Finland
There's lots to like about this casual place at the marina. A diverse menu offers dishes for almost every taste (including vegetarians), there's a deck…
Must-see restaurants in Finland
Helsinki
Down by the water in the west of town, this 1897-founded establishment has long been a favourite of sailors, and has an appropriately high-seas decor,…
Punavuori & Ullanlinna
Elegant but reasonably informal, this former bank has a Finnish-baroque dining room where cured meat starters precede excellent meats grilled on a Spanish…
Lappeenranta
High-quality dishes at this cosy spot in a red-brick former gunsmith's workshop range from fresh fish to house-made sausages and seasonal delicacies like…
Finland's West Coast
Once an old brewery workers’ canteen, this stylish spot is now Pori’s top restaurant. Look forward to Mediterranean dishes with a Finnish twist, such as…
Saariselkä
Off the main road 2.5km south of Saariselkä, this cute wooden hut with a roaring open fire has good-value Sunday brunch buffets. It's well worth booking…
Central Finland
At the Kelo ski-lift area, 500m south of Ruka's main square, this log cabin has a rustic interior and attracts a convivial crowd. It specialises in game…
Central Finland
At the base of the lifts on Ruka’s main square, this cavernous wooden hall has several attractive dining areas, including a large heated terrace, and good…
Kallio
Clever combinations of ingredients in small, tapas-style portions pull in the punters at this cosy spot. The menu changes according to the season, but if…
The Finnish Lakeland
Owned by a fisherman who heads out on the lake each morning to catch the muikku (vendace, or whitefish, a common lake fish) that this place specialises in…
Lappeenranta
Pork tenderloin with dill and sour-cream sauce, crumbed white lake fish with salmon roe, and perch with cider sauce are among the options served at this…
Helsinki
Well off the tourist trail, this unpretentious local in Kruununhaka offers no-frills Finnish dishes such as fried Baltic herring, sautéed reindeer or…
Kuopio
Head to the loggers’ cabin adjacent to the Jätkänkämppä smoke sauna at Spa Hotel Rauhalahti to enjoy a traditional Finnish buffet. You'll be serenaded…
Mariehamn
Listen to boat masts clinking in Åland's yacht-club marina while you dine on creatively prepared local fare: Åland cod with smoked shrimp and horseradish,…
Tampere
Set in the brick vaulted cellar of a Jugendstil (art nouveau) building, Tiiliholvi is into its fifth decade. It’s still old-fashioned in feel, but the…
The Finnish Lakeland
Tucked into the corner of an old timber hall that now functions as a community centre, Alegria offers comfortable indoor seating, a few tables on the rear…
Punavuori & Ullanlinna
Nautical-themed artworks brighten the low-lit interior of this out-of-the-ordinary pizza joint. Choices include the Vincent Vegan (spicy beans with…
Inari
A small but well-chosen menu at this restaurant inside the Wilderness Hotel Inari includes one of the best salmon soups in Finland, as well as steaks…
Lappeenranta
This grand Old World restaurant utilises organic produce and seasonal ingredients to create gourmet Finnish cuisine with adventurous flavour combinations…
Kuopio
Set in a beautifully renovated former bank – look out for the old strongroom – this is an elegant but informal spot for a meal, offering Mediterranean…
Oulu
This curved-fronted, rose-pink, art nouveau place contains a deli-cafe that does great breakfasts and good-value lunches, plus a bistro that turns out…
The Finnish Lakeland
Hidden among the trees on a small island just north of the town centre, this ultra-friendly and quite delightful cafe serves a limited menu of coffee, tea…
Finland's West Coast
Behind the Kieppi natural-history museum, the sunny courtyard here is an ideal spot to drink coffee and feast on house-made waffles for breakfast or lunch…
Karelia
Cooking up specialities from France (Burgundy escargot) and Russia (bliny – buckwheat pancakes – with caviar), this 1st-floor restaurant also creates…
Rovaniemi
Inside the City Hotel, Monte Rosa goes for the romance vote with a low, candlelit interior and intimate booth seating. Chargrilled steaks are cooked to…
Kuopio
Beautifully restored, this classic Finnish indoor market hall at the southern end of the kauppatori was built in 1902 and has a distinctive yellow…
Finland's West Coast
Set in the atmospheric vaulted cellar of the Old Town Hall, Raatihuoneen Kellari has mighty weekday lunch buffets and traditional evening dishes like…
Rovaniemi
A reindeer-pelt collage on the grey-concrete wall is the only concession to place at this artfully modern designer cafe-bar. Black-and-white decor makes…
Finland's West Coast
Once a glazier's loghouse, this 1831 timber town house is now the elegant Villa Skogman. Here you'll find mouth-watering dishes with a French emphasis,…
Finland's West Coast
This welcoming spot has a cool, cosy interior and a sunny waterside terrace. Choose from a menu of classic Finnish dishes – including the signature…
Tampere
For Tampere's best views, this fine restaurant high in the Näsinneula Observation Tower is worth lingering over. The menu is highly seasonal (crayfish in…
Finland's West Coast
In a rustic brick-vaulted cellar warmed by animal skins, seasonally changing dishes might include fried Arctic char with hollandaise sauce, duck confit…
Åland Archipelago
With tables spilling into the courtyard of the historic Post och Tullhuset, Tsarevna is much loved for its spectacular homemade cakes, well-stuffed…
Punavuori & Ullanlinna
Fafa's is a cut above the usual kebab places – everything is organic, with meat, vegetarian and vegan pitas, as well as salads (gluten-free breads are…
The Finnish Lakeland
A couple of blocks west of the Kirkkopuisto, this vegetarian and vegan lunch spot is great value. Seven euros gets you soup and salad bar, eight buys a…
The Finnish Lakeland
Billing itself as 'the familiar Italian', this branch of a popular Finnish chain serves up decent pizza and pasta in pleasant surroundings (we love the…
Turku & Finland's South Coast
Makasiini's decor of rough timber, snow-white napkins and flickering candles is complemented by simple cooking that allows the high-quality regional…
Turku & Finland's South Coast
With its own smokehouse and boat-fresh lobster and shellfish, På Kroken's yacht-shaped buffet teems with choices. If the restaurant's beyond your budget,…
Turku & Finland's South Coast
This rambling 18th-century log building has housed the renowned Wanha Laamanni for more than 30 years. The restaurant offers a classy menu of Finnish…
Lapland
Run by a Swiss confectioner, this cafe has great lattes, delectable hot chocolate, and sweet and savoury pastries such as smoked-reindeer pie, blueberry…
