Kårkaféerna wins procurement and opens new restaurant

Kårkaféerna is opening a new restaurant in the heart of Åbo Akademi University’s campus in Åbo.

We are proud to announce that in January 2026, Kårkaféerna will open a new restaurant next to Åbo Akademi University’s new building, Astra, on the campus in Åbo.

Kårkaféerna is delighted to have won this procurement. What makes it even more special is that the new restaurant, Kårkafé Astra, will be located in the same building where Kårkafé Gado operated for almost 50 years.

A meeting place with good food, joy and sustainability 

Kårkaféerna looks forward to moving into new, beautiful premises and hopes that Kårkafé Astra will become a natural meeting place for students, staff, and other visitors. Kårkafé Astra will be run with the same commitment to good food, joy, and sustainability that characterises Kårkaféerna’s operations. Much will feel familiar: a diverse lunch selection, home-baked treats, and snacks for everyday breaks. Kårkaféerna will also introduce new concepts at Astra.

– We received three competitive bids, and Kårkaféerna had the best overall offer based on the criteria we had set. Kårkaféerna presented an exciting concept, and I believe the students will be very pleased, says Mats Ekebom, Head of Procurement at Åbo Akademi University.

– I see this win as clear proof of Kårkaféerna’s commitment, professionalism, and passion for food and service. As a growing company with high customer satisfaction in both lunch and catering services, we are ready to take the next step and help create a lively and welcoming environment at Astra, says Susanna Häyry, CEO of The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University and Kårkaféerna.

Astra is being built in the Stjärnan block

Astra is a new university building located in the Stjärnan block in Åbo. It will bring together teaching, research, and support services under one roof and serve as a new hub for Åbo Akademi University’s activities in Åbo. The name “Astra,” Latin for “star,” was chosen through a public naming competition and reflects both the site’s history and its future ambitions. The building is scheduled to be completed in autumn 2025, and Kårkafé Astra will open its doors in January 2026.