Restaurant Nili

Restaurant Nili

Someone from this business manages this listing.
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+358 40 0369669+ Add website
Hours
Tue
16:00 - 23:00
Wed
16:00 - 23:00
Thu
16:00 - 23:00
Fri
16:00 - 23:00
Sat
14:00 - 23:00
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS
Food
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Value
3.6 of 5 bubbles
Atmosphere
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
€23.00 – €55.00
CUISINES
European, Scandinavian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
meals, features
About
Mouth-watering Lapland Step into our restaurant in heart of Rovaniemi and let the unique atmosphere take you to the jourmey of fells and wilderness. Be delighted by the flavours of Lapland prepared from fresh Arctic ingredients. Warmly welcome!
PRICE RANGE
€23.00 – €55.00
CUISINES
European, Scandinavian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,704 reviews
Excellent
842
Very good
579
Average
174
Poor
67
Terrible
42

Maisha R
116 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 couples
Nili was recommended to us so on our second night in Rovaniemi, we made a reservation and took the short stroll to the restaurant from our hotel. The restaurant is relatively small, with a main dining room and a smaller dining space near the kitchen. The menu looked good and I wanted to try some of their tried and true favorites, such as the reindeer. The amuse bouche was a smoked Finnish fish mousse for me and a reindeer drink shot (yep). We think it was the au jus that the reindeer was cooked in. For our entrees, we ordered reindeer two ways (overnight braised reindeer loin and grilled reindeer sirloin roast) and beef steak. We split their chocolate cake with crowberry sorbet. So this was my first time - but not by last time - in Finland trying reindeer. The two preparations offered different cuts of meat and they reminded me of veal and goat meat. The meats including the reindeer and beef steak were really good but the potato needed some seasoning. We really enjoyed the sorbet. Crowberry reminded us of blueberry and the sorbet was thankfully very light to accompany the dense chocolate cake. We enjoyed our lappish dinner in an environment filled with animal hides, reindeer antler chandeliers, and servers in traditional clothing. The prices were a little high compared to the nearby restaurants but it was a great find to introduce us to the area. I
Written 12 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.

Newyorklondonparis
England83 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 none
The title says everything. If you’re in Rovaniemi and you want to know where to go for some seriously good food then this is the place. Our snow mobile guide recommended the place and he was quite right to do so... The Chef knows his or her trade and cooks with passion and an obvious desire to please The fish (both the salmon and the arctic cod were cooked to perfection) The cost seemed average for this area at 90 euros for two courses tea coffee (not including tip and without alcohol). Don’t miss this one.....
Written 7 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.

Erin_ATX
Austin71 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 none
We were interested in having traditional food of the area. We had not made a reservation, but they got us in for a later hour in the same evening. We went to a nearby bar for a beer while we waited. Our server, Sarah, was very friendly and super helpful with recommendations for food that was the most traditional and representative of the area. She made suggestions for each course of the meal as we asked. The food was good and not quite like anything I'd had before. We started with a mushroom soup which was tasty. We got a bear dish and a reindeer dish. Both were served with root vegetables. We also had a squeaky cheese dessert and a cloudberry one too. More than anything, we enjoyed having the opportunity to sample the local cuisine in a comfortable environment with helpful, friendly staff.
Written 22 January 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.

MDP
London16 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 none
We were recommended this restaurant by our hotel, and boy, they were wrong to do so! The service was super slow (took us nearly 30 minutes to get tap water and some wine). The food was super heavy and very-samey to what you can get elsewhere in Finland for much, much cheaper. We had the salmon soup, porcini soup, cauliflower steak main, and the chocolate cake with cloudberry jam. To top it all off, the bathrooms were so bad that you could see out of the stalls because they didn't close properly! On the whole, this was not a positive experience, and we had far better food, for cheaper, elsewhere.
Written 24 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.

Young
Espoo1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 couples
What could have been a great experience was soured by several hidden charges, including one for tap water. Nili proudly claims they serve tap instead of bottled water for economic purposes; but they ironically fail to inform their ‘dear guests’ that they’ll be charged for tap water. They also offered several other beverages (e.g., sparkling water, glöggi) with such nonchalance that implies no additional charge. This happened both before and after the meal. Usually, in Finland, a server would direct their guests to the drink menu before offering to bring a certain drink. It’s an unpleasant surprise, therefore, to be billed in such a furtive manner that is very unconventional by Finnish standards. What a stark contrast to the Finnish transparency I have come to know and love over the years! All of this is unfortunate because Nili does offer an interesting menu with local specialties like sautéed reindeer and bear stew, and the food is quite tasty, albeit rather heavy and rich. The restaurant also has a uniquely Lappish interior and ambience. In short, my experience at Nili would have been great if not for the furtive tactics and surprise bills for the likes of tap water.
Written 14 December 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.

