Martta café Joensuu

Worl-famous Karelain pies

Martta Café is a summer gem of Joensuu Market Square – a traditional café especially known for its coffee and freshly made Karelian pies, served with or without egg butter. In May 2023, we opened a new and stunning Martta café and Pie Workshop. The building’s architecture draws attention with its exterior walls made of charred recycled wood – worth a visit for that alone!

At Martta café, you’ll be served by a cheerful team of young people, and on offer are Karelian pies baked at the Pie Workshop, along with other savory and sweet homemade pastries from our own bakery. Martta café has been part of Joensuu’s summer market square since 1974 and remains one of its main attractions.

At Martta café, we always strive for sustainability in our operations. Our coffee comes from the local Unison Coffee roastery and is UTZ-certified. The refreshments are produced by the Finnish company Olvi, and we do not use disposable tableware.

Pie Workshop

Opposite the Martta café, at the Pie Workshop, the Karelian pies sold in the café are baked almost daily during the summer. They are made through volunteer effort, with bakers coming from various member associations of the North Karelia Marttas from across the region. In the mornings, you can watch the pie-making process from behind glass windows.

The Pie Workshop has been operating at Joensuu Market Square since 1992. The production and sale of Karelian pies support the professional home economics advisory work of the North Karelia Marttas Association.

In the summer, we organize pie-making classes where participants learn how to make traditional Karelian pies. Children and adults are welcome! In summer 2026, we will hold open pie-making classes between June 24 and July 31, on wednesdays and fridays from 1–2 pm. Read more about the pie-making classes this link.

Karelian Wednesdays every wednesday, featuring a generous selection of traditional Karelian delicacies such as sultsina, lanttusupikkaita, mahallaan makkoojia and barley flatbread

Martta Tip Of The Week – Instagram live-streams

monday 14.9. at 14 pm Autumn mushroom harvest

monday 12.10. at 14 pm Clothing care for families with children

monday 9.11. at 14 pm Christmas party snacks

monday 14.12 at 14 pm Christmas decorations