Restaurants in Finland
-
A
Wanha Vanilja
True to its name, this homelike cafe, a treasure-trove of timeworn furniture, is bursting with the aroma of vanilla, which they add to the coffee. A range of plump homemade cakes and pastries make the perfect accompaniment; sundaes, quiches and a lunchtime salad bar are also on offer.
reviewed
-
B
Katri Antell
An Oulu institution, this cafe takes the venerability award; the first Katri was founded in 1880. The elegant chairs and hook-shaped couch make comfortable seats to enjoy a munkki (doughnut) and coffee, though all you can usually see from the terrace is a forest of bikes.
reviewed
-
Ravintola Astoria
Set in a former girls’ school, this restaurant is a stylish affair with a Hungarian influence. Expect a menu with plenty of paprika and garlic in goulashes and hefty steaks. Hungarian wines complement the food and chilled slivovitz (plum brandy) makes a strong finisher.
reviewed
-
C
Nokka
Look out for the giant ship’s propeller out the front of this distinctively Finnish place. Dishes use local cheeses and game, blended with berry wines to create Suomi sensations. Once a warehouse, the brickwork is warmed by rustic design and its wine cellar remains a highlight.
reviewed
-
La Braza
This hip little spot is on the other side of the river, and has a decor that recovers a raw brick cellar to marvellous effect. The menu is wide ranging, from a hearty borscht to escargot in a Roquefort sauce, before bringing it home with grilled Arctic char with goat’s cheese.
reviewed
-
Pirate
Plenty of other sea dogs know this is the spot to weigh anchor if you’re after straight-up grub. Below decks on the ground level there’s a restaurant that runs to burgers, pizzas and pastas, while up top there’s a lively bar that plays the odd sea shanty (or other live music).
reviewed
-
D
Nautical
Above the maritime museum, this classy spot has great views over the western harbour and the Pommern. The décor is, unsurprisingly, nautical (ahem); the food is classy, with small, elaborate portions of such fare as medallions of venison, as well as fine seafood.
reviewed
-
E
Strøget
A small bright spot at the quay, this place specialises in spectacular Danish open sandwiches, huge things brimming with tasty fresh ingredients, as well as burgers and American-style tuna and club sandwiches. Outdoor seating lets you watch the marketplace and boating action.
reviewed
-
F
Demo
A favourite with Helsinki’s chefs, this fashionable spot does modern European food such as artichoke ravioli or roasted goose breast for a surprisingly good price. The location means it attracts bright young things who delight in their liquorice ice cream or rhubarb sorbets.
reviewed
-
ÅSS Paviljong
The positioning could not be better for this yachty favourite. The kitchen serves up a great seafood pappardelle or white fish carpaccio, but the lunch buffet is a good sampler for the budget conscious. Oh, and they’ve heard all the jokes about the name so leave them behind.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
G
Soppakeittiö
On the ground floor of the intriguing Hakaniemi market building north of the centre, this little soup kitchen is a great place to warm the cockles in winter. The delicious, generously portioned soups come with a bread and cheese spread; the bouillabaisse (€7) is a favourite.
reviewed
-
H
Indigo
This slick spot mixes a warm interior of historic raw brickwork and a hip courtyard for summer. The menu is contemporary with some innovative takes on fish, such as grilled swordfish on roast sweet potato, though there’s a bar menu of burgers and desserts for lighter meals.
reviewed
-
I
Faros
This boat restaurant is moored in Kalaranta Harbour south of the bridge and makes for an atmospheric bite, especially its salmon soup with a dollop of mousse. They also do great steak and reindeer tournedos. Don’t miss the bathrooms with portholes (making them ‘portaloos’).
reviewed
-
Jonathan
With a maritime-themed dining room upstairs, and a terrace and bar, this restaurant (named after the seagull) is a good choice. There are small but tasty tapas portions, snails in delicious garlic butter, and great salmon and roast chicken mains. The service is good here.
reviewed
-
Kahvila Liisa
In a pretty yellow wooden building, this café has a little outdoor terrace where you can enjoy tasty karjalanpiirakka (rice-filled savoury pastry) and excellent quiche. In the same building is a shop, Tuulentupa, selling attractive handicrafts and souvenirs.
reviewed
-
Kalakeidas
This aquatic-oriented restaurant does a great fish soup and other temptations like pike fillet with blue cheese. There are various shared fish platters that should be ordered the day before. All the fish is locally caught, and they can take you out on fishing trips too.
reviewed
-
J
Pos3
Locals know to skip the mains (French, fusion and lunch menu that includes matched wines) and head straight for the desserts. The sumptuous dining room invites lingering coffee over sweet treats like the tarte tatin or an ever-changing roster of stunning cakes.
reviewed
-
K
Kaffehuset August
This wonderfully central spot attracts an older crowd with Swedish pastries and sandwiches for lunch then more substantial dinners such as plank-grilled salmon on a bed of horseradish and mussels. It’s ideal if you like your coffee served with a side of people-watching.
reviewed
-
Long Gong
In an arcade across the road from the tourist office, this is a reliable Chinese restaurant with welcoming management. As well as the traditional choices, which are tasty enough, there are also a few fried reindeer dishes, which work well with a bottle of Tsingtao beer.
reviewed
-
Timbaali
Slow food doesn’t get any slower than snails and they’re best slurped up on a sunny day in the courtyard of this Porvoo legend. Try the escargots with duck-liver butter for a real treat, though they do nongastropod dishes including a reindeer pizza or wild boar fillet.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Sininen Juna Aschan Café
With a name meaning ‘blue train’, you’d expect to be able to sit in a converted carriage in the middle of the market, right? But this coffee institution is currently run by the Turku bakery chain, which supplies delicious buns and cakes, so it’s a tasty destination.
reviewed
-
Café Alma
This fabulous place on the waterfront has a bright atrium dining area at the front and a sizeable terrace. Dominating the interior is a sizeable scale model of the ship Alma. There's a fine buffet lunch; the filled rolls and other snacks are also delicious.
reviewed
-
L
Ristorante Pizz-Burger
Despite the name (get it?), this restaurant actually serves quite a bit more than just pizza and the like. There are also decent portions of trout or steak available, as well as pasta and salad. There's a filling lunchtime buffet, booth seating and a small terrace.
reviewed
-
M
Sushi Mai
Zen minimalist signage makes this place tough to spot (look for the gnarled tree bough as a door handle) down a side alley, but it’s worth seeking out for the sushi, yakitori and ‘world food’ including olives and tortilla. Benches out front are brilliant in summer.
reviewed
-
Taivaanranta
This place was closed for holidays when we visited, but our Lahti underworld informers rate it as one of the city’s most interesting eating choices. A short but hearty menu includes a sausage pan with beer- and whisky-flavoured bangers, and wild mushroom risotto.
reviewed