The best restaurants Helsinki

This two-storey bar is the perfect place to start the evening. As Belgium obliges, beers from the flat country circulate happily between an album by Tintin, one of the books in the library and the customers leaning over the counter. Good atmosphere with groove evenings. Once you have settled down at one of the tables, all you have to do is order your mussels and chips with your choice of traditional sauces such as marinières or more daring choices such as bouillabaisse. A large selection of both sweet and savoury waffles is available. Good value for money

Stylish décor for chic young dynamic frames. Mediterranean flavours blend perfectly with Finnish traditions.

Delicious fresh fish dishes in a magnificent Art Nouveau style hotel opened in 1903 and widely renovated since then. Provide at least € 30 for an entry and a dish.

Excellent cuisine dedicated only to fish, seafood and crustaceans. Two atmospheres: a rather trend with open work plan, the other traditional side side with its naturally maritime frescoes. Open summer terrace. Lunch menu at 43 €, dinner at 69 €. À la carte fish from 24 €.

To take advantage of the Gulf of Finland, view and sun, if you are lucky, go to Kauppatori (the market) and picnic on the port or steps of the place of the Senate nearby. Sale of smoked salmon and other Baltic delicacies. Beware of the huge gulls, they are greedy… On the esplanade, Finnish snacks and guaranteed atmosphere.

The charm of a Nepalese restaurant, from the decor to the plates. Offering a subtly spicy cuisine that gently awakens the palate, this good little address is mostly frequented by locals, proof of a deservedly effective word-of-mouth. On the menu, vegetarian, chicken, meat or fish dishes with rice, sweet sauces and a delicious naan. All this, with several choices of spice levels to suit everyone. The portions are absolutely gigantic and the service is charming.

Weeruksa has been there since 1984 and is a good little address that will please everyone. Between large salads, pizzas and other hearty plates of homemade burgers or meatballs, there's plenty to choose from. With vegetarian, gluten-free or lactose-free options. Smiling and efficient service and very good value for money. The restaurant room, in the style of American-style dinners, is pleasant, has a children's play corner and the pub is in its extension with a selection of Finnish beers

People come to this restaurant above all to experience a real Finnish meal - brasserie atmosphere, sometimes noisy, guaranteed! -in this place that still retains a part of nostalgia from his birth in 1934. The seahorse, emblem of the house, is of all the decorations. On the plates are traditional dishes from southern Finland, including Baltic herring plate, vorschmack and kateenkorvaa (sweetbreads). It even seems that Pablo Neruda, Jean-Paul Sartre and Dizzie Gillepsie once rubbed shoulders with him, so...

We fell in love with this high quality address. In a bohemian and intimate setting, the simple but original cuisine combines European recipes (Russian pelmeni with chanterelles in beetroot broth, French-style artichokes, black pudding with apples, mussels...) with perfectly selected natural and organic wines. The service is competent and pleasant. Don't skip the bread and butter, they're to die for. This discreet and unobtrusive sign is ideal for taking your new conquest along as well as for dinner with friends.

Chalupa has brought Mexico to Helsinki. This colorful cantina, which is part of a small local chain, serves tacos and burritos that are (almost) as good as in Los Angeles, but with a Nordic twist - a faint scent of cinnamon seems to waft over the fillings... Special mention must go to the carnitas tacos, very melt-in-your-mouth! Or the chicken and avocado quesadillas! A good option for an inexpensive lunch or dinner before going out for beers in one of the many trendy bars in the area. Bonus: good service and a great atmosphere.

Vinkkeli, which opened in 2016, is so successful that you will not be able to have lunch or dinner there without booking your table. In a setting of modern and refined elegance, a clientele of business people and chic retirees come to taste this exquisite Finnish-inspired cuisine. The creamy soup with smoked celery is a success, the roast beef is tender and perfectly matched with a chickpea ratatouille with oriental flavours. The Finno-French-inspired desserts are also impeccable and the service is of the highest standard, as it should be.

It is a charming neighbourhood pizzeria with a cosy and trendy atmosphere that you will find here. Between the walls painted in different colours and on the comfortable benches, you can enjoy excellent pizzas with fine and crispy dough. Vegetarians, vegans and those with a gluten-free diet will also find their happiness, some pizzas are dedicated to them. On the spot, it is rather a local and bohemian clientele with a trendy music. You can also just come and have a drink, to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in the evening.

Richard McCormick is one of the chefs who make up Helsinki's contemporary gastronomic scene. While the hype surrounding The Cock's reputation always attracts a packed crowd, on the plate, the results often live up to expectations, with products that are fresh and combinations that are sometimes original. The service is charming, which helps us forget the ambient hubbub. You can also simply sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail! Warning: this is a divisive address, which you can love as much as hate.

