18 Best Restaurants in Tampere

Tampere’s got something special for food lovers. Many new restaurants are popping up, making things competitive and keeping the food game strong. 

If you’re here for a quick 2- to 3-day trip, get ready to taste the best. We’ve rounded up the 18 top restaurants in Tampere just for you.

Let’s make your visit delicious!

Key Takeaways

• Bistro C, Ravinteli Bertha, Ravinteli Huber, and Restaurant Haarla are popular restaurants in Tampere.
• Kajo is ranked as the best restaurant in Tampere in 2023 and offers a 10-course tasting menu.
• LiV is a relaxed fine dining restaurant with excellent service and a fixed menu.
• Pons Restaurant & Lounge offers a great view above the riverbank and is a popular place for lunch and cocktails.

1. Bistro C: A Local Favorite

Bistro C is opposite the railway station, next to the Scandic Hotel. This local favorite transformed from the fine dining restaurant C in spring 2023.

The building might not win any beauty contests in Tampere, but don’t let that deter you.

We visited the restaurant on a chilly and windy December evening, but inside, it was wonderfully warm and welcoming. The ambiance only got better as we were served some delicious dishes.

We were spoilt for choice with their menu variety. The idea is that you sample multiple small portions.

Their brunch options are a weekend delight, served right to your table on Saturdays and Sundays.

2. Ravinteli Bertha: Seasonal Delights

Ravinteli Bertha, located in a historic building opposite the Tampere railway station, is known for its ever-changing menu and commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

At Bertha, the menu is based on seasonal ingredients, resulting in fresh and authentic dishes that showcase the best of Finland’s local harvest.

The intimate and relaxing atmosphere of Bertha’s is appreciated by locals and visitors.

3. Ravinteli Huber: Steaks and More

Craving a succulent steak? You’re in for a treat at Ravinteli Huber, a unique dining establishment that’s known for far more than just its excellent steaks.

The meat options at Ravinteli Huber are diverse, ranging from domestic dairy meat to horse and pig, served in sizes to suit your appetite.

Huber’s beer and cider selection perfectly complement the meal, showing Finland’s vibrant beer culture.

4. Restaurant Haarla: Brasserie-Style Dining

Restaurant Haarla is one of the newest additions to Tampere’s culinary scene. It opened in 2023.

Their Brasserie style concept is a breath of fresh air in the city, offering you a menu filled with choices that allow you to tailor your meal according to your mood and available time.

The ambiance and decor are a mix of comfort and luxury, housed in an early 20th century red-brown granite palace in the city center.

Customer reviews praise not only the food but also the cozy atmosphere.

Tampere’s center is compact; most of the restaurants mentioned are within walking distance, including Haarla, which is right in the city center.

5. Kajo: Tampere’s Top Pick

Kajo is Tampere’s top-rated restaurant in 2023. It is dedicated to sustainability and utilizes locally sourced, organic ingredients in its menu.

A shorter 5-course menu for €70/person is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The full menu is €90/person.

You receive excellent services at Kajo; our visit a few years ago was a truly memorable experience. It’s no wonder Kajo has found its place as Tampere’s top pick.

6. LiV: Fine Dining Experience

LiV is a relaxed fine-dining restaurant in Laukontori known for its excellent service.

LiV’s signature dishes, thoughtfully crafted by the owners, are served with excellent wine pairings. The fixed menu costs less than €80/person.

The presence of the owners is appreciated, adding a personal touch to your dining experience.

Liv was ranked third among Tampere’s restaurants on Finland’s top 50 list in 2024.

7. Dining 26 by Arto Rastas: Taste Experience

At Dining 26 by Arto Rastas, you can expect a unique dining experience influenced by the Mediterranean food culture.

The restaurant is at the corner of Aleksanterinkatu and Verkatehtaankatu, two blocks from the train station, right in the center.

A fun detail is that the restaurant is in an old bingo hall.

Guests can enjoy watching the two chefs cooking in an intimate open kitchen from the dining room.

