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Denmark

# Grisen – Award-winning Danish Sandwich Restaurant in Copenhagen
Grisen is a celebrated restaurant located at Fredensgade 5, Köpenhamn, 2200, Copenhagen, known for its authentic Danish sandwiches. This cozy eatery specializes in traditional Danish fast food, particularly the renowned bøfsandwich and flæskestegssandwich. With a rustic ambiance adorned with quirky decor, Grisen has gained a loyal following since its inception, praised for its hearty portions and friendly service. The restaurant's commitment to quality ingredients and homemade sauces has garnered it numerous positive reviews, making it a must-visit spot for both locals and tourists seeking a taste of Denmark's culinary heritage.

## History
### The story of Grisen
Grisen was founded with a vision to bring traditional Danish fast food to the forefront of Copenhagen's culinary scene. The restaurant's name, which translates to "The Pig," reflects its focus on pork-based dishes, particularly the beloved Danish sandwiches. The founders aimed to create a welcoming environment where patrons could enjoy hearty meals made from high-quality ingredients, celebrating Denmark's rich food culture.

### Milestones and growth
- Established as a local favorite for traditional Danish sandwiches.
- Gained recognition for its bøfsandwich, winning awards for quality.
- Expanded its menu to include various pork dishes and vegetarian options.
- Developed a strong online presence, attracting food enthusiasts and tourists.
- Maintained a loyal customer base through consistent quality and service.

### Cultural and local influence
Grisen has become a cultural staple in Copenhagen, embodying the essence of Danish "grillbar" cuisine. The restaurant not only serves food but also fosters a sense of community, where families and friends gather to enjoy traditional meals. Its quirky decor, featuring eclectic items and memorabilia, adds to the local charm, making it a popular spot for both casual diners and foodies alike.

### Continuing the tradition
Grisen continues to uphold the tradition of Danish fast food by sourcing local ingredients and preparing dishes in-house. The restaurant's commitment to quality and authenticity ensures that each sandwich reflects the flavors of Denmark. By adapting to modern tastes while preserving traditional recipes, Grisen successfully bridges the gap between past and present culinary practices.

## Community
### Community involvement
Grisen actively engages with the local community by participating in food festivals and events that celebrate Danish cuisine. The restaurant often collaborates with local farmers and producers to highlight seasonal ingredients, fostering a sense of connection between the eatery and its surroundings. This involvement not only enhances the dining experience but also supports local agriculture and businesses.

### Community notion about the place
The community views Grisen as a beloved institution that offers a taste of home. Many patrons express fond memories associated with the restaurant, often returning for its comforting meals. The casual and friendly atmosphere makes it a popular choice for families, students, and tourists alike, reinforcing its status as a community hub.

### Events and gatherings
Grisen hosts various events throughout the year, including themed nights and seasonal celebrations. These gatherings encourage community interaction and provide a platform for local artists and musicians to showcase their talents. The restaurant's cozy setting makes it an ideal venue for informal gatherings, further solidifying its role as a community gathering place.

## Offerings
### What Grisen offers
Grisen specializes in traditional Danish sandwiches, with a menu that highlights the best of local flavors. The restaurant's signature dishes include the bøfsandwich and flæskestegssandwich, both of which are crafted with care and attention to detail. Additionally, Grisen offers a selection of sides and beverages that complement its main offerings, ensuring a well-rounded dining experience.

### Dining and food experience
Dining at Grisen is a unique experience characterized by its casual atmosphere and rustic decor. Guests order at the counter, allowing for a quick and efficient service. The sandwiches are served in generous portions, often accompanied by homemade sauces and sides. The emphasis on quality ingredients and traditional preparation methods ensures that each dish is both satisfying and flavorful.

### Events and packages
Grisen occasionally offers special promotions and meal packages, particularly during holidays and local events. These packages often feature a selection of sandwiches and sides at a discounted price, making it an attractive option for groups and families. The restaurant's flexibility in accommodating various dietary preferences also enhances its appeal.

