Best summer cafés and wonderful restaurants

On holiday, it’s great to discover the local food and drink culture.

RESTAURANT KAARLO SOCIAL in Lahti is a relaxed meeting place and a paradise for vegetarian diners with its amazing brunches. Kaarlo's specialty is Afternoon Tea, served from Tuesday to Saturday.

In Sysmä, the ILOLA INN café-restaurant and its large terrace with an infinity pool on the shore of Lake Päijänne are open every day in summer. www.ilolainn.fi www.bistrokokka.fi, www.bistropopot.fi

BISTRO POPOT offers food pleasures in a relaxed atmosphere with good wines. Authentic ingredients and local produce are at the forefront. KOKKA BISTRO & BAR is a relaxed food and social restaurant in the Lahti harbor, serving shared dishes and artisan pizzas.

RANSKALAINEN KYLÄKAUPPA is an atmospheric village shop and café, a delicatessen and a clothes shop. The café specialises in French pies and fondue. www.ranskalainenkauppa.fi

HARJUPAVILJONKI in Heinola is located within a walking distance from the market square. In the idyllic café, you can enjoy freshly baked sweet and savoury waffles. www.harjupaviljonki.fi

Relaxed RANTAMESTA is located at the Vuolenkoski guest marina. Stop by for coffee, ice cream or pizza. www.rantamesta.fi

The SILTASAARI CAFÉ building in Heinola was built in the 1920s. The savoury and sweet snacks are always fresh and made from the best ingredients. www.heinolansiltasaari.fi

LEHMONKÄRKI'S SUMMER CAFÉ invites you to enjoy the stunning views for longer. The café offers homemade savory and sweet pastries and lunch. You can get to the summer café by bike, car, or waterway. www.lehmonkarki.fi

RESTAURANT TAIVAANRANTA in Lahti serves authentic and honest food from local ingredients with a hint of Teerenpeli Brewery & Distillery's spirit. www.taivaanranta.com

CAFÉ LINTAN KAMMARI in Sysmä is located in an old 100-year-old house, offering savory and sweet delicacies. In the summer, you can also enjoy coffee in the garden under the shade of lime trees. www. lintankammari.fi

At the old village school in Iitti, RESTAURANT REHTORI serves pizzas baked with a 36-hour risen dough in an Italian wood-fired oven. www.pizzeriarehtori.com

WINE&CAFE JOKIRANTA is an idyllic winery and café by the Vääksy Canal. From the terrace of the hundred-year-old villa, you can admire the clear River Vääksynjoki and enjoy good food and drink.

Wine&cafe jokiranta ■

Soile Yli-Mäyry Art Castle