If you're planning a trip to Rovaniemi, you've probably come across the Arctic SnowHotel's famous Ice Restaurant. Dining inside a restaurant carved entirely from snow and ice certainly looks unforgettable, but with prices starting from €124 per adult, including entry to the Arctic SnowHotel, is it actually worth the money?
We visited during my daughter's 14th birthday weekend in Lapland, choosing the full visiting package, which included return transfers, entry to the Arctic SnowHotel, a three-course dinner and plenty of free time to explore the entire attraction.
We'd actually stayed overnight at the Arctic SnowHotel on a previous trip, so this time we returned purely to experience the Ice Restaurant and everything else included in the evening package. In this guide, I'll explain exactly what was included, what the food was like and whether I think it's worth adding to your Lapland itinerary.
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⭐ Our rating: 5/5
💰 Price: From €124 per adult and €72 per child (includes Arctic SnowHotel entry and a three-course dinner). Visiting packages with return transfers are also available.
⏱️ Allow: Around 4.5 hours
📍 Location: Arctic SnowHotel, Sinettä (around 30 minutes from Rovaniemi)
🍽️ Best for: Couples, teenagers, birthdays, special occasions and anyone looking for a unique Arctic dining experience
❄️ Includes: Arctic SnowHotel entry, a three-course dinner in the Ice Restaurant, free time to explore the SnowHotel, Ice Chapel, Ice Bar and surrounding grounds
🚌 Top tip: You can't visit the Ice Restaurant on its own. It's located inside the Arctic SnowHotel, so every dinner booking includes SnowHotel admission. If you're staying in Rovaniemi without a car, the visiting package with return transfers makes the whole evening incredibly easy.
✅ Would we do it again? Absolutely. It was so unique.
💸 Top tip: Book through GetYourGuide and use our exclusive code BUILDABREAK5 in the app to save 5% on eligible bookings.
Yes, absolutely, but perhaps not for the reason you might expect.
At first glance, €124 per adult can seem like a lot for dinner. However, it's important to remember that you're not simply paying for a meal. Every booking also includes entry to the Arctic SnowHotel, giving you time to explore one of Lapland's most unique attractions before or after you eat.
We chose the visiting package with return transfers, which turned it into a complete evening out rather than just a restaurant reservation. We explored the incredible snow and ice sculptures, visited the Ice Bar, wandered through the Ice Chapel, met the resident reindeer, borrowed sledges to play in the snow, warmed up in the cosy kota and even caught a glimpse of the Northern Lights before heading home.
By the end of the evening, dinner almost felt like just one part of the experience.
That's why I think the Ice Restaurant offers much better value than the price first suggests.
When you look at everything that's included, it feels much more like paying for an unforgettable Arctic experience than simply a three-course meal.
For us, it was one of the highlights of my daughter's birthday weekend in Lapland, and it's an experience we'd happily book again.
Every Ice Restaurant booking also includes admission to the Arctic SnowHotel, allowing you to explore the attraction before or after your meal.
We booked the visiting package with return transfers from Rovaniemi, which made the whole experience incredibly easy. After arriving at the Arctic SnowHotel, we had plenty of free time to explore before sitting down for dinner.
Our package included:
• Return transfers from Rovaniemi
• Entrance to the Arctic SnowHotel
• Free time to explore the entire attraction
• Access to the Ice Chapel
• Access to the Ice Bar
• Hundreds of beautifully carved snow and ice sculptures
• Time to visit the resident reindeer
• Free use of the sledges on the snowy hill
• Access to the warming kota with an open fire
• A three-course dinner inside the Ice Restaurant
We loved that there was no pressure to rush. It felt much more like spending an evening at an attraction than simply arriving for a restaurant reservation, and we had plenty of time to enjoy everything before catching the transfer back to Rovaniemi.
We booked the Ice Restaurant as part of my daughter's 14th birthday weekend in Lapland. We'd already stayed overnight at the Arctic SnowHotel on a previous trip, so this time we wanted to experience it from a completely different perspective without spending the night.
