Top Restaurants in Lapland
Countries
Where to Eat in Lapland: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Finland's largest ski resort, Lapland's Ylläs has 61 slopes, the longest running two miles, with a vertical drop of over a quarter mile. This is the highest Finnish fell (mountain) with ski lifts, and there are 29 here in all. Also at Ylläs are 210 miles of cross-country tracks, 24 miles of which are lit.
Things to do in Lapland
1. Kauppayhtio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By HappyNewlywed08 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The burgers and fries here are very good. There is a wide variety of different burgers to choose from and everything tastes fresh and cooked to order. They have sweet potato and regular potato fries mixed with all sorts of toppings. They have a large selection of beers and drinks to choose from. Unlike most of the other restaurants in Rovaniemi, this place is open all day. The staff was unbelievably nice and welcoming and answered all our odd questions about the beers. The only downside is how crazy expensive 2 burgers, 2 beers and some fries was. It was so so pricy but that is how Finland is.
2. Restaurant Nili
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By HazelH72 - Workington, United Kingdom
I had booked this restaurant online before leaving the UK for our trip to Lapland, this was after Reading reports on trip advisor. We certainly weren't disappointed. The place is cosy and interesting, staff are pleasant and helpful. We both had the Rovaniemi market to start, expensive at €23 each, but still absolutely delicious and we both followed that with the bear - again delicious. Sadly after that we were full, so didn't have a desert. Wine and beer were also good and they bring a complementary glass of sparkling wine. Would recommend.
3. Teerenpesa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 323 reviews
Reviewed By leginxxAlsager - Alsager, United Kingdom
We went here at about 930pm . Friendly welcome and a good choice of dishes. Mushroom soup is especially good as is the neck of reindeer. Fairly limited choice of wines and a bit pricey. Bottle of Pinot Gris is Fifty Euro .
4. Poro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By pomeranianlovah - Los Angeles
This restaurant is literally a stroll away from the cabins in Teerentie. It's accessible on foot, but if you're too lazy to walk in the snow, you can contact Annen Taksi and have them drop you off. The waiters can call a taxi for you to bring you back to your lodging once you're done with your food. If you don't know how to get there, ask the locals (especially at Fun with Santa, one of the employees there is related to Poro's owner).
PRICE: This place is on the expensive side. This is because they source their meats and breads locally. Everything is prepared fresh on the day itself, and they spare no expense making sure that what they serve is organic and pesticide-free. We shelled out an average of 100 euros for a family of three both times we ate there. However, we feel like we got our money's worth.
TASTE: The food is fantastic. Everything we ordered tasted great --- with the exception of the chocolate cake, which was dry and not at all moist. Thankfully that dessert had ice cream on the side to mitigate it somewhat. But they have exotic dishes like pork chop with reindeer mousse inside, that was absolutely divine. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted in my life. The arctic char is seared salmon, which was delicate but flavorful. The way they prepare their vegetables is also great, because they cook them minimally, allowing all the flavors to come out on your tastebuds. My husband's favorite was the bear stew appetizer --- I personally didn't like this because it tasted slightly livery and mineral-like, with a beef taste at the end. It was, I admit, very unique though, so I would order it again just for the experience of tasting it. The reindeer steak was exquisite -- tender, juicy, seared on the outside, and melt-in-your-mouth perfect.
RESERVATIONS: I suggest making a reservation before you go, even if it is on the day itself. They have only around seven tables, and the restaurant fills up quickly. Everyone knows that this is the coolest restaurant in the area, so people make a beeline for it.
LANGUAGE: Most of the servers speak English really well, so there's no confusion about what it is exactly you are ordering. What is helpful also is that the menu is in both Finnish and English -- so you know what you're ordering, and how much you are paying for it.
WAITSTAFF: They were all lovely and took their time with us. We had no idea what reindeer or elk or bear tasted like, so they did everything they could to describe the dishes with as much accuracy as they could. We didn't feel rushed into ordering anything. Our server made sure that she recommended items suited to our preferences, and we appreciated that a lot.
DECOR: Everything is done in the traditional Lappish way. The main lighting fixture is creatively made of shedded reindeer antlers (as they shed their horns every year or so to make room for growing antlers). You'll see traditional Lappish wear displayed on the walls as well. It is minimalist, which serves the purpose well, because what you want to stand out is the food.
GIFT STORE: Attached to the restaurant is a gift and souvenir shop in the back. It has mostly stuffed animals like reindeer and Huskies, but it also has little tsotchkes like postcards, picture frames, photos of the Aurora Borealis and the like. They are rather expensive, but they have a clearance rack that you can peruse.
