World City Guide

Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The categories serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

These restaurants are divided into four different pricing categories. The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal and for half a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent per person; they do not include tax or tip.
$$$$ (over ¬75)
$$$ (¬50 to ¬75)
$$ (¬25 to ¬50)
$ (under ¬25)

A number of restaurants around the city offer the ‘Helsinki Menu’ scheme: a chance for the visitor to experience traditional local cuisine.

Gastronomic

Sundmans
In the plush surroundings of an Engel-designed house once belonging to a naval commader by the name of G W Sundman, this is known as one of Helsinki’s best restaurants. Specialities include zander, arctic char and reindeer fillet, plus a variety of imaginative puddings, for which the establishment is particularly famous. Closed Sat lunchtime and Sunday. The cheaper ‘Sundmans Krog’ is an alternative eatery at the same address.

Eteläranta 16
Tel: (09) 622 6410.
Website: www.ravintolaopas.net/gwsundmans
Price: $$$$

Est. 1887
The main restaurant at the Hotel Kämp is an elegant venue adjacent to Esplanade Park in the centre of Helsinki. It offers classical food and décor (fully restored to its original style during 2003). The cuisine is based on seasonal specialities, so depends on the time of year, but fish and seafood are particularly good here – the terrine of crayfish scallops and salmon is a must. Closed Sat lunch and Sun.

Pohjoisesplanadi 29
Tel: (09) 5761 1204.
Website: www.hotelkamp.fi
Price: $$$$

Business

Ravintola Torni
Opened in the early 1930s, Restaurant Torni has a rather staid appearance contrasting with a lively and imaginative menu based on locally sourced ingredients – the ‘Helsinki Menu’ is also available here. Three private rooms are available as well as the main 150-seat restaurant. Grilled pickled salmon with parsnip purée, tofu and maize roll with pumpkin risotto can provide a business meal with a difference. Closed Sat lunch and Sun.

Kalevankatu 5
Tel: (09) 43 360.
Website: www.ravintolaopas.net/torni
Price: $$$

Lappi
Another interesting alternative is Lappi, where the cuisine of the Laplanders is celebrated in style. Reindeer, white-tailed deer, snow grouse, elk and arctic char all feature on the menu here, as do traditional cheeses. The menu is available in 11 languages to ensure no-one needs to worry too much about what they are ordering! Open daily 12-2230.

Annankatu 22
Tel: (09) 645 550.
Website: www.lappires.com
Price: $$$

Trendy

Bar Tapasta
Small (26 seats) but centrally located Mediterranean style venue that becomes a club in the evenings. At lunchtime the fare consists of pastas, soups and salads, plus a wide range of tapas, complemented by Spanish wines and beers. For the summer, there is an outdoor terrace. Closed Sunday.

Uudenmaankatu 13
Tel: (09) 640 724.
Website: www.marcante.fi/tapasta
Price: $$

Restaurant Elite
Since the 1930s, Restaurant Elite has been a gathering place for the creative fraternity, musicians, writers, poets and actors. Paintings by some of its illustrious guests adorn the walls. The menu is interesting, but definitely has a Finnish feel, with fish and meat prepared in rich sauces. Open daily.

Eteläinen Hesperiankatu 22
Tel: (09) 434 2200.
Website: www.royalravintolat.com/elite
Price: $$$

Budget

Café Ekberg
For lighter snacks and buffet lunches, Café Ekberg is a perfect venue in which to enjoy good quality at a reasonable price. Salads, bruschetta and soups are the order of the day at lunchtimes, while in the afternoons the on-site patisserie takes over. The café dates from the mid 1850s. Open daily, early morning until early evening.

Bulevardi 9
Tel: (09) 6811 8660.
Website: www.cafeekberg.fi
Price: $

Bar9
Popular with the media crowd, Bar9 offers a wide selection of bar snacks and meals at affordable prices. Open daily from late morning until the early hours, its menu ranges from an ‘all-day’ breakfast to Thai soups, pastas and curried chicken.

Uudenmaakatu 9
Tel: (09) 621 4059.
Website: www.bar9.net
Price: $

Personal Recommendations

Ravintola Zetor
An idiosyncratic, almost legendary Helsinki venue that really should be experienced by everyone who visits Helsinki. A combined bar/restaurant, it features a décor consisting of tractors, assorted agricultural machinery and other countryside items, creating unique surroundings. Even the website and menus are entertaining, reflecting its slightly zany atmosphere. Open daily until late.

Mannerheimintie 3-5
Tel: (09) 666 966.
Website: www.ravintolazetor.fi
Price: $$

Havis
A relatively new addition to the Helsinki restaurant roster, Havis specialises in top-quality seafood. Located close to the sea, it offers both à la carte and fixed menu meals. Menu highlights include blue mussel soup, zander, tuna and salmon prepared in a variety of unusual styles. Closed Sunday lunch.

Eteläranta 16
Tel: (09) 6869 5660.
Website: www.ravintolaopas.net/havis
Price: $$$