Why?

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Why not? This is another metaphysical discussion with myself about this site. The blog started quite organically, after a belated New Year’s resolution to go and have lunch in different restaurants, as opposed to just going to the same places over and over again. One of the triggers to this was my work location changing to Helsinki center, where there is ample choice.

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Some of it was also stress control. In the midst of a hectic workday, walking to a new restaurant can be like a micro-vacation. And maybe there is some strange, ancient need to map my surroundings and write down the things I have observed.

I am most certainly no professional restaurant critic, but rather just a regular person having lunch and writing my casual observations on the experience.

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So, given all that, why on earth did I decide to rank the restaurants and give them “stars”? It’s simply due to the fact that I am a thoroughbread nerd and I started to look at the website from Google’s perspective. This resulted in a refactoring of the blog to fit the de facto standards (including schema.org and Dublin Core) and within this context, ranking the experiences is almost a given. And besides, the search results look more colourful, and who can say no to more eye candy?

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The rankings, as everything else on this site, is just as subjective and unreasonable as you can imagine the opinions of one individual to be. I love really hot and spicy food, value genuine service and I feel that Heston Blumenthals (et al.) concept of the “multisensory perception of flavour” is more or less correct.

Because of all this, I gravitate towards cuisines with a more fiery disposition. And I value restaurateurs who go all in with the dining experience and I look at more than just the food, although that obviously plays a big part of it.

Some places make the occurrence feel genuine without trying too much, and some just rub you the wrong way and then there are those that just go full hog and try to stuff you with food.

So based on all of that, the position of the stars and how I am feeling that day, I conjure up my ranking. You might very well see the experience in a completely different way. I don’t even pretend to have any absolute truths to tell, just my opinions.

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And has it worked out? Yes. Yes it has. For some reason, shouting out into the vast void that is the Internet has brought me joy. And this hobby of mine has broadened my grasp of my birthplace and I have visited many new locations during my jaunts.

My territory has expanded and the internal map has been brought into focus. It’s funny to visualise the city through it’s restaurants, but that is the topology of my life.

So welcome once more into my ramblings, I hope that you enjoy your stay as much as I do.

Enjoy Helsinki, part 2: Museums of Helsinki 101

Welcome back! I hope you had a fabulous time perusing the beautiful streets of our city. This time I thought that we’d take an intellectually nourishing route through the more interesting museums. And to be sure, there are more than these, please do visit them all. Think of this as just a light snack.

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1. Ateneum Art Museum

A thing of beauty, this grand old lady sits right next to the railway station, smack in the center of Helsinki. The museum houses some of the most important Finnish art pieces across the ages. Currently it is running an exhibition called “Stories of Finnish art”.

The Ateneum Art Museum has the country’s oldest and largest art collection. It tells not only the story of Finnish art, but also how the art field was developed here. This narrative is recorded in acquisitions of work, documents, oral histories and accounts.

The food on offer in the immediate vicinity of Ateneum is surprisingly not the brightest in the city, although there are some gems around. Here are the best ones.

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Leonardo

A rather good italian restaurant with some of the best pizzas in town. This is right in the center of the heavy traffic area of Helsinki, so be prepared to wait at the bar for a bit if you are eating during the rush hours (11:30 – 12:30 and 17:00 – 19:00). This is right next to the museum, located in the street level of the infamous Makkaratalo (Sausage house) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City-Center, where you can also find many other restaurants, shops and boutiques.

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Vapiano

Another italian, but with a delish twist. You come in, get a card and then choose your dish(es) from a selection of cooks and you get to have a say so in the contents of your dish. The food is good and watching as it is made is magical. Eating below the old olive tree is also a lovely way to enjoy your meal. Just across the street from the exhibition, located in the “Fennia Quarter” with the International Cultural Center Caisa. You can also find the Casino Helsinki next door.

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Momotoko

Trendy ramen, tonkatsu and donburi on offer at this fast casual restaurant. The japanese dishes are tasty and it is just around the corner from Ateneum and next to the Kluuvi shopping center.

