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Local Bistro
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
European, Scandinavian
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Wheelchair Accessible
Does this restaurant offer outdoor seating?
Reserve a table
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 10:45 AM
Sunday
Closed
Monday
10:45 - 22:00
Tuesday
10:45 - 22:00
Wednesday
10:45 - 22:00
Thursday
10:45 - 22:00
Friday
10:45 - 23:00
Saturday
12:00 - 23:00
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4.3
(189)
Excellent
98
Good
63
Average
20
Poor
6
Terrible
2
Jonathan
Delaware975 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
This was one of the restaurants I had reserved a table for when we were in Joensuu to attend the World Cup in nearby Kontiolahti. After a day of walking around Joensuu in cold temperatures, it was an ideal shelter for the evening! One "warning" - as you walk along the street looking for the restaurant, the facade is a VERY unassuming front, even making you wonder if it is open (a friend went there the next night on our recommendation and wondered the same thing).
Once inside, EVERYTHING was delicious. They offer a phenomenal array of dishes featuring (as the restaurant name implies) local ingredients. They also had some very good wines to go with them (not a huge list but still some tasty ones!). We particularly enjoyed the Finnish iscider with our dessert. Our server was wonderful, being a personable hostess (she spoke excellent English if you don't speak Finnish) and she made some awesome recommendations both off the menu and the wine list.
If/when we get back to Joensuu for the Biathlon World Cup, we will DEFINITELY be dining here again!
Written 13 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaana L
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • none
We ate a recommended menu, with local incredients combined in modern way. Also the recommended wine was just perfect for the meal. I think also the service was great - thanks to Leevi :) I can really recommed this restaurant, if you want a perfect food experience.
Written 29 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuomiHD
Swindon185 contributions
Dec 2021 • family
Interesting and very competently put together menu, gourmet food and only a few places locally where this is possible. We had the main menu and pics provided, main course was exceptional with a great combination of flavours in the steak with apple and oxtail sauce and the artichoke dessert was interesting, wouldn’t have expected it to work, but it was very tasty. Only disappointment was the crab tartar - this was a cooked shrimp salad, so it was neither crab or tartar (even allowing for Finnish katkarapu (prawn) and rapu (crab)) this was misleading, even if not unpleasant (I would have chosen duck if the choice was prawn cocktail).
We had a few cocktails too, happy hour is good value, but worth asking what the drinks are are the descriptions are artistically named and not helpful.
Written 28 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flyer43829161325
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • family
On August 26th, I went for lunch at Local Bistro, and the experience left much to be desired. The lunch option was roasted chicken with nduja tomato sauce and feta cheese. While the dish looked good on the surface, it quickly became apparent that the chicken was raw on the inside. This isn’t just a matter of taste, but a serious safety risk that I wouldn’t expect from a place like this.
When I pointed this out to the server, their reaction was dismissive and unpleasant. Instead of apologizing or offering a solution, I got the impression that the issue wasn’t taken seriously. Such an attitude towards customer feedback is absolutely unprofessional.
Unfortunately, this lunch was my last visit to Local Bistro. The restaurant needs to take food safety and customer service much more seriously if it wants to remain competitive.
Written 26 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Onni Onnellinen
Helsinki17 contributions
Mar 2025 • friends
I have visited this restaurant view times over the years and come always to same conluction that the food tastes quite blank and doesn't have wow factor. This time I ate risotto and fish. Both under cooked, the best part of the dish was brussel sporuts. Prices for dishes are quite high so value that customer gets ain't that good.
Desserts were much better and recommendable.
Written 20 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JReijo
3 contributions
Jun 2021 • couples
We had high hopes for this place, as it had good reviews everywhere. Thankfully they also delivered with nice, personally dry cured meats as appetizer, perfectly seared beef and crispy skinned trout as main dishes. I would definitely visit again if ever in Joensuu again.
Written 15 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sami H
Kuopio2 contributions
Jun 2021 • friends
Food = 4,5 / 5
Nice athmos. Good local and seasonal list. Nice menus. Textures, platings and flavours were pretty close to 5/5, setback was the service. Friendly staff but WAY too slow. Fairly simple orders but it took 3 hours until we were done. Not good at all. Pls fix this and You have jewel in Your hands.
Written 15 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marghe_gr
Rome300 contributions
Jun 2022 • friends
Went to Joensuu for a conference. Tbh, I've had a couple of rough dining experiences before landing at the local bistro. Had a main course (salad with salmon) and dessert, both excellent. Definitely recommended for those who wish to have an understanding as of how Finnish cousine's main ingredients can be combined in a more refined fashion. Medium pricey for local standards.
Written 4 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julius K
Imatra6 contributions
Oct 2023 • solo
Visited as solo in October 2023. The place surpriced me positively with excellent food and kind service. Had a modern version from a meat soup as a starter and that was best meal for a long time. Had duck as a main course. Very tasty. Well deserves 5 stars indeed.
Written 15 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crosstrip4
Jarvenpaa48 contributions
Jul 2020 • couples
Definitely the best restaurant in Joensuu. Good location on the market square and a cozy little restaurant with terrace. The portions were visually beautiful and the food was good, so a good harmonious dinner with the wines. Nice and helpful staff.
Written 9 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveldog666
Frankfurt22 contributions
Oct 2021 • friends
Its a very nice and pleasant restaurant. Service is attentive and discreet, with a good timing when to serve the next course. Food is extraordinary with an excellent price-performance-relationship. Its a japanese-finnish crossover style somehow.
The celery variation tasted fantastic, a big WOW. We had a great evening there, so thanks again to the whole team at Local Bistro.
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
juhanaipatti5
Joensuu36 contributions
Jul 2020 • couples
Menu seemed to be a little bit limited but there was really fantastic dishes. Bistro menu totally perfect, local menu perfect. The service is the Best. Friendly, professional and they create good feeling. Recommended highly.
Written 17 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kummiseta
Vantaa93 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We spend full weekend in Joensuu and visited few restaurangs. Local Bistro one was the best. Their menu are not too long but all needed were there. Prices are fair to the quality and taste os food and service was great. When I'm next time in Joensuu you will find me from Local Bistro at the dinner time.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saku
197 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Basic Finnish lunch. Fast service for lunch because of the lunch buffet. The salad bar could have been better. The lunch menu can be found on the internet. Located near the market square.
Written 10 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
henk v
Breda107 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Had diner with a colleague last february, really enjoyed the food. Modern scandinavian cuisine with great combinations. Liquor ice, use of buck wheat, excellent pork belly.
Would recommend if you are in the area
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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