How I miss Sunday afternoon having a pint of beer or two at the Sea Horse, a.k.a. Sikala. Their…read morecabbage rolls were also some of the best I've ever had! Funny, the first time I went there (when smoking was permitted inside) I thought it was one of the most depressing places, where serious drinkers drink seriously, but then I realized the beauty of this iconic Helsinki institution and made it a regular place for me and my friends to drink when in Ullanlinna. Do they finally have waitresses that can speak English? Did they finally update the men's room in disrepair? (My grandmother, 82 at the time, said she liked the place since the ladies room was well kept.) All these things I'll have to find out on my next trip to Helsinki.

Very old style, traditional Finn meals. I enjoyed pan seared Herring, lots of food. Decent, a tad…read morepricey. Very good service.

Came here on 2 separate occasions. Since it was near my hotel. The food wasn't anything crazy and a…read morelittle pricey. This place is known for their fried herring. First few bites of this were pretty good. Salty and flavorful that comes with mashed potatoes that helps reset your taste buds when it gets too salty. But after halfway, I got tired of the taste. Wasn't enough variety. The salmon wasn't anything crazy. The shrimp tartar sauce that came with it was really tasty.

First meal in Finland, after checking into the hotel checked Yelp for a real Helsinki style…read morecuisine. This came up and we took Uber and arrived 10 minutes later. We tried quite a few things, my buddy wanted to sample their different looking items as well. It was fun trying their seafood, their unique sauces that accompanied them, the lamb, the mystery fish which I couldn't find in google translate, the wild mushroom soup, and to top it off was that excellent cloudberry cheesecake. Had to google was 'cloudberry' was and this was the definition "Cloudberries are very juicy, and they taste a bit like a cross between a raspberry and a red currant". We were sold! So unique and different at the same time had to upload a picture so one could see what they look like before turned into a dessert. For sure would return to this place, great service, excellent tasting food which is so different from other countries.

I popped in for a quick bite after a show at a discotheque nearby, Olympia-kortteli. I was there to…read moresee a reputable black metal band called Hyülkenweiss or something. It was a recommendation from a coworker. The band was ok, but like, they had no stage presence and it seemed like they were on some kind of hallucinogenic drug. If I had to guess which kind of drug they were on I'd say pcp, aka 'angel dust'. 'The devil's sweet, sweet mama,' is what we used to call it. My friends and I used to dabble with pcp. It makes you feel like you took 30 cat tranquilizers and then went bungee jumping. Anyways, the singer of the band... his eyes were pure white, like he was doing a thorough examination of the back of his skull. It looked like he was possessed. Over all the band was good. They were no Apocolyptica, but I'll give them a pass. I checked out their first album and it was pretty cool, but the second album got a little too poppy. It's like they sold out. The audience was cool though, it was like half old fans and half new fans. I could tell that some of the old fans were like, just waiting to hear the hits, but the younger crowd were totally vibing. Let's just say that I saw some very new and unique dance moves that night. I now know what it looks like to twerk to metal. I digress. I read that the elk burger was great, and it totally was. It almost rivaled the reindeer steak, which stole the show. You don't see gazpacho on too many menus, so that was a delightful surprise. Almost as delightful as the cocktails. I asked the pleasant bartender to make me a mocktail because I'm 2 weeks sober. She went a little heavy on the pineapple juice, but that was ok. I'm kind of open to new things...ish. Thanks Ilves for the awesome time! I'lves definitely be back!

This is our go to when we come to the Helldone festival to see HIM. We had eaten dinner here before…read moreplenty of times, but this was one of the last times in a while that we would be coming to this restaurant..since our favorite band was giving us their farewell tour. It is pretty small and if you had ever come for a HIM show like we did, you would know that it's going to get full pretty quick and once in a blue moon you will see one of the guys. The service is pretty quick, the servers are very nice. We ordered hamburgers as we were in the mood for something quick and familiar. The restaurant was clean and as usual we had a good time. If you're in the mood to be close to Tavastia and want to have some good food which and good drinks stop here it's a pretty good place.

We were very cold and wet from a nasty weather day and wanted to try something warm. Also wanted…read moresomething local to Helsinki as well and Yelp said this one would satisfy our taste buds. Not a single tourist in site, everyone speaking Finnish so we knew this was the perfect spot. Had only 30 minutes before lunch ended so we ate quick and snapped as many pictures as I could. Very interesting salads with unique dressings, most them couldn't tell what in the world made them taste so good. Helsinki proved to be awesome and to not copy Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Finland borders Russia on the East side which might be why their foods are so different and yet so delectable. Would be better to visit when the weather is warmer with some sunshine. For sure would return to this place as it was superb!

