Festive Dining in the Nordic Capitals
Each year, we receive countless questions about where to enjoy a festive meal during the holiday season in the Nordic capitals. With many restaurants closing for Christmas and New Year, finding the right spot can be a challenge. To make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of recommended restaurants in Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, and Tallinn that offer memorable dining experiences during the holidays. Let us know if you need suggestions for other cities as well! You can see our festive tours and itineraries here.
OSLO
Palmen Restaurant – Grand Hotel
Refined seasonal menus in the heart of Oslo. One of the few upscale venues consistently offering Christmas and New Year dining.
Theatercaféen – Hotel Continental
Iconic Viennese-style brasserie with classic dishes and festive atmosphere. One of Oslo’s most reliable hotel-linked dining rooms in December.
Frognerseteren
Rustic wooden lodge with panoramic city views and classic Norwegian Christmas dishes. Very popular for julebord, including during Christmas week (often closed on 24 Dec only).
Ekebergrestauranten
Elegant venue with sweeping views. Known for special New Year’s Eve menus and festive dining through late December.
Lorry Restaurant
Oslo institution with a baroque interior and hearty Norwegian classics.
Open throughout most of the holidays, including Christmas week (usually closed 24 Dec).
HELSINKI
Restaurant Savotta
Cosy, rustic restaurant near Helsinki Cathedral serving traditional Finnish dishes. Regularly open through Christmas week (closed 24 Dec evening only).
Hotel Kämp
Historic luxury hotel famous for its lavish Christmas buffets and New Year’s dinners. A very reliable choice for travellers during the festive period.
Restaurant Muru
Award-winning modern bistro. Usually closed 24–26 Dec, but often open before/after Christmas. Still suitable to recommend for festive-season travel as long as travellers dine outside those dates.
Restaurant Kuu
Beloved Helsinki institution for Finnish classics and excellent service. Usually open between Christmas and New Year.
Hotel Katajanokka
Unique boutique hotel with festive buffets and group menus. Typically offers Christmas dining options, particularly for lunch or group bookings.
STOCKHOLM
Enskede Värdshus
Charming historic inn with a traditional julbord. Open for Christmas season dining until 23 December.
Grand Hôtel – The Veranda
Iconic location serving one of Stockholm’s best Christmas buffets, usually available throughout December. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining hours vary but typically include special sittings.
Restaurant Tradition
Swedish home-style cooking near Gamla Stan. A very reliable choice for festive travellers.
Lydmar Hotel Restaurant
Stylish, modern brasserie with a warm, buzzy feel. Hotels are strong bets between 25–31 December.
Operakällaren
Elegant fine dining with classic Swedish holiday fare. Open for julbord until Christmas, traditionally closed on 24–26 December, but still a top recommendation for the festive period.
Resturang Eld
Refined, sustainable dining with a creative, Nordic-inspired Christmas menu. Open through much of December, with festive options for groups.
COPENHAGEN
Schønnemann
Iconic smørrebrød restaurant known for its julefrokost menu. Traditionally open until 23 December (closed 24–26).
Marchal at Hotel d’Angleterre
One of the best and most reliable Christmas dining options in Copenhagen. Offers Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve menus.
Høst
Acclaimed modern Nordic restaurant offering seasonal menus. Typically open up to 23 December and again 26–30 December, making it solid for festive week dining.
Slotskælderen
Classic Danish smørrebrød in an historic setting. Open for most of December with Christmas menus; usually closed 24–26 December.
REYKJAVIK
Fröken Reykjavík (at Hótel Reykjavík Saga)
Bright, stylish Icelandic restaurant serving elevated classics with a modern twist. Known for warm service and a beautiful dining room. Open every day 12:00–22:00 over Christmas, with both a regular and Festive Menu available. Booking strongly recommended.
Apotek Kitchen & Bar
Chic brasserie in a historic former pharmacy, serving Icelandic-European dishes, indulgent desserts and craft cocktails. Great ambience for a festive night out. Generally open during the Christmas period, though usually closed 24 December and operating limited hours on 25–26 December.
Kol
Trendy, upbeat restaurant near Hallgrímskirkja serving hearty modern Icelandic dishes and craft cocktails. Great for a festive night out. Often open on Christmas Day and 26 December, but typically closed on 24 December.
VOX Brasserie & Bar
Elegant hotel restaurant with Nordic cuisine, a polished dining room and a calm atmosphere. One of the more reliably open options over Christmas, including special holiday menus.
The Borg Restaurant
Classic, art-deco dining room offering refined Icelandic and European dishes. Hotel restaurants in Reykjavík are generally open across the festive period, making this a dependable choice.
TALLINN
Nero & City Grill House
Dependable option for festive dining. Hotels in Tallinn reliably offer Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year menus, including buffets.
Maikrahv
Atmospheric medieval-themed restaurant. Usually open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, popular with visitors.
Tchaikovsky
Elegant fine dining with Russian-French influences. Typically open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, often with special menus.
Olde Hansa
Iconic medieval venue. Consistently open over the entire Christmas period, one of the most reliable options in the Old Town.
Paju Villa
Art Nouveau villa with refined dining. Often open during the festive days (usually closed 24 Dec dinner only). Suitable for travellers seeking something atmospheric outside the Old Town.