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Fratello

Inside the Kluuvi shopping center, but still just a small walking distance from Ateneum you can find the delightful cafe Fratello. Stay for the salads, pasta or risotto and admire the graffitti on the wall.

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Morrison’s

Right behind Ateneum you can find Morrison’s, with their big burgers and steaks. You can also get to this through the Ateneum shop. Just don’t eat at the Tablo Ateneum restaurant, you’ll thank me.

 

2. Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

The cool kid, with the leaky roof and the big glass walls. Here are the biggest modern art exhibitions in Finland, such as the upcoming ARS17. This is just a short hop from Ateneum, just go past the Sokos and Postitalo and you’re golden.

Number one contemporary art museum in Finland. Kiasma is a home of contemporary art where everyone is welcome.

If you are still feeling peckish after consuming all that art, then head on over to one of these restaurants. Oh and sorry, no pictures for these restaurants. The originals are so horrible that I just cannot put them here.

 

Eatos

An excellent mexican restaurant right next to the Helsinki railway station. Classier street food in a restaurant environment with delicious tasting dishes.

Jufu

An above average chinese buffet, with some specialities on offer such as mantou and kimchi-like side dishes.

Red Apple

Another chinese buffet (the area is lacking in good restaurants), also pretty good, as the above Jufu. This is located in the Sanomatalo, the headquarters of Sanoma, a Finnish media company.

Casa Largo

Moving to the other side of the Postitalo (old head office of the Finnish Mail), you can find the spanish restaurant Casa Largo, on the first floor of the Sokos department store. Going back to Kiasma, if you go through the Postitalo, you can find one of the leading camera stores in Finland, Rajala Pro Shop.

Kiasma Café

And of course there is always the restaurant/cafe in Kiasma itself. Pretty good and most definitely a better that the one in Ateneum. Stay a while and watch the skateboarders outside. Also, in the front of the cafe (you can’t miss it) is the Mannerheim statue.

 

3. Helsinki Art Museum HAM

The renovated Tennispalatsi is a curious mix of the banal and the high-brow. HAM brings its own with their exhibitions of modern art and contemporary art. Get some popcorn and catch a movie after browsing through the wonders or visit some of the wonderful restaurants in and around the complex.

HAM draws attention to modern art and contemporary art in its exhibitions which are held principally at the Tennis Palace.

Getting here from Kiasma is very easy, just cross the road, sidle up next to Kamppi et voilà.

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Lumière

Fitting the atmosphere this french bistro mixes slow food with a fast delivery and a very casual environment. Located on the same second floor as HAM, right past the Steam Coffee.

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Steam Coffee

At first sight you would not necessarily believe it, but they have great Phở, in addition to the more normal cafe fare. This is also conveniently right next to the HAM entrance.

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BBQ House

Just a few steps from Tennispalatsi if the Kamppi shopping center with it’s carnal joys and fashionable shops. BBQ House certainly has beef, and suprisingly good salads also. But get a steak, that is what they are here for.

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Konnichiwa

Across the street (which is actually an old railway “canyon”) there is a sushi restaurant with an above average lunch buffet.

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Twisted Street Kitchen

Only a few image4. Natural History Museum, Kunsthalle Helsinki and National Museum of Finland

Had enough of contemporary art? Well know, do I have a spot for you. Just come down back from the Rock Church (wasn’t it just fantastic?) and clamber on towards the Natural History Museum. This was renovated in 2008 and the result was a resound success. The vivid dioramas on show in the permanent exhibitions are truly amazing and artfully created. Bring the kids, they’ll love it!

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Natural History Museum

When was the last time you paused at the feet of a dinosaur or listened to the sounds of the night under the starry sky of Africa?

After the Natural History Museum, have I got a suprise for you. More contemporary art! Bet you did not see that coming? Ha! But seriously, the Kunsthalle Helsinki has a variety of interesting exhibitions, rangind from the modern art to architecture and beyond. The building also has one of the top asian restaurants in Helsinki.

