Tampere’s best breakfasts and brunches to start the day right

What is it? Tampere’s most luxurious breakfast.

Why we love it? Saivo, the restaurant at Lapland Hotels in Nokia Arena, has taken Tampere’s hotel breakfasts to a whole new level. There are plenty of northern flavours on offer, including Finnish squeaky cheese with cloudberry jam, spruce shoot shots, berry powders and juices, and fresh fish. The buffet is laid out so beautifully that some dishes could pass for starters at dinner. The freshness of the ingredients is another highlight. You can order your omelette directly from the chef, and other hot dishes are also prepared according to demand, so nothing dries out. Calm music and dim lighting complete the experience. Saivo never feels rushed, even when the hotel is full.

Time Out tip: At weekends, Saivo’s breakfast is served until the afternoon. Hotel guests can enjoy a long lie-in and head to breakfast even after checking out. The extended serving time also helps keep the crowds manageable.

Ratapihankatu 54, 4th floor. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri 6.30–10, Sat 7.30–13, Sun 7.30–14. Expect to pay €29 for adults, €14.50 for children aged 4-12. Free for children aged 3 and under.

What is it? An idyllic morning in a garden setting.

Why we love it? Lillan Kök serves up countryside charm within walking distance of the city centre. The boutique hotel buffet is not the biggest in town, but every dish has been carefully thought through. The bread is fresh, and its aroma drifts through the peaceful breakfast room. The blueberry quark and yoghurt flavoured with honey and mint are made in-house. The baked oat porridge is rich and perfectly seasoned. There are also luxurious dishes on offer, such as skagen made with prawns. Coffee doesn’t come from a machine but is served to the table in a pot. From the windows, you can admire the wooden houses of Viinikka, and in summer you can enjoy breakfast in Lillan’s beautiful garden.

Time Out tip: Gluten-free diets are very well catered for at Lillan. Staff ask about dietary requirements as soon as they show you to your table. The gluten-free breads are fresh and warm, and there are even gluten-free croissants available.

Kurjentaival 35. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri 7–10 and Sat–Sun 8–10. Expect to pay €19.90 for adults, €9.95 for children aged 3-10. Free for children under 3.

What is it? A Parisian-style breakfast in the market hall.

Why we love it? Missing Paris? 4 Vuodenaikaa lays out a French breakfast complete with croissants, jams and speciality coffees. The breakfast also includes freshly squeezed orange juice and an Eggs Benedict dish. The bread topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce comes with your choice of ham, salmon or vegetable filling. Watching the bustle of the streets is an essential part of Parisian life, and you can do just that in the market hall too, even indoors. The hall is already buzzing in the morning, and regulars gather around café tables to go through the day’s talking points.

Time Out tip: Many of the market hall’s most legendary food stalls are right next to 4 Vuodenaikaa. You can pick up groceries during your breakfast visit from Nygren’s fish counter, Vallius’s greengrocer or the Market Hall Bakery, which sells delicious rye bread.

Hämeenkatu 19. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri 9–11 and Sat 9–12. Expect to pay €16.80 for breakfast.

What is it? Tampere’s most colourful brunch.

Why we love it? Muusa in the Olympia Quarter is one of the places that has helped make Tampere’s restaurant scene more vegetable-focused. Muusa’s Sunday brunches follow the same philosophy, and sometimes the brunch is entirely vegan. The dishes are colourful and Mediterranean-inspired, with inventive use of spices throughout. Instead of traditional sausages and eggs, there are Moroccan-style salads, falafels and pastries decorated with edible flowers. The best thing about Muusa’s brunch is that it never gets boring. There is always something different on offer depending on the theme.

Time Out tip: In summer, the Olympia Quarter is home to the lovely rooftop terrace Puutarha, tucked away just enough in the courtyard. On the street side, you’ll find the quirky little summer terrace Puumaja.

Satakunnankatu 10. Sunday brunches are held 1-3 times a month from 12–16. Expect to pay €28-39.50 depending on the theme, children aged 6-12 half price, children aged 3-6 €1 per year of age, and children under 3 free.

What is it? Pancakes American-style.

Why we love it? Cafe Pispala’s brunch is worth the climb up Pispalanharju. Restaurateur Vesa Leppälä has travelled through luxury hotels around the world, and the food carries influences from the United States and Pacific cuisines. Cafe Pispala is famous for its thick American pancakes, served with blueberry sauce or Bourbon syrup. The Surf and Turf dish includes pork belly and king prawns, while the Turkish Eggs feature spiced poached eggs. You can round off brunch with fresh banana bread, carrot cake or a scone.

Time Out tip: The brunch can be adapted for special diets. Vegan and gluten-free pancakes are available for an additional charge, and the Turkish brunch dish can be served with tofu.

Pispankatu 30. Brunch is served Thu–Fri 10.30–15 and Sat–Sun 9.30–16. Expect to pay €19-29 for the brunch package and €3.50-8.50 for extras.

