Location: Savonlinna
Top Restaurants in Savonlinna
Countries
Savonlinna Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Savonlinna
Savonlinna (Swedish: Nyslott) is a town and a municipality of 34,829 (31 August 2017) inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle".
Things to do in Savonlinna
1. Uskudar Kebab
Overall Ratings
4 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By supagrl - St.Petersburg
We were recommended to have a meal there because this is the best kebab in the city. Honestly, we didn't understand, why:
1. the place is dark with wooden tables full of dirty plates
2. The waitress could barely speak English
3. The menu is mostly varied by adding a pine-apple or peach to any dish.
4. We had to wait about 40 minutes.
5. Along with pine-apple cabbage is every dish in big amount.
6. Meat is extremely spicy!
7. Portions are too big (mostly because of a lot of cabbage)
In I overall, we didn't get any satisfaction of food or place.
But Finnish seem to like the place, to eat and to take away. There is also a menu on Russian.
2. Pizzeria Capero
Overall Ratings
4 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By Haarud
Overall: 4
Comments: fairly central in Savonlinna, Italian friendly and efficient.
Reservation: -
Location: 4
Menu: 4 - near 30 different kinds, covers most
Knowledge: 4
Originality: 4
Presentation: 4
Taste: 4
Wines/beers: 3
Atmosphere: 3-4
Service: 4
Timing: 5
Cleanliness: 4
WiFi: didn't try
Price: 4
Price/value: 4
3. Olutravintola Sillansuu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
4. Huvila
Overall Ratings
4 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By Ganor - Modiin, Israel
We visited this restaurant on August 26 which is 4 days before it closed for the winter. This could be one of the reasons for our experience. It started very well with surprising firsts. In particular the fresh Charre and the wonderful malt bread and beer. The problem was the main courses. They ALL had just one taste - SALT. something like that never happened to us before. I can't imagine how can so much salt find it's way into the dishes. I tried to return my dish (Crab Soup) but it returned just the same. As if the cook lost its taste buds. Strange. It was so drastic that I tend to think it is a one time glitch.
Service was very friendly and efficient (we were the only guests at the time) and the place clean and comfortable with lovely view.
5. Summerrestaurant Linnakrouvi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Welcome to enjoy refreshing momentsin historical environment while having our delicious meals in cosy rooms or at Terrace. We have 60 seats inside and at garden Terrace about 100. In Linnakrouvi you can feel the athmosphere of the opera and enjoy delicacies all summer!
Reviewed By Tanvir T
Perfect dining place in summer...it has great view of Saimaa lake and a part of the castle...from Olavinlinna Castle it's the closest restaurant. ..Food is great also the wine list is better than other...dessert is Ok and could have been better...main let down was the service. ..first of all was standing a bit longer than usual to received by the waiting staff at door even though they were passing by several times and was not even in between some work...had to wait longer in table to finally get a menu book and order....Food was not late but very small portions considering price. .
In total it's Ok. .3 start food quality..could get more if they can improve service quality
6. Savonlinnan Seurahuone Ravintola Terassi Muikkubaari
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By TuulaV - Helsinki, Finland
Vendace also known as the European cisco, in Finnish "muikku", is a small Freshwater whitefish found in lakes of Finland, Sweden, Russia and Estonia. It is considered as a local delicacy. On the roof-top Terrace of Seurahuone restaurant, you can enjoy a breath-taking lake view while eating vendace prepared in the traditional way, that is, dredged with rye flour, salted and fried in butter. It is furthermore a tradition that one eats the whole fish, including the bones and tail. It's also nice finger food. The restaurant is quite popular and during the peak hours you may have to wait for a while for your portion, but it is worth it.
7. Ravintola Majakka
Overall Ratings
4 based on 237 reviews
Reviewed By jtr9 - Helsinki, Finland
The expectations were a bit higher when entering this restaurant because the location is excellent in the beautiful harbour area of Savonlinna. However, it turned out to be a very average place serving very average food, with no special highlights, though no drastic disappointments, either. Considering the quality of the food the price level is on the high side. A big plus goes for the friendly and flexible service attitude of the staff.
