Restaurant Aittaranta, located in Penttilänranta in Joensuu, known among friends as Aittis, will open its doors with a fresh atmosphere, look, and food and beverage offerings on Friday, April 10, 2026.

North Karelia Cooperative Society (PKO) opened Restaurant Aittaranta in April 2019. The restaurant responded to the wishes of Penttilä area residents for restaurant offerings, which the area lacked at that time. From the beginning, the restaurant has offered pure flavors and cheerful service in a unique restaurant setting – crowned with a terrace featuring river views.

One of the most concrete changes to the restaurant is the walk-in bar, which will now offer food to accompany drinks or to be easily shared with a group.

"The new bar area brings atmosphere to the restaurant and works wonderfully with the terrace area that was renovated last summer. The number of customer seats remains the same, with 130 seats on the terrace and 110 seats inside," says PKO's Group Manager Erno Pennanen.

"You are welcome to Aittaranta whether in sweatpants, a party dress, or a blazer. We are a food and social restaurant created for togetherness and enjoying local food and drink in good company," Pennanen continues.

New menu items and all-time favorites

The dishes on the new menu are designed to work well together with drinks.

"With this renovation, we're aiming for an even more straightforward service offering for the restaurant – you can come for dinner, enjoy a multi-course menu with selected wines, or spontaneously drop in for a glass and enjoy tasting bites of your choice, such as Parma ham and mozzarella, deep-fried cauliflower florets in sriracha butter, or semi-dried cherry tomatoes with lemony ricotta cheese foam," explains Restaurant Manager Sini Nissinen.

"Our updated classic dishes include grilled chicken breast with roasted goat cheese and salmon soup, as well as a steak dish designed for bigger appetites. Aittis's most beloved dishes, such as Skagen and French Toast, still deserve their place on the menu," Nissinen continues.

"Seasonal dishes are also available according to the time of year, such as fresh asparagus highlighted in the spring season dishes, and we continue to favor domestic and local suppliers' ingredients," Nissinen summarizes.

Early 2026 has been a time of active development for PKO's restaurants.

"In January, the Leiketupa restaurant in the Prisma Joensuu shopping center was renovated with a fresh style, and soon after, Frans & Ellie, known for French cuisine, opened in place of Bistro Heili at Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel. We have been systematically developing the restaurant experiences at our locations, and Aittaranta's renovation also stems from our desire to serve our customers even better," explains Satu Näsärö, Director of Travel and Hospitality Industry.

Restaurant Aittaranta is located in Vallila Square in a three-story protected stone building, next to S-market Penttilänranta. The property offers a view of the Pielisjoki River, and there is also a comfortable meeting space on the lower floor of the building.

The refreshed Aittis opening celebration will be held on Friday, April 10. Welcome!

Restaurant Aittaranta opening hours:
Opening celebration on Friday, April 10, from 2 PM to midnight
Opening hours from April 11:
Mon-Wed 11 AM-9 PM (kitchen until 8:30 PM), Thu 11 AM-10 PM (kitchen until 9:30 PM), Fri 11 AM-midnight (kitchen until 10:30 PM), Sat noon-midnight (kitchen until 10:30 PM), Sun noon-9 PM (kitchen until 8:30 PM).