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Picnic and BBQ areas

Korkeasaari Zoo offers several convenient picnic spots and barbecue areas where you can enjoy your own food. For grilling, please bring your own fire starters and lighter – we’ll provide the charcoal! All picnic areas are marked on the zoo map. Please note, that disposable instant grills are not allowed at Korkeasaari Zoo.

Map Zoo etiquette

Bear Castle’s picnic room

The Bear Castle’s picnic room is one of Korkeasaari Zoo’s most popular rest stops, offering a cosy indoor space for enjoying your own snacks. From its large windows, you can look directly into the bear enclosure, and the walls are decorated with temporary exhibitions – making it an especially inviting place for both families and groups.

The picnic room is equipped with a microwave, a tap for drinking water, a recycling station, and toilets. The space is fully accessible, with easy entry for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The Bear Castle also has an accessible toilet.

Amazonia House picnic area

The lobby of the tropical house Amazonia makes a perfect stop during your zoo day. Enjoy your snack under the green wall, while watching the fish swim! The picnic area has a microwave and toilets. The space is fully accessible, and there is also an accessible toilet nearby.

Lean-to shelter and grill

This atmospheric outdoor picnic spot offers a great opportunity to grill and enjoy your own food in the middle of nature. It’s located along a boardwalk, next to the forest reindeer enclosure, and is especially suited for visitors looking for a peaceful, nature-inspired break during their zoo visit.

Please note that the lean-to shelter is closed in May to give the forest reindeer peace during their calving season. The boardwalk leading to the shelter is not maintained in winter.

Grill Huts

There are three traditional Lappish-style huts (kota) at Korkeasaari Zoo, each with a central fireplace where you can warm up your own food: Korpi Hut, Bear Hut and Rock Hut.

Korpi Hut, which seats around 15 people, is located in the zoo’s tranquil area Korpi that showcases Finnish nature. The slightly larger Bear Hut seats about 25 people near the Bear Castle. The Rock Hut near horse enclosure is also similar size.

Charcoal is provided in the huts; you only need to bring your own fire-starting equipment. Please note that the Korpi and Bear Huts are not wheelchair accessible, as the doorways have high thresholds. Rock Hut has a smaller threshold.

You can also rent a hut for private use. However, at least one hut is always open to all zoo visitors: all three are never rented out at the same time.

Lean-to shelter at the Reindeer Rock

This atmospheric outdoor picnic spot offers a great opportunity to grill and enjoy your own food in the middle of nature. It’s located along a boardwalk, next to the forest reindeer enclosure, and is especially suited for visitors looking for a peaceful, nature-inspired break during their zoo visit.

Please note that the lean-to shelter is closed in May to give the forest reindeer peace during their calving season. The boardwalk leading to the shelter is not maintained in winter.

Otter shore’s picnic area

Near the otter enclosure and right on the shore of the Baltic Sea, this area offers a scenic, nature-filled setting for enjoying your food. It has a covered seating area with tables, as well as barbecue facilities – just remember to bring your own fire starters; we’ll provide the charcoal!

There’s also a playground here, so children can have fun while adults grill or relax. Waste sorting points are available, and toilets can be found just around the corner, on the other side of the otter enclosure.

Other barbecue and picnic spots

You’ll also find barbecue facilities and picnic tables on the sandy field next to Restaurant Pukki, and by the shore near the Bear Castle. Along with your food, please remember to bring your own fire starters and lighter – we’ll provide the charcoal!

Zoo's restaurants

There is always at least one restaurant open at the zoo throughout the year.

Korkeasaari Zoo’s restaurants and cafés are designed to offer suitable options for all kinds of visitors – whether you’re here with family, enjoying a leisure day with friends, or spending an outing with a group.

During summer, you’ll also find several kiosks and street food points around the zoo grounds.