What is it? A brunch full of craftsmanship.

Why we love it? French restaurant Madame is famous for the starter buffet served with its weekday lunch, and it also features on the weekend brunch menu. The spread includes a wide selection of salads, spreads, cheeses and cold cuts. The main course is served to the table, with plenty of options to choose from. Alongside a hot dish such as Eggs Benedict or avocado toast, guests can choose 1-3 smaller side dishes. The sides list includes options like scrambled eggs, tofu scramble, baked beans and parmesan fries. It’s worth arriving at Madame’s brunch hungry, because there is plenty to sample.

Time Out tip: Brunch isn’t brunch without fresh bread, croissants and something sweet. All of these are included in Madame’s brunch set and served to the table. The pastries are made in the café’s bakery, Boulangerie Marco.

Frenckellinaukio 1. Brunch is served Sat–Sun 10–15. Expect to pay €32 for the brunch package, with additional dishes priced at €4.50 each.

What is it? Northern flavours meet Manse.

Why we love it? The breakfast at Dabbal, the restaurant at Lapland Hotels in Tulli, brings together Lapland and Tampere. This hotel breakfast, closer to a brunch in scale, features a wide range of northern flavours including Finnish squeaky cheese, fish and berries. Representing Tampere is black sausage, prepared Lapland-style with reindeer. There is also an omelette station where the chef cooks omelettes with fillings chosen by the guest. Lighter options include shots, mueslis and berry powders. At Dabbal’s breakfast, it’s worth skipping the orange juice and trying the house-made blueberry juice instead.

Time Out tip: Lapland Hotels are famous for their breakfast porridge, which is also served at Dabbal. The oat pearl porridge made with full-fat milk and butter is decadently good. Finish the toffee-flavoured porridge with the restaurant’s homemade jams.

Yliopistonkatu 44. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri 6.30–10 and Sat–Sun 7.30–11.30. Expect to pay €29 for adults, €14.50 for children aged 4-12. Free for children aged 3 and under.

What is it? A luxurious weekday breakfast.

Why we love it? Pella´s weekday breakfast is so generous and luxurious that it feels more like a brunch. The café’s spinach omelette is rich and made with fresh eggs rather than powdered egg. The breads and cakes are baked in-house. Breakfast also includes Karelian pies from a royal supplier in Eastern Finland. You can top your porridge or yoghurt with the house granola or tiramisu-flavoured sugar. The chia puddings are beautifully served in glasses, and you can sip freshly squeezed orange juice alongside.

Time Out tip: At Pella´s breakfast, almost everything is gluten-free, including most of the pastries. There are also gluten-free and vegan pastries available in the display counter.

Koskikatu 7. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri 8–10.30 and the brunch buffet Sat–Sun 10–15. Expect to pay €6.50 for breakfast. Children aged 1-5 €5 and children aged 6-10 €10. Brunch €30.50, with the same children’s prices as breakfast.

What is it? Breakfast in the style of ‘Downton Abbey’.

Why we love it? Radisson Blu Grand Hotel Tammer is Tampere’s most magnificent hotel, and the breakfast lives up to the setting. On weekdays, breakfast is served in Restaurant Tammerin Kellari, but at weekends it is enjoyed in the grand ballroom on the first floor. Weekend table settings feature vintage crockery, and coffee is served from pots. Alongside croissants, breads, yoghurts and smoothies, the buffet includes black sausage, cold cuts, sausages and fish. You can finish the meal with sweet pastries, cheeses or even the pick-and-mix sweets buffet.

Time Out tip: In summer, you can enjoy breakfast on the hotel terrace beside the fountain. Tammer’s terrace is also a popular spot for lunch and after-work drinks.

Satakunnankatu 13. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri 6.30–9.30 and Sat–Sun 7–11. Expect to pay €26 for adults, €12.50 for children aged 7-12. Free for children under 7.

What is it? A generous waffle heaven.

Why we love it? Puisto is a great spot for breakfast, with sunlight flooding in through the large windows to wake even the sleepiest guests. In summer, the terrace is perfect for watching the rapids scenery. Puisto’s weekday breakfast is one of the most extensive in the city. There are fresh breads with a variety of toppings, yoghurt with different add-ons and neatly prepared fruit. The star of the breakfast, however, is the waffle station, which is especially popular with children. There are clear instructions for making your own waffle, along with toppings ranging from jam to Nutella. Waffles are also available at weekends, when Puisto serves its popular brunch.

Time Out tip: Puisto’s breakfast and brunch also feature a vegan and gluten-free waffle station. The waffles for special diets come out pleasantly crisp, and there is an impressive range of toppings.

