Helsinki has quietly evolved into one of the most exciting food cities in Northern Europe. With a culinary scene that blends New Nordic creativity, Finnish ingredients, and a healthy dash of international flair, you’re just as likely to eat smoked pike-perch in a minimalist dining room as you are to devour a perfect falafel in a graffiti-covered side street. Whether you’re chasing Michelin stars or midnight snacks, here are the top restaurants in Helsinki worth booking—or stumbling into.
1. Savoy – The Grande Dame of Helsinki Fine Dining
Eteläesplanadi 14
Perched high above Esplanade Park, Savoy has been a Helsinki legend since it opened in 1937. Designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto, the restaurant blends Scandinavian elegance with functional beauty, and much of the original interior is still intact. It’s as much a design pilgrimage as it is a fine dining experience.
The décor is mid-century perfection, the service is white-tablecloth refined, and the views over the leafy boulevard below are hard to beat. But Savoy isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s also deeply woven into Finnish history.
Its most famous regular? Field Marshal Mannerheim, the towering statesman and national hero. He first dined here just two days after opening—and returned often. Guests can still request Mannerheim’s table and order his favorite dish, vorschmack, a rich, savory Eastern European meat specialty. Legend has it he brought the recipe himself from a Warsaw officers’ club.
True or not, one thing’s certain: few meals in Helsinki come with a better view—or a better story.
Best for: Classic luxury and a taste of Finnish history
Dress code: Leave the sneakers at the hotel
2. Grön – Green, Clean, and Michelin-Approved
Albertinkatu 36
Grön is a love letter to wild herbs, foraged ingredients, and clever, plant-forward cooking. Don’t let the minimalist interior fool you—every plate that comes out of the kitchen is art. The tasting menus (one of which is entirely vegan) have earned the restaurant a Michelin star, but the vibe is warm and intimate, not stuffy.
Best for: Modern Nordic cuisine with heart
Pro tip: Book well in advance—it’s tiny
3. Olo – A Star on the Waterfront
Pohjoisesplanadi 5
Michelin-starred Olo takes the Finnish landscape and serves it to you on porcelain. The tasting menu is an edible journey from forest to sea, with ultra-seasonal ingredients and a meticulous attention to detail. You’ll find the setting surprisingly laid-back—this is fine dining, Nordic style.
Best for: Special occasions and “wow” moments
Also good for: Testing how many micro-herbs fit on one spoon
4. Nolla – Helsinki’s Coolest Zero-Waste Restaurant
Fredrikinkatu 22
Nolla (Finnish for “zero”) is a sustainability pioneer that also happens to be incredibly delicious. Founded by a trio of chefs from Finland, Slovenia, and Portugal, the restaurant brews its own beer, composts everything, and serves up innovative dishes with no waste and no pretension. Think: cod cheeks, seasonal veggies, and wine on tap.
Best for: Guilt-free indulgence and eco-foodies
Fun fact: Their receipt is printed on recycled beer labels
5. Sea Horse – Old-School, No-Nonsense Finnish Fare
Kapteeninkatu 11
Locals call it Sikala (“the Pigsty”) with great affection. Sea Horse has been serving traditional Finnish comfort food since the 1930s, and it shows—in the best way possible. The fried herring is legendary, the meatballs are honest, and jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie once ate here and finished his tablemates’ plates, too.
Best for: Nostalgia, beer, and serious potatoes
Don’t miss: The creamy salmon soup
6. BasBas – Where the In-Crowd Eats
Tehtaankatu 27-29 (BasBas & Staff Wine Bar)
Short for Baskeri & Basso, this bistro-style hotspot is the kind of place where Helsinki’s food lovers, artists, and off-duty chefs go to eat and be seen. The vibe is relaxed but the food is sharp: rustic, French-inspired, and served with plenty of natural wine. Downstairs, the Staff Wine Bar keeps things even more casual and walk-in-friendly.
Best for: A buzzy evening with perfectly imperfect plates
Mood: Paris, but make it Helsinki
7. Restaurant Löyly – Food with a Side of Sauna
Hernesaarenranta 4
Yes, it’s a sauna. But Löyly is also home to a surprisingly great restaurant. The setting—on the Helsinki waterfront in a striking modern building—is hard to beat. Come for a wood-fired sauna and a dip in the Baltic, stay for responsibly sourced “Catch of the Day,” veggie options, and a glass of wine on the sea-view terrace.
Best for: Sunset dinners and sauna + supper combos
Added bonus: You’ll smell like birch leaves afterward
8. Restaurant Vinkkeli – Classic Elegance Without the Fuss
Pieni Roobertinkatu 8
Tucked into a quiet corner near the Design District, Vinkkeli is a Helsinki favorite among those who appreciate timeless style and flawless execution. The menu draws from French and Finnish culinary traditions, with a focus on clean flavors, seasonal ingredients, and beautifully plated dishes—think butter-poached fish, velvety sauces, and perfectly roasted root vegetables. The wine list is extensive and expertly curated, and the service strikes that rare balance between formal and friendly.
Best for: A refined dinner with a touch of old-world charm
Ambience: Crisp white tablecloths and warm conversation
9. Restaurant Palace – Helsinki’s High-Rise Culinary Crown
Eteläranta 10
Located at the top of a modernist building overlooking the harbor, Palace was Finland’s first Michelin-starred restaurant and has returned to its former glory with a second star. Expect dishes that are as visually stunning as they are technically perfect, paired with wines as rare as Finnish sunshine in November.
Best for: Sky-high fine dining and serious splurges
Feeling extra? Go for the wine pairing and cancel tomorrow’s plans
10. Kuurna – Candlelight and Helsinki Soul
Meritullinkatu 6
Kuurna is tiny, intimate, and quietly magical. Located just off the tourist track in Kruununhaka, this bistro offers seasonal menus written on a chalkboard, excellent wines, and a sense that you’ve just discovered something special. It’s not flashy—just honest, well-crafted food in a charming space.
Best for: Romantic dinners and first impressions that last
Pro tip: Order whatever the chef’s feeling that day
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