Food and drink in Helsinki

The following restaurants have been awarded stars in the Guide Rouge restaurant guide.

Chez Dominique. Intimate restaurant with memorable culinary experiences. Ludvigsgatan 3-5, +358 (0)9-612 7393.

George. This restaurant has lots of ambience and one star. Kalevagatan 17. +358 (0)9 647 662.

The HelsinkiMenu sign on the door of a restaurant shows that the dishes are made from high-class Finnish raw materials, carefully chosen for the season.

Arthur. Large, comfortable restaurant with glittering chandeliers. Bergsgatan 19. +358 (0)9-173 441.

Baker’s. One of Helsinki’s oldest restaurants, opposite Stockmanns Varuhus. Mannerheimvägen 12. +358 (0)9 612 6330.

Elite. Popular artists’ restaurant with lots of art on the walls. Södra Hesperiagatan 2. +358 (0)9 434 220.

Havis. Great fish from lakes and the sea. Södra Kajen 16. +358 (0)9 6869 5660.

Lasipalatsi. Homely fare and gastronomy in functional 30s style. Mannerheimvägen 22-24. +358 (0)9 612 6700.
Lehtovaara. Finnish and international. Glass-enclosed open-air restaurant. Mechelingatan 39. 09 440 833.

Lyon. French atmosphere opposite the Opera. Mannerheimvägen 56. +358 (0)9 408 131.

Meritorppa. Everything from delicious fish to big steaks. Fiskartorpsvägen 1. +358 (0)9 458 11.

Nokka. High-class raw materials in an elegant setting. Kanalkajen 7 F.

Sundmans Krog. Sea delicacies next to Salutorget. Södra Kajen 16. +358 (0)9-622 64 10.

Taidehallin Klubi. “Konsthallen” has a bar/restaurant with 20s retro style and art exhibitions. Ainogatan 3. +358 (0)9 4366 0320.

Torni. Trendy dishes made from traditional Finnish raw materials. Kalevagatan 7. +358 (0)9 43 360.

Loiste. Supper on the tenth floor overlooking Helsinki. Brunnsgatan 3 a. Kaivokatu 3 a.

Palace Gourmet. Exclusive gastronomy with views over the harbour and the islands. Södra Kajen 10.

Enjoy wonderful food and views over Helsinki’s rooftops at Loiste.

Blinis, borscht and bear are among the dishes served by the city’s Russian restaurants.

Bellevue. The city’s oldest Russian restaurant. Beautiful rooms. Myntgatan 3.
Saslik. Dinner in the style of the Russian czar era. Jungfrustigen 12.

Saslik offers live Russian music every evening.

Restaurang Zetor. At the “Restaurant for happy tractor drivers”, guests eat and drink around old tractors. Mannerheimvägen 3-5.

Kafe Moskova. The film brothers Kaurismäki’s restaurant with faint strip lighting, a “prehistoric” giant stereo of the make Rigonda Bolshoi, and Spartan decoration.

Eriksgatan 11.

A lovely summer tradition is to take a boat out to one of the nearest islands for lunch or dinner. The island restaurants are generally open May- September.

Blekholmen: NJK.
Flisholmen: Restaurang Saari.
Klippan: Klippan Palace.
Långören: Särkänlinna.
Skifferholmen: HSS.
Ugnsholmen: Restaurang Uunisaari.

This is not as bad as it sounds. An “örfil” is one of the most popular buns at Finnish cafés. It is similar to a cinnamon bun and is just one of many classics. Helsinki is a city with a widespread café culture.

On Alexandersgatan, there is Café Engel. On Bulevarden Café Ekberg awaits. Norra Esplanaden has Café Strindberg and Café Esplanad. For a real classic, there is the Finnish chocolatier Fazers Café on Glogatan. At Brunnsparken, Café Ursula is open until midnight in the summer. The best address and views are those of Cafe Carusel at Havsstranden 10.