Love the unpretentious lunch hidden in the street corners of Helsinki city centre here. You kind of…read morehave to look for a place as it doesnt have street front...just a sign they put outside to say they are open...and you kind of have to brave yourself to step in a small corner inside the streets to actually get to the restaurant. There are all types of clienteles here and you pay right when you arrive, get your plate, grab your food from the buffet line and seat whereever the table is free. Pretty casual and stress free...and the staff there do run like a well-oiled machine. They clear thr empty plates and clean the tables, and refill the food in tje buffet line as much as they can. The buffet line has a section for vegetarian and regular hot meal food. There's also a separate corner to grab your own tea/coffee as you wish, too. For ~€12 and quality all you can eat lunch...this is a very very good deal! I did try everything from the buffet line and they all tasted fresh! I had 2 full plates and a cup of tea..and didn't feel bloated after eating so much afterwards at all. If I had time to come back to Helsinki again, I would definitely want to have lunch here again. I debated goinf back there again my last day in Helsinki but unfortunately didn't have enough time to go back there...else I would be back there again! Give yourself and your friends a nice casual lunch when you are in Helsinki and you will be happy to stopped by for sure!

Latva is probably my favorite bar in Helsinki and every time I come here I always wonder why I do…read morenot go here more frequently. It is located very close to one of the main streets in the center (the Esplanad) but still the surroundings are very tranquil and especially in summer it is just lovely to sit outside and sip on a glass (of wine or beer). There is seating available indoors as well and that is great for winter and bad weather as well as after 10pm when they have to close outdoors. They offer a great range of micro breweries from around Finland. I do not often find good Finnish beer abroad but here it is clearly shown that it is not because it is jot produced. The staff are very knowledgeable and do take the time to find something that suits your taste. The great thing with Latva is that they do not only have a great selection of beer but also a very good wine selection. The selection by the glass is usually very exciting. As if that was not enough they also serve some pretty great food so when in Helsinki do not miss this place!

Are you looking for a good wine bar in Helsinki? Then come to Latva (Treetop). The small bar in…read morePunavuori offers a big selection of excellent wines from all over the world. Don't just ask for a glass of wine at the bar but take your time to browse through the long list of delicious reds, whites and rosés. If you still can't decide let the staff help you. Just let them know what you normally drink or what you are looking for and they will recommend you something. Latva is not just a place for wine though. They also have tasty local beer on tap. Except for Sandels all their beers come from microbreweries in Finland. Try for example the New Zealand Amber Lager or the light Vehnä wheat beer.

This place feels very old timey! The interior decor and lighting made it feel like I was in the…read more1970s or something. We came in for dinner on a Friday night with no reservation and we sat at the bar. The place got very busy and they even had to turn people away because there was no room. I guess you should try to make a reservation if possible! The menu is a bit limited and seemed to focus on traditional Finnish food. I was probably most interested in the meatball plate but it looked like too much food (also was like 24 euros which seems steep for meatballs), so I opted for a full sized tomato basil soup. I guess it was also a bit pricey at 18 euros for just soup and some bread so maybe not the best value. I did think the soup was okay, a bit on the saltier side so I had trouble finishing all of it. It did pair nicely with the bread but I didn't get that much bread for the amount of soup I got. The soup had a glob of goat cheese and basil which I thought paired nicely. My husband ordered the stew plate and he liked it but thought they didn't really give you that much meat. I agreed. The mashed potatoes were quite good and creamy but the dish kinda felt like it was just a very expensive plate of mashed potatoes and gravy. The blueberry dessert was not bad but I don't really like jam/jelly that much though so I couldn't eat too much of it. It did pair nicely with ice cream. Overall, interesting ambiance but probably not the best restaurant for me.

Date of visit: 8/29/2024…read more Both appetizers were great: - escargot with garlic 5/5 - tomato soup with basil 5/5 Entrees not so much: - Classical Meatballs (beef & pork) 3/5 - sautéed reindeer (traditional food from Lapland) 3/5: I thought I'd give reindeer a try since I'm in Finland. Couldn't stand the smell. It's simply sautéed with hardly any seasonings which makes the scent of the meat more prominent. It's served on a bed of mashed potatoes that's actually very good. - Fish of the day ala Mannerheim 4/5: I had to order this coz I ended up not eating the reindeer :( Today it was white fish served with wild mushroom sauce. The sauce was delicious. The fish I wish had crispier skin but overall it was a better dish compared to the reindeer. Like with all other Finnish restaurants, this comes with a price tag too. Oh well, lol

No neighbourhood in the world would be a better setting for this amazing little restaurant that…read moreseats only 25 than Helsinki's historical Eira and the quiet, beautiful Huvilakatu street. Chef Sasu Laukkonen and his team create stunning dishes, all out of organic ingredients, and, hands down, the best rye bread I've ever had a chance to taste. For designated drivers and others who don't drink wine sommelier Johan offers a flight of tea, served as delicately and inspiringly as the regular, alcohol-containing set. Sasu comes out of the tiny, spotless clean kitchen in the middle to present and explain every dish they serve, incl. where he picked the greens and the herbs and where he caught the fish, and the food is simply outstanding. The menu changes monthly. If you can eat dinner in only one restaurant in Helsinki, make sure it's Chef & Sommelier.