We chose the visiting package with return transfers, which made the whole evening incredibly straightforward. After being collected from Rovaniemi, we arrived at the Arctic SnowHotel just before sunset and checked in before beginning to explore the attraction.
Although we'd visited before, it was fascinating to see how different everything looked. The hotel is rebuilt entirely from snow and ice every winter, so the sculptures, themed rooms and displays are never exactly the same, which made returning just as enjoyable as our first visit.
We spent ages wandering through the beautifully carved corridors, admiring the artwork and taking photos before dinner.
There was plenty to keep us occupied outside too. We visited the resident reindeer, borrowed the free sledges and had great fun racing down the snowy hill before warming up beside the fire in the traditional kota with a hot drink. We also stopped for a drink in the Ice Bar, where even the glasses are carved from ice.
One of the most memorable moments came while we were exploring the hotel grounds, when the Northern Lights made a surprise appearance overhead. It was completely unexpected and made an already special evening feel even more magical.
By the time we headed into the Ice Restaurant for dinner, it felt as though we'd already enjoyed a full evening out. Rather than being the main event, the meal became the perfect finale to an experience that we'd been enjoying for several hours.
I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting the food to be quite as good as it was. With so much emphasis on the unique setting, I'd half expected the meal to feel like an afterthought, but it was actually one of the better meals we had during our trips to Lapland.
Dinner began with a creamy parsnip soup, followed by a choice of roast elk, Arctic salmon, chicken breast or a vegan falafel dish. Although my daughter had an adult ticket, she's quite a fussy eater, and the staff were more than happy for her to swap to the children's Pasta Bolognese instead. It was a small gesture, but one we really appreciated.
One thing we did notice was that, because you're dining in a restaurant made entirely from snow and ice, the food cools down surprisingly quickly. We found ourselves eating a little faster than we normally would to enjoy everything while it was still piping hot. The portions weren't huge, but they were perfectly adequate for a three-course meal, and we certainly didn't leave feeling hungry.
The entire dining experience lasted around an hour for all three courses, which was actually quicker than we'd expected.
Rather than feeling rushed, it worked well because we'd already spent several hours exploring the Arctic SnowHotel before dinner, and there was still time to enjoy the atmosphere afterwards before our transfer back to Rovaniemi.
The dessert was a lovely finishing touch too, served on a plate made entirely from ice. It's a simple detail, but one that perfectly summed up the whole experience.
❄️ Wrap up warm
The Ice Restaurant stays below freezing, so keep your coat, hat and gloves on while you eat. Although you're indoors, it really doesn't feel much warmer than being outside.
🍽️ Eat while your food is hot
One thing that surprised us was how quickly the food cooled down. We found ourselves eating a little faster than we normally would so we could enjoy each course while it was still hot.
🧥 You don't need to worry about overdressing
You'll spend much of the evening exploring the Arctic SnowHotel and the outdoor grounds, so you'll already be wearing your full winter clothing. There's no need to change for dinner unless you particularly want to.
🕒 Allow the full evening
Although dinner itself lasts around an hour, the whole experience takes approximately 4.5 hours. We spent several hours exploring the SnowHotel, Ice Bar, Ice Chapel and grounds before sitting down to eat, which made the evening feel much better value than simply arriving for a meal.
🚌 The transfer package is worth considering
If you're staying in Rovaniemi without a car, I'd seriously consider booking the visiting package with return transfers. It made the whole evening completely stress-free and meant we could simply relax and enjoy the experience without worrying about taxis or driving in winter conditions.
📸 Charge your phone before you go
You'll probably end up taking far more photos than you expect. Between the SnowHotel, ice sculptures, Ice Bar, reindeer and restaurant itself, there are photo opportunities around almost every corner.
📅 Book in advance
The Ice Restaurant is only open during the winter season and has limited dinner sittings each evening. If you're travelling during December or the school holidays, I'd recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
🎂 Great for birthdays and special occasions
If you're celebrating something special, don't be put off if someone in your group is a fussy eater. The staff were happy to let my daughter choose the children's Pasta Bolognese instead of an adult main course, despite her having an adult ticket, which we really appreciated.
