Turku Restaurants

When we got off the ferry in the morning, we were starving (it was too early for breakfast on the ferry before it actually got in). We took the bus to the city centre, and thanks to Sabsi I had my eyes open for the Food Hall which turned out to be easy to find from the main square! :-)))

We therefore had breakfast in the cafe looking like a train (see her page) which was the only one open that early. The Food hall is also full of places selling vegetables and bread etc. if you want to stock up for a picnic. Don't miss the "prohibition sign" hanging from the ceiling at the entrance, with a picture of the things not allowed inside, including a drunk man! :-)))

Favorite Dish: There was loads of goodies on display...

Inside the market hall (Kauppahalli) there is a beautiful and very unique cafe which we found by accident. The furniture, windows etc are taken from an old train!! It's beautiful.

Favorite Dish: This is a typical Finnish self service cafe. So grab yourself a cup of coffee and a "pulla" and enjoy being on a train going nowhere.

PUUTORIN VESSA * THE PUBLIC TOILET pub

There are 3 sights in Turku that should not be missed by anyone: The Cathedral, Turku Castle and The Public Toilet pub (Puutorin VESSA) at Puutori-square!

This premise has relieved Turku citizens' and others' life since 1933!

Short History:

* The great fire of Turku in 1827 started right here at Puutori!

* 1933: Puutorin VESSA is built to relieve bus drivers' and passengers' need while the bus terminal was at Puutori-square!

This round building was found ugly by Turku people and was sarcastically named * the Mausoleum of Sutinen (the architect) * in accordance with Lenin's Mausoleum!

* 1986: it is closed to the public but still served bus drivers

* 6.6.1997: The Public Toilet is reopened after complete renovation AS A PUB!

It receives its own Mannekenpiss statue, offered by a finnish EuroParliament member.

It's not a big pub and people come only for a short time to have one-two drinks in a very unsual settings: toilets.

You may even have your beer served in an authentic potty!!

So far the website is only in finnish and Turku dialect -but it's rather unusual - take a look,lol!

After a night out dancing at KÅREN - a popular student place, we used to walk back to the campus and stop at this hamburger kiosk (it was a smaller kiosk at that time) and order the one and only -KERROSHAMPURILAINEN-.

This Hesburger chain is typically finnish and started in Naantali town near Turku!

At that time I had a lot - way too many of those double-deck hamburgers (very cheap for poor students!!) and can't really eat any of them anymore :-)!

But still, if I ever have to choose between any other brands I'll go for Hesburger.

THE ANGEL RESTAURANT * RAVINTOLA ENKELI

Good food and a divine atmosphere. You'll be met with the arrows of Cupid, the mischief of cherubs, artwork, decorative chairs, angels and the cosiness of an old house. Live music is performed evenings at the Angel Restaurant.

Open: Tue-Sat 11 am-10 pm, Sun 12 pm-6 pm

This restaurant brings so many memories! After a major test, I used to go celebrate with my girlfriends to Foija (Aurakatu 10) as it is located in HansaKortteli-mall right in the city center!
All students are poor and we only could afford from time to time one glass (12 cl) of wine and the famous KANAKORI (Chicken basket with french fries).
They still serve that same dish!

Turku university is situated about 2 KM from city center except for the translation school - where I studied - which was right in the center!

Turku is a popular academic city thanks to the two universities, a business school and numerous research opportunities. Students enjoy not only high-quality teaching but also the lively extra-curricular life in a city that is just the right size and not too big to disrupt studying too much!

I certainly would... as KOULU (School) is the largest brewery restaurant in Finland and the most specialised of Turku's pubs with a wine house and good restaurant.

CHECK OUT THE REST OF IT: HERE

When somethings associated with Hemingway you expect , hunting , bullfighting , straw hats and lots of booze , however the theme in this themed resteraunt only goes so far ( in this case playing a bit of fifties music ) . This is made up for by the excellent food and friendly , who didn't get the hump when the Finns pretended to be English and the English pretended to be Finns and noticed that our dinner table conversations contained enough profanity and obscenity to shock Howard Stern and stuck us in our own little back room.

Favorite Dish: Rib Steak with butter - oh yes