Kakolanruusu

Restaurant Kakolanruusu is located in a truly unique setting within the former night cell wing of Kakola Prison. The dining room was built on the terms of the original space, resulting in a winding and slightly labyrinthine layout. The thick walls often block phone reception, so you can happily leave your phone in your bag and focus entirely on the culinary experience and the exceptionally warm service. The team at Kakolanruusu excels at creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere where guests can fully immerse themselves.

People used to be sent here, but now they come by choice for the incredible open-fire feasts

Affectionately known as Ruusu, the restaurant serves high-quality, seasonal, handmade food cooked over an open fire. While you can choose individual dishes from the menu, most diners opt for either the Feast or the Big Feast. Both live up to their names with food served in generous abundance. Dishes arrive on large trays, bowls, and platters designed for sharing. Between tasting the food and the lively conversation it inspires, a couple of hours will easily fly by.

Kakolanruusu started as a pop-up restaurant on Kakolanmäki on May Day in 2017, before moving to its current premises in 2019. At the heart of the kitchen is a 140-centimetre open-fire grill fuelled by birch logs, which gives the food a flavour that simply can’t be replicated.

The restaurant holds the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label by Visit Finland as a mark of its commitment to sustainability. The kitchen favours seasonal ingredients, local food, organic produce and Fairtrade products. It also uses quality products from other operators in the Kakola area, including the local brewery, bakery and coffee roastery.

The lounge bar is the perfect spot to drop in for an aperitif, a digestif, or just a casual visit, offering a selection of exceptionally high-quality cocktails and mocktails.

Vibe: Rough prison romance without the bars – here, the only sentence you’ll serve is a food coma

Food: The Feasts are generous, shared meals that remain the undisputed kings of the table

Drink: Try the house classic cocktail properly served in a signature tin mug

Time Out tip: Hop on the free funicular from Linnankatu as it is Finland’s first outdoor city inclined lift. Just be aware that "Funi" is a temperamental character and occasionally likes to take unscheduled breaks.