I think the Ice Restaurant is best suited to people looking for a memorable experience rather than simply somewhere to eat. If you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion, it's the kind of place you'll still be talking about long after your trip to Lapland.
We booked it as part of my daughter's 14th birthday weekend, and it felt like the perfect choice. It was a little more grown up than some of the traditional Lapland activities, while still being unique enough to make the occasion feel really special.
I'd also recommend it for couples, groups of friends and families with older children or teenagers who are happy to try something a little different. The combination of exploring the Arctic SnowHotel, enjoying the Ice Bar and sitting down to dinner inside a restaurant carved entirely from snow and ice makes for a fantastic evening.
That said, if you're travelling with very young children or particularly fussy eaters, you may get less value from the experience.
The restaurant itself is below freezing, the meal is relatively quick, and much of the appeal comes from the atmosphere rather than the food alone.
If you're looking for a traditional fine dining experience, this probably isn't it. But if you want one of the most unique dining experiences in Lapland, I think it's absolutely worth considering.
If you're looking for more ideas beyond Santa and reindeer rides, take a look at my Best Things to Do in Lapland with Teens guide. It includes all of our favourite experiences, from ice karting and snowmobiling to huskies, saunas and adrenaline-filled winter activities that teenagers will genuinely enjoy.
One thing worth mentioning is that you don't have to visit the Ice Restaurant for dinner. During the winter season, a lunch package is also available, offering a more affordable way to experience dining inside the Arctic SnowHotel.
Lunch costs from €59 per adult, including SnowHotel entry, and includes a bowl of soup, fresh bread and dessert. Dinner, on the other hand, costs from €124 per adult including SnowHotel entry and is a full three-course meal.
If you're travelling on a tighter budget or simply want to experience the restaurant itself, I think lunch is a great option. You'll still get to enjoy the unique surroundings and have time to explore the Arctic SnowHotel afterwards.
For us though, I'd choose dinner every time.
Visiting after dark completely changes the atmosphere. The SnowHotel is beautifully illuminated, the Ice Bar feels even more magical, and the whole evening feels much more like a special occasion than simply stopping for lunch during a day of sightseeing.
Because we booked the visiting package with transfers, it also became a completely stress-free evening out. We didn't need to think about transport or rushing back to Rovaniemi, we could simply enjoy everything the Arctic SnowHotel had to offer before heading home.
If you're looking for somewhere to have dinner, there are certainly cheaper places to eat in Rovaniemi. But if you're looking for one of the most unique dining experiences in Lapland, where the meal is just one part of a much bigger Arctic adventure, I think it's well worth considering.
For us, it was one of the highlights of my daughter's 14th birthday weekend. The evening combined incredible snow and ice sculptures, the Ice Bar, reindeer, sledging, a cosy kota, a three-course meal and even a surprise display of the Northern Lights. It felt far more like an experience than simply going out for dinner.
We've now visited the Arctic SnowHotel twice, once as overnight guests and once for the Ice Restaurant visiting package, and I genuinely think both offer something completely different. If staying overnight isn't within your budget, dining at the Ice Restaurant is a fantastic way to experience the Arctic SnowHotel without missing out on its magical atmosphere.
I'd happily book it again, and if you're looking to make one evening of your Lapland trip feel truly unforgettable, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
If you're planning a winter break to Rovaniemi, the Ice Restaurant is just one of the incredible experiences we fitted into our weekend. We also visited Santa Claus Village, tried ice karting, explored Snowman World, and relaxed at Lapland Winter Park's Sauna World.
We've also spent the night at the Arctic SnowHotel, sleeping in a room made entirely from snow and ice. Read my Arctic SnowHotel Review to see what it was really like, whether we stayed warm and if I think it's worth booking an overnight stay.
To see exactly how we fitted everything into just two days, take a look at our 2-Day Rovaniemi Itinerary, where I've included timings, costs and all the practical tips we learnt along the way to help you plan your own DIY Lapland adventure.
Whenever I spot great-value DIY Lapland flights and accommodation from UK airports, I share them with members of the Build a Break Travel Club. If you'd like to experience Lapland without paying package holiday prices, it's a great place to start.
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