You can choose between two menus – a shorter one for about €70 and a longer one for about €85. Alternatively, you can order smaller portions for €14. Additionally, there are a few larger portions designed for a single-course meal.

8. Restaurant Piemonte: Italian Winebar and Restaurant

When the beloved Tampere restaurant Hella ja Huone closed its doors in 2024 after 25 years, many locals felt a real loss.

However, Ilmari Saarikoski, the restaurateur behind Hella ja Huone, had already expanded his reach a few years before by acquiring the restaurant Piemonte, which is just a stone’s throw away from now closed Hella ja Huone.

Piemonte, which has existed for 15 years, is hoped to gain a boost from its new owner.

Piemonte specializes in the flavors of Italy’s Piemonte region. It is also a wine bar known for its extensive selection of over a hundred wines.

Guests can also enjoy a variety of Italian drinks and craft beers.

Piemonte offers lunch and dinner menus, making it a great choice for any time of the day.

9. Pons Restaurant & Lounge: Dining With a View

If you’re looking for a dining spot that offers more than just great food, then Pons Restaurant & Lounge is the place for you.

Situated on a scenic riverbank, it serves up unique cocktails and an unforgettable lunch with a view.

The restaurant’s bustling dinner atmosphere adds a lively ambience to your dining experience. However, it can get crowded, so reserving window tables is a smart move if you fancy a peaceful dinner overlooking the stunning river view.

Pons balances a vibrant atmosphere and a relaxing dining experience despite the crowd.

It’s not just a place to eat, but a destination offering a sensory journey that’s worth every moment.

10. Periscope Restaurant: Sunset Views

Periscope Restaurant provides a spectacular dining experience with views of the city skyline through its floor-to-ceiling windows.

It’s worth booking a table in advance to secure a window seat and enjoy the views. If the sky is clear, the sunset is breathtaking.

A lounge bar on the restaurant’s second floor features live music by a DJ on weekends.

Periscope’s stunning views and stylish interior make it worth visiting, but it may not suit those looking for a cozy dining spot.

Periscope also has a large rooftop terrace with partial covering, allowing walk-in dining under shelter. Sofa groups are available for relaxation while enjoying the sun. On summer weekends, it hosts various events.

11. Ravintola Näsinneula: High Above Tampere

Ravintola Näsinneula is located in the Näsinneula Observation Tower, constructed in 1971.

My first visit was as a little boy during a family trip, when we enjoyed a meal and the views from the revolving restaurant after a day at a nearby amusement park.

This restaurant stands out among other restaurants in Tampere because of its high views. Dining on the rotating floor of Finland’s highest observation tower is a unique experience.

The restaurant offers a five-course menu priced at 72 euros. Starters are available for 18 euros each, while main dishes range from 29 to 36 euros.

12. Lillan Hotel & Kök: Historic Setting

The Lillan Hotel & Kök is a boutique hotel and restaurant in a historic 1920s wooden building that once housed maids.

It is 1.5 kilometers from the city center, in the Viinikka neighborhood, which is full of beautiful wooden houses.

The restaurant’s focus is on Scandinavian cuisine, highlighting local vegetables and aiming to minimize food waste.

With its historic charm, it is a warm and cozy place, perfect for a peaceful dinner or a weekend brunch.

A meal can be ordered with one, two, or three courses. A single dish costs 34 euros (28 euros for vegetarians), two courses are 45 euros (39 euros for vegetarians), and a three-course meal is 55 euros (49 euros for vegetarians).

13. 2H+K: Food and Fun

2H+K is divided into two parts: the restaurant side, behind the red door, and the bar, behind the green door.

The restaurant side oozes a cozy ambiance with its rustic brick walls and warm candlelight. The simple yet flavorful menu will keep customers coming back for more.

The restaurant is famous for its snail dishes. From the starter menu, snails are available at 12.60 euros for a six-piece serving and 19.90 euros for a twelve-piece serving (served in a pan).

On the bar side, you will find a traditional bar atmosphere, a large selection of beers, and pub food.

