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…
Must-see restaurants in The Finnish Lakeland
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…
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…
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…
The Finnish Lakeland
Having developed a loyal clientele since opening in the 1970s, Pruuvi works hard to keep its standards high and patrons happy. The à la carte menu…
Kuopio
This charming wooden building west of the town centre features little rooms sporting elegant imperial furniture. It serves soup (€8 to €14), has a…
The Finnish Lakeland
Overlooking Olavinlinna Castle, this summer restaurant employs chefs from Helsinki and serves Savonlinna's most sophisticated food. Unsurprisingly it's…
Kuopio
Generous serves of pasta, decent pizzas and a genuine Southern Italian–style welcome are the hallmarks at this neighbourhood trattoria. At lunch, you can…
Kuopio
Set in a brick-vaulted cellar once used by a brewery, the Black Sheep uses local and seasonal produce to create a limited menu of dishes that get…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The Finnish Lakeland
The name of this popular family bistro means ‘lighthouse’, reflecting its location overlooking the harbour. Steaks, burgers and locally caught fish are…
Kuopio
The menu at this old-fashioned eatery places an emphasis on comfort food, offering excellent burgers, steaks and ribs; the more-adventurous items on offer…
Kuopio
Have it stewed, fried, smoked or in a soup, but it’s all about muikku (vendace or whitefish) here. This is one of Finland’s most famous spots to try the…
The Finnish Lakeland
The ‘cat’s whiskers’ is an enticing choice. The genteel but cosy upstairs dining room is complemented by an atmospheric cellar space when the restaurant…
The Finnish Lakeland
Set inside a wooden villa with stained-glass windows, and opening to a wide terrace out the back, this charmingly old-fashioned cafe is adorned with…
The Finnish Lakeland
This elegant place effortlessly combines the casual with the sophisticated. The menu includes thin-crust, wood-fired Italian pizzas, grilled meats and…
The Finnish Lakeland
The vibe is upmarket, the surrounds comfortable and the service attentive at this long-established restaurant. Sadly, the food doesn't live up to the…
The Finnish Lakeland
Valamo's restaurant resembles and smells like a hospital cafeteria and when we last visited, the quality of the buffet (11am to 7pm) matched perfectly…
The Finnish Lakeland
The ground-floor eatery at the Cumulus City Hotel lacks atmosphere but serves perfectly acceptable pub grub. It's also open later than most of the town's…
The Finnish Lakeland
In the city's observation tower, this restaurant overlooks the centre of town and the lake beyond. It offers a buffet at lunch, à la carte menu at night…
