We visited for Christmas Eve dinner, 11 family members. Our reservations had been made well over a…read moremonth in advance, yet when we arrived our table was not ready. The fixed price menu consisted of an appetizer table, a choice of an entree and a dessert table. The waitstaff was slow and obviously either inexperienced in this establishment or extremely overworked. As this dinner was by reservation only, I'm thinking a combination of the two. The wine list was limited and I was asked to go to the bar to see what they had to offer. Not much at all, so the plan to enjoy wine with our dinner was reduced to individual by-the-glass instead of by the bottle. The appetizer table consisted of smoked fish, herring and kinkku (Finnish ham) along with assorted salads, boiled potatoes and some other dishes including pate'. I found the ham to be tasteless and with the exception of the smoked fish, the remaining dishes to be uninspired and either reheated or replated. Other than the entrees, I did not get the impression the appetizers were prepared on site. For the most part, they were not impressive considering the time of the year and the occasion. Also, there were no traditional Finnish Christmas dishes. The entrees (I had the fish) was good but overwhelmed by the plate. The fish was tasty and others in my party did not complain about their dishes (beef and fish) but I did not hear anything complimentary. (Maybe a Finnish thing?) The dessert table was a complete disappointment and was almost picked over by the time I got there. The table was not replenished by the staff and I was embarrassed that our guests had cookies for dessert! The cheese platter was not maintained and we had to ask for dishes as there were none. We arrived for our 4pm reservations timely and left by 6pm. I have heard wonderful things about this establishment and that was one of the reasons for my family to make a change this year for our Christmas dinner from a country house establishment to Samppalinna. However, I must say that we were very disappointed in the service, presentation and the dishes. I felt like this estabishment opened specifically for this dinner and was unprepared. They did not use their best efforts to make the Christmas dinner special and enjoyable and certainly the food was not as good as it could have been. A hurried, uninspired effort. At 38 euros per person, this establishment needs to examine itself. I fear that Samppalinna either had a bad day or is riding on its reputation from days, long gone by. Live and learn.

Place to go in Turku…read more Excellent food- great ambiance. Beautiful cafe with great food, coffee & desert. I went there for dinner & it was so good that we went back the next day.

I ordered a ham panini and after i wated for 30min they bring me the wrong one and are rude about…read moreit 1/5 never again...