Kummisetä – Our Story
The Founding of Restaurant Kummisetä
Kummisetä was founded in the year of grace 1989, meaning the restaurant celebrates its 36th anniversary this year.
The restaurant has long been widely recognized as the cradle of Kuopio’s culinary scene and a high-quality dining establishment throughout its existence. It is, therefore, a cherished classic within the entire Finnish restaurant culture.
Historic Building
The building that houses Kummisetä dates back to the 1850s, when the wooden section was originally built as the official residence of the local bridge warden. In 1912, a stone extension was added to the wooden structure, and from 1956 onward, the building served as a home for the visually impaired. The transformation into a restaurant took place in the late 1980s, when brothers Juha and Sami Torvinen boldly repurposed the space — a decision that marked the beginning of a culinary saga that continues to this day.
Kummisetä offers a total of 155 indoor seats: 80 in the main restaurant, 40 in Kummin Baari (Kummi’s Bar), and 35 in Kummin Salonki (Kummi’s Lounge) located upstairs. In all areas of Kummisetä, guests can enjoy dishes crafted by top chefs, sip sparkling drinks, and watch golden taps pour liquid gold into their glasses.
From time to time, guests are treated to live music and other cultural experiences.
Kummin Aitta
Built in 1867 in Selänranta, Karttula, Kummin Aitta originally served as a general store for the Vainikainen family. In the early 1900s, the log structure was dismantled and relocated to the edge of Kuopio’s market square, near the current location of the Aapeli Shopping Centre. There, it stood as a cherished relic of the town’s trading past and was most recently known as the iconic Soininen Watch Shop.
In the early 2000s, during the construction of the shopping centre, the logs were once again moved—this time to the courtyard of Restaurant Kummisetä, where the building was carefully restored. Since 2004, Kummin Aitta has been used as a private venue on the Kummisetä premises.
Kummin Aitta seats up to 70 guests and is one of Kuopio’s most popular spaces for private bookings and events. Available year-round, it is ideal for weddings, family celebrations, corporate meetings, productive and delicious conferences, and other enjoyable business occasions.
Kummin Piha
Kummisetä’s terrace, also known as the legendary inner courtyard, is a beloved living room for locals and visitors alike. The courtyard offers seating for up to 180 guests, with lush greenery adding to the inviting atmosphere. Around 100 of those seats are sheltered from the weather, making the space comfortable even on less sunny days. On a bright summer afternoon, guests can enjoy the terrace sunshine well into the evening hours.