The best restaurants in Tampere right now (autumn 2025)

What is it? A Michelin-star contender devoted to Finnish ingredients.

Why we love it: The contrast between the restaurant and the world outside is astonishing – stepping in from the bustle of Rautatienkatu feels like entering a birch forest. Dried herbs and jars of preserves evoke a grandmother’s pantry. At Kajo, fish and meat are prepared entirely in-house, and every last bit of each ingredient is used. Vegetables are treated with special care: dried, pickled, salted and fermented with passion. Yet the restaurant isn’t strictly Nordic in style – lobster sometimes appears on the menu, and local mushrooms might come with a Japanese-style egg custard.

Time Out tip: The non-alcoholic drinks pairing rivals the wine menu. House-made extracts, distillates and juices form the base, with tea adding wine-like structure.

Address: Rautatienkatu 12

Opening hours: Wed–Sat from 17:00. Closing time depends on the number of customers.

Expect to pay: Ten-course tasting menu €90, around €180 with wine pairing

What is it? A bohemian little restaurant that takes you deep into the forest and out onto the lake.

Why we love it? Apaja is housed in a tiny stone building that’s more than a hundred years old. Behind its modest exterior lies a true gem. On weekends, the candlelit dining room fills with chatter and the sound of jazz. The kitchen focuses on Finnish vegetables, lake fish and game. There’s no asparagus in midwinter, and the fish and meat on the menu change according to what’s available. Pike and bream – often dismissed as ‘trash fish’ – are turned into elegant dishes, and the meat option might be duck, for example. There’s one mixed and one vegetarian tasting menu, with the dishes revealed only when they’re served. The take-it-or-leave-it concept might surprise diners who prefer to choose their own courses, but the best way to enjoy Apaja is to surrender to the element of surprise.

Time Out tip: Continue the evening at Apaja’s sister restaurant, Viinibaari Airo. It serves the same kind of small-producer wines and quality small plates, and the staff are always happy to offer tastings.

Address: Huhtimäenkatu 3C (courtyard)

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 16:00–23:00, Fri–Sat 15:00–23:00

Expect to pay: Six-course tasting menu €78, wine pairing €62

What is it? A brutal bistro serving food, drinks and disco vibes.

Why we love it? Bistro Eloisa is for those who want relaxed quality with a playful touch. The restaurant’s style is bold and unpretentious – think recycled furniture instead of plush booths. The dark dining room glows under a neon sign promising ‘food, drinks, disco vibes’. The hearty dishes are cooked to perfection and the sauces are rich and full of flavour. Eloisa is known for what’s probably the best Caesar salad in Tampere – drenched in dressing, just as it should be. There are no traditional starters or mains here, just snacks and mid-sized hot and cold plates. And since this is a brutal bistro, don’t expect dessert. Sweet courses aren’t Eloisa’s thing, so they don’t make them for the sake of it. Instead, go for the cheeses – served decadently oozing and impossible to resist.

Time Out tip: Bistro Eloisa specialises in natural wines made with traditional, low-intervention methods. The style can divide opinions, but here you’ll find plenty of light, approachable options.

Address: Puutarhakatu 11

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 17:00–23:00, Fri–Sat 16:00–01:00

Expect to pay: Four-course menu €49, wine pairing €45. Individual dishes €7–22

What is it? An elegant restaurant for lovers of European fine dining.

Why we love it? Drawing on the traditions of French cuisine, LiV is proudly chic. It offers refined yet unpretentious gastronomy in a romantic setting by Laukontori, where big windows frame views of the harbour and sunsets over Lake Pyhäjärvi. The place feels like a scene from a film, where a shy couple share their first dinner date. Head chef Juho Hänninen’s cooking is rich but approachable, often balancing acidity with something smooth and mellow. Humble potatoes are used in wonderfully creative ways, while umami depth comes from mushroom creams and broths. The kitchen’s quiet confidence shows in the fact that there’s only one menu, which changes with the seasons.

