City: South Karelia
Top Restaurants in South Karelia
Top Things to do in South Karelia
South Karelia Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in South Karelia
South Karelia (Finnish: Etelä-Karjala; Swedish: Södra Karelen) is a region of Finland. It borders the regions of Kymenlaakso, Southern Savonia and North Karelia, as well as Russia.
Things to do in South Karelia
1. Wolkoff
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By Juhani P
This small boutique restaurant is a hidden gem. Top class food, fresh, delicious, and well prepared. Friendly service. Small late 18th century wooden house that seat perhaps 50 people max.
A brief, but very interesting wine list that also serves many wines by the glass. Local purveyors provide many of the ingredients, such as fish, game and vegetables.
The fine dining food is not cheap, but it is worth the money.
2. Sarapirtti Kippurasarvi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By HL65 - Heinola, Finland
We were surprised what kind of a place this was; the expectations were quite different. Säräpirtti is a very classy and nice restaurant with a beautiful location. The introduction held by the staff was really nice and raised expectations for the food. And the food: simple, delicious and very filling. Only tender lamb seasoned with salt, potatoes, bread and finally sweet raisin soup as a dessert. A bit pricey but on acceptable level considering the premises and the service. This place is really worth a visit, definitely more than just a lunch or dinner.
3. Imatran Valtionhotelli
Overall Ratings
4 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By Mari6 - Turku, Finland
we attended a 3 day meeting in Imatra and therefore had all meals in Valtionhotelli. 2 buffet breakfasts, 1 buffet lunch and 1 buffet dinner plus 1 sit down dinner. All food was excellent, fresh, hot, delicious with a smiling service.
4. Rosso Imatra
Overall Ratings
4 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By Antti L - Helsinki, Finland
Rosso has a bit bad reputation to be "every city's common Italian restaurant". Now Rosso looks fresh and nice. Italo pop was playing background and feeling was peaceful and relaxed. Waiters were nice and calm. Menu was compact with Napolitan and Roman pizzas, two pastas, two risottos, beef and others. Also Finland 100 years jubilee menu was available offering Finnish dishes. Kids had their own menu with three course meals, sadly offering traditional kids food, but ice cream dessert and soft drinks are guaranteed success. Kid menu has also coloring pictures and other tasks to do during waiting. Drink menu offers couple of wines, prosecco and even Spritz appetizer.
Salad buffet is included with Mediterranean food like cherry tomatoes, olives, artichokes. Food came quite quickly and our two risottos were quite good, not delicious but good enough. Portions were not so big but enough to full a big man. Kids dishes were just what you can imagine: Regular fries or mashed potatoes with Middle East style meat balls or sausages. Kids pizza looked good though. Price level was average and overall Rosso was surprisingly fresh, almost authentic Italian restaurant in this Finnish small town category.
5. Wanha Makasiini Bistro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 132 reviews
New restaurant in Lappeenranta Finland
Reviewed By Vikingbymarriage - Washington DC, District of Columbia
The service was excellent. The food was good, at least the escargot and the others at our table enjoyed theirs. My white fish was dry though, and rather tasteless. But with good company, it didn't make much difference.
6. Buttenhoff
Overall Ratings
4 based on 137 reviews
Reviewed By Maria R
The staff was super friendly, even though we had two toddlers making a mess on a busy saturday night. The peppersteak was probably the largest steak and the best i ever had! The wine selection was also outstanding. The restaurant itself was really cosy on a cold winter evening. We will return to this place every time we go to or pass Imatra!
7. Wolkoff Wine & Beer Cellar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Kallukka - Vantaa, Finland
I was going for a lunch to Restaurant Wolkoff but because it was under renovation the lunch was served in the Wolkoff Wine Cellar instead. It was actually a nice opportunity to check the wine cellar since I hadn't been there before. I suppose that the lunch is not normally served in the wine cellar but in the restaurant itself. However, the lunch was composed of salad, soup and bread.The plate of salad you could select from a good variety of salad ingredients. The mildly boiled, aniseed flavoured celery was excellent. The soup of the day was of minced meat and it was very tasty. Also a cup of coffee was included in the lunch. The service was very friendly and uncomplicated. I felt welcome. The atmosphere of the wine cellar is cozy and I can imagine that in its main function as an evening restaurant it is a very pleasant place to spend some evening hours. Must check the wine selection at some point!
8. Konditoria Imatrankoski Oy
Overall Ratings
4 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By AnneLari - Imatra
We would like to put it this way; home made cakes looks and tastes good, but the portions are too huge. You might have to wait quite a long while, before someone service personal pays any attention to you. The counter and food display cabinet are situated at the door step, so during rush hours you've to queue up outside. Most of the tables are big ones, and you've to share a table with someone else - it's not convenient.
9. Lappeenrannan Kasino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By Yuri B - Kiev, Ukraine
While staying at nearby hotel Lappeenranta Spa i came to the restaurant for breakfast which was actually decent.Moreover, I participated in corporate night party there and can I conclude the meals were very delicious and the service was fast and friendly.Historical style of the building and harbor shore location make this place actually attractive.
10. Indiana Curry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
A fine dining and an authentic Indian restaurant in the center of Lappeenranta, Finland. We take you on a culinary journey where you will experience the rich, delicious flavors of India. Our colorful menu consists of high quality food combinations. Premium Indian food and first class service in an authentic Indian atmosphere. All food is fresh and every dish is cooked after we receive the order and you are sure to enjoy your experience here.