8. Paviljonki
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
This lunch restaurant is a true gem in Savonlinna, not known by many visitors. It's a bit out of city, but not too much: just across the Kyrönsalmi bridge, approx. 1,5 km from the Market Place, and it's open Mon-Sun 11 am - 4 pm. <br><br>Paviljonki is the teaching restaurant of a restaurant school, thus the price is low compared to the quality, which is very high. The lunch is served as a smorgasbord with fresh salads, good bread, a hot soup, cold fish, meat and veggie appetizers plus a warm main dish, which can be salmon, pork, beef or chicken. Dessert, coffee and tea are included in the price, as well as water and milk as drinks (beer, wine, soft drinks are also available, but you need to pay extra for these). <br><br>You can eat as much as you can, and the price per person is EUR 14 Mon-Sat, EUR 19 on Sundays. The main dish is normally a bit "finer" on Sundays. Children get a discount and small kids (( 4yrs) eat for free. They have a la carte, too, but I think the lunch buffet is definitely the best bargain in Savonlinna during the busy Opera Festival season. You will not get such a feast at this price in the crowded restaurants around the Market Place.<br><br>This is not the normal cheap stuff you get in Finnish lunch cafes. In Paviljonki you eat in a real restaurant with friendly waiters and white tablecloths, yet it is a casual place. Summer Saturdays it's sometimes closed to the public as it's a popular place to hold wedding receptions. You can check this in their www-pages: see the dates under "Lounaslista". If it says "suljettu", then the restaurant is closed that day. Unfortunately the pages are in Finnish only.<br><br>About the location: if you arrive from the city, just drive across the high Kyrönsalmi bridge from where you can catch a glimpse of the medieval castle of St. Olof as well as a wonderful lakeland scenery. Paviljonki is the white pavillion-like (thus the name) building right after the bridge on the left hand side. You can't turn left here, but take the first intersection to the left (Miekkoniemenkatu) and drive to Ilokallionkatu, turn left, and finally turn left to Rajalahdenkatu, just before a small marina. There's a big parking lot in front of the restaurant. You can even fit a campervan there.<br><br>I love this humble restaurant. Been eating there for almost 10 years now. I have to make a visit at least once or twice every summer, even though I live far away. I always recommend it to anyone who goes to Savonlinna.
Reviewed By CatRat - Espoo, Finland
A long time favourite (10 years or so) of our family, worth a visit or two every summer. Paviljonki is a true gem in Savonlinna if you are looking for a reasonably priced high-quality lunch without the normal tourist crowds during the Opera Festival. This is a teaching restaurant of a restaurant school, so you can be sure that everything is made by themselves with a great care.
Paviljonki serves a daily lunch buffet of fresh local food, with cold fish, meat and veggie appetizers, hot soup, salads, good bread, a main dish plus a dessert with tea and coffee. The food is delicious, service always friendly - and you can eat as much as you can. They have A la Carte, too, but we always take the buffet. It’s a fixed price, and in 2011 you need to pay EUR 14 per person on weekdays, EUR 19 on Sundays. Children get a discount and toddlers eat for free. Milk and water come for free. Soft drinks, beer, wine etc. are available at extra cost.
The business hours are 11 am to 4 pm every day. Sometimes Paviljonki is closed to the public on summer Saturdays, as it’s a popular place to hold wedding receptions. Check this beforehand in their www-pages (unfortunately in Finnish only). See the list of dates under ”Lounaslista”: if you find word ”suljettu” then they are closed that day.
Located a bit outside the city, at the other end of Kyrönsalmi bridge, Paviljonki is less than 2 km away from the Market Place. It’s the white pavillion-like building (thus the name) on your left side when you come from the city. You can’t turn left here, but do so in the next intersection and drive around the block. Paviljonki is just before a small marina and has a spacious parking lot. The restaurant itself is on the second floor, washrooms downstairs.
Paviljonki has a high-class feeling with white table cloths and all, yet it is a casual place. No need to dress up! The atmosphere is peaceful and friendly and they have a good reason to be proud of their young chefs and waiters. I just love this restaurant and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Savonlinna.
9. Kalastajan Koju Savonlinna
Overall Ratings
4 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By Haarud
Overall: 4,
Comments: traditional joint to visit for nice muikku or other plain fish dishes in the summer season, when in Savonlinna
Reservation: -
Location: 4
Menu: 3-4
Knowledge: 4
Originally: 4
Presentation: 4
Taste: 4-5
Wine/beers: -
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Background music: -
Timing: 4
Cleanliness: 4
WiFi: -
Price: 3-4
Price/value: 4
Revisit: next time
10. Street Bar & Restaurant Sarastro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 75 reviews
A delightful summer restaurant in a lush garden setting overlooking St. Olaf's Castle in Savonlinna, the lake district of Finland. We are a family business, well known for excellent food and impeccable service. Reasonable prices and large portions also during the opera season. We love to have you as our guest ♥. Please make a reservation. Bar open until 2am weather permitting.
Reviewed By Tiikeri2011 - Mikkeli, Finland
Well, the title really says it all really : ) If visiting at Opera time, be sure to make a reservation! As Sarastro is the first Terrace you come across when leaving the castle, it does fill up very quickly. The food is rustic - but has something for everyone. I have visited twice this month and had the burger - which was good, the fries were a bit dry though - and the peppered fillet steak. The meat was absolutely delicious, melted in your mouth and perfectly cooked, although the amount of pepper was slightly too much even for me and I love spicy food!
The staff at Sarastro deserve a special mention - jovial, knowledgeable and approachable, no matter who you are or what language you speak. Able to recommend wines to go with your dishes (and got them spot on!) and just making everyone feel special, I don't see any reason to dine anywhere else in Savonlinna ever again :)
The atmosphere at the place is really lovely and warm - we ended up sitting with a group of several people who did not know each other from before, discussing the opera we had all seen that evening - and rarely do you get such experiences in Finland. This place obviously has some sort of magic.