14. Apaja: Cozy Backyard Dining

Looking for a hidden gem in Tampere’s dining scene? Apaja is an intimate restaurant nestled in the backyard of an over 100-year-old building in the Juhannuskylä area.

The space where the restaurant currently stands was previously used for various purposes, including as a laundry room.

Apaja opened in 2022 and has since garnered acclaim for its cuisine, unique ambiance, and unusual location. It’s definitely not a place you stumble upon by accident. And there are no signposts to the restaurant!

One of Apaja’s unique features is that no menu or prices are presented at the table. The website shows a menu that changes periodically, displaying only the main ingredients without detailing their preparation or what else is on the plate.

The tasting menu is priced at 72 euros, and the wine package is available for 52 euros.

Make sure to book ahead. Also, time flies here; expect to spend at least three hours.

15. Bistro Kattila: Central Location

Bistro Kattila is a cozy little restaurant just a short walk from Keskustori, the central square in Tampere. With seating for nearly 40 guests, most tables are by large windows, letting you enjoy the view.

We were seated by the large windows during our lunch visit, adding to the enjoyable ambiance. The restaurant delivers straightforward bistro flavors, blending classic tastes with visual flair and quality ingredients.

For those considering dinner, expect to spend between 60 to 70 euros for a four-course meal, with your choice of main affecting the price slightly. A wine pairing option is also offered at 34 euros.

It’s worth noting that the menu is designed to be enjoyed by the entire table, ensuring a shared dining experience.

16. Restaurant Puisto: Riverside Dining

Right by Tammerkoski, in the heart of Tampere, you’ll find Restaurant Puisto.

On the street level, there’s a café with large windows facing Hämeenkatu, the main street. The restaurant below offers views of Tammerkoski rapids and the surrounding park.

We went there for lunch, served at under 14 euros from a buffet. The buffet selection was a little small, but it was enough for a basic lunch. The setting is lovely, and watching the rapids from the restaurant’s windows is a real treat.

For dinner, you can choose a three-course menu with prices ranging from 43 euros for vegetarian, 57 euros for fish, to 64 euros for the meatiest option. A wine package is available for 40 euros.

The à la carte menu offers individual dishes, with main courses priced between 20 to 40 euros, including pizzas around 20 euros. On weekends, they serve a generous brunch for 25.90 euros.

17. Pizzeria Napoli: Traditional Pizzas

Tampere’s oldest pizzeria has been serving up slices since 1978 at the same spot. It’s famous for its menu of a hundred different pizzas.

You’ll find pizzas topped with Finlandia vodka, black sausage, ostrich, and wild boar among the more exotic options.

The menu also features pasta dishes and salads. For an extra 2 euros, gluten-free pizza crust is available.

Pizza prices range from just over 14 euros to a bit above 17 euros, but if you swing by for lunch before 2 pm on weekdays, you can snag a pizza for 12 to 13 euros. Instead of getting a bill at your table, you pay at the counter when leaving.

The restaurant doesn’t accept reservations and is often full, leading to a queue – a point repeatedly mentioned in Tripadvisor reviews.

While Napoli is not the best pizzeria we’ve visited, its long history keeps us coming back. I have visited it for the first time over 30 years ago!

So, its popularity stems from its longstanding reputation (everyone knows it!) and claims of having “the best pizzas in Tampere.” And yes, the vast selection of pizza toppings caters well to those looking for a wide variety of options.

18. Pizzeria Sitko: Modern Pizza Vibes

Founded in 2014, Pizzeria Sitko offers a modern twist on the traditional pizza experience.

Unlike the classically styled Pizzeria Napoli, Sitko opts for industrial decor with a simple, stripped-back interior.

The tables are bare and without cloths, and mismatched wooden chairs create a casual vibe. The large, bright windows and great location add to the restaurant’s relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

So, if queuing at Pizzeria Napoli is not your thing, Sitko provides a more modern pizza experience.

The focus here is solely on pizza. There is a concise list of fourteen options, each crafted with a focus on the quality of the base and carefully selected toppings.

Prices for these artisan pizzas range from 15 to 19 euros.