Time Out tip: LiV’s wine list is exceptional. Around 70 wines are available by the glass, alongside rare bottles from the cellar. There’s even a hard-to-find sweet Champagne that makes an excellent dessert wine.

Address: Laukontori 6 B

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 16:00–23:00, Fri–Sat 16:00–24:00

Expect to pay: Five-course tasting menu €78. Dinner with wine around €140 per person

What is it? A hotel restaurant celebrating northern flavours – and home to Tampere’s best breakfast.

Why we love it? How do you combine fine dining with burgers? Saivo at Lapland Hotel in Nokia Arena pulls off the near-impossible. Nordic simplicity ties the menu together, and the restaurant’s natural, earthy atmosphere makes it hard to believe an ice hockey match might be happening in the same building. The menu includes a few heartier and more affordable dishes such as burgers and sautéed reindeer. True to its Lapland roots, the meat burger comes with cold-smoked reindeer, while the veggie version is flavoured with spruce shoot mayo. The tasting menu honours the purity of northern ingredients – cream and butter are used sparingly, allowing the freshness of berries and the delicate flavours of white fish to shine.

Time Out tip: If you’re in Tampere during the Tamperrada festival in August, head to Saivo. Participating restaurants serve pintxos – small bites that both the public and a jury vote on. Saivo’s imaginative creations often place among the festival’s top contenders.

Address: Ratapihankatu 54, 4th floor

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 16:00–22:00, Sat 15:00–22:00. Breakfast Mon–Fri 06:30–10:00, Sat 07:30–13:00, Sun 07:30–14:00

Expect to pay: Tasting menus €65–83, drink pairings €26–82, burgers €23–25, breakfast €29

What is it? A French-style country restaurant whose seafood nights are the stuff of legend.

Why we love it? A memorable meal doesn’t have to mean molecular gastronomy. Paakari’s magic lies in top-quality ingredients and classic cooking methods. Set in an old postmaster’s house, it feels like a rustic Central European inn – the kind of place the whole village gathers for lunch or dinner. Downstairs, the patisserie serves coffee with a slice of cake or a salmon sandwich. Restaurateur Ilpo Vainio honed his skills in Sweden and Norway, where he specialised in fish preparation. Here, the kitchen often steams rather than fries fish to preserve the delicate flavour of white varieties. Then there are Paakari’s famed themed dinners: the lavish seafood evenings, where oysters are free-flowing at the starter buffet, and the ‘Babette’s Feast’ events, where the team recreates the dishes from Karen Blixen’s novella. It’s no wonder people travel hundreds of kilometres for these special nights.

Time Out tip: Paakari’s lunch is one of the best-value meals in Pirkanmaa – you can get a three-course lunch for under €20. Dishes are served at the table, and in summer you can enjoy yours on the charming terrace.

Address: Ruutanantie 3, Kangasala

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 11:00–13:30, Fri 11:00–20:00, Sat by reservation, Sun 13:00–16:00

Expect to pay: Three-course lunch €18.50–37, three-course dinner €52. Dinner with wine around €90 per person

What is it? Elegant dining with panoramic views high above Tampere.

Why we love it? Näsinneula is quite literally a top restaurant – it’s perched 124 metres above the city, and the dining floor slowly revolves. Over dinner you can watch the sun set over Lake Näsijärvi, the rides of Särkänniemi and the rooftops of Pyynikki. The menu highlights local ingredients, with lake fish and reindeer among the perennial favourites. The pride of the restaurant is its seven-course tasting menu, which showcases skilled craftsmanship and complex techniques. Many acclaimed chefs have earned their stripes here. The wine list leans towards traditional European producers, but also includes trendy English sparkling wine. The restaurant rotates gently enough that you can safely enjoy more than one glass as you admire the view.

