South Karelia Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in South Karelia

October 14, 2017 Jasper Kershner

South Karelia (Finnish: Etelä-Karjala; Swedish: Södra Karelen) is a region of Finland. It borders the regions of Kymenlaakso, Southern Savonia and North Karelia, as well as Russia.
Things to do in South Karelia

1. Wolkoff

Kauppakatu 26, Lappeenranta 53100, Finland Full Bar, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Highchairs Available European, Scandinavian, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner HK$118 - HK$432 +358 5 4150320
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 185 reviews

Wolkoff

Reviewed By Juhani P

This small boutique restaurant is a hidden gem. Top class food, fresh, delicious, and well prepared. Friendly service. Small late 18th century wooden house that seat perhaps 50 people max.
A brief, but very interesting wine list that also serves many wines by the glass. Local purveyors provide many of the ingredients, such as fish, game and vegetables.
The fine dining food is not cheap, but it is worth the money.

2. Sarapirtti Kippurasarvi

Rantatie 1 | Lemi, Lappeenranta 54710, Finland Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible Scandinavian Dinner, Lunch +358 5 4146470
Excellent
75%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 79 reviews

Sarapirtti Kippurasarvi

Reviewed By HL65 - Heinola, Finland

We were surprised what kind of a place this was; the expectations were quite different. Säräpirtti is a very classy and nice restaurant with a beautiful location. The introduction held by the staff was really nice and raised expectations for the food. And the food: simple, delicious and very filling. Only tender lamb seasoned with salt, potatoes, bread and finally sweet raisin soup as a dessert. A bit pricey but on acceptable level considering the premises and the service. This place is really worth a visit, definitely more than just a lunch or dinner.

3. Imatran Valtionhotelli

Torkkelinkatu 2, Imatra 55100, Finland Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol European, Scandinavian, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner +358 5 6252000
Excellent
39%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
6%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 100 reviews

Imatran Valtionhotelli

Reviewed By Mari6 - Turku, Finland

we attended a 3 day meeting in Imatra and therefore had all meals in Valtionhotelli. 2 buffet breakfasts, 1 buffet lunch and 1 buffet dinner plus 1 sit down dinner. All food was excellent, fresh, hot, delicious with a smiling service.

4. Rosso Imatra

Koskenparras 1, Imatra 55100, Finland Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol Italian, Pizza, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner +358 10 7621410
Excellent
34%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
27%
Poor
6%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 174 reviews

Rosso Imatra

Reviewed By Antti L - Helsinki, Finland

Rosso has a bit bad reputation to be "every city's common Italian restaurant". Now Rosso looks fresh and nice. Italo pop was playing background and feeling was peaceful and relaxed. Waiters were nice and calm. Menu was compact with Napolitan and Roman pizzas, two pastas, two risottos, beef and others. Also Finland 100 years jubilee menu was available offering Finnish dishes. Kids had their own menu with three course meals, sadly offering traditional kids food, but ice cream dessert and soft drinks are guaranteed success. Kid menu has also coloring pictures and other tasks to do during waiting. Drink menu offers couple of wines, prosecco and even Spritz appetizer.
Salad buffet is included with Mediterranean food like cherry tomatoes, olives, artichokes. Food came quite quickly and our two risottos were quite good, not delicious but good enough. Portions were not so big but enough to full a big man. Kids dishes were just what you can imagine: Regular fries or mashed potatoes with Middle East style meat balls or sausages. Kids pizza looked good though. Price level was average and overall Rosso was surprisingly fresh, almost authentic Italian restaurant in this Finnish small town category.

5. Wanha Makasiini Bistro

Satamatie 4, Lappeenranta 53900, Finland Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Validated Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards European Lunch, Dinner, Drinks +358 10 6668611
Excellent
37%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
5%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 132 reviews

Wanha Makasiini Bistro

New restaurant in Lappeenranta Finland

Reviewed By Vikingbymarriage - Washington DC, District of Columbia

The service was excellent. The food was good, at least the escargot and the others at our table enjoyed theirs. My white fish was dry though, and rather tasteless. But with good company, it didn't make much difference.

6. Buttenhoff

Koskenparras 4, Imatra 55100, Finland Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol European, Scandinavian Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +358 3 5854761433
Excellent
52%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 137 reviews

Buttenhoff

Reviewed By Maria R

The staff was super friendly, even though we had two toddlers making a mess on a busy saturday night. The peppersteak was probably the largest steak and the best i ever had! The wine selection was also outstanding. The restaurant itself was really cosy on a cold winter evening. We will return to this place every time we go to or pass Imatra!

7. Wolkoff Wine & Beer Cellar

Ainonkatu 5, Lappeenranta 53100, Finland Seating, Waitstaff European, Wine Bar Dinner, Drinks +358 5 4150330
Excellent
63%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Wolkoff Wine & Beer Cellar

Reviewed By Kallukka - Vantaa, Finland

I was going for a lunch to Restaurant Wolkoff but because it was under renovation the lunch was served in the Wolkoff Wine Cellar instead. It was actually a nice opportunity to check the wine cellar since I hadn't been there before. I suppose that the lunch is not normally served in the wine cellar but in the restaurant itself. However, the lunch was composed of salad, soup and bread.The plate of salad you could select from a good variety of salad ingredients. The mildly boiled, aniseed flavoured celery was excellent. The soup of the day was of minced meat and it was very tasty. Also a cup of coffee was included in the lunch. The service was very friendly and uncomplicated. I felt welcome. The atmosphere of the wine cellar is cozy and I can imagine that in its main function as an evening restaurant it is a very pleasant place to spend some evening hours. Must check the wine selection at some point!

8. Konditoria Imatrankoski Oy

Koskenparras 8, Imatra 55100, Finland Cafe Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner +358 40 7437553
Excellent
42%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 42 reviews

Konditoria Imatrankoski Oy

Reviewed By AnneLari - Imatra

We would like to put it this way; home made cakes looks and tastes good, but the portions are too huge. You might have to wait quite a long while, before someone service personal pays any attention to you. The counter and food display cabinet are situated at the door step, so during rush hours you've to queue up outside. Most of the tables are big ones, and you've to share a table with someone else - it's not convenient.

9. Lappeenrannan Kasino

Ainonkatu 10, Lappeenranta 53100, Finland Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible European, Scandinavian Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner +358 20 7613761
Excellent
17%
Good
71%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 40 reviews

Lappeenrannan Kasino

Reviewed By Yuri B - Kiev, Ukraine

While staying at nearby hotel Lappeenranta Spa i came to the restaurant for breakfast which was actually decent.Moreover, I participated in corporate night party there and can I conclude the meals were very delicious and the service was fast and friendly.Historical style of the building and harbor shore location make this place actually attractive.

10. Indiana Curry

Raatimiehenkatu 13, Lappeenranta 53100, Finland Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Buffet, Accepts Credit Cards Indian, Vegan Options, Vegetarian Friendly Lunch, Dinner HK$39 - HK$235 +358 45 1876577
Excellent
50%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 49 reviews

Indiana Curry

A fine dining and an authentic Indian restaurant in the center of Lappeenranta, Finland. We take you on a culinary journey where you will experience the rich, delicious flavors of India. Our colorful menu consists of high quality food combinations. Premium Indian food and first class service in an authentic Indian atmosphere. All food is fresh and every dish is cooked after we receive the order and you are sure to enjoy your experience here.

Reviewed By touristTiia - Jyvaskyla, Finland

Tourists and especially local people: go and try this place! Service was extremely good, food delicious and a mango lassi was the best one ever. The portions are big and inexpensive. Definitely I'll go there again!

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