Must-see restaurants in Finland

  • 500px Photo ID: 131760517 - The OlO restaurant in Helsinki City Center beside main open market place

    Restaurant Olo

    Helsinki

    At the forefront of New Suomi cuisine, Michelin-starred Olo occupies a handsome, 19th-century harbourside mansion. Its memorable seasonal degustation…

  • Grön

    Helsinki

    Seasonal, often foraged ingredients are used in this exceptional bistro's plant, fish or meat starters and mains, and wild, plant or dairy desserts. From…

  • Cafe Postres

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    Tantalise your sweet tooth or linger over Finland's best brunch at this delightful 'artisan' cafe, brainchild of Michelin-starred chef Samuli Wirgentius…

  • Mustaparran Päämaja

    Lapland

    At the fabulous Hotel Mustaparta, this atmospheric restaurant styled after local hero Iisakki Mustaparta has hefty timber beams, ships' wheels, wooden…

  • Pekka Heikkinen & Kumpp

    Central Finland

    Opened in 1913 and run by the fourth generation of the same family, Pekka Heikkinen's loaves are made from Finnish flour and baked in birch pans in its…

  • Restaurant Sky Ounasvaara

    Rovaniemi

    For a truly memorable meal, head to the 1st floor of the Sky Ounasvaara hotel, where wraparound floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking onto the forest…

  • Restaurant Saaga

    Lapland

    Inside the Saaga hotel at the base of the ski slopes, this restaurant is Ylläs' best. Lapland specialities include buckwheat blini with white lake-fish…

  • Saaristo

    Helsinki

    Most renowned of Helsinki's island restaurants is the Saaristo, set in a spire-crowned art-nouveau villa on Luoto (Swedish: Klippan), and famous for…

  • Smakbyn

    Åland Archipelago

    The brainchild of award-winning chef Michael 'Micke' Björklund, this 'taste village' incorporates a farm shop, cookery courses and a distillery (tours and…

  • Pöllöwaari

    The Finnish Lakeland

    We're of the view that Hotel Yöpuu's fine-dining restaurant is the best in the region. Its menu places a laudable emphasis on seasonality, and the kitchen…

  • Vausti

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    Kotka's finest dining is at charcoal-hued Vausti, attached to Kotka’s concert hall. The seasonal menu highlights local produce: sample the catch of the…

  • Uusi Kilta

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    Naantali's best restaurant has a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the pier and a superb, seafood-oriented menu. The selection changes seasonally, but you…

  • Kuu

    Helsinki

    Traditional Finnish fare is given a sharp, contemporary twist at Kuu, which creates seasonal dishes from local ingredients that could include reindeer…

  • Cafe Regatta

    Helsinki

    In a marvellous waterside location, this historic rust-red wooden cottage is scarcely bigger than a sauna, but has great outdoor seating on the bay. You…

  • Rakas

    Rovaniemi

    The home kitchen of UK chef Jonathan Guppy, Rakas is one of Lapland's most exciting places to eat. The seasonal menu could include reindeer served with…

  • Smor

    Turku

    A vaulted cellar lit by flickering candles makes a romantic backdrop for appetising, organic, locally sourced food, such as roast lamb with organic…

  • Suomenlinnan Panimo

    Helsinki

    By the main quay, this microbrewery is the best place to drink or dine on Suomenlinna. It brews three ciders and seven different beers, including a hefty…

  • Café Kvarnen

    Åland Archipelago

    It's worth a special trip to tiny Jurmo to sample the organic steak at wonderful Café Kvarnen, near the pier. The steak is sourced from local long-haired…

  • Figaro Winebistro

    The Finnish Lakeland

    The three-course lunch menu (€25) at this this welcoming wine bar is an excellent deal, but most regulars head here after work or on weekends to graze on…

  • SicaPelle Wining & Dining

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    This fabulous restaurant in Hotelli Onni is a beguiling mix of simplicity (few ingredients) and experimentation (combining those ingredients in unusual…

  • Bistro 14

    Tampere

    With its sleek modern interior and talented French chef, this small place near the train station is garnering lots of local attention. The food is fresh…

  • Beans & More

    The Finnish Lakeland

    Artek furniture, a vaulted ceiling and artfully dangling light fittings provide a stylish setting at this on-trend vegan cafe. The friendly staff serve up…

  • Kahvila Nanda

    The Finnish Lakeland

    Bestowing new life on a previously derelict row of old timber houses, this chic cafe is a popular midweek lunch and coffee stop. Claim an armchair and…

  • Bodegan

    Åland Archipelago

    Right on the pier, this delightful spot is perfect for a drink or a meal while watching the seagulls soar above the creaking red boathouses. The classic…

  • Piemonte

    Tampere

    The northwestern region of Italy is known for its excellent wine and food, and this laid-back wine bar pays it respect in both name and menu. A limited…

  • Neljä Vuodenaikaa

    Tampere

    Tucked into the rear right-hand corner of the kauppahalli, the Four Seasons brings Gallic flair to the Finnish lunch hour with delicious plates such as…

  • Karl Fazer Café

    Helsinki

    Founded in 1891 and fronted by a striking art deco facade, this cavernous cafe is the flagship for Fazer's chocolate empire. The glass cupola reflects…

  • Savu

    Helsinki

    Dating from 1805, a rust-red wooden warehouse that once stored tar on Tervasaari now contains this delightful beam-ceilinged summer restaurant, which…

  • Restaurant Kaunispään Huippu

    Saariselkä

    Attached to the Kaunispään Huippu arts-and-crafts shop, this panoramic restaurant on top of Kaunispää fell has views across to Russia. Smoked-reindeer…

  • Kamu!

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    Beginning life as a pop-up restaurant at the Hamina Tattoo, Kamu! now occupies atmospheric digs in the Hamina Bastioni. The menu offers Finnish favourites…

  • Nili

    Rovaniemi

    A timber-lined interior with framed black-and-white photos of Lapland, kerosene lamps, traditional fishing nets, taxidermied bear and reindeer heads, and…

  • Panimo & Pub

    Lapland

    The atmospherically candlelit downstairs Kellari restaurant cooks inventive dishes such as gooseberry-stuffed reindeer, wild boar and elk sausages or…

  • Ultima

    Helsinki

    The creators of famed restaurant Finnjävel, Henri Alén and Tommi Tuominen, are at it again, reopening the doors as Ultima. This time they've come up with…

  • Ask

    Helsinki

    Small organic or biodynamic Finnish farms and foraged game, fish, forest mushrooms, herbs and berries provide the ingredients for Michelin-starred Ask's…

  • Jängällä

    Lapland

    Amazing flavour combinations at this rustic-contemporary restaurant with rough-hewn timber tables span roast wild boar with blackcurrant sauce, reindeer…

  • Hangon Portti

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    You’ll need to take a two-minute ferry journey from the East Harbour pier to this little whitewashed, wicker-furnished cottage, perched on a rugged…

  • Meat District

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    True to its name, Meat District serves high-quality, organic, grass-fed beef – the house speciality is the dry-aged beef for two; €86. What you might not…

  • Kaskis

    Turku

    Foodies are buzzing about Kaskis, where there's no written menu – not only because it changes daily but also because there are no real decisions to make…

  • Ravintola Aino

    Helsinki

    In a minimalist dining space in the heart of town, Aino is a popular choice for assured Finnish cooking that is faithful to local traditions, but with the…

  • Saltbodan

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    While away a summer evening at this smart cafe-restaurant serving Finnish favourites in an atmospheric old storehouse on Laivasilta Marina. The place is…

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