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Helsinki, Finland

Nostalgic eats: Helsinki’s most iconic classic restaurants

Eating history: Helsinki’s legendary dining spots

What makes a city’s culinary soul? In Helsinki, it’s the restaurants that have outlived fleeting food fads, anchoring the city’s identity with their unshakable sense of tradition. These dining institutions are living time capsules without being outdated. Step into Helsinki’s historic dining rooms, where reindeer tartare meets timeless design, and discover why these venues have remained beloved for decades. From dimly lit haunts favoured by poets to glassy functionalist marvels, this is where the Uusimaa region and Finland’s culinary and cultural heritage come together. Hungry?

Top photography courtesy of Fyra Design Agency and Bouchon Carême

Ravintola Savoy Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review
Ravintola Savoy Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review

01

Ravintola Savoy

High above Helsinki’s Esplanadi Park, Ravintola Savoy has been a symbol of Finnish sophistication since 1937. Designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto, its interior reflects functionalism’s clean lines, enriched by Artek furniture and the iconic Savoy Vase. Recent updates by Ilse Crawford subtly modernised the space while preserving its timeless charm. Chef Helena Puolakka curates a menu that honours Finnish culinary heritage. A highlight is the vorschmack, a robust dish beloved by Field Marshal Mannerheim, paired with traditional accompaniments.

Ravintola Savoy
Eteläesplanadi 14
Helsinki
Finland

Photography courtesy of Ravintola Savoy

Palace Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review
Palace Helsinki Finland restaurant

02

Palace

Palace Restaurant, perched on Helsinki’s South Harbour since 1952, was Finland’s first Michelin-starred venue. Chef Eero Vottonen crafts exquisite Nordic dishes with a Japanese touch. Highlights include hiramasa with kombu and gooseberry ponzu and Finnish wagyu with preserved truffle. The interior, redesigned by Note Design Studio, blends 1950s modernism with contemporary hues of turquoise and teak. Originally built for the Helsinki Olympics, the 10th-floor dining room offers sweeping views of the harbour, perfectly complementing the restaurant’s legacy of culinary excellence.

Palace
Eteläranta 10
Helsinki
Finland

Photography courtesy of Palace

Ateljé Finne Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review

03

Ateljé Finne

Ateljé Finne, situated in Helsinki’s former studio of sculptor Gunnar Finne, seamlessly blends art and dining. The interior retains original sculptures, creating a unique atmosphere. The menu showcases Finnish cuisine with a modern twist, focusing on high-quality, hyperlocal ingredients. Signature dishes include reindeer tartar with caraway mayonnaise and fermented green beans and poached pike-perch with kohlrabi-dill sauce. The restaurant’s commitment to local produce and its artistic setting make it a standout in Helsinki’s dining scene.

Ateljé Finne
Arkadiankatu 14
Helsinki
Finland

Photography courtesy of Ateljé Finne

Bouchon Carame Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review
Bouchon Carame Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review

04

Bouchon Carême

Bouchon Carême, opened in 2024, resides in the iconic Aleksanterinkatu 13, a landmark building completed in 1900 as Finland’s first commercial property. Its revolutionary design, inspired by 19th-century German and Viennese business architecture, played a key role in shaping Helsinki into a modern European capital. Today, this historic site hosts a culinary experience that blends rustic Lyonnaise traditions with refined modernity. Led by renowned chefs Hans Välimäki and Maria von Graevenitz-Välimäki, the menu dazzles with dishes like cauliflower cream profiteroles with truffle and grilled oysters with green apple and beurre blanc. Finnish studio Fyra’s elegant interior design complements the building’s legacy.

