I’ll be brutally honest with you. Because I’m living in Europe, I had never been to a Five Guys restaurant before. But more on that later. What matters is that Five Guys has now arrived in Copenhagen, opening not one, but actually two locations—see the map below.
After wanting to visit one of their restaurants for years, I finally had the chance to try their burgers for myself. So allow me to share my first impressions with you. Not only about their new Danish restaurant, but also about the whole Five Guys concept.
A Real American Vibe
If I had to describe the Five Guys feeling shortly, I would say it has a typical American vibe in every sense.
First, the place itself. The bright red-and-white checkered tiles, red and yellow hanging lamps, exposed ventilation pipes, open kitchen, huge quotes on the walls, and even sacks of potatoes piled on the ground all contribute to a look that feels unmistakably American. Somewhere between an old-school diner and a modern fast-food restaurant.
That impression is reinforced by the crew as well. Everyone I interacted with spoke only English, even between each other, which added to the feeling that you’re stepping into a fully imported concept rather than a localized version of it. It made the experience feel even more authentic, almost like a small American bubble in the middle of Copenhagen.
Then there is the food. Burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, fries, and of course milkshakes. Nothing particularly subtle here, and the portions follow the same philosophy. This is American fast food in the most recognizable sense of the word.
Even the little extras feel very American. Order fries, and after filling the cup they throw another generous scoop directly into the bag. It’s one of Five Guys’ signature touches, although in my opinion it’s probably more clever marketing than something anyone actually needs. Then there’s free ketchup and mayo, free peanuts while you wait, and free soda refills. None of these are particularly common in Denmark, so altogether they add surprisingly much to that feeling that you’ve somehow stepped into an American burger joint without ever leaving Copenhagen.
How Was the Food?
Let’s start with the burger, because obviously that’s the main reason you come to Five Guys. The regular burger is already substantial, with two beef patties, and you can make it even bigger with extra patties if somehow that’s still not enough for you.
But what I like most about the concept is that you basically build your own burger. Nobody has decided beforehand what combination you should like. You start with the burger itself and then add whatever toppings and sauces you want. You can also order it without the regular bun, either wrapped in iceberg lettuce or completely bunless, which makes it a useful option if you’re avoiding gluten or following a low-carb diet.
As for the taste, my experience was unfortunately not completely consistent. I tried the burgers twice. The first time, I really liked mine. The second time, however, it was surprisingly bland. I watched the patties being pressed again after they had been turned, and to me the result felt drier than it should have been, while the meat still hadn’t developed enough browning to compensate with flavor.
The fries were okay. Five Guys makes a big deal out of them, cutting the potatoes fresh and even displaying their origin on a board inside the restaurant. On one of my visits the potatoes were from Denmark, on another from Germany. Personally, though, I prefer my fries considerably crispier, so these weren’t the highlight for me.
The milkshake, on the other hand, absolutely was.
Just like with the burgers, you can create your own combination from several different ingredients. I went for banana, real vanilla and peanut butter with their shake base, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was the best milkshake I’ve ever had. Thick, creamy, intensely flavored, and somehow all three flavors worked perfectly together.
So after two visits, my verdict is a little mixed when it comes to the burgers and fries. But that milkshake alone? I would happily go back for another one.
Where to Find Five Guys in Copenhagen
Interestingly, neither of the two Five Guys restaurants is in Copenhagen’s classic tourist center. Instead, they opened inside two of the city’s biggest shopping malls: one in Field’s in Ørestad, and the other in Fisketorvet near the harbor.
We visited the Field’s location, and it is surprisingly spacious. The ordering counter and open kitchen are downstairs, while more seating is available up a short flight of stairs. It’s bright, casual, slightly loud visually, and completely different from most places you encounter around Copenhagen. It’s also conveniently located on the train line to the airport, so you can easily stop there if you’re coming from or heading to Kastrup.
And I actually liked that they didn’t try to make the Copenhagen location more “Danish.” There is no Scandinavian minimalism here, no attempt to blend into the local café scene. You walk in and immediately feel that you’ve entered an American burger joint.
So if Five Guys is specifically on your Copenhagen list, you’ll probably have to make a small detour from the usual sightseeing route. But both locations can easily be combined with shopping, and Field’s in particular is convenient if you happen to be around Ørestad.
Field’s, Arne Jacobsens Allé 12, 1-503, 2300 København, Denmark
Kalvebod Brygge 59, Fisketorvet – Copenhagen Mall, Kajen Food Hall, Plan 1, 1560 København, Denmark
If burgers are your thing, Five Guys is definitely not the only place worth trying in Copenhagen. The city has a surprisingly strong burger scene, and one of the most famous names is Gasoline Grill, probably Copenhagen’s best-known local burger joint.
And if you want my personal favorite, I also have a separate article about where I think you can find the best burger in Copenhagen. So if Five Guys leaves you curious about how it compares to the local competition, check out those two as well.
Five Guys in Europe Is Still More of a Curiosity
And this brings me back to what I mentioned at the beginning: despite living in Europe and wanting to try Five Guys for years, I had simply never had the chance.
Five Guys is definitely not unknown in Europe anymore. In places like London, you can find them all over the city. But its presence across the continent is much more uneven than that of the big international fast-food chains. Depending on where you live or travel, you might have several restaurants nearby — or none at all.
Denmark is a perfect example. The country got its first Five Guys only in 2026, when the Field’s restaurant opened, followed shortly afterward by the second Copenhagen location at Fisketorvet. And for now, those are the only two in Denmark.
So for many Europeans, Five Guys still feels less like that familiar burger place around the corner and more like something you finally get to try when you happen to be in the right city. That was definitely the case for me. After years of hearing about those burgers, oversized fries, free peanuts, and milkshakes, Copenhagen was finally where I got to see what all the fuss was about.
