather than the exception. Waste is kept in check with concise menus and creative use of ingredients, and the harbour setting encourages guests to engage directly with the water that shapes Copenhagen’s climate‑conscious identity. Combined with its tiny footprint and simple design, La Banchina feels more like a lived‑in extension of the shoreline than a conventional restaurant.

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Amalienborg Palace Museum

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Unmissable attractions to see

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Langelinie Pavillonen

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Gefion Fountain

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St Alban's Church

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Kastellet

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Craft cocktails and Mediterranean cuisine in Copenhagen's most welcoming sophisticated bar.

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La Banchina

A brief summary to La Banchina

Local tips

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La Banchina location weather suitability

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Discover more about La Banchina

A Little Blue House at the Edge of the Harbour

Seasonal Plates from Sea and Soil

Wine Bar, Sauna and Swim Jetty in One

Winter Dinner Clubs and Summer All‑Day Café Life

Sustainability by the Waterline

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Nyholm Central Guardhouse

Iver Huitfeldt Memorial

I am Queen Mary

Horn mine

Our Fallen

Maritime Monument

The Old Execution site in Copenhagen 1946-1950

Larsens Pl.

Amalienborg Palace Museum

Langelinie

St. Alexander Nevsky Church

The Kissing Stairs

Ofelia Plads

Frederik's Church

Hans Christian Andersen plaque

Unmissable attractions to see

Copenhagen Contemporary

Reffen - Skøjteøen

Kongeskibet Dannebrog

Refshaleøen, Copenhagen

ZinkGlobal by Kim Michael

Langelinie Park

Langelinieparken

Langelinie Pavillonen

The Little Mermaid

Gefion Fountain

St Alban's Church

Museum of Danish Resistance

Monument to Denmark's international activities after 1948

Copenhagen Opera House

Kastellet

Essential places to dine

La Banchina

Alchemist

Noma

Veve

Aoc

Khun Juk

Restaurant Barr

Restaurant Rebel

Kokkeriet

Skipperkroen

Cap Horn

Nyhavns Færgekro

Restaurant Vita

Restaurant Koefoed

Den Lille Fede

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

The Crown souvenir

Royal Souvenir Shop

Maritime Antiques &

Copenhagenglass

Zane

The Wilde Shop

Viking Souvenirs

Welcome Giftshop & Souvenirs

Danish Souvenirs & luggages

Magasin du Nord

Copenhagen Souvenir & Design

Copenhagen Souvenir & Design World of Memories

Storm - design art fashion

Henrik Vibskov Boutique

Urban Outfitters

Essential bars & hidden hideouts