### Facilities and features
- Cozy interior with rustic decor
- Counter service for quick dining
- Cash-only payment policy
- Limited seating, creating an intimate atmosphere
- Seasonal menu items based on local ingredients

## Pros and Cons
### Key insights from reviews
Grisen has received a mix of positive and constructive feedback from patrons. Many reviews highlight the quality of the food, particularly the sandwiches, while others mention areas for improvement, such as cleanliness and service speed during peak hours. Overall, the restaurant maintains a strong reputation for its offerings and community involvement.

### Compliments and strengths
- Award-winning bøfsandwich praised for its flavor and portion size.
- Friendly and attentive service that enhances the dining experience.
- Unique and cozy ambiance that attracts a diverse clientele.
- Commitment to using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.

### Contrasts and notable mentions
While most reviews are positive, some diners have noted inconsistencies in food quality and service during busy times. A few patrons have expressed disappointment regarding the cleanliness of the dining area and the cash-only policy, which may deter some customers. However, these issues are often overshadowed by the overall positive dining experience.

### Summary evaluation
Grisen stands out as a top choice for those seeking authentic Danish fast food in Copenhagen. Its commitment to quality, community involvement, and unique dining atmosphere make it a beloved spot among locals and visitors alike. While there are areas for improvement, the restaurant's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, ensuring a satisfying experience for most diners.

## Location & Nearby Attractions
Grisen is conveniently located in the vibrant city of Copenhagen, specifically at Fredensgade 5, in the 2200 postal area. This neighborhood is known for its eclectic mix of shops, cafes, and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore nearby sites such as the historic Nørreport station and the picturesque lakes that surround the area. The restaurant's central location makes it an ideal stop for those exploring the city, providing a taste of local cuisine amidst the urban landscape.

## FAQs
**What type of cuisine does Grisen serve** Grisen specializes in traditional Danish fast food, particularly pork-based sandwiches.
**Is Grisen family-friendly** Yes, Grisen is a popular choice for families and offers a casual dining atmosphere.
**Do I need to make a reservation** Reservations are not typically required due to the casual nature of the restaurant.

## Visit Grisen Today
Grisen invites you to experience the best of Danish fast food in a cozy and welcoming environment. With its award-winning sandwiches and commitment to quality, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in traditional Danish cuisine. Whether you're a local or a tourist, Grisen's friendly atmosphere and delicious offerings promise a memorable dining experience. Don't miss out on the chance to savor the flavors of Denmark at this beloved eatery.

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Finally got a chance to try Grisen. A bit off the beaten path & It's an easy 15 minute walk from Nørreport station. Got here around 6 Friday night and it was quiet but within a few minutes it got busy. (30 minutes wait for food) You order at the counter and when I asked what is recommended? Answer- the Bofsandwich (award winning) or the Flaeskestegsaandwich (Pork-the Classic). I decided on award winning. Ordered with gravy on the side & no fries cause the nice lady at the counter mentioned it's a hearty sandwich. Paired it with a Vulcano Classic (dark) which was pretty good. The interior of the restaurant isn't very big/is cozy and has a fun vibe/rustic feel with pig statues, pictures, random Polaroid pics and various memorabilia & books used for decoration. Now for the sandwich. It is huge! The beef was cooked a perfect medium & was topped with a relish and fried onions & there was a beet relish (takes it to another level!) on the bottom & the bread had baked in-house qualities. The gravy was tasty and great for dipping & you will need a fork & knife. Open only 4.5 hours a day so business must be great. Classic Danish sandwich and comfort food with great service!

