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Updated September 2023
With its proximity to nature and the sea, Helsinki is a foodie’s paradise.
These 20 best restaurants in Helsinki, Finland range from fine dining to vegetarian cafes. It shows just how much diversity in dining there is in Finland’s capital.
Having been to Helsinki twice now, I’m also surprised by the combination of flavors in their food. From game meats paired with lingonberries to smoked fish and root vegetables, there is a real harmony between Finland’s very own ingredients.
In the city, there are more than enough restaurants to experience on a trip and a few that you’ll want to book in advance.
So whether you’re in for the day on a cruise or coming through on a trip, you can’t go wrong with these restaurants in Helsinki.
Planning a Trip to Helsinki? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Helsinki:
- Hotel St. George, for the best modern luxury hotel
- Hotel Kämp,for the best design hotel
- Noli Studios Katajanokka, for the best designed apartment-hotel
- Hotel Mestari, for the best hotel for larger groups or families
- Hotel F6, for the best boutique hotel
If you’re visiting soon, don’t miss my in-depth travel guide to Helsinki and roundup of the top 10 things to do when you’re here!
1.Restaraunt Savotta
For traditional Finnish cuisine, come straight to Restaurant Savotta. I’d book in advance a seat by the window with a view of the cathedral around sunset. The food here is delicious — it’s everything from game meats to local fish, served in a traditional Finnish way.
Address: Aleksanterinkatu 22, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
2. Restaurant Savoy
For a Finnish tasting menu, Restaurant Savoy is an upscale restaurant that delivers on many levels. From beautiful plating to great service, I’d head here for fine dining with Finnish ingredients.
Address: Eteläesplanadi 14, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
3. Nolla
Come to Nolla for seasonal, Southern European-style cuisine in a beautiful space. They are especially known for their commitment to sustainability, operating the restaurant waist-free.
Address: Fredrikinkatu 22, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
4. Gaijin
Gaijin might well be my favorite Asian restaurant in Helsinki. Chef Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg take influences from Japan, Korea, and Northern China to create this amazing restaurant. Their tasting menu or a la carte here.
Address: Bulevardi 6, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
5. The co*ck
The co*ck is a classic corner restaurant, I love the brasserie-style menu and their beef tartar is incredible.
Address: Fabianinkatu 17, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
6. Momotoko
Momotoko specializes in authentic Japanese cuisine, with a focus on handcrafted ramen featuring slow-cooked broths and traditional ingredients. Beyond ramen, their menu includes donburis, baos, and a range of other Japanese delicacies.
Address: Yliopistonkatu 5, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
7. Ekberg Cafe
I couldn’t mention the oldest bakery in Finland on this list. For all things pastry and dessert, Ekberg Cafe is your spot.
Address: Bulevardi 9, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
8. Skiffer Liuskaluoto
Known for its thin-crust pizza, Skiffer Liuskaluoto is a restaurant you take a 2-minute ferry to reach. Set on the water, it’s a stunning spot for a bite.
Address: Liuskaluoto, 00140 Helsinki, Finland
9. Putte’s Bar and Pizza
Every once in a while you want a great pizza, so be sure to bookmark Putte’s Bar and Pizza for your visit!
Address: Kalevankatu 6, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
10. Yes Yes Yes
When in Helsinki, definitely eat once at this all-vegetarian restaurant. Their dips are amazing and I loved their zucchini dish.
Address: Iso Roobertinkatu 1, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
11. Grön
Iconic for its vegan tasting menu in addition to its meat menu, Grön is a 1-Michelin Star restaurant serving a wide variety of fine cuisine that showcases Nordic ingredients and Finnish food.
Albertinkatu 36, 00180 Helsinki, Finland
12. Story at Old Market Hall
The Old Market Hall is home to many vendors and traditional in food, so what better place to grab a local bite than at restaurant Story inside.
Vanha Kauppahalli, Eteläranta, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
13. The Bistro at Food Market Herkku
Yes, you eating inside Helsinki’s nicest grocery store is a thing! Head to The Bistro in the back, sit at the bar and order that day’s special. You can also grab a coffee at the coffee shop just inside as well afterward.
Address: Aleksanterinkatu 52, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
14. Baskeri & Basso Bistro
Open only Tuesday-Friday, Baskeri & Basso is a casual bistro and a local favorite for classic dishes and hearty food.
Address: Tehtaankatu 27-29 (sisäpiha), 00150 Helsinki, Finland
15. Restaurant at Löyly
Right at one of the best saunas in town is the restaurant that sits out over the sea. I’ve read their salmon soup is one of the best around.
Address: Hernesaarenranta 4, 00150 Helsinki, Finland
16. Minato Sushi
Known for its minimalist space, handcrafted sushi, and unique Nordic cuisine infusions, Minato Sushi is worth a visit.
Address: Kalevankatu 55, 00180 Helsinki, Finland
17. Muru
Head to Muru for a more relaxed atmosphere and homey dishes. The tasting menu here changes daily with the ingredients.
Address: Fredrikinkatu 41, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
18. St. George Bakery
St. George Bakery is another one of my favorite bakeries. Located inside Hotel St. George, they’re especially known for their fresh bread and baked goods.
Address: Yrjönkatu 13, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
19. Sushibar + Wine
Come to Sushibar + Wine for a casual lunch or an upscale dinner for sushi. (Oh and their wine bar has some great choices!)
Address: Kaivokatu 8, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
20. Vinkkeli
For a Nordic-focused menu, Vinkkeli prepares its food in a haute cuisine style, showcasing the region through its plates.
Address: Pieni Roobertinkatu 8, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Flights
Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.
2. Book Your Accommodations
Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Car
Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.
5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access
Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
