Saivo Kitchen & Bar of Moments

The idea of dining in a hotel restaurant rarely excites. I’ve had far too many mediocre, overpriced burgers in uninspired settings. Saivo Kitchen & Bar of Moments, located inside the Nokia Arena, is a clear exception. A Lapland-themed spot could easily feel like tourist kitsch, but Saivo keeps things modern and elegant. Low lighting hints at the polar night, while calm instrumental music plays in the background.

It might sound strange, but Saivo’s reindeer kebab is a must-order

The dining room is lively almost around the clock. In the morning, Saivo serves the best hotel breakfast in Tampere. Hot dishes are cooked to order, so they don’t sit and dry out in warming trays. Instead of the usual scrambled eggs and mini sausages, you'll find fresh omelettes, high-quality cold cuts, and northern fish and berries.

Dinner is the real test. How do you serve high-end food in a hotel where guests often arrive rushed and hungry? Saivo handles the necessary compromises with style. The menu includes the obligatory burgers and salads, but even these use northern ingredients like reindeer and spruce shoots. In a Lapland-inspired restaurant, reindeer sauté is a given, and Saivo’s take on the classic is elegant.

The tasting menu is the highlight here. It shows that Saivo’s chefs can do far more than grill burgers. The chanterelle-filled choux bun, blackened with ash, is phenomenal: delicious, surprising, and creative. This much-praised bite is almost always served as a small gift from the kitchen to start the meal.

Alongside reindeer, the fish is also worth ordering. The kitchen handles delicate white fish and seafood with skill. They aren’t drowned in heavy sauces, allowing the natural flavours to shine. The dessert menu is just as impressive. For once, you’ll find something other than the usual chocolate cake or panna cotta. Saivo’s desserts play with contrasting textures and flavours: soft and crunchy, sweet and sharp.

In summer, the hotel opens its rooftop terrace, Laawu, for drinks and more relaxed food. It might sound strange, but Saivo’s reindeer kebab is a must-order. Tampere locals are famous for their love of black sausage and kebab, and Saivo has created excellent reindeer versions of both local favourites.

Vibe: The atmosphere at Saivo remains serene, even during the peak of the breakfast rush.

Food: Alongside the à la carte menu, there are three- and five-course tasting menus.

Drink: The cocktails and mocktails are well worth a try. They’re crafted with care using house-made syrups and berry juices.

Time Out tip: On Saturdays and Sundays, breakfast is served until 1pm. Take advantage of the late sitting – it’s so generous it easily doubles as brunch.