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Kunsthalle Helsinki

Kunsthalle Helsinki has been a central place for changing exhibitions since 1928. It was created because there were artists who needed a place to arrange changing contemporary art exhibitions in the Finnish capital.

And very close to the Kunsthalle, in fact just around the corner, after the Finnish Parliament House you will get to the National Museum of Finland, where you can learn about the history of this remote land and it’s strange people. In the top floor there is a workshop where you get to have a hands-on museum experience, which the kids just love.

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National Museum of Finland

National Museum illustrates Finnish history from medieval times to the 19th century. The museum’s unique exhibits tells of the life from a period of over 1000 years.

And the best restaurants close to these museums are:

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Farang

Perhaps the best asian restaurant in Helsinki, the fine-dining experience has some truly great tastes. But last time I checked in there, they had a fair few misses also. You have been warned.

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Manala

Straight up home meal lunches in a bar environment. This place serves up good value for money food and the operates at inhuman hours.

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Corretto Deli & Cafe

An italian style deli with an antipasto + soup lunch. Get a coffee and some snack to freshen up on your journey.

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Tanskalainen Voileipä

Smörgåsbord style sandwiches on offer at this incredibly small restaurant. You should go and check this out just for the sake of it.

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5. Sinebrychoff Art Museum

From the National Museum of Finland you will want to take a tram towards Bulevardi. Walking down this wonderful street will take you over towards the Hietalahti Market Hall and across the street is the Sinebrychoff Park and Art Museum.

The collections of the Sinebrychoff Art Museum include some of the most valuable and internationally important paintings by old European masters to be found in Finland.

After the museum, you will certainly want to check out the restaurants in this area, as the Hietsun Market Hall and surroundings has some real doozies.

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Trattoria Corretto

A top notch italian restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and good service. Get the shrimp pasta (I loved it) or the lasagne, they are incredible.

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Southpark

Californian inspired food with a lovely view to the park. Come early to get a place in the sunny terace and enjoy the urban Helsinki parklife.

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Shubha Kamana

One of the best nepalese restaurants in Helsinki with just the fluffiest Naan-breads you can imagine. Next building to this is the famous Nosturi, that houses Fridathe Elmu-society which has for many years been one of the driving forces in Helsinki for more youthful (rock etc) music culture.

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Le Marché

A lovely french bistro in Hietalahti Market Hall, right next to Trattoria Corretto. And sometimes they have a very nice Fridays’ deal where you get the appetizers at Le Marché and the main course at Trattoria Corretto with a glass of wine.

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Kimchi Wagon

I bet you cannot guess what they offer? You get one guess. Kimchi? Yes indeed! I honestly don’t know how you do it. But yes, they do have Korean inspired dishes and many condiments (including kimchi) to add to your meal.

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6. Seurasaari Open-Air Museum and Suomenlinna Museum

After all those museums, you need to get a breath of fresh air. Some of the best places in Helsinki for that are the Suomenlinna fortress island and the Seurasaari island.

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

Seurasaari is a lovely place to visit, with it’s ye olden buildings and rocky shores where you can go and have a swim or just bathe in the sun. Also, if you find yourself in Helsinki during the Midsummer (Juhannus) festivities and are wondering where everybody went, it’s not all cottages nowadays, there’s actually a bonfire and a party at Seurasaari and you are invited.

The open-air museum of Seurasaari is located on a beautiful green island just a few kilometres from the heart of Helsinki. The island is a tranquil oasis in the midst of the city and at the museum the traditional Finnish way of life is displayed in the cottages, farmsteads and manors of the past four centuries that have been relocated from all around Finland.

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Suomenlinna Museum

Suomenlinna is one of the have-to-see places when visiting Helsinki. The fortress is large and varied, with manu museums, restaurants and parks you can enjoy. For a very pleasent afternoon tea or coffee, head on over to Café Vanille that also makes picnic baskets on order.

