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, perfect for a festive fine dining experience.
Frognerseteren
Rustic wooden lodge with panoramic views and classic Norwegian Christmas dishes.
Ekebergrestauranten
Elegant venue with city views, excellent New Year’s Eve options and celebratory menus.
Lorry Restaurant
Oslo institution - baroque interior and hearty Norwegian classics.
HELSINKI
Restaurant Savotta
Cozy, rustic restaurant near Helsinki Cathedral offering traditional Finnish dishes like reindeer and fish. Decor features genuine Finnish logging memorabilia.
Restaurant Muru
Award-winning modern bistro with a relaxed vibe. Daily changing menu with top Finnish produce and inventive wine pairings.
Hotel Kämp
Historic luxury hotel, famous for its lavish Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Seasonal menus highlight Finnish and international flavors in an elegant setting.
Hotel Katajanokka
Unique boutique hotel in a former prison, offering festive buffets and group meals in a cozy, atmospheric setting.
STOCKHOLM
Enskede Värdshus
Charming historic inn with a lavish julbord. Traditional and warmly festive.
Grand Hôtel – The Veranda
Luxury hotel offering an iconic Christmas buffet with beautiful waterfront views.
Operakällaren
Elegant fine dining with classic Swedish holiday fare in a palace-like setting.
Resturang Eld
Offers refined, sustainable dining with a festive Viking-inspired atmosphere and a creative Christmas menu focused on game meat, with seated and buffet options.
COPENHAGEN
Schønnemann
Iconic smørrebrød institution, renowned for its julefrokost and traditional Danish fare.
Marchal at Hotel d’Angleterre
Five-star setting for an unforgettable Christmas or New Year celebration. Elegant and luxurious.
Høst
This restaurant is a great option for a more modern take on traditional Danish food.
Slotskælderen
Slotskælderen serves classic Danish smørrebrød and snaps in an authentic 1910 setting near Christiansborg, popular for lunch and often visited by local politicians.
TALLINN
Nero & City Grill House
Modern grill with festive holiday buffets and live entertainment on special evenings.
Maikrahv
Medieval-themed restaurant with à la carte classics; ideal for groups seeking atmosphere.
Tchaikovsky
Michelin-starred restaurant, elegant Russian-French fusion - perfect for a splurge.
Olde Hansa
Iconic medieval experience in Old Town - open fires, historic recipes, and costumed staff.
Paju Villa
Art Nouveau villa with gourmet plates; a short taxi from Old Town, renowned for festive service.