Porvoo: Five restaurants well worth a visit

Just a short walk from the city centre, this modern bistro in the Art Factory serves contemporary local cuisine in a striking architectural setting. New Porvoo, located on the west bank of the river, provides a fresh contrast to the centuries-old ambience of Old Porvoo.

Bistro Sinne adds its own flavour to the new town. It serves traditional food made with modern cooking techniques and local ingredients sourced from as close as possible. The result is affordable, delicious New Finnish cuisine. To accompany your meal, try Alpha Lager, brewed locally by Kråkö Brygger – it was recognised as Finland's best lager last year.

Named after the pet pig of celebrated local artist Ville Valgren, this local institution has changed owners, but not its name. After all, it is a fitting tribute to the restaurant, which offers the boldest flavors in Porvoo.

Scoring 87 Falstaff points, Sicapelle offers a nine-course dinner in a bistro-style setting. The restaurant's head chef, Mikko Lahtinen, has the remarkable ability to make any dish taste incredibly intense. To illustrate, Sicapelle's chawanmushi should be gently watered down by sipping it with water or wine.

VÅR

Porvoo is home to Finland's best restaurant outside of Helsinki: VÅR – which is ranked 3rd in the country with 95 Falstaff points. Despite its lofty status, however, the restaurant itself is unassuming and wants each guest to form their own opinion about its offerings.

Located in a tiny wooden house, VÅR was once considered one of the most beautiful restaurants in town, with dried flowers on the walls and pure flavors from the surrounding region brought to the table at the peak of their taste. That's how VÅR cooks.

Haikko Manor

To experience the diverse flavors on offer around Porvoo, leave the city and drive towards the coast. Just seven kilometres from the Old Town stands the impressive Haikko Manor,  a stately hotel and restaurant since 1966. Its unique ambience is an essential part of its dining experience, and perfect for its timeless plates of local seafood and beef. The restaurant's Nordic dishes are served with dignity, which suits the genteel ambience perfectly.

Located 30 kilometers from Porvoo, Bistro Pellinge  will bring together the expertise of the team behind Bistro Sinne and Restaurant VÅR this summer. A former fishermen's beach cottage transformed into a boutique hotel and restaurant, it offers some of the most breathtaking sea views in Finland.

The flavors on offer at this Nordic-style restaurant are anything but minimalist: The local coastal culinary tradition has been elevated to the highest modern standards, ensuring that each dish provides a unique experience. The picturesque surroundings provide the perfect backdrop to showcase where these flavors come from.

Bistro Pellinge is sure to be one of the hottest destinations for foodies in Finland this season. Have we piqued your interest? Read about where to stay in Porvoo and the surrounding area!