The story of Suomenlinna, originally called Sveaborg or Viapori in Finnish, begun in 1748 when Sweden begun fortification work on the Susiluodot islands off Helsinki. Swedish era of the fortress continued for 60 years until 1808, when Viapori was besieged by the Russian forces in the Russo-Swedish war.

But what to eat at these islands? Well, you might be interested in these places that offer great foodstuff for picnics and other outdoorsy occasions.

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Hanoi Vietnam

Care for some Bánh mì thit or vietnamese summer rolls? Then look no further, this Old Market Hall merchant has you covered. Conveniently placed next to the Suomenlinna ferries, grap a meal or two and go. But if you decide to “eat in”, you will get a real street food sitting.

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Rulla

Another place to get some fantastic summer rolls, Rulla is a bit of a hop from the harbor, but most definitely a great place to pick up. If you have a bigger party, then call ahead.

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Picnic

You can find these cafes all over the city and for a good reason. They offer great food at reasonable prices and everything is ready to be packed up to go. Get the stuffed baquettes, they hold for long and a super tasty.

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Stockmann Deli

Stockmann is the biggest apartment store in Helsinki and you should visit them when in Helsinki. But to give you an even better incentive, the Stockmann Deli has a plethora of delicious things all ready to take away on that special picnic.

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7. Didrichsen Art Museum

Moving on from the open air, you should check out this interesting mix of a private home and a museum. This is close by to Seurasaari, so you could make a day of it.

The museum holds two to three exhibitions a year, varying from Finnish art to modern international art. Permanently on display are the Pre-Columbian and Asian collections and artwork in the sculpture park.

Unfortunately the area is packed with embassies and other high priced homes and is therefore rather sparren when it comes to eateries. But close by you can find a depressingly good example of an old, dilapidated Finnish mall. But behing that crubmling facade you can find a true gem of a restaurant.

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Old Jerusalem

This place offers some of the best Middle Eastern food in Helsinki. Get the “Sultan’s plate” for a delightful cross-cut of their offerings.

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8. Amos Anderson Art Museum

After seeing the Didrichsen collection, might I interest you in another great patron of the arts? Amos Anderson left behind quite a legacy, of which this museum is just a part of. The museum is conveniently located in the same block as Forum, one of the bigger shopping malls in Helsinki.

Amos Anderson Art Museum is known for its diverse and varying exhibition programme as well as for its extensive collection of modern art. Some rooms from Amos Anderson’s home as well as his private chapel are permanently on display.

And once again, the café of the museum is not really the place you want to dine. Luckily the area is packed (, packed I say!) with excellent restaurants that will entice you with their menus.

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Sinne

A truly wonderful restaurant with great service and delicious food, whether you want a gourmet burger or a three course meal.

KarlJohan

Finnish food made well and some lunch specialities using offal that are hard to find in Helsinki.

Kitch

A no nonsense kitchen with tasty salads, tapas and soups alongside burgers.

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Torni

This is a grand old lady amongst the Helsinki restaurants, having served food since 1931. Get a hearty lunch in a pleasant environment to get your strength up and then take the elevator up to the top floor to take a peek at one of the best views in Helsinki. The Ateljée Bar has good (but expensive) cocktails and a truly breathtaking view over the city skyline. Be sure to check out the restrooms, you’ll know why when you get there.

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Why join the navy when you can be a pirate

Once you get down from the Torni, why not get yourself a make-your-own-ramen at this restaurant run by an ad agency.

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9. Design Museum

From Kamppi you should take the number 10 tram to the Design Museum. The tram passes the Diana Park, which you might also be interested in. The design museum has changing exhibitions from legendary design heroes to design for children. If you are interested in Nordic design and want to look past IKEA, then you need to check this out.

Design Museum’s fundamental promise of a life that is designed in better ways derives from the core mission of all design. It is meant to improve life, making it more beautiful, more functional and appropriate to its purpose.

