Entertainment and shopping in Lilla Torget - its own little world

from Åland Travel Magazine 2023 ENG

Getting to Åland

ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPING

Lilla Torget - its own little world

A tiny little block in the middle of Mariehamn is surrounded by two restaurants with bars and outdoor terraces, a cosy café, two pizzerias, a kebab stand and a nightclub. It is cramped and cluttered, but oh so nice. There’s something for everyone here.

Located at Nygatan/Strandgatan, the block surrounding Lilla Torget dates back to 1865 and, considering that Mariehamn was not founded until 1861, this is impressively old. In the 1870s, shipowner and merchant Victor Starck commissioned the construction of a residential building, storehouse and bakehouse on the plot.

Today, Starck’s stone storehouse is the city’s oldest remaining stone structure, which is now home to Indigo, the biggest draw on the block. Indigo has dubbed itself “your other living room”. Truer words have never been spoken. With its bar on the upper floor and outdoor dining in the summer, the restaurant is a natural gathering place for Ålanders and visitors alike. Here you’re sure to find something tempting, from a delicious lunch to a late night mingle.

THE OLD KINOTEATERN CINEMA from 1920 is located just next door to Indigo. Once upon a time, it was an entertainment mecca for film, theatre and cabaret. Today, it is a seasonal nightclub with a year-round pizzeria. You can easily access it through Indigo. Or, head over to the The Calypso Bar at the south end of the stone building for a festive atmosphere, fine cocktails and amazing music. Every bit as relaxed, but considerably more rock-heavy is Dino’s, which is just catty corner from the others. Dino’s serves

delicious food, while the bar and outdoor terrace offer billiards, music, a glint in the eye and a general edge of oomph. On occasion, Dino’s hosts singer-songwriters and other live music - in the summer, artists perform on the outdoor stage.

Much quieter, but equally worth a visit is the cosy Bagarstugan Café. Tucked away behind the blue door of the red wooden house are flowery cups, crocheted doilies and all manner of cakes, each tastier than the next. Don’t forget to explore the secret little passage to the outdoor terrace, where you’ll almost need to bend down to slip under the rose trellis. Bagarstugan is just as popular for lunch as for a coffee and pastry. And, if you want to try the classic Åland pancake, we wholeheartedly recommend trying it here!

But, that isn’t the end of the culinary journey here in Lilla Torget. Fast food connoisseurs also sing the praises of Kotipizza and Draken Kebab.

THE REST OF MARIEHAMN awaits outside this lively little quarter. Grab a bench on the pedestrian street Torggatan and admire the lovely plantings, with everything from the spring magnolias to the rich autumn colours of the leaves, or take a stroll among the small shops to find that something special. Whether or not you’re a fan of handicrafts, clothes, second-hand, jewellery or books, there’s no shortage of things to choose from in the city centre.

Or, you can visit a museum, go for a swim at the beach on Lilla Holmen or eat at one of the city’s many restaurants, such as Compagniet, which is perfect for just hanging out. Surrounded by draperies and Oriental rugs, you and your gang can eat well, savour some exciting gin drinks and play a round of shuffleboard, boule and billiards. Who’ll win?

A FEW CITY GEMS

THE CALYPSO BAR - Ambitious cocktail menu. COMPAGNIET - Gin bar, shuffleboard, billiards and boule. BRASSERIE ÅNGBÅTSBRYGGAN - Grill and shellfish platter. BOQUERIAN - Tapas and cava. DINOS BAR & GRILL - Local tavern and rock bar. INDIGO RESTAURANT & BAR - Fun dining and pub hangout. RESTAURANG NAUTICAL - Fine dining with a view of the Pommern. KINO NIGHTCLUB - DANCING AND DRINKS. ARKEN GARDEN and ARKEN NIGHTCLUB - CLASSIC DANCEFLOOR. PARK BAR - Singer-songwriters and live bands all year round. ÅSS PAVILJONGEN - The best sunsets in the city. CLUB MARIN - Outdoor dining at the guest harbour. F.P. VON KNORRING - Restaurant boat with pub.

RESTAURANTS NOT TO BE MISSED

ENJOY SEAFOOD BY THE PIER

Brasserie Ångbåtsbryggan has a great location in Mariehamn. Just a stone’s throw from the town square, yet at the pier with a nice sea view over the bay and marina in the Eastern Harbour. The restaurant offers a special atmosphere because the walls and the ceiling are made of glass, which gives an illusion of being outdoors when indoors. In late summer and autumn evenings there is extra magic in the air when the natural daylight is shifting into a starry sky. The open kitchen is the heart of the restaurant. You can see the chefs working next to a big stone oven made of local recycled red bricks. Östra Hamnen • brasseriet.ax

ÅNGBÅTSBRYGGAN

FOOD IN THE TOWN CENTRE

Mariehamn attracts visitors with good food and entertainment. Take a food walk and discover four restaurants with atmosphere, style and variety – everything from great lunches, seafood and à la carte dishes to stone oven baked pizzas. In between you can play adventure golf.

ÅNGBÅTSBRYGGAN

BOQUERIAN

BOQUERIAN DIABLO

LUNCH • TAPAS • WINEBAR

Boquerian is an oasis with a Mediterranean touch. Here you can relax, eat in peace and quiet while enjoying the moment. On the patio and in the restaurant you and your friends can order different kinds of small dishes, such as tapas, cheese and cold cuts, and stay long in good company. You are welcome to enjoy a traditional mix of cold and hot dishes and share them with your friends. If you want to enjoy the tapas at home, you can visit our cheese and cold cuts counter and select delicacies to take away. Sittkoff Galleria • Torggatan 13 • boquerian.ax

SITTKOFFSKA GÅRDEN DIABLO

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Sittkoffska Gården is a popular meeting point in the middle of Mariehamn. Cosiness, vintage, local raw produce and sustainability are the key words for the restaurant. Take an extra look at the imaginary décor, such as the recycled windows, old pieces of furniture, lush green plants and the gigantic felted elk head. Here you can enjoy genuine homely meals of local raw produce and high quality. Visit also the Farm Store, filled with Åland artisan food products that you can buy home. Sittkoff Galleria • Torggatan 13 • sittkoffska.ax

STONE OVEN BAKED PIZZAS WITH FRESH INGREDIENTS

Pizzeria Diablo is located on Nygatan, in the heart of Mariehamn’s entertainment centre. Diablo serves delicious stone oven baked pizzas with a local twist and of fresh raw produce. Enjoy your pizza in the cosy pizzeria or take away. The opening hours are generous, especially during the weekend when pizzas are baked until 5 o’clock in the morning. Nygatan 3 • diablo.ax

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CHALLENGE YOUR FAMILY ON ADVENTURE GOLF

Ångbåtsbryggan Adventure Golf is next to Brasseriet in the Eastern Harbour. Here you can have a lunch, coffee or something good to drink before or after a round on the 18-hole mini golf course with fun obstacles. The sunny and spacious outdoor patio has a nice view of several golf holes. The course suits everyone, young and old alike. Östra Hamnen • bryggan.ax