A delicious, tempting aroma of pizza drifts out onto Turku’s Linnankatu! The legendary Ristorante Pizzeria Dennis has been serving Italian food in Turku since 1975.
In 2008, the Rafkin family sold the entire business, but in 2022 the company that had purchased the restaurants and bakery was declared bankrupt. The Rafkin family acted quickly and founded Dennis Original Oy, and in May 2023 the Turku restaurant reopened its doors to the delight of pizza lovers in the familiar “Dennis” building. Over the years, Dennis has operated in Turku, Helsinki and Tampere.
“We’ve brought back the classic dishes, the checkered tablecloths, the garlic on the walls and the good service. That’s what Dennis is all about,” says CEO Kim Rafkin.
According to Rafkin, the foundation of the restaurant is its skilled and motivated staff. “We try to take good care of our employees, and we believe that this is something customers can feel as well.” The restaurant also places great importance on using the best possible ingredients, which are essential for creating their delicious dishes.
Rafkin has a message for local decision-makers: he is concerned about the fading vitality of the city centre. In his view, getting into Turku’s centre is becoming increasingly difficult:
“Construction sites, disappearing parking spaces and the overall shortage of parking are major problems for entrepreneurs in the city centre. At the same time, the new bus line and free parking outside the city centre direct people toward large shopping centres. The operating environment is extremely challenging,” he reflects, hoping the city would listen to and inform entrepreneurs more effectively.
Rafkin’s message: “Welcome to Dennis to enjoy good food and say hello. You’ll find me here almost every day — and we can chat more then…”