Nili Restaurant menu overview in Rovaniemi Finland
Located in the heart of Rovaniemi, Nili Restaurant offers an immersive journey into authentic Lappish cuisine, showcasing the rich flavors and traditions of Lapland and Finland. This warm, family-owned eatery is famed for its use of unique local ingredients, including game meats and fresh Arctic seafood, all served in a cozy atmosphere adorned with traditional wooden decor.
Starters
Begin your meal with an enticing selection of starters that bring the essence of Lapland to your palate. Nili’s porcini kuksa features fragrant porcini mushrooms from Kainuu paired with creamy sour cream and rustic herb rye, while the Riverman’s salmon soup highlights fresh Arctic Ocean salmon enriched with potatoes and chive dill oil.
- Lapland’s potato pancake: A delicate pancake topped with whitefish roe mousse, juniper-cured Arctic salmon, pearl onions, and pickled cucumber.
- Tasty reindeer rillette: A flavorful reindeer rillette accompanied by lingonberry, mushroom mayonnaise, pickled button milk-cap mushrooms, and crispy root chips.
- Rovaniemi market: An assortment of delicacies sourced directly from Lapland’s bountiful wilderness.
- Keskitalo’s sip: A soothing willow grouse broth served with rye bread, perfect for warming up on chilly days.
- Bear kuksa: Tender bear meat slowly braised in a rich stock, offering a rare taste of Finnish wild game.
- King of the forest: A luxurious starter featuring braised bear rillette, reindeer groat sausage, creamy spruce shoot sauce, lingonberry mustard, and porcini mushroom potato cake.
- Willow grouse from Enontekiö: Pan-fried breast and tender braised leg, served with deep-fried Lapland’s puikula potatoes and Väinö’s porcini mushroom sauce.
Mains
For the main course, Nili excels in presenting traditional Lappish flavors with a modern touch. Highlights include the Autumn harvest, a comforting porcini mushroom risotto enriched with Koskenlaskija cheese, crispy kale, and tender root vegetables. Seafood lovers will savor the Breeze from the Arctic Ocean featuring alder-smoked Arctic salmon paired with herb-roasted Puikula potatoes and delicate crab foam.
- Arctic pike perch: Sage butter fried pike perch fillet served with butter mashed puikula potatoes, caramelized fennel, and nettle white wine sauce.
- Traditional sautéed reindeer: Classic sautéed reindeer accompanied by butter mashed puikula potatoes, pickled cucumber, and homemade lingonberry jam.
- Kangasniemi’s hearty beef steak: Succulent beef steak served with horseradish-potato gratin, roasted root vegetables glazed with forest honey, and spruce shoot sauce infused with Jaloviina brandy.
- Reindeer roundup: Grilled topside roast of reindeer paired with reindeer groat sausage, bacon potato terrine, and dark thyme sauce.
Desserts
End your culinary journey on a sweet note with Nili’s traditional desserts, crafted from local Lappish ingredients. The Chocolate and cherry dessert presents a warm chocolate fondant with cherry sorbet, white chocolate mousse, and spruce shoot caramel with nuts, while the Sea buckthorn crème brûlée combines winter apple compote and biscuit crumbs for a refreshing twist.
- Dream of Nili: Traditional Lapland squeaky cheese served with sweet cloudberries.
- Arctic coffee: A warming blend of coffee, Jaloviina brandy, cloudberry liqueur, and whipped cream to finish your meal delightfully.
Drinks and specials
Nili Restaurant also boasts a curated selection of beverages including local beers, fine wines, and expertly crafted cocktails that perfectly complement the rich flavors of their dishes. While the menu celebrates traditional Lapland fare, special offerings such as the chef’s surprise menu provide guests a unique, multi-course experience that highlights seasonal and exclusive ingredients from the region.
A visit to Nili is truly a gourmet adventure into the heart of Finnish Lapland, offering an unforgettable taste of local heritage and hospitality.
