Helsinki’s gourmet eating choice is better than ever

Head for the Finnish capital, Helsinki, and enjoy superb opportunities for quality dining and an exciting line-up of contemporary and traditional drinking establishments. Barely a week goes by without the opening of a new bar or restaurant, ensuring high quality and a great variety in style, tradition, architecture and entertainment.

The HelsinkiMenu project, established in 2000 as part of Helsinki’s 450th anniversary celebrations, is in full swing for another year as a visible element in the culinary offering of the city. The goal of the project is to contribute to the cultural aspects of food, make Finnish gastronomy better known, and to promote the use of high-class Finnish ingredients on the restaurant menus at a reasonable price.

The chefs create delicious meals of the best seasonal ingredients, each one in his or her own way. For more details, visit Finfood.fi/helsinkimenu.

There are many restaurants to choose from, but this selection, in our opinion, warrant special attention:

Chez Dominique: quite simply the best Helsinki has to offer. What’s more, the restaurant boasts two Michelin stars to prove its point. Hans Välimäki presides over the kitchen and serves a top quality blend of French and Scandinavian fare, such as pigeon stuffed with foie gras or roast Pyrenees lamb. Check out: Chezdominique.fi

Olo: devoted to modern Nordic cuisine (think Arctic char, morels, berries) and pairs a different wine with each course. Check out: Olo-ravintola.fi

Havis: the older part of this restaurant is the perfect venue for excellent fish dishes in a classic setting. Check out: Royalravintolat.com

Juuri: if you like tapas, then try sapas, Finland’s traditional little appetisers served to perfection here. Choose from nettle marinated whitefish, smoked Baltic herring paté and rainbow trout marinated in brandy. Check out: Juuri.fi

Saari: one of the finest locations in Helsinki, on an island in the harbour reached by a short ferry ride (€3.50 return). Their famous crayfish menus start on 20 July (pre-ordering essential). Check out: Asrestaurants.com/saari

Suomi on the Plate: another recent addition to the culinary landscape. The accent is on Finnish specialities. Check out: Suomiravintola.fi

Loft: situated in Yrjönkatu in the heart of the city’s design district, you’ll find a relaxed and inexpensive experience. Check out: Ravintolaloft.fi

Savoy: the emphasis here is on elegance, tradition and the best of formal Finnish cuisine. The Finnish military hero and statesman Field Marshal Mannerheim was a regular guest. Elegant surroundings created by Alvar Aalto. Check out: Royalravintolat.fi

Kasakka: one of Finland longest-established Russian eateries, serving superbly authentic Russian delicacies at reasonable prices set menu around £26pp). Check out: Kasakka.fi

Top quality bars make an evening out a real pleasure

Finnish magazine Viisi Tahteä (Five Stars) recently announced its first list of the top 20 bars in the country, based on visits and votes by professional judges. Not surprisingly, Helsinki was very well represented with 13 establishments named in the list, including the top five:

1. Mecca
2. Kämp
3. American Bar Torni
4. Sling In
5. Teatteri

Comments Anne Lind, director of the Finnish Tourist Board: “Helsinki has established a great reputation as a ‘cool’ capital in recent years. This is underpinned by a wide range of nightlife, a distinctive energy and pulse. Whether you seek elegance and refinement or non-stop pace and sound in a café, a gay bar, a pub, a nightclub or the panelled walls of a chic hotel interior, Helsinki has just the venue for you.”

Short breaks to Helsinki start at just £199 from Guild Travel (guildtravel.com), with flights from London Heathrow and Stansted, Manchester and Edinburgh. More details are available from Visitfinland.com/uk.