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I've always admired people who can pile a lot of seemingly random trash in their home and still make it look like it's ready for a magazine photoshoot. Grisen just went all in and looted your grandmother's country house, displaying one absurd item after the other. Being a bit of a hoarder myself I can't help being very much in awe of this place. Fantastic! We ordered the flæskestegssandwich, bøfsandwich+egg and fries with mayo. The service was super friendly and the food came out in no time. I experienced instant regret when I saw my bf's sauce glazed bøfsandwich come out of the kitchen. Alas, I had committed to the flæskestegssandwich and unfortunately found it just OK. It had good size, the pork was tender, but without much flavour and the red cabbage was too sweet for my taste. But I'm happy that Denmark is finally embracing the brioche type of bun and this one was delightful. The fries were crispy and the homemade mayo I could eat with a spoon if nobody was watching. The bøfsandwich received much praise from my companion, so I will definitely come back again to try that one. At some point my bf happily exclaimed: "Ah, I feel like I'm in America!", meant to be taken as a compliment. I would recommend everyone to come here if only to enjoy the atmosphere and marvel at the riches.

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Important note, this place is currently Cash Only (as of June 2016) Loved The Beast: double beef patty with egg burger that was smothered in some sort of a vinaigrette (slightly sour) gravy of some sort that must've been traditional Danish fare, but the entire burger couldn't be mistaken for anything but fat American inspired food. Although, I must say, the pickled veggies (probably sweet red cabbage and pickles are probably traditional). This ain't American BBQ flavors. So that makes it a very interesting and reasonably complex dish. I think the mayo on the burger was surprisingly similar to Kewpie (Japanese sweet mayo) At $85 dkk, that burger is about par for this expensive-a$$ city. The fries are standard fast food through fare (but thank goodness they were less salty) and a great way to soak up excess sauce, mayo, and veggies that couldn't make it into your mouth via burger inhalation. Mind you, this is a fork and knife type of burger.

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Half the time I'm eating out with family we end up at Grisen; from 1st to 3rd generation everybody can agree on a traditional "grillbar"/Danish fast food staple - the "bøfsandwich" - and Grisen serves the best in town (actually they won an award saying they serve the best in the country). Their bøfsandwich is foodporn in its truest form; the basic ingredients of beef patty and bun are good quality in and of themselves, but are then brought to a higher level with the condiments (pickled red cabbage and cucumber, caramelized onions, fried onions, scallion(!) and mustard/mayo), but the true showstopper is the absolute lashings of hot gravy poured on top. I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of their homemade chocolate milk; but they have a very small beer selection which compliments the food quite well. Their service is always smiling and attentive and the place itself is a rather hipster take on the classic concept of "danskhed" and can be very fun to explore, though it can get a bit crowded as it's popular and a bit small, and as such it doesn't really invite you to linger; but then again the traditional "grillbar" is exactly the kind of place you come to for a friendly quick meal. As a little sidenote, remember to bring cash or mobile pay as they don't accept creditcards!

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Visited Grisen second time few days ago and had to try other things on their menu, which means an update from my first review ;) First visit was all about the Flæskestegssandwich, now I tried the bøfsandwich and the frikadellersandwich. Madness! Both were delicious but the dirty and messy bøfsandwich beats it all :) It's really hard to decide whether the flæskestegssandwich or the bøfsandwich is better- both are equally YUMMI! I don't mean to diss the frikadeller sandwich but in comparison with the other two it has to be my number three choice. Delicious though. Service was great just like during my first visit. Simple, fast, friendly and with a big smile. P.S I love their brioche buns which are the base of all their sandwiches.

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We found this place thanks to Yelp. After arriving late due to inexperience with the local bus system and a less-than-helpful AirBnB host, Yelpers led us to this solid joynt just around the corner from where we were staying. Fun and casual, with menus in both Dutch and English, the super helpful staff helped us navigate our way to the pork cutlet sandwich with homemade mayo, pickled cabbage and carmelized onions and a super burger with fries and a side of brown gravy. Both were solid fare and we were happy to have that and a good pilsner after a very long day of travel. One star off due to cleanliness but this was in the seating and decor area.