Chef & Sommelier is one of Helsinki's four Michelin Star restaurants, and it's a star well earned…read moreindeed. Star 1: How were the service and atmosphere? One of my favorite contemporary dining trends is stepping into a restaurant, either underground or top of mind, that feels as though you're simply dining in a friends house; and this is a theme that Chef & Sommelier embodies to perfection. The restaurant, which appears to just be a converted flat of sorts, sits on an otherwise nondescript street nestled in a residential area of Southern Helsinki. There's a small kitchen where the chefs are hard at work and quaint seating for no more than twenty people at once. A reservation is an absolute must, and the second I walked in I knew I'd made a great choice. The service at Chef & Sommelier is top notch, with chefs coming out to both serve and discuss each of the dishes that you choose and pair with wine if needed. Perfect English is spoken by all, and depending on the number of dishes you choose you can either make an entire evening out of your visit or be in and out in an hour or less. Star Granted. Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost? I really liked the selection logistics at Chef & Sommelier compared to many other set menu establishments. Upon being seated I was given a small card that listed eight dishes, with two starters, two primary mains, two secondary mains, and two desserts. Your price will vary depending on how many dishes you choose, but I opted for four at a relative bargain cost of €53 without any wine pairings. Yes, that's expensive, but Michelin dining really should be, and the portions here weren't tasting menu tiny. Star Granted. Stars 3 and 4: How was the food? My dining experience was wonderful, and I'll just break down the courses below: Course I: Salmon with cucumber and pine nuts - This was a refreshing introduction, and the salmon was both fresh and flavorful. I'm not a cucumber fan, but the flavor really did pair nicely with the pine nuts and blossoms. Course II: Vinegar Potatoes two ways with Shaved Smoked Elk Heart - The vinegar soaked pomegranate berries were strong to the point of almost being overwhelming within this dish, but mixed with the potatoes, onions, and powerfully flavored smoked elk and what you had here was fascinatingly unique; and had me thinking at times that I was simply eating some sort of meat with chips. Course III: Lamb Neck with Greens - The highlight of the evening, the lamb neck was simply out of this world, and while I don't typically like broccoli, the grilled broccoli here was unlike anything I've previously tasted. Divine. Course IV: Blueberry Sorbet topped with Fresh Blueberries - After a fantastic dessert appetizer in the form of lemon sorbet, the real goods came out, with a blueberry sorbet topped with blueberries soaked in butter and salt. The combination was stellar, and concluded what was in aggregate a fantastic dining experience. Dual Stars Granted Star 5: Would you eat here every day if you could? Yes, Chef & Sommelier is undoubtedly one of Helsinki's finest dining establishments. Star Granted.

Best restaurant in the neighborhood. Very cosmopolitan ambiance, impeccable service and delicious…read morefood. Most likely need reservations on most nights, I was in during late lunch. Delicious whitefish with potatoes. Update went 3 times during my visit, delicious onion soup and reindeer steak for dinner ! Yum!!

We had an enjoyable dinner at Maxill. It was perfect for a nicer weeknight dinner during our visit…read moreto Helsinki. - Atmosphere: Maxill has a modern, but classy atmosphere. There are also a few small tables outside the restaurant. - Service: The service at Maxill was great. We enjoyed our time getting to know the people working there. They even called a cab for us at the end of our meal. - Food: The menu had a good mix of Scandinavian and other flavors. We started with a fresh tomato and cheese dish. I had a shrimp pasta for my main which was tasty and filling. We shared the creme brulee for dessert and that was definitely the highlight of the meal! - Value: Overall, the value at Maxill was fairly good for Scandinavia, but it was priced like a nicer restaurant.

The server kindly directed us to the restroom, which had a baby changing table available. The…read morerestroom itself was spacious and clean, making it comfortable and convenient to change my child without feeling cramped. One thing I did notice was the lack of follow-up during the meal to check if everything was to our liking. It may simply be a cultural difference in service style, but a quick check-in would have been appreciated. The pricing felt quite high for the portion sizes provided. As someone visiting from out of town, it was a good experience overall and I'm glad we tried it. However, considering the value for the cost, I probably wouldn't return. PS the cheesecake sucked, but the jam that was served with it was good. The pancakes are underwhelming too.

If you're looking for a great spot to explore the cuisine of Lapland while you find yourself in…read moreHelsinki, this is a great spot to do so. Lapp is located only a block or two from the main esplanade and action of downtown Helsinki. I strongly suggest snagging reservations in advance as they fill up quite quickly. We ended up eating here at 4:30 pm because that was the only spot available during our day-of reservations. The interior is wooden and filled with antlers and kitschy decor to set the vibe. Yes, a lot of tourists go here and yes, I was on a mission to have some sautéed reindeer. Note that in true Helsinki fashion, prices can be quite high at this restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed our sautéed reindeer, lingonberry sauce and mashed potatoes alongside our barley risotto topped with Lapland cheese and seasonal root vegetables (so flavorful!). If you're vegetarian, note that the menu can be quite meat heavy. They also offer a menu of Finnish beers, cocktails with Finnish vodka, etc. Overall, a tasty and positive experience.

Excellent service and food. The atmosphere is cozy and upscale. I cannot say enough about the…read moredishes. All were very good - not a single misstep. Cannot say that very often.

What an absolutely wonderful dining experience. It is obvious that the staff work together and…read moreenjoy presenting unique and interesting flavors.