UNIQUENESS: I would say Poro did a splendid job of incorporating Lappish food culture into their menu. They had items like a vodka drink with cloudberries, a fruit that is unique to Lapland, I believe. They also had panna cotta with cloudberries --- a nice twist on an old classic. That was worth the price they charge, in my opinion.
All in all, I give Poro 5 stars! I would go back in a heartbeat if I could. It is an amazing restaurant with a visionary chef.
5. Steakhouse - Pihvipirtti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Part of the Hullu Poro group
Reviewed By Iidaleh - Helsinki, Finland
We had dinner for four persons at Tuesday second of Jan.
The restaurant was fully booked due to high season and the staff was busy but they still managed to keep everything under control with smile on their faces.
Special thanks to our amazing waitress from Helsinki for her professionality and kindness which made our experience perfect!
And then the food:
We had the recommended menu. As a starter it included great variety of traditional Finnish style seafood from buffet. For main course we all had reindeer steak which was tender and juicy, absolutely perfectly cooked! For sides we had selection of sauces and potatoes. It was great that they offered us an opportunity to test different sauces with our steaks. All the sauces tasted delicious! Dessert was nothing surprising but great finish for the dinner.
This place is definitely worth of visiting! Table reservation recommended.
6. Petronella
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By Chan2013 - Hong Kong, China
We had read the reviews at Trip Advisor and therefore went there for a try. It is somewhere between Hotel Club Resort and the supermarket. We ordered lobster soup served in a coffee cup (~€13). It was good but not particularly impressive. We also ordered Arctic Char (~€28) and reindeer fillet with snow goose (taste like chicken) (~€43). Same, they were good, but not particularly impressive. Maybe it was due to us just having meals in Inari which was a lot delicious and price 30% lower. The set up of the restaurant was a lot impressive. It had a fireplace, high ceiling, big windows and tables were spaciously arranged with a cloakroom area.
7. Cafe & Bar 21
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 446 reviews
Cafe & Bar 21 is the newest and coolest cafeteria and cocktail bar in Rovaniemi! 21 Is situated right in the centrum of Rovaniemi, next to shopping center Sampokeskus. 21'S products are unique and tasty and we use fresh and mainly local ingredients. Cafe & Bar 21 has free Wi-Fi and iPads for customers to use. 21'S most popular products are salty and sweet waffles, big tasty salads, gelato ice-creams and of course wines and the best cocktails in town. Try our specialty, Mojito from Lapland!
Reviewed By pimschaaf - The Hague, The Netherlands
Cafe & Bar 21 has an unusual menu with main dishes on waffles. Additionally there are some Lapland dishes, like reindeer meat and a Lapland platter which pulled us in and were nice. Still you can better head further north for more authentic Lapland dishes
8. Restaurant Pirkon Pirtti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 226 reviews
Reviewed By Weary Travellery - Lexington, KY
Our night out from NLV across the street, and I'm glad we chose this place. Cozy, good atmosphere, fireplace in one room, attentive waiter, good service and great food. Not much more you can ask from a restaurant.
Salads from an appetizer (nice portions) and then we dove straight into the Reindeer Pizza! I mean, this IS Lapland, after all. It was delicious, hot and with plenty of toppings, and one pizza is plenty for two people. Where else can you say you had Reindeer pizza? There were also bear, salmon and other local-ingredient toppings. One note, they don't slice pizzas here like they do on the US, but not a big deal.
There are a lot of restaurants in the Saariselka village center area - be sure to give this one a try.
9. Restaurant Aanaar / Tradition Hotel Kultahovi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By Aino-liisa O - Oulu, Finland
Local, traditional but creative! Matsutake broth on matsutake mousse, perfect reindeer tongue, wine that compliments both... Chef Heikki Nikula really knows what he is doing.! Michelin should visit this place.
Friendly, knowledgeable service and a beautiful view. Sami wedding party next room in their traditional outfits. Lovely, memorable.
10. Laanilan kievari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 239 reviews
It’s not about filling our stomachs but eating and enjoying pure and fresh ingredients together. That’s the philosophy here at Laanilan Kievari. The food is of course playing an essential role in that. A lot of our ingredients have been harvested from our own yard or the local Forests. It is very important for us to produce as much as we can ourselves. Our food is supported by a large range of beverages from quality wines to wast selection of beers. More and more people are not realizing what and even when they are eating. We want people to stop and enjoy their life. A well thought and produced meal in a care free environment is the key to that. So welcome to Laanilan Kievari, an experience to remember! From the early May to late August we serve lunch daily and dinner only with a table reservation. Check web page for more info.
Reviewed By leginxxAlsager - Alsager, United Kingdom
We stopped here for lunch during a snowmobile safari. Great log fire burning and a warm welcome. Lovely onion soup and hot coffee were all that was required. Great surroundings and rustic building. We looked at the dinner menu which did look great with a choice of local produce and a very good wine list