After all the exquisite objects, maybe you should enjoy some food that is on the same level? Fortunately the area has some of the best restaurants in town, here are just a few of them.

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Juuri

Don’t let the spartan design (see what I did there? Huh? Nudge nudge, wink wink) fool you, their intricately delicious menu is packed full of Finnish food that you just have to try. Take the Sapas (Suomi tapas) as an hors d’oeuvre.

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Vinkkeli

An old fashioned, this one, with a modern take on the Great Gatsby timeline. Sit back and relaxed as you are served by some of the best in Helsinki.

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OX

Flavours from the near-east, prepared with care and served with a professional touch. If you’re hungry and not in a hurry, get the never ending (fine dining) menu. And whatever else you do, get the tomato soup!

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El Rey

This mexican taqueria has a fresh take on street food and is perfect for a relaxed evening, going over your favorite designs.

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The Mess

Youthful and playful, they have a good selection of the basics, from The Bubba Gump Burger to the sirloin Steak with fries. And if you see Fish & Chips on the list? Don’t blink, just go for it.

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10. Helsinki City Museum

This is just a short walk from the Design Museum, just head on over to the harbour and make your way along the Kauppatori Market Square right on over to Senaatintori Senate Square. Here you can find the Helsinki City Museum, which obviously shows you a thing or two about the city and the people.

The Helsinki City Museum is the world’s only museum focusing on Helsinki. Personal experiences and everyday life of people in Helsinki are highlighted and reflected in the museum’s items and photographs.

I know, I know. You must be exhausted from all that culture. I feel you, I honestly do. That’s why I saved the best for last, because I care. Here you go, hope you enjoyed the journey.

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Olo

The best restaurant in Finland and an internationally known, with it’s two Michelin stars. This is the haute cuisine, please yourself.

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Finnjävel

A fresh newcomer to the Finnish restaurant scene, they have come out with a ruckus. To really get a feel what Finnish food can be, go here and enjoy some of the best food that you can find anywhere.

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Ask

A beautifully intimate dining experience and a lovely perspective on Finnish food, you will love the whole experience from the start to the finnish (ha!).

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Bystro

And another restaurant by the Finnjävel’s two successful restaurateurs, Henri Alén ja Tommi Tuominen, this one has a distinctly Russian motif. You should definitely go for the vodka and blinis.

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Salutorget

For the finale, you have the Salutorget, offering various classical dishes such as the Toast Skagen, Fried Baltic herrings with potato puré and Traditional salmon soup. Stay for a bit, they also have afternoon tea and Gentleman’s tea, if you feel like it.

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And once again, I bid you farewell. But we will meet again, I am sure. You know where I live, well, at least where I write. So feel free to come by anytime. Share and enjoy!

Enjoy Helsinki, part 1

Welcome! My name is Juha and I will be your server this evening (morning, noon or night, depending on your disposition). Please sit down and let us look at the menu, if you please.

The idea of gathering some sort of a guide to the Helsinki I know and love for the english speaking audience that happen on my site has been in my mind for a while. So here is my first crack at it.

Here are some interesting places to eat in Helsinki, in no particular order. Share and enjoy!

Soppakeittiö

Want soup? Sure you do, and this is a great place to eat soup in an interesting environment. There are actually three “soup kitchens” in Helsinki and they are all located in the three old market halls around the city. Go visit all of them, the market halls are fantastic and all of them have a very particular vibe.

Soppakeittiö #1: The Old Market Hall

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This place is the crown jewel and is the most “touristy” of the market halls. Don’t let that put you off, as it has various stands offering both Finnish and international delicacies as well as a few good places to eat.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Soppakeittiö #2: Hakaniemi Market Hall

This is the real McCoy, the genuine article. This is closest that you will get to the original market hall feeling, as this one actually serves (high quality) everyday food items to the local burghers, in addition to the more luxurious delicacies and a few restaurants that it houses. There is also the Hakaniemi market outside the hall, which especially during summer is a sight to see and is way more authentic than the market close to the Old Market Hall.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Soppakeittiö #3: Hietalahti Market Hall