Time Out tip: Näsinneula is a great place to introduce kids to fine dining. The three-course children’s menu swaps the usual sausage and chips for proper meat or fish, and the views will keep little ones entertained throughout the meal.

Address: Laiturikatu 1, Särkänniemi

Opening hours: Mon 17:00–22:00, Tue–Sat 11:00–23:00

Expect to pay: Five-course tasting menu €67–74, seven-course €90, three-course à la carte dinner with wine around €130 per person

What is it? A paradise for steak lovers – where even the sides shine.

Why we love it? Huber’s industrial-style setting feels warm and relaxed, with a dry-ageing cabinet proudly on display by the bar. The vibe is lively, and even big groups can raise their voices without worry. The star of the menu is milk cow beef, cooked over a charcoal grill, though there’s also horse – a rarity on most menus. Sharing is encouraged, with steaks designed to be split among the table. Despite being a steakhouse, Huber serves some of the best vegetable sides in Tampere: the simple tomato salad and grilled cabbage are packed with umami. The sides cost just €4–6, and you can easily build a full meal from them alone. The wine list is equally strong, particularly for reds, making it a great spot to drop by for a glass and soak up the easy-going atmosphere.

Time Out tip: If you’ve never tried bone marrow, Huber is the place to do it – the charcoal grill gives it a deep, smoky flavour. Adventurous diners can finish with ice cream topped with caramel made from smoked beef fat.

Address: Aleksis Kiven katu 13

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 16:00–24:00, Sat 14:00–24:00

Expect to pay: Steaks €24–57 depending on size and cut. Dinner with sides and wine around €100 per person

What is it? A genuine French bistro, Tampere-style.

Why we love it? What’s not to love? 4 Vuodenaikaa takes you straight to the fish markets of Marseille – at lunchtime prices. There’s no need for elaborate décor here: the buzz and aromas of the market hall set the mood perfectly. Queuing at lunchtime doesn’t bother anyone, and diners sip the house’s famous fish soup shoulder to shoulder at high stools. Even Finns find themselves chatting to strangers. Just like in France, pride in local produce runs deep. The Provençal bouillabaisse is made with house stock, while the fish and shellfish come from nearby Kalaherkut Nygren, and the vegetables from Valliuksen vihannespuoti. The result is both unmistakably French and distinctly Tamperean.

Time Out tip: You can enjoy a Parisian-style breakfast here. The poached egg sandwich comes with meat, fish or veggie filling, and naturally the French breakfast includes a croissant with jam, plus fresh juice and a speciality coffee on the side.

Address: Hämeenkatu 19, Kauppahalli

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00, Sat 09:00–16:00

Expect to pay: Breakfast €16.80, lunch with drinks around €20–30, dinner dishes €5–21

What is it? A cosy cellar restaurant the whole family can enjoy.

Why we love it? Set in the atmospheric basement of an old Art Nouveau bank building, Tiiliholvi is full of intimate corners perfect for gazing into your loved one’s eyes. The menu features classics like snails and pepper steak, alongside rarer ingredients such as partridge and sole. The kitchen masters traditional French techniques – those buttery sauces are spot on. But while Tiiliholvi is steeped in tradition, it’s far from stuck in the past. There are several vegetarian options, and a few years ago the team opened a European-style summer restaurant in the courtyard.

Time Out tip: Tiiliholvi welcomes children with open arms. There’s a dedicated kids’ menu for €20, including soup to start, a fish or meat main, and ice cream or sorbet for dessert.

Address: Kauppakatu 10

Opening hours: Lunch weekdays 11:00–14:00, à la carte Mon–Thu 16:00–22:00, Fri 16:00–23:00, Sat 14:00–23:00

Expect to pay: Tasting menus €65–89, wine pairings €50–69

What is it? A charming family-run restaurant that wins hearts with its warm service.

