The best restaurants in Oulu

What is it? An elegant dinner restaurant serving the flavours of the north.

Why we love it? Dining at Oula is an experience you’ll remember for years. The Lapland-themed dining room is understated yet full of atmosphere, with candlelight and warm tones setting the mood. The à la carte menu blends Finnish and international influences, but the surprise menu is our favourite – choose three or five courses and let the kitchen take you on a journey. The five-course version is a full experience worth lingering over; the three-course is perfectly balanced and satisfying. Every dish is served on nature-inspired tableware designed by Anu Pentik, adding to the sense of place. From the very first bite, the food delights – think northern flavours like spruce shoots and meadowsweet adding a refined originality, reindeer so tender it melts in the mouth, and a playful “snowball” perched on dessert.

Time Out tip: The Arctic non-alcoholic pairing beautifully highlights each dish and adds a celebratory touch to dinner. The mocktails are equally refreshing and fit seamlessly into the menu.

Address: Kirkkokatu 3

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 17:00–22:00, Fri 17:00–22:30, Sat 16:00–22:30, Sun closed

Expect to pay: Three-course surprise menu €69, five-course surprise menu €87, à la carte dishes €2.50–43

What is it? A charming wine bar in an old wool factory, serving beautiful dishes for both small and big appetites.

Why we love it? Set in the picturesque artist quarter of Pikisaari, Kurkela combines relaxed bohemian charm, eye-catching details and top-class food and drink. Although it’s a wine bar, you’ll find excellent non-alcoholic pairings too – try the house kombucha, delicately flavoured with garden herbs and blackcurrant leaves. The wine list focuses on European bottles chosen to complement the menu perfectly. The seasonal dishes change often, but you’ll always find the famous tartare – worth travelling for – and the risotto, which many call perfection. The autumn tartare with pickled whitecurrants is unforgettable, while the malt bread served with soup is practically a pastry. Every detail is considered, from the custom ceramics to the little stories behind the ingredients – like where the blueberries were picked.

Time Out tip: Drop in just for a glass – we recommend the champagne or house-made alcohol-free drinks – or order a single dish if you’re peckish. For dinner, go for 2–3 courses.

Address: Pikisaarentie 17

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 17:00–22:00

Expect to pay: Dishes €14–23, five-course menu €72, wine pairing €48, non-alcoholic pairing €38

What is it? Voted Northern Finland’s best dining experience of 2025, this restaurant serves globally inspired dishes in stylish surroundings.

Why we love it? Located on the ground floor of Plaanatorni, Alfred Kitchen & Bar is a treat for all the senses. The dim, warmly lit dining room glows with candles, glassware and wine bottles, and every table holds a tiny vase of flowers. Soft background music evokes the feel of a Parisian bistro. But the real star is the food – globally inspired, boldly flavoured and beautifully presented on small, mismatched plates that create a relaxed yet thoughtful feel. The cocktails are jewel-like, often adorned with edible flowers. The menu changes every two to three months, and devoted regulars make sure to experience each new iteration. The short dessert list is impossible to resist – once, we ordered all of them, and we regret nothing.

Time Out tip: Alfred is popular, so book ahead. You can also stop by for cocktails and a few small bites at the bar.

Address: Pakkahuoneenkatu 24

Opening hours: Mon 10:30–14:30, Tue–Thu 10:30–23:00, Fri 10:30–24:00, Sat 14:00–24:00, Sun closed

Expect to pay: Cold dishes €15–17, hot dishes €15–24, desserts €11

What is it? A cheerful family-run Italian restaurant founded by Marta and Filippo, who fell in love with Oulu at first sight.

Why we love it? For the city’s best pasta and authentic Italian flavours, head to Italica Taberna on Rotuaari. The restaurant exudes playful warmth, filled with colourful décor and quirky handmade details. Friends of the owners have crafted unique glassware – some with lip piercings, others topped with baseball caps. Certain pasta dishes arrive wrapped in cellophane to lock in the flavour. The pasta is all handmade and outstanding, with gluten-free options available too. The tiramisu comes inside a chocolate sphere that melts dramatically under a pour of hot coffee, while the pasta sfoglia croccante – crisp puff pastry layered with silky cream – towers on the plate and tastes divine. There’s a great selection of non-alcoholic drinks, including Italian beer, wine and lemonade.

Time Out tip: Open for lunch as well, Italica is ideal for a light meal – pasta portions aren’t huge, so for dinner, pair one with another dish.

Address: Kirkkokatu 17

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 12:15–21:00

Expect to pay: Starters from €15, pasta €17–22, desserts €10

What is it? A Finnish restaurant with an international touch – and a sister pizzeria serving artisan pizzas from local favourite Cantina.

Why we love it? Set in a pale pink historic building, Puistola is a timeless classic. The muted tones of the interior create a setting that’s both colourful and calm, while the curved windows let in gorgeous natural light. The menu follows the same understated confidence: classic international dishes elevated by seasonal local ingredients, with no need to chase trends. The artisan pizzas are superb too – the gluten-free version is among the best in town. Bread and roasted butter arrive at the table first, and it’s impossible not to finish every crumb. Desserts come adorned with edible flowers, and there’s a choice of rich artisan ice creams.

Time Out tip: In summer, Puistola’s terrace is the prettiest in Oulu. On a lively street, it’s also perfect for people-watching.

Address: Pakkahuoneenkatu 15

Opening hours: À la carte Tue–Thu 15:00–22:00, Fri 15:00–23:00, Sat 13:00–23:00, Sun closed; lunch Tue–Fri 11:00–14:00

Expect to pay: Starters from €12.50, mains €25–42, desserts €3–15, pizzas from €15

What is it? A brewery, taproom and restaurant created by the founders of Maistila and Sonnisaari craft breweries.