“Hietsu” has had bumpy ride in the past few years, but seems to have found it’s place again. This market hall has had a renaissance of restaurants and here you can find some of the most fabulous dishes served in Helsinki and a reasonable price. In addition to the “soup kitchen” it has Fat Ramen (that you can find on next this list) and also Trattoria Corretto (wonderful italian food) and Roslund (meat shop selling great burgers, see also Teurastamon Portti) amongst others.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

 

Fat Ramen

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Want ramen soup? This is the place for the more oriental soup and conveniently you can find this in the Hietalahti Market Hall, on the other side of the hall from the Soppakeittiö. This place is run by enthusiastic young cook auteurs that bend the humble ramen dish into such a tasty treat that you would not believe.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Kolmon3n

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Talking about young cooks, this is a good representative of the newish trend of bistro type fine-diningish food served by young owner cooks that set up shop in a more relaxed (ie. lower rent) environment as opposed to the city center. This is a short hop from the Hakaniemi Market Hall and you can get here easily with a tram or the subway, placing you on the outskirts of Kallio, the hippest place to be in Helsinki.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Arctic Burrito

This restaurant has been closed.

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While you are already jaunting around the Kallio district, why not mosey over to the Sörnäinen that has some of the most colorful peeps you will see in Helsinki. This area also has some of the more interesting bars you can find in Helsinki.

But before going on a bender suitable for a new Hangover movie, you need to get something to eat. And have I got the perfect place for that? Of course I do! The Arctic Burrito has the best burritos in town and it is conveniently located for your excursion to the pleasures that Sörkka has to offer. Fill yourself with these scrum-diddly-umptious pork, beef or vegetarian burritos and away you go!


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Teurastamon Portti

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Remember when I told you about the Roslund burgers? Good times those were, way back when. But yes, in addition to the Hietalahti Market Hall, you can get your burger on at Teurastamo, which is Finnish for abattoir, but don’t worry, the only red you will see over here is the medium to medium rare beefs in the burgers you will drool over. Try the “hotchiliburger”! This is also just a short hop from the Artic Burrito and Sörkka, so if you need to get out of dodge after a more eventful night, this area can be your new base camp until everything blows over.

The Teurastamo is a reappropriated industrial area that houses many new restaurants and is a good representation of the newer city planning done in Helsinki, as the Kalasatama area, where Teurastamo is located at has taller buildings that elsewhere in the city, and will have the tallest building at some point. In the vicinity you can also find the now (in)famous Sompasauna, although that is open only during the summer time due to various reasons.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Töölönranta

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Moving on from the Kallio and Kalasatama districts you might want to take the tram towards Töölö, which is an area for the more bourgeoisie citizens of Helsinki. Here you can find Töölönlahti Bay that is has a scenic path circling the water mass. Here you can find the famous Finlandia Hall, Finnish National Opera and Töölönranta, a picturesque restaurant on the shore (“ranta”) of the bay.

The restaurant serves contemporary nordic and european food with a seasonal touch, currently you will find on the menu blinis, which is very appropriate to this time of the year. A good way to experience this restaurant is to have a nice walk around the bay on a late Sunday morning and go for the famous Töölönranta Sunday Brunch.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Soup

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To experience the more youthful side of Töölö, you might want to walk over Mannerheim street and visit the oh-so-hipster Soup restaurant, that serves soups (you never would have guessed that, would you?) for a very reasonable price. The soups are all vegetarian and the sides are just incredible.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Elite

Since you are already in Töölö, you might want to walk off the brunch and the soup. A good way to do that is to take a gander at the Sibelius Monument just a shortish walk over to the Sibelius Park, that has another nice scenic path that you might be interested in. After the walk, feeling peckish, you should stop over at the Elite, a beautifully Finnish restaurant that has been the favourite haunt of many famoush Finnish artists over the many many year it has been in operation.

