La Banchina is a small restaurant, wine bar and café on the harbour at Refshaleøen, Copenhagen. Come for seafood and vegetable dishes, natural wine and a wooden pier where you can sit by the water or swim in warm weather. The menu changes, with grilled fish and oysters among the seafood options; coffee and baked goods suit an earlier stop. An on-site sauna adds a reason to visit in colder months. It’s a relaxed place to linger, though the setting is as much a draw as a full meal.
A waterfront stop on Refshaleøen
La Banchina is at Refshalevej 141 on Refshaleøen, in a wooden building beside the harbour. The restaurant and wine bar are small, with limited indoor seating; outside, a pier gives you room to sit close to the water. The spot works as a café, bar and place to eat, so you can stop for coffee or a drink, or come for a meal.
The waterfront setting shapes the visit. In warm weather, people use the dock to sunbathe and swim, then settle in with food or a glass of wine. The harbour water can feel cold, so bring swimwear and be ready for a brisk dip. You can also stay dry and enjoy the view from the pier.
Seafood, vegetables and natural wine
The kitchen focuses on seafood and vegetables, with organic ingredients from Denmark described as part of its approach. Grilled fish and oysters are among the dishes mentioned, alongside options such as mackerel and a fish burger. The menu changes, so those examples are not a promise of what will be available on a particular day. Baked goods, including croissants, make an earlier visit possible, and coffee is also served.
Natural wine is a central part of the drinks selection. You can order a glass to enjoy by the water or with a meal. The atmosphere is casual, and the appeal is a combination of food, wine and time outdoors; plan around the changing menu if you have a specific dish in mind.
Swimming and the sauna
The pier gives La Banchina its direct connection to the harbour: you can swim from the dock in warm weather and return to the restaurant for a drink or food. Bring your own swimwear. The water is described as clean, but it can be chilly, so a dip is not for everyone.
For colder days, there is an on-site sauna beside the water. Reserve a time slot ahead of your visit, particularly if the sauna is part of your plan. It offers a way to warm up after winter swimming, while the restaurant remains a place to eat and drink rather than a spa.
Choosing when to go
Summer brings a more social outdoor scene, with people using the pier for swimming and sunbathing. If you prefer a quieter visit, winter is a better fit for time indoors and the sauna. The venue is open throughout the year, but the experience changes with the season and the weather.
La Banchina is a good match if you want a waterside break with food or wine and the option of a swim. If your priority is a long, formal restaurant meal, the small setting and changing menu may be less suited to that plan. You can also use it as a short stop for coffee or a drink before spending more time around the harbour.
Preguntas frecuentes
Can you swim at La Banchina?
Yes. The pier gives access to the harbour for swimming, especially in warm weather. Bring swimwear and expect the water to feel cold.
Does La Banchina have a sauna?
Yes, there is an on-site sauna. Reserve a time slot in advance, particularly if you are visiting in colder weather.
What kind of food does La Banchina serve?
The menu focuses on seafood and vegetables, with examples including grilled fish, oysters and mackerel. It changes, so specific dishes may not be available on every visit.
Where is La Banchina in Copenhagen?
It is at Refshalevej 141 on Refshaleøen, beside the harbour.