Hämeenkatu 14 a. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri 8–10.30 and brunch Sat–Sun and on public holidays 9–16. Expect to pay €14.90 for breakfast, or €13.90 with an S-Etukortti card. Children aged 2-10 €1 per year of age. Brunch €29.90, or €27.90 with an S-Etukortti card, children aged 2-10 €1 per year of age.

What is it? Breakfast around the clock.

Why we love it? At Relove on the upper floor of Stockmann, you can still have breakfast in the afternoon. On weekdays, there are three different breakfast sets available, with options for fans of smoothie bowls, croissants and sandwiches. At weekends, there are five breakfast sets, which can be supplemented with extras such as speciality coffee or a fruit platter. During the Christmas season, Relove serves popular porridge dishes well into the afternoon. The downstairs Relove does not have a breakfast menu, but you can still enjoy coffee, pastries and watching the bustle of the street outside.

Time Out tip: Filter coffee is cheaper at the downstairs Relove than upstairs. The ground-floor café is also a good breakfast spot for travellers, as the railway station and tram stops are right nearby.

Hämeenkatu 4, 1st and 3rd floors. Upstairs Mon–Fri 11–19, Sat 10–18, Sun 12–16, street level Mon–Fri 9–20, Sat 10–19, Sun 12–18. Expect to pay €6.90-25.90 for a breakfast set, extras €2.50-9.

What is it? A stylish buffet breakfast.

Why we love it? At Aira, part of the Pyymäki café chain, quality comes first. The weekday breakfast buffet is impressively extensive, but above all it is high quality. There are no scrambled eggs or bacon on offer, but you won’t miss them here. The more substantial side of the breakfast is often represented by a generous salmon pie. The breads are fresh, and there is always something sweet from the in-house bakery, such as chocolate cake. Goat’s cheese and beautifully layered chia puddings bring a sense of luxury and elegance to the buffet.

Time Out tip: At weekends, you can enjoy table-served brunch dishes at Aira. The brunch menu includes both set menus with several dishes and individual plates. Options include egg dishes, avocado toast and pancakes.

Hämeenkatu 14. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri 7–10 and brunch Sat–Sun 10–14. Expect to pay €13.90 for breakfast. Children aged 0-9 €1 per year of age, brunch dishes €5.50-26.90.

What is it? A fresh start to the morning.

Why we love it? Green Hippo serves breakfast all day. The dishes are served to the table, and the menu includes both lighter and more filling options. The café specialises in healthy, vegetable-focused food. The breakfast menu therefore features a range of fresh smoothies and porridges. Great care is also taken with the toppings and extras. The porridge is finished with date caramel and cooked apple slices, while the green smoothie comes topped with pomegranate and toasted nuts.

Time Out tip: Alongside individual breakfast dishes, the menu also includes breakfast combos. These include 1-2 dishes, a juice or shot and coffee.

Keskustori 7. Breakfast dishes are available every day of the week. Some dishes are served all day, others Mon–Fri 8–10 and Sat–Sun 9–13. Expect to pay €5.50-9.50 for individual breakfast dishes and €9.50-16 for combos.

What is it? A solid classic breakfast for vegans too.

Why we love it? Bistro Papu ja Pata is an omnivore restaurant specialising in vegan dishes, and it also serves breakfast on Saturdays. The breakfast buffet at Papu ja Pata has everything you need: Karelian pies, breads, spreads, cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables, yoghurt, chia pudding and porridge. The Karelian pies, almost all the spreads, the pancake and the chia pudding are vegan, and vegan cheeses, cold cuts and yoghurt are available on request. The rich oat groat porridge is among the best in the city.

Time Out tip: Papu ja Pata organises vegan themed brunches for occasions such as Christmas, Easter and Mother’s Day. The veggie brunches are popular, so it’s worth booking a table in advance.

Laukontori 10. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri 8–10.30 and Sat 9–11.30. Expect to pay €12.90 for weekday breakfast and €15.90 on Saturdays, children €1 per year of age, with students and pensioners receiving a €1 discount.

What is it? Porridge, buns and nostalgia.

Why we love it? Amurin Helmi, the café at the Amuri Museum of Historic Housing, offers a glimpse into the past. Set inside an old wooden house, the café is full of beautiful details, and the surroundings are part of the breakfast experience. The breakfast is reasonably priced, and you definitely won’t leave hungry. There is oat porridge with jam and fruit soup, bread with toppings, boiled eggs and sweet buns on offer. Amurin Helmi is a favourite among many native Tampere residents, and it’s a great place to hear the broad old Tampere dialect in full flow.

Time Out tip: Amurin Helmi also serves an affordable soup lunch. The children’s portion costs just €5.50 and includes an ice cream lolly.

Satakunnankatu 49. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri 7–10 and Sat–Sun 8–11. Expect to pay €10 for weekday breakfast. Children aged 3-11 €6.50, weekend breakfast €12, children aged 3-11 €7. Free for children under 3, gluten-free breakfasts available for an additional €1.