Why we love it? Housed in a beautifully restored former weigh house, Heinätori is one of Tampere’s prettiest restaurants. It recalls French family-run bistros, the kind where generations gather for Sunday dinner. The à la carte staples – forest mushroom soup, fried liver, and vendace in season – rarely change, but there’s always a vegetarian option and a surprise dish, which might feature game. A rotating seasonal menu keeps regulars coming back. The service here is legendary. If restaurateur Lauri Väänänen is in the house, he’ll likely greet every table personally. Kids are made to feel just as welcome – even their messes are met with a smile.

Time Out tip: Take a trip back in time with Heinätori’s vorschmack – a savoury mix of minced meat, onion and anchovy said to be Mannerheim’s favourite. Few places still make this old-world dish, but Heinätori’s version is perfectly rich and salty.

Address: Pyynikintori 5

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 12:00–22:00, Sat 13:00–22:00

Expect to pay: Three-course menu €58, around €80 with drinks

What is it? A wine bar from the team behind Kajo – and home to perfect risotto.

Why we love it? Villit ja Viinit is Kajo’s little sister, located right next door. The dishes are smaller and simpler than at the main restaurant, but still centred on Finnish ingredients. The risotto, made the traditional Italian way, is the star: the rice firm to the bite, the texture beautifully creamy. The natural connection to Kajo continues at the bar, where leftover herbs and berries from the kitchen are turned into syrups and distillates for cocktails. Nothing here comes from a bottle – even a simple G&T is a work of craft.

Time Out tip: The bartenders at Villit ja Viinit have the time – and the skill – to serve you properly. This is the place to say “surprise me” or “something fruity, please” without fear of eye-rolls. They’ll take it as a welcome challenge.

Address: Rautatienkatu 12

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 16:00–24:00, Fri–Sat 16:00–01:00

Expect to pay: Four-course menu €48, individual dishes €10–16, cocktails €13–16

What is it? A bistro specialising in local produce and beautifully presented dishes.

Why we love it? While bistro food is often hearty and heavy, Bistro C’s plates are fresh, light and elegantly put together – some bordering on fine dining. The restaurant uses only Finnish meat, so instead of French foie gras, you’ll find duck liver from a local farm. When the menu says coq au vin, the meat really is cockerel, not chicken. Each dish lists just two main ingredients, reflecting the kitchen’s minimalist philosophy: bringing out the best in the basics rather than piling on flavours. Here, you can truly taste the egg yolk, pike-perch or beetroot for what it is.

Time Out tip: Bistro C’s owner, Sari Sorri, is known for her wine expertise, so don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations or tastings. The house cocktails have a distinctly Finnish touch – you might even spot a splash of real local moonshine.

Address: Rautatienkatu 20

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 16:00–22:00, Fri 16:00–23:00, Sat 14:00–23:00

Expect to pay: Five-course chosen menu €75, five-course surprise menu €69, wine pairing €48, individual dishes €14–18

What is it? Tampere’s most authentically French restaurant – where the service itself is a performance.

Why we love it? Brasserie Deux is as French as it gets this far north. The menu reads in both Finnish and French, featuring all the brasserie greats: fried duck liver, mussels in saffron broth, duck confit and classic French onion soup with melted cheese. The service has a touch of continental flair – one of the house highlights is the beef tartare, mixed and finished in front of the guest. The real showstopper, though, is dessert: crêpes Suzette, flambéed at your table with Grand Marnier. For a brief, fiery moment the flames leap high, and your pulse races with them. Tableside flambéing is a rarity these days, and Brasserie Deux makes you forget you’re in twenty-first-century Tampere, not Paris a century ago.

Time Out tip: Here, the décor is part of the experience. The Sori district may not be the prettiest, but inside, the restaurant is colourful, playful and full of charm. The large windows have finally found the setting they deserve.

Address: Vuolteenkatu 20

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 16:00–22:00, Fri 16:00–23:00, Sat 14:00–23:00

Expect to pay: Around €120 per person for three courses with wine