Why we love it? When Varikko Panimo opened in early autumn, locals were so eager to try it that the queues stretched out the door. And it wasn’t just the beer drawing the crowds – word spread fast about the excellent pizza and the cherry long drink that sold out in no time. The drink is sweetly cherry-like and nothing like the grey classic it nods to. The pizzas are spot-on with a cold beer, and the brewery’s own sodas are a pleasant surprise – the mango-lime, for instance, is refreshingly tart rather than sugary. The setting, a converted depot, gives the place its distinctive edge and evokes the industrial cool of Berlin or Amsterdam. From the restaurant, you can see into the brewery itself and watch the production through a glass wall. Oulu has been waiting for a brewpub like this.

Time Out tip: The large, free car park next door makes it easy to visit – combine your stop with a stroll around the 2025 housing fair area and the new Hartaanselkä pedestrian bridge.

Address: Lipporannantie 2

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 11:00–23:00, Fri 11:00–02:00, Sat 12:00–02:00 (kitchen 22:00), Sun 13:00–19:00 (kitchen 18:30)

Expect to pay: Pizzas €12.90–17.90, beers and long drinks from €8, soft drinks €3.60

What is it? A genuine Japanese restaurant specialising in ramen noodle soups.

Why we love it As soon as you step through the corner restaurant’s door, a cheerful konnichiwa greets you from the kitchen. The welcome is warm, and the space feels authentic and unpolished in the best way. A pioneer among Oulu’s non-sushi Japanese spots, Pure Maku charms with its authenticity and kind, attentive service. The menu focuses on ramen, with optional extras like seaweed crisps and soft-boiled eggs. Dishes arrive with a smile and a thank-you for waiting – the broth steaming hot, clear and glossy. The flavour is deep and comforting, like a hug in a bowl – just as ramen should be. When you leave, you’ll want to bow in thanks; it’s that good.

Time Out tip: There aren’t many seats, so avoid the busiest hours. You’ll find Japanese books and magazines to browse while you eat.

Address: Pakkahuoneenkatu 5 B 22

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 11:30–18:00, Sat 12:00–18:00, Sun 12:00–17:00

Expect to pay: Ramen from €12.50, extras €1

What is it? A neighbourhood pizzeria in Tuira serving Neapolitan-style pizzas in a local shopping arcade.

Why we love it? Finland’s first MasterChef winner, Joonas Hämäläinen, and the team at Pizza Lovers have perfected Oulu’s most popular pizza recipe. In the early days, when the restaurant operated from a smaller space, demand was so high they’d sometimes sell out. The current venue is larger and can host more diners. The menu features ten pizzas – five red (tomato-based) and five white (olive oil and cheese-based) – plus a seasonal special like the indulgent porcini pizza with truffle sour cream. Pizzas are baked in a genuine Italian oven and eaten the proper way: by hand, with scissors provided for easy cutting. The mission here is to create delicious Tuira-meets-Napoli pizza – and they absolutely deliver. Drinks include beers, wines and the usual softs.

Time Out tip: Located in a small shopping centre with one hour of free parking right outside.

Address: Valtatie 21

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 11:00–20:00, Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat 12:00–21:00

Expect to pay: Pizzas €15–17, seasonal special €18

What is it? A Caribbean-themed sandwich bar opposite the railway station, founded by Dutch-born Robbie van der Leek, who previously worked in Aruba.

Why we love it? Colourful, cheerful and full of life, Robbie’s brings a burst of Caribbean sunshine to Oulu. Upbeat music and tropical décor create a relaxed, happy vibe, matched by genuinely friendly service. The menu features nine sandwiches, ranging from Asian-inspired to Mediterranean fillings. The smash-burger-style sandwiches satisfy any burger craving, while vegan options are also available. Authenticity isn’t the aim here – instead, classics like the Vietnamese bánh mì are reimagined with a twist, keeping all their freshness intact. The sandwiches are generous, with fillings taking centre stage. The bread is just chewy enough to hold everything together without making a mess.

Time Out tip: Try the house-made drinks – the vanilla lemonade is irresistibly smooth and refreshing. Swap the usual fries for the tangy Asian cucumber salad.

Address: Rautatienkatu 10

Opening hours: Mon 10:00–14:30, Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 11:00–18:00

Expect to pay: Sandwiches €12–13.50, meal +€5.50

What is it? Reportedly Finland’s only Bangladeshi restaurant, named after its signature street food dish.

Why we love it? Among Oulu’s many Asian restaurants, Fuchka stands out for its namesake dish. Fuchkas are Bangladeshi street snacks made from crispy, deep-fried shells filled with savoury ingredients. They’re eaten by hand: you press a small hole into the top with a spoon and fill it with two different sauces. Fun, flavourful and only mildly spicy, they’re the kind of food that makes you smile. The menu also includes other Bangladeshi dishes, with options for those who like more heat – like the spicy fuchka soup that warms you right through. All fuchkas can be made gluten-free or vegan, and there are different portion sizes for every appetite.

Time Out tip: In summer, Fuchka runs a pop-up restaurant at Oulu Market Square, with plenty of terrace seating. On a sunny day, a silky mango lassi here is the ultimate refreshment.

Address: Nummikatu 32

Opening hours: À la carte daily 15:00–21:00; weekday lunch 10:00–15:00

Expect to pay: Combo meal (six fuchkas + soup) €23.90, 12-fuchka meal €18.90, mango lassi €5.90