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We were looking for a nice quick dinner and this was awesome the ambiance is relaxed the sandwiches delicious and being a pork restaurant they have a veggie option! The flaeskesteg sandwich is really good and messy the fries are awesome and they have home made dips and hand crafted beer all very tasty! My veggie option was really good with broccoli, egg and red cabbage and sweet pickles. I tried now a second time and I was very disappointed the amazing fries from last time were extremely salty to a point that you were barely able to eat them. The sandwich was soggy and the flaeskesteg not even crunchy so maybe it was the best place a couple of months ago today it was quite crappy.

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Not much to say here. The picture speaks for itself. A delicious Bøfsandwich soaked in Gravery served in very cool surroundings. A must try.

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Aporkalypse Now! Wonderful roast pork sandwich, homemade sauces and decor, but a couple of nagging misses. I have been so excited about this place. The Instagram pictures alone (seriously, follow @umutsakarya if you like your food porn) have had me salivating for weeks. This Sunday evening, I finally went. The main attraction - the roast pork sandwich (flæskestegssandwich) - was no disappointment. Juicy pink meat and plenty of perfect crackling. Red cabbage with a wonderful zing. Sweet freshly baked brioche with a softness to die for. I had been sceptical about the addition of mayo - highly unorthodox - but it worked and was delicious and, like everything else, handmade. Still, I felt there was too much of it and I will probably ask for it to be left out altogether next time. That is probably a question of taste, though, and the sandwich is a treat either way. It's a bargain too, at only 55 DKK, which is not much more than your run-of-the-mill local grill (grillbar) would charge. My friend also ordered the sausage and fries mix (pølsemix), which was also excellent - with fantastic homemade pickles to boot. Cute kitschy interior and very kind and attentive service. The young woman serving us even brought us a free bowl of pork scratchings when she saw us constantly nipping into the bowl at the till! So why only the 4 stars? A number of small things, all of which would probably be forgiven, and one big one that I really can't. The small things: 1. No English menu. I speak Danish but my friend doesn't. These days I really think an English menu is a basic requirement. 2. One drink (sparkling water) was listed at 15 kroner but charged at 20. Why not just change the menu then? 3. The music was just a little too loud. I get that this is not a place to linger, but I would be happier with a one-hour table limit than music so loud it's difficult to speak over. All of these complaints are minor but this one really isn't: there was no bathroom. Maybe I am spoilt but I do consider that a basic requirement: you give us things to put in our body, you gotta provide a place to get rid of them again - even if this is not a five-course dinner type place. This is my reason for not giving Grisen five stars. Two final tips: 1. The place accepts cash and mobile pay but not cards, so make sure you come prepared. 2. Our food came at very different intervals. We did order separately but in general in Copenhagen you can order separately and get the food more or less at the same time. Not here, so make sure to put your order in at the same time. All this being said, I will definitely be back! That flæskestegssandwich really is to die for. I loves you, Porky.

91fa8c1c-36d6-433b-9a36-5cad41b3f238

It is truly amazing. I ordered the small portion of meatball burger for 69 DKK and it was a little bit too much for me. The burger was delicious and tasteful. Recommended for a budget traveler who wants to enjoy the Danish taste. I didn't know until I come here, the man who made the burgers won the Danish Master Chef title in 2015. What a surprise!

Discover Grisen in Copenhagen, Denmark's vibrant capital. Enjoy authentic Danish cuisine in a cozy setting. Book your table now for a memorable dining experience.

Grisen Restaurant in Copenhagen - Authentic Danish Cuisine

Copenhagen Municipality

Grisen

Capital Region

Enjoy authentic Danish dishes at Grisen in Copenhagen. Perfect for food lovers seeking a cozy atmosphere and local flavors. Book your table now!

Experience Danish Cuisine at Grisen, Copenhagen's Cozy Restaurant

Discover Grisen in Copenhagen, a beloved spot for traditional Danish dishes. Learn about our history, menu, and what makes us special. Visit us today!

About Grisen, Copenhagen's Authentic Danish Restaurant

Opening hours for Grisen, Copenhagen. Find opening hours for Grisen, Copenhagen at Fredensgade 5, and plan your visit today.

Grisen Menu Overview

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