5 Best Restaurants in Helsinki, Finland

A 1930s functional design interior provides the backdrop to the innovative contemporary cooking at this hotel restaurant. Interesting combinations on the menu might include herring with a salad of new potatoes, pepper steak à la Torni, and chocolate cake with berry salad.

A short distance from the town center, Elite is a welcome place to recharge with a drink at the bar or meal after visiting Temppeliaukio Church, which is a five-minute walk away, and the Sibelius Monument—especially in summer, when there's outdoor seating. In addition to the Finnish classics of fried Baltic herring, salmon soup with rye bread, and select game, a fixed "Artist's Menu" is offered, including an option for recommended wine pairings and a main course choice of charred trout or sirloin steak. Its elegant art deco interior and spacious layout are popular with artists and writers. 

If you like finding the true character of a city and enjoy local color, try looking in simple, friendly restaurants like this one, whose name means "moon." The menu combines Finnish specialties such as perch, salmon, and reindeer with imaginative international fare. It's especially convenient for nights at the opera, and the delightful covered terrace is open year-round. Diners can choose from an a la carte list or go for one of two fixed-price four-course house menus.

Sitting at the mouth of Helsinki's South Harbour, this restaurant, which specializes in but doesn't exclusively offer seafood, sits on Klippan island in a magnificent wooden pavilion. There's hardly a seat in the whole restaurant that doesn't offer a stunning view: from the Empire-era buildings to the north to the massive sea fortress of Suomenlinna to the south, with yachts and cruise ships floating by. This is a favorite venue for the often boisterous August crayfish parties. Glazed duck breast makes a sumptuous main course, as does roasted sea whitefish, finished off with a blueberry tartlet dessert. A selection of local Finnish cheeses is a great way to finish your meal, perhaps with a glass of schnapps. There are also four fixed menus available, including one for vegetarians. The ferry to the island leaves from the southern end of the Olympia Terminal.

Savotta means "lumber camp," and the hearty food those lumberjacks would want is reflected on the menu here. Located on Senate Square, directly across from the Lutheran Cathedral, the 250-year-old building is adorned with knickknacks from a bygone era. The food is traditional Finnish food at its best—no effete New Nordic nonsense here—and meat dishes (including wild game) predominate. Elk and reindeer make an appearance, though there are plenty of fish and vegetarian options. The "Provision Master's Menu" comes with a starter for two consisting of goat cheese, pâté-like reindeer rillettes, pickled chanterelles, smoked pike, arctic char, smoked salmon roe, and a host of other delicious delicacies. The most popular main course is reindeer round-top roast and smoked potatoes. Pair it all with the strong unfiltered traditional beer called sahti. Dessert is a house-made ice cream flavored with licorice. The cheerful staff are informative when it comes to questions about this very Finnish cuisine.