I've fallen head over heels for this gourmet restaurant, which offers two tasting menus (one normal and one vegetarian) at a single price. The ambiance is intimate and the kitchen is visible from the dining room, allowing you to observe the silent and concentrated ballet of chefs Toni Kostian and Lauri Kähkönen... Each dish is a surprise and a unique sensory experience for your taste buds. The menus are concocted using organic, wild and Scandinavian seasonal produce. A real tribute to creativity, to nature and to you, our guests!

An underground establishment that has become fashionable in a short space of time. The atmosphere here is hipster. From the graffiti-covered entrance to the wood-panelled interior. Belly-hugging dishes, generous portions and friendly service. Note that the meat is Finnish. A fine selection of beers. For the record, as far as the name is concerned, Kustaa Vaasa, in French "Gustave ^I Vasa", was Regent of Sweden from 1521 to 1523, before becoming King of Sweden in the same year, until his death in 1560.

Ideally located between Piazza del Mercato and Piazza del Senatore, Via Tribunali offers quality pizzas at a relatively reasonable price for such a location. With the "Neapolitan Pizza" label, you can be sure of a good meal, with no unpleasant surprises. On the menu are classics such as the Margherita or the Marinara, as well as spicier ones like the Diavola (with its spicy ndjuja). It's also possible to order gluten-free pasta (for an additional charge). In short, a place where you can simply enjoy a good pizza!

Just before the bridge leading to the Suomenlinna Museum, there's a path leading to the yacht harbour. Directly opposite is the wonderful Valimo café, a haven of peace where you can feel at home: a large room with a log fire, sofas for children and friendly service. Depending on the season, the menu includes chanterelle pasta, fish, cakes and live music. It's easy to see why local families flock here as much as visiting tourists!

Along an illuminated passageway, as if at the foot of a tower, lies an intimate, almost minimalist address that's hard to believe is a restaurant. And yet, what a wonderful address this Nokka restaurant is, where products come in ultra-short circuits and dishes come very close to haute gastronomy! Menus change regularly, but every dish delivers on the promise of freshness and delicacy, whether it's reindeer, fish, sunflower seeds or crab stew. In short, a marvel!

On the site of the former Teurastamo slaughterhouse, now a lively place teeming with activities (brasserie, coffee roaster, open stage...), you'll find this Mexican restaurant where people flock for lunch! In a pleasant setting with a large terrace, smiling, efficient service and typical Mexican dishes: tacos, enchiladas and tamales, with a Finnish twist. A big bonus to the relaxed atmosphere is that starters, desserts and coffee are included in the price. An address to keep on your side for a good time!

The Hakaniemi market hall, in the heart of the Kallio district, is THE place to go for fresh, high-quality produce (meat, fish, fruit and vegetables), Finnish specialties, a cup of coffee or, if you feel like it, a gift from a local craftsman (upstairs). So, without hurrying or stressing, take your time to explore the aisles of this authentic, local indoor market, which makes you want to taste and buy everything!

Baskeri et Basso is the story of two friends, Nicolas and Kalle, who decided to create a slightly authentic, rather intimate place, half wine bar and half bistro, with fresh food, a frequently updated menu and dishes that give pride of place to taste(s). The result of all this is on the plate and all around you: beautiful compositions where lamb greets beet and fennel, carpaccio arrives with a homemade mayonnaise and desserts make you want to be caught in a farandole. We like it (a lot)!

Are you looking for vegan cuisine fused with Asian recipes? If so, head straight for Loving Hut! We're proudly vegan, and it shows right down to the plate. The culinary delights on offer (eat-in, takeaway or delivery) include fried rice, recipes in which tofu reigns supreme, Pho, eggplant, as well as beautiful curries guaranteed to be multi-colored (thanks to the presence of vegetables). Special mention for the Pad Thaï, as generous as it is delicious!

In Helsinki, street food reigns supreme, bringing together cuisines from every country and continent. Even from as far away as the Middle East! Here at Levant, you'll find tried-and-tested classics: six different types of falafel, 5 mezzés, two shawarmas (and even halloumi burgers!). The service is efficient and smiling, and the dishes very well prepared and spicy: the journey is as much in the smell as in the taste. In short, an address that "gets the job done" close to the center.