Bouchon Carême
Aleksanterinkatu 13
Helsinki
Finland

Photography courtesy of Fyra Design Agency and Bouchon Carême

Kappeli Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review
Kappeli Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review

05

Kappeli

Kappeli, an icon of Helsinki since 1867, graces Esplanadi Park with its stunning glass pavilion designed by Axel Hampus Dalström. A favourite of artists like Jean Sibelius and Eino Leino, its walls whisper stories of cultural brilliance. Recently renovated by design agency Fyra, the space balances 19th-century elegance with contemporary comforts. Chef Kimmo Martiskainen’s menu celebrates Finnish heritage with dishes like reindeer fillet, served with root vegetable gratin and a rich game sauce, or creamy salmon soup infused with dill. The historic charm, accentuated by artworks from masters such as Albert Edelfelt, makes Kappeli a harmonious blend of art, tradition, and modern gastronomy in the heart of Helsinki.

Kappeli
Eteläesplanadi 1
Helsinki
Finland

Photography courtesy of Kappeli

Sea Horse Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review

06

Sea Horse

Established in 1934, Sea Horse, affectionately known as Sikala (The Pigsty), is a Helsinki institution renowned for its traditional Finnish cuisine and timeless atmosphere. The interior features a distinctive painting of two sea horses, reportedly created by art students in the 1940s. The menu boasts classics like crispy fried Baltic herrings, a dish that famously captivated jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie and the signature onion steak, celebrated internationally. Over the years, Sea Horse has attracted a diverse clientele, from sailors to cultural icons, including poet Pablo Neruda and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, solidifying its status as a cherished landmark in Helsinki’s culinary scene.

Sea Horse
Kapteeninkatu 11
Helsinki
Finland

Photography courtesy of Sea Horse

Meiccu Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review
Meiccu Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review

07

Meiccu

Meiccu, located in Helsinki’s Meilahti district, has been delighting diners since 1946. Formerly known as Kuusihokki, the restaurant is renowned for its unique functionalist décor, featuring lamps designed by Paavo Tynell. This vintage interior even appeared in Aki Kaurismäki’s film ’Ariel.’ The menu offers classic Finnish dishes with a contemporary twist. Signature items include the traditional Vorschmack, a savoury meat dish, and the crispy Wiener Schnitzel, both reflecting Finland’s rich culinary heritage. Meiccu’s blend of historical ambiance and authentic cuisine makes it a cherished spot for both locals and visitors seeking a genuine Finnish dining experience.

Meiccu
Pihlajatie 34
Helsinki
Finland

Photography courtesy of Meiccu

Ravintola Elite Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review

08

Ravintola Elite

Established in 1932, Ravintola Elite in Helsinki’s Töölö district has long been a cherished haven for Finland’s artistic community. Its interior, designed by the Stockmann architecture bureau in 1938, retains an authentic 1930s ambiance, adorned with artworks from notable Finnish artists. The menu honours Finnish culinary traditions, featuring classics like Tauno Palo’s creamy onion steak, named after the esteemed actor, and Vova’s Vorschmack, a savoury meat dish inspired by a former doorman. Elite’s enduring charm and commitment to cultural heritage make it a must-visit for those seeking an authentic Finnish dining experience.

Ravintola Elite
Eteläinen Hesperiankatu 22
Helsinki
Finland

Photography courtesy of Ravintola Elite

Ravintola Lasipalatsi Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review
Ravintola Lasipalatsi Helsinki Uusimaa Finland restaurant review

09

Ravintola Lasipalatsi

Ravintola Lasipalatsi, established in 1936, is a Helsinki landmark celebrated for its functionalist architecture and rich culinary heritage. The building’s design, a collaboration among architects Viljo Revell, Niilo Kokko and Heimo Riihimäki, epitomises 1930s modernism. The restaurant’s interior preserves this aesthetic, featuring a bright dining room and six elegant cabinet rooms ideal for private events. The menu showcases classic Finnish dishes and seasonal delicacies, with a focus on fresh fish, reindeer, lamb and local wild game. Signature offerings include blinis during the renowned Blini Weeks and asparagus dishes celebrated during Asparagus Weeks.

Ravintola Lasipalatsi
Mannerheimintie 22-24
Helsinki
Finland

Photography courtesy of Ravintola Lasipalatsi

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