Jyväskylä in Central Finland is a popular University city with a versatile restaurant scene. From vegan cafés and Finnish culinary sophistication to Mexican feasts, here are Jyväskylä’s seven sinfully delicious restaurants!
Best Mexican Flavours - And Good Cocktails!
Restaurant, Mexican, Central American, South American, $$$
Located in the city centre shopping mall Torikeskus, Panza, with its central and southern American flavours, is a refreshing find in foodie hub Jyväskylä. Lunch is served from Tuesdays to Fridays and dinner every day apart from Sundays and Mondays, when the restaurant is closed. Try the nacho platter with guacamole and the slow-cooked pork ribs with chipotle chilli or the fried avocado with veggie-coconut sauce. Panza’s bar whips up magnificent cocktails too!
Kissanviikset is a Jyväskylä institution when it comes to dining in style. Located just off the main shopping boulevard, thisv restaurant offers traditional, French-based cuisine with a Finnish twist. Try the fried perch with morel sauce and dill potatoes, as well as the crepes with sweet summer berries.
A relatively new addition to Jyväskylä’s foodie scene, Beans&More offers sweet and savoury treats for vegans. Operated by two young entrepreneurs, the vegan café has quickly gained a loving and loyal clientele. Try the fresh juices or smoothies – possibly the best in Finland – as well as the vegan burgers or any of the beautiful, sweet desserts.
Acclaimed Finnish boutique hotel Yöpuu also hosts a top-notch restaurant called Pöllöwaari (Grandpa Owl). The atmosphere in this restaurant is charmingly relaxed. The staff know their trade and Pöllöwaari is also renowned for its sommeliers. You can enjoy lunch or dinner in the main room, which exudes classic elegance, or in the cosy British-style bar. There are multiple set menu options from seasonal to Finnish gourmet. From the à la carte menu, try the local fish with carrot sauce and the rhubarb sorbet.
Restaurant and Winebistro Figaro is a cosy fine-dining nook just off the main shopping street of Kauppakatu. The Winebistro offers relaxed lunch options from soups to fish and burgers, whereas the restaurant is a unique fine-dining experience. Try the fried whitefish and octopus with prawn waffles and pea puree, and finish off with Figaro’s homemade ice cream.
Stefan’s Steakhouse is the place for any steak-loving traveller. The steakhouse gets its name from the Finnish Top Chef contestant (who finished second in the fifth season) Stefan Richter. You will find Stefan’s steaks also in Tampere, Vaasa and Turku. The set menu price varies from 48 to 89 euros, and the steaks are from 29 to 99 euros.
Grills, or snack bars operated in small premises, are an integral part of Finnish food culture – so much so that there is even a TV show dedicated to trying out various grills in Finnish towns and cities! In Jyväskylä, Grilli 21 is the most iconic one and boasts three locations around the city centre. Seminaarinkadun Grilli is located at the end of Jyväskylä’s main shopping street and opposite the Jyväskylä University Campus. If you are after a truly Finnish food experience, try the grill after the pubs and clubs close. Order curly french fries with all the condiments from mustard and ketchup to pickles and onions!