L'appartement n° 14 is the story of two friends, Johanna and Karin, who decided in 2019 to open an accommodation that would be, for all guests, a second home, a place where you come to have a good time and feel good! It's a bright, comfortable space where you come to eat and drink, with a menu of 3, 5 or 7 different dishes to choose from. Depending on your mood, you can order salmon mousse, fennel salami, red fruit jam, kale or scrambled eggs. A very, very pleasant address!

A little out of the center of town (but very accessible, like all of Helsinki), Kiku86 seems to have become the reference address in the capital for those who simply love sushi! There are no unpleasant surprises here: everything is made with the freshest fish, and the ritual know-how is reflected in the plate. The menu offers beautiful makis and bowls that are a little less traditional, but just as nourishing.

Intimate, friendly atmosphere for this popular restaurant in central Helsinki. The bar made of old wine crates and the cellar accessed by a ladder give a rustic touch to this contemporary restaurant. The idea is to offer fresh seasonal produce, in French-inspired recipes with a Scandinavian twist. The menu changes regularly. A team of enthusiasts will welcome you and advise you with refined cuisine and a fine cellar, one of the best in the city. Reservations required.

Refined cuisine and excellent value for money in a modern and warm atmosphere have made this restaurant a popular address for locals. The team is very smiling and will know how to advise you. Defining itself as a little piece of France in the heart of Helsinki, the Pastis offers French specialties cooked with fresh seasonal produce and Finnish sauce that will awaken your palate. Reservation recommended in the evening. Possibility of brunch on Saturday morning with a special menu. Nice wine list.

The second restaurant of the famous Tomi Björck's team, the Finnish Cyril Lignac. Here, North Asian cuisine is celebrated, a mix of dishes inspired by Japan, Korea and North China, with a contemporary twist. Same spirit and same price as Farang, for a delicious journey of the senses. The lunch menu changes weekly and is regularly updated on their website. There is also a tasting menu strongly and deliciously inspired by Japanese cuisine. A little expensive, but delicious. Nice wine list.

Fancy a hot soup, full of flavour, accompanied by homemade bread? Heading towards Qulma, this small café, located right next to the Senate Square, is made for you. Renowned for serving the best soups in the city, it offers a lunch formula with an all-you-can-eat buffet of three soups of the day. For those who don't like soup, Qulma also offers a gourmet buffet of potatoes, salads and sandwiches. A good plan for a quick lunch, to go out on a full stomach and face the cold.

Simple, tasty cuisine that honors Finland's culinary heritage through dishes executed without false notes: that's the promise of a meal at Lehtovaara. Whether it's lunch, with salmon, perch and duck in sauce, or dinner, with the gourmet menu (and venison tartare to die for), you're guaranteed to have a great time, rounded off by tempting desserts such as the parfait with caramel sauce or the crème brûlée with red fruits!

It all began with two friends who decided to set up their own restaurant in 2003, before proving themselves time and again and being awarded their first Michelin star in 2007. A refined, intimate setting, ideal for dinner for two. Incredible wine list, with a large number of references and years, although the bottles are relatively expensive. The cuisine, like the wines, is French-inspired. The menu can be combined with wines, for around 90 or 100 euros. But when you like it...

Not to be confused with Kuu. If you want to find a simple and authentic cuisine like you would find in a Finnish grandmother's home, KuuKuu is the place for you. It is essential to try the perfectly prepared meatballs that are famous throughout Helsinki. Accompanied by an exquisite purée, they make an excellent meal for a small fee. You can also come here to enjoy a drink at the bar side and KuuKuu offers a sunny terrace in summer. It is recommended to book for weekends when the evenings become more lively.

Several levels in the establishment: restaurant (with more restricted hours, usually until 10pm), bar and nightclub open from Wednesday to Saturday. It is one of the must-see places in the Finnish capital and perhaps one of the trendiest places in Helsinki. Adapt your budget accordingly... On the restaurant side, there are a few salads, a few burgers including a vegetarian choice and dishes such as a salmon steak cooked Asian-style and accompanied by noddles. Delicious! The plus: beautiful terrace in summer.

Beautifully decorated, the address offers typical Finnish dishes at lunchtime at cheap prices. A choice of various starters, a selection of pizzas but also more ready-made dishes such as chicken marinated in herbs and its boletus risotto... To digest, why not try the adjoining discotheque? You can come back for dessert, the restaurant is open late at night. Often, theme evenings are organized there. A must-see address in Helsinki with a pleasant terrace during the summer.

In the popular Kallio district, Juttutupa is a simple, original restaurant, more than a hundred years old, with unbeatable prices, where you can also simply enjoy a beer while listening to jazz concerts. The pizzas are huge and excellent. Housed in a tall grey stone building called "Graniittilinna", this restaurant has the distinction of having welcomed the young wolves of the Russian Revolution in exile in Helsinki... Lenin had his table there, which can still be seen today, nicknamed "the table of the revolution"!

