As one of the Nordic countries’ most popular tourist spots, Rovaniemi in northern Finland is filled with plenty of cafes to satisfy Finland’s great love of coffee. As well as pick-me-ups, most of these establishments also serve light meals and sweet treats where you can take part in the Finnish practice of ‘kakkukahvi’ or ‘coffee and cake’ which is frequently had with friends in the afternoon. These are some of the best cafes to visit in Rovaniemi to warm up on a winter’s day.
A café themed after the beloved Finnish franchise of children’s books and cartoons, which has been especially designed for families. Modern Scandinavian design combined with Moomin artwork creates a pleasant atmosphere. Moomin books and play areas keep children occupied while parents enjoy their drinks. The café serves both hot and cold drinks plus pastries, cakes and cookies on Moomin cups and plates. There is also a small shop to purchase bags of Moomin coffee.
Kauppayhtiö’s name is Finnish for ‘trading company’, but it is actually a diner-style casual restaurant and café. The restaurant specialises in burgers and pizza (including the Lappish delicacies of reindeer salami pizza and reindeer burgers), which are claimed to be the best in town and are highly popular among tourists. But it is also a place to relax with a light lunch or a cup of afternoon coffee.
Rovaniemi’s most famous museum also has a café on-site that serves lunches such as lasagne, wok noodles and a salad buffet. Like the rest of the museum, the café is also light and airy with modern Scandinavian design. It is an excellent place to stop and rest your feet after a day walking around the museum exhibits or to find a tasty and affordable lunch.
Soppa Ja Sumppi is an independent café, restaurant and catering service that makes their meals and cakes by hand, using fresh local ingredients. The lunch menu of simple but delicious Finnish dishes changes every weekday and always includes a salad buffet of seasonal vegetables. Each of the café’s pastries and cakes are also naturally gluten-free since they are made without flour.
This café and chocolatier specialises in delicious cakes, ice cream and gourmet chocolates. These can be ordered for takeaway, wrapped up as a gift or enjoyed with a hot drink in the small and cosy café. Each of the chocolate items are handmade on-site and there are even some more unusual options such as wood-tar ice cream. It is also one of the only cafés in Rovaniemi offering free Wi-Fi.
Rovaniemi’s cultural centre also has a classy café. It is often used to serve meals or drinks during cultural events at the centre but is also open daily for regular museum visitors. As well as tea and coffee, the café is also licenced to sell alcohol, which includes seasonal beers that can be pre-ordered for event intermissions. In addition, the café sells a range of sweet and savoury Lappish cakes and pastries including apple cake, smoked salmon rolls and vegetable pies.