Steven R
Greater London56 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 none
This restaurant is extremely popular so you must book. The interior of the restaurant is very unique, wood, skins, teeth and antlers. We have the four course menu at €68 not cheap but worth every €. The food was wonderfully cooked and presented exquisitely a picture on a plate, your we’re enjoying it even before you had tasted. They do on occasions have bear on the menu, but it sells out very quickly. Drinks prices are normal for the region, but acceptable. Do try you will not be disappointed
Written 15 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.

rgnanook
Myrtle Beach37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 none
My wife & 7 yr old traveled to Rovaniemi to see Santa & The Aurora Borealis. When we travel we try to seek out the best of local cuisine. My search led me to Nili. Online booking was a breeze and when we arrived delayed at RVN, I phoned the restaurant to advise of our tardiness, they quickly accommodated my request to change the reservation. Upon arrival we were warmly greeted and seated and our server came quickly to get our drink orders and explain the menu. Drinks-Good wine at a reasonable price and fresh juice for my daughter. Food- Fantastic! We shared the smoked whitefish appetizer, mushroom soup and bear stew for starters. Whitefish was the clear winner, delicate and mildly smoked with delicious little dill blini and fresh creme. The soup was a close second, silky and rich with the woody/earthy goodness of the wild mushrooms. The bear stew was hearty but a but salty and overly oily. Next was the mains, the wife and daughter both had salmon (they served a half portion for the child.) This, easily, is the best salmon I have had yet. Moist and succulent with a light smokiness and the root veg accompaniment was comforting and delicious. I had the reindeer 2 ways, my first time with reindeer. It was quite beefy, but a more robust mouthfeel. Wholly satisfying. For dessert we shared the squeaky cheese. Fun, light and fresh. If you are looking for a comforting delicious meal served in a friendly and vibrant atmosphere, Nili is the place.
Written 19 January 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.

Tutku
Giessen8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019 friends
I had a good friend who invited me to the Nili restaurant for an excellent dinner. We had three different dishes, I cannot even say which one was the best, because they were all great. We had a special berry juice to drink, which has become my favorite juice ever. The atmosphere is very authentical, the tables, the decoration made us feel "really in Lapland", the music was so special that I even asked where can I find that kind of music and asked the name of the CD. Okay, it is an expensive restaurant, but without the dinner in Nili my visit of Rovaniemi wouldn't be complete, so it was worth it.
Written 16 June 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.

GingerCat101
Dundalk133 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 none
Really lovely atmosphere; it looked cosy and welcoming which we really enjoyed. The food was delicious and the drinks menu very interesting (sparkling cloudberry wine and blueberry cider were our favourites). The complimentary rye bread basket and amuse buche of something intensely mushroomy were much enjoyed. We were there for my 40th birthday and the meal really made it feel like a special occasion.
Written 1 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.

Craig and Chars
Brisbane31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 couples
We went to this restaurant on Christmas Day and availed ourselves of the 3 course set Christmas menu. The food was terrific, really tasty and authentically Finnish. Because it was Christmas Day and we wanted something special, we didn’t mind paying the price but could be seen as exorbitant at any other time.
Written 9 January 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.

lorelife22
Madrid55 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 couples
The decoration of the place is very well thought and typical Lappish. Also the staff was very helpful and nice (and super quick at serving!) Don’t get me wrong, the quality of the food was very good but the portions were extremely small for the prices of each plate. We got the opportunity to try some local and more unique specialities but we were underwhelmed by the portions (even for dessert)
Written 1 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.

Hugo M
London17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 none
The reason I booked Nili was to try for the first time Bear steak for dinner. This is considered a delicacy in Finland and they have a special number of Bears that can be hunted for food, unfortunately for me, they had only just ran out so no bear steak for me. I had the famous two way reindeer dish and it was delicious. The place is traditional and the food is inspired in the Finnish culture. They play Sámi folklore music and the vibe is awesome. The highlight of the evening, however, was the kind and friendly waiter, a Vietnamese student called Anne. Anne made us feel at home and her insights of the menu were crucial for us as we ordered the two way reindeer and the grilled salmon which, by her suggestion, were delicious. The fish soup from the catch of the day was also really nice. If you come around Rovaniemi, be sure to have a nice time at Nili, especially if Anne is serving you.
Written 29 January 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.

Fahad A. Al-Thenayyan
Riyadh336 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 couples
We booked the restaurant through our hotel but on arrival we discovered there was no book.. the waitress did her best to accommodate us although the restaurant seemed busy.. We had the creamy salmon soup and mushroom soup with a green salad to share.. they were all pretty good, the mushroom soup was especially interesting.. For mains we ordered the pan fried salmon and the beef steak, the salmon was cooked pretty well (pan friend) with some veggies and king crab sauce.. the beef was a bit chewy but okay and the veggies and gravy were amazing.. The desert was a chocolate cake with raspberry icecream.. we enjoyed that as well.. The restaurant interior was somewhat cramped but it was cozy and warm so we didn’t mind too much.. It was a very nice meal and we enjoyed our time.. Enjoy! Best regards,, Fahad A.
Written 20 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.

Gilad Even
Madrid4 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 friends
The food is the best part, we all took different stuff - reindeer roundup, salmon, steak beef and the bear Good news that the reindeer was kinda good, steak was great, salmon ok+ and the bear was horrible(15 euros for a small “cup” of something you called a soup and leftovers), we return it after one taste and didn’t order anything.( mostly because all the food took so much time to arrive) But still in the bill they charged us cause this was the “head waiter” said, we argued and they removed it. Service was horrible, didn’t come to our table for long time, food took too much time, and the price was awfully high
Written 28 March 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.

Dilxat P
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020 friends
My friends were visiting me from Southern Finland and I decided to bring them to Nili restaurant since I live in Rovaniemi and restaurant have a great reputation on its delicious food and service. We ordered the surprise menu and it was a great choice! Two starters and two main dish with a desert made the whole experience memorable. It's kind of place that I would go to have a special moment.
Written 15 September 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.
PooloHuttunen
Dear Dilxat, Thank you very much for your nice review and your effort. We are happy you all enjoyed. Hope we meet soon again, it was a pleasure to serv you. Wishing you very best autumn from Lapland :) Br, Poolo Huttunen & Nili team
Written 17 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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RESTAURANT NILI, Rovaniemi - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

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