Live music on the 3 floors. The best Tex-mex cuisine in Helsinki with, for the room, an amazing décor signed by Sakke Järvenpää, a character of the same trempe and notoriety as the Leningrad Cowboys.

Just after visiting the Place du Sénat, customers flock to this restaurant, which is much more unusual than you might think. In fact, the authentic decor of low vaulted ceilings and rough-hewn wooden tables is a real change of scenery! The waiters, dressed in traditional costumes, are almost like characters straight out of Finnish lakes and cottages. The menu features fish from the lakes and ingredients from the Finnish forest. In summer, the indoor terrace is open to the delight of tourists.

At the foot of the Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, on the quays of the Katajanokka peninsula, Nokka is today a must, one of the best tables in Helsinki. The brick and old warehouse atmosphere combines wonderfully with the quality of the food. On the menu, chanterelles as a starter, beetroot combined with garlic cream and blinis, crab or artichokes in dishes, before discovering reindeer meat or grilled fish... Finish with Finnish cheese or white chocolate cake... Delicious!

Located on the ^8th floor, it's the place to go for fine dining, architecture and a superb view of the city. Alvar Aalto designed the plans in 1937, and the lamps and chairs are original. Mannerheim also had his table here. That's all there is to it... Very classy and impeccable service. The menu includes a crab salad with velouté, or a salad of crudités with winter truffles and cheese... Before indulging in a risotto or one of the excellent meats on offer, always very well accompanied. Everything is perfect.

A Russian restaurant with a good reputation. Behind the heavy bronze door, the decor of several private rooms recreates the atmosphere of the Tsarist era, to the nostalgic sounds of the balalaika. For over 40 years, this Russian restaurant has been Helsinki's best-known, and has managed to preserve its tradition and special atmosphere. Saslik reveals many secrets of Russian history. A restaurant that has stood the test of time and found its place in the local culinary landscape, without suffering from contemporary trends.

A little crush on this old Dutch boat with undeniable charm dating from 1897! Its name is directly inspired by the most famous ghost ship: the Flying Dutchman (recently popularized by the Disney films The Pirate of the Caribbean). On the water and in a calm environment, Flying Dutch provides a real break from the city. Ideal to come and have a drink on the terrace in summer with friends or enjoy their tasty dishes between fish soup, homemade burgers or a refreshing salad. Very friendly team in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Want to eat delicious vegan food in Helsinki without sacrificing quality? If so, head to L'Hippopotame Vert! This local chain (which has three locations in the capital) offers a fine selection of dishes, whether for lunch, breakfast or dinner. Choose from tofu bowls, avocado pasta, an epic kale dish or beet hummus toast. In the evening, you can compose your own customized menu from the à la carte menu.

For those who love Asian food and in particular Thai food, this is one of the best restaurants in town! Lemon Grass is a small Thai restaurant with delicious and cheap dishes. It has a neighborhood restaurant atmosphere, which makes it a very popular place for locals and it's always busy. From the food to the service, everything is perfect and the quality/price ratio is very good. Be careful though, the restaurant is rather small, so think of coming early or making a reservation if you don't want to wait a bit.

Dishes from all over Southeast Asia revisited in a contemporary way by the team of renowned chef Tomi Björck (the equivalent of Finland's Cyril Lignac). The result is delicious for both the eyes and the taste buds. The setting is cosy and simple. The bill is a little steep, but the meal is up to the task! A truly astonishing, spicy and epicurean culinary experience, especially if you try the Dégustation menu, which offers a veritable voyage between sashimi, grilled shrimp and other absolutely marvelous curried squash!

Located near the market square, the old Vanha Kauppahalli market hall, built in 1889, may not catch the eye at first, but you'll be charmed by the warmth of its wooden stalls and the warm welcome of the shopkeepers! Here you'll find the best of Finnish artisanal gastronomy (bear, moose, salmon, bread...), where locals and travelers alike come to stock up. You can also eat in one of the many typical Finnish cafés.

Created by Akseli Herlevi (the first Finnish chef to win the Top Chef cooking show), the Naughty BRGR chain (for Burger, of course) has found its place in the hearts of the public! With quality products, rather sophisticated burgers (with Indian, Cuban and halloumi variations) and an improbable range of fries (five different types: there's even a variant with truffled mayonnaise), the results are more than good, for a price that's not exorbitant in Helsinki. In short: we recommend it!