The restaurant and bar scene in Helsinki is thriving. There are hundreds of restaurants in the city serving everything from traditional Finnish food to modern international cuisine. Here are listed some of the most interesting restaurants:
Muru
Muru. Three passionate young owners and a charming, chatty team have created a vibrant, welcoming spot. It's cosy and rustic with a contemporary edge, displaying quirky wine-themed lighting and a bar made from old wine boxes. Cooking is refined yet gutsy; there are two sittings for dinner and booking is a must.
Juuri. Authentic flavours, passion, wild herbs, crazy ideas, love for artisan produce and the skill to make incredibly tasty food. This is what Juuri is made of. Their recipe is simple: they do things right in the kitchen, respect the raw materials, want to exceed customer expectations. The result is food rooted in enjoyment.
Hernesaari Beach. Cargo container restaurants and cafés, a huge terrace and small concerts. Hernesaari Beach is filled with lovely street food eats. The area has potential to become the favourite spot for the locals to spend their summer nights and weekends enjoying beach and sun combined with wining and eating.
Ragu is a rather new and delicate restaurant with clear ambitions for a Michelin star. The decoration is bright, comfy and gives you a feeling of being a guest at a private party. Experienced a very pleasant and friendly staff - fluent in English. You can choose between an a la carte, a set menu and a surprise set menu - The dishes are delicious with an exciting combination of taste and colors.
Gaijin. A real food experience. Gaijin is a mixture of different Northern Asian cuisines. Their chefs are extremely good and the mixture they have going on works really well. Waiters and waitresses are also attentive and really helpful.
Although not a budget restaurant, the price–quality ratio is one of the highest you can get in Helsinki area. Try one of their menus for the whole table!
Restaurant Kuu, or "the Moon" in english, was founded in 1966. Since the beginning the atmosphere has been described as a continental bistro. Located on the quiet corner of Töölönkatu and Kivelänkatu opposite a calm green park, Restaurant Kuu is a place easily reached from the city center.
Pompier is conveniently located along the Esplanade in central Helsinki, a stone throw away from the flagship stores of Finnish design heavyweights Marrimekko and Iittala.
Saslik, the most legendary Russian restaurant in Finland, has cherished the food tradition and the atmosphere of the Czarist era since 1972. In 40 years Saslik has grown from a restaurant to a landmark. Among both Finns and foreign guests, the restaurant is one of the best-known restaurants in Finland and a sight in itself. Uniquely decorated milieu together with Czarist hospitality and food culture offer unforgettable experiences for all senses.
Grotesk, smart, buzzy restaurant behind an impressive 19 century facade, comprising a fashionable cocktail bar; a wine bar serving interesting small plates and a chic dining room decorated in black, white and red, which specialises in steaks.
Demo. Everything you put in your mouth in this small and informal restaurant tastes fabulous, no doubt about that. The tables are close together and its an intimate dining room, but it has life. A feeling of an exceptional dinner party, convivial, sophisticated, friendly and warm.
Restaurant Pastis a ”little piece of France in the heart of Helsinki city”. The idea is to offer French classic delicacies, which are simply hand made, fresh and tasty. Most important details are hand-picked, high quality ingredients from Finnish producers as well as from international producers. A great wine list, which offers a wide range of wines from different prices and areas.
Lappi. Food, interior, ambience and friendly service are the major things that make the Lappi Restaurant a "must" place to visit when you are in Helsinki. Pure and most of all fresh Finnish ingredients in all dishes give you a true experience to Lappish cuisine.
Sandro. For those that want a go at Helsinki’s more alternative scene we would highly recommend a visit to the hipster end of Helsinki – (Kallio) and hit up a Middle Eastern joint – Sandro! One look at the place and you know you want to come back again. The Moroccan style menu fusion is mouth-watering with ingredients sounding super fresh and authentic rich.
Karl Johan serves traditional Finnish food and well known classics with a personal touch. Their vorschmack, slowly braised pork chuck, sweetbread and other local Finnish delicacies have found them many loyal friends over the 28 years.
Maxill. The kitchen, runned by Chef Tommi Simpanen, cooks authentic and honest food. The kitchen draws inspiration mainly from France, Italy and Scandinavia. Lunch is served between 11.30 and 16 pm. The à la carte changes four times a year according to the seasons. They also serve a dish of the day. Maxill is also a safe choice for later dinner: kitchen takes orders up to 11 pm on weekdays, and till midnight on weekends.
Restaurant Purpur is a cosy Georgian restaurant in the centre of Helsinki. Welcome to experience an adventure in Georgian cuisine and enjoy warm atmosphere. Purpur is located within easy walking distance from the Helsinki railway station.
Kosmos. Designed by Alvar Aalto, and with a bohemian history, this place is a Helsinki classic. It combines a very traditionally Finnish atmosphere with tasty not-very-modern dishes, including reindeer, sweetbreads, kidneys and succulent fish options. Service can be no-nonsense but comes from the days when waiting tables was a career.