Here you can find many of the nationally significant dishes served in a classy environment, to the tune of good old tunes from the yesteryears of black and white movies. Try the Tauno Palo style steak or Pike perch à la Mannerheim to get that authentic local cuisine done with elegance.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Suomalainen Klubi

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And while we are on the subject of authentic local experiences, if you want to take it up a notch, you might want to visit the Finnish Club, that has preserved and nursed a part of the Finnish culture for quite a while. This place has a very specific “gentleman’s club” feel to it and is the spot where the traditional military officers banquets are held. You can really taste the olden times when dining at this restaurant.

After Elite, this is just a short tram ride from Töölö to the Helsinki center and the Kamppi district. The food at this restaurant is simple and traditional and you might want to consider experiencing this in the form of the lunch buffet.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Orchid

This restaurant has closed and in it’s place is the not-as-good The Red Koi Thai

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Once you are done with the traditional Finnish food, you might have a hankering for a more exotic taste. A good place to get some of the best oriental food in Helsinki is Lönnrot street as it has two exquisite restaurants almost opposite each other. This street is also just a short walk from Kamppi and leads towards the Hietalahti Market Hall.

The first restaurant on this street is a thai restaurant that you just have to visit and whether it is for lunch or dinner, opt for the “tasting menu” (for lunch this means the “three small courses” menu), you will love it.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Koto

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This japanese restaurant just across the street from Orchid is one of the oldest in Helsinki and in my opinion one of the best. So whether it is tonkatsu, tempura, sushi or even a bento meal, this is most certainly a restaurant worth your time.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Makki Makki

And speaking of the asian food cultures, it would do you well to (re)connect the japanese with the korean cuisine. Makki Makki will gladly hook you up with not just sushi, but also bibimbap and bulgogi. And it’s just around the corner from Koto! How convenient for you!


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Levant

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But maybe the fiery korean dishes do not entice you? Maybe you go for the more smoothing tastes of eastern Mediterranean food? Like the ones at Levant, which serves falafels, hummus, baba ganoush and other such delights of the sultans. This is also a strictly vegetarian place, so it will be a pleasantly light stop after all those dishes you had before. Maybe try the refreshing mint tee?

This restaurant, same as Makki Makki, is located at the beautiful Bulevardi street, which goes all the way from Hietalahti Market Hall to the city center and the crossroads of Mannerheim street and Erottaja street.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Dong Bei Hu

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Crossing over the Erottaja, you will find yourself close to the Korkeavuorenkatu street, which will take you by one of the older firestations in Helsinki and also the magnificent St. John’s Church.

Just before the firestation The restaurant has moved, but is still worth visiting. Just move on over to Vuorikatu 20, and you will find one of the best Chinese restaurants in Helsinki, Dong Bei Hu, The China Tiger. Go for the chicken dishes with the chili, if the cold weather is getting to you, they will warm you right up. Promise!


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Lucha Loco

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Continuing onward the Korkeavuorenkatu, just a bit after the St. John’s Church, you will find an honest-to-god authentic (not really) mexican dive bar, that will offer you an irresistible lunch in the form of a taco buffet (yes, really) dinner with a mexican-asian crossover theme. So go on my Mujeres y Hombres, enjoy and eat your fill.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Strindberg

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After all that spicy and exotic food you must be exhausted (poor you), so let me direct you over the Esplanadi park/steets to the comforting Strindberg restaurant and library bar where you can have a traditional “husmanskost” dinner consisting of classical nordic dishes or just a relaxing drink and a good book at the bar.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

 

Lonna

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After the relaxing moment with the book and once you feel up to snuff, maybe you would like a boat ride over to Lonna? Obviously this is more of a summer fare (the restaurant is closed during winter), but if you are reading this during the summer, you should really take in the Helsinki archipelago and this is a very sophisticated way to do that.


My article about this restaurant (in Finnish).

I hope you have enjoyed your stay and you are most welcome back at any time. I promise to post one of these collections once every blue moon.

Here is a map of all the places mentioned on this post, hope it helps.