From fine dining to traditional Finnish cuisine
Helsinki is emerging as a top food destination in the Nordics. With a growing number of acclaimed restaurants, the city blends local ingredients with global influences, offering everything from laid-back eateries to innovative fine dining experiences.
Must-try traditional Finnish dishes
Karelian pasties
A Finnish classic! These pastries have a thin rye crust filled with creamy rice porridge. Best enjoyed warm with a generous spread of egg butter.
Grilled sausage
No Finnish barbecue is complete without makkara. These thick, juicy sausages are best enjoyed at cottages or campfires with mustard.
Salmon soup
Comfort in a bowl! Lohikeitto is a creamy soup with salmon, potatoes, and vegetables. Rich yet delicate, it’s a favourite in Finnish cuisine.
Coffee cheese
A unique Finnish treat! This mild, chewy cheese is dipped into hot coffee. Often served with redcurrant jam, it’s a delightful taste experience.
The MICHELIN Guide restaurants
The MICHELIN Guide restaurants in Helsinki offer a dining experience where Nordic ingredients meet world-class craftsmanship. Each dish is a reflection of seasonality, creativity, and pure flavours. Whether it’s a special occasion or simply the joy of exceptional food, these kitchens turn every meal into an experience to remember.
Source: Joseph Harwood / Helsinki Partners
Olo
Since 2011, Olo has offered a Michelin-starred dining experience in the heart of Helsinki. Its tasting menus follow the yearly cycle of the Nordic nature, bringing to the table only what is best at a given time. With carefully paired wines and house-made non-alcoholic drinks, every meal is a journey through the seasons.
Olo tasting menu
Source: Anders Husa & Kaitlin Orr / Helsinki Partners
Grön
Grön is a Michelin-starred and Green Star restaurant, serving a seasonal menu of high-quality Nordic ingredients. With 16 seats and an open kitchen, it offers an intimate dining experience. Dishes highlight organic, wild, and local produce, evolving with nature’s cycle across four seasonal menus.
Grön tasting menus
Source: Riikka Katinkoski / Helsinki Partners
Nolla
Nolla is a Bib Gourmand bistro and Michelin Green Star restaurant where great food meets sustainability. This zero-waste restaurant sources seasonal, organic ingredients from local producers. Every detail follows a waste-free philosophy. The drinks menu features natural wines and a selection of local craft beers.
Nolla menusTrendy new spots
Vegan and vegetarian choices
Helsinki offers a rich variety of plant-based dining, from casual bites to refined flavours. With fresh, seasonal ingredients and creative menus, the city’s restaurants serve vibrant vegan and vegetarian dishes – perfect for those who love great food, whether fully plant-based or just exploring new tastes.
Source: Putte’s Bar & Pizza
Putte’s Bar & Pizza
Putte’s keeps things simple: great pizza in a laid-back setting. Just off the Esplanade, it’s a favourite for quality, no-fuss dining. The menu includes vegan options, ensuring everyone can enjoy a delicious slice, whether classic or plant-based.
More about Putte’s
Source: YesYesYes restaurant Helsinki
YesYesYes
A buzzing vegetarian bar and restaurant where flavour comes first. Its ever-changing menu, made from scratch with local ingredients, takes inspiration from global cuisines – serving vibrant, creative dishes that just happen to be meat-free.
More about YesYesYes
Source: Joseph Harwood / Helsinki Partners
Junk y Vegan
Bold, fun, and 100% plant-based! Junk y Vegan serves up modern, flavour-packed comfort food, proving that junk food can be both indulgent and vegan. From juicy burgers to fresh kombucha, it’s all about great taste. Grab a drink, relax, and enjoy the good vibes!
More about Junk y VeganFinnish flavours with a twist
Source: Laura Dove / Helsinki Partners
Nokka
Nestled in Kanavaranta’s cosy restaurant district, Nokka showcases modern Finnish cuisine with international influences. The menu focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with carefully crafted vegetarian options.
Nokka menu
Source: BasBas Kulma restaurant
BasBas Kulma
A lively diner where meat, seafood, and vegetables sizzle on the charcoal grill. Enjoy freshly baked bread, simple starters, indulgent desserts, and a carefully curated wine list from classic to bold.
BasBas Kulma menu
Source: Kuu restaurant
Kuu
With a continental bistro feel, Kuu blends Scandinavian flavours with a French twist. Its warm atmosphere and timeless charm make it a beloved spot where Nordic ingredients meet French-inspired cooking.
Kuu menu
Source: Cheri restaurant Helsinki
Chéri
With possibly Helsinki’s most beautiful decor, the French-inspired Chéri is a vibrant part of the city’s restaurant scene. Here, you can enjoy stylish dishes and French classics while taking in the view of the Esplanade.
Discover Chéri
Bardot
A chic yet relaxed bistro, Bardot celebrates the charm of classic French cuisine. Sip a cocktail at the velvet-covered bar or indulge in fresh oysters at the lively seafood counter.
Bardot menuGlobal flavors
If you’re craving variety, Helsinki’s restaurants offer a world of tastes to explore – from the rich traditions of Italian and French cuisine to the precision of Mediterranean flavours.
Source: Julia Wiberg & Louise Edlund Winblad / Helsinki Partners
The ROOM by Kozeen Shiwan
At this intimate 14-seat restaurant, Kozeen Shiwan creates a theatrical dining experience inspired by his life. The menu highlights creativity, finesse, and plant-based ingredients, paired with thoughtful drinks.
More about the ROOM
Source: Muru restaurant
Muru
The award-winning Muru is a cosy bistro serving a seasonal European menu with French influences. Its carefully curated wine list of over 750 selections makes it a perfect spot for food and wine lovers alike.
Learn more about Muru
Source: Ragu restaurant
Ragu
Ragu offers fine dining with an Italian touch, using Finnish ingredients to create elegant, flavourful dishes. Enjoy a three- or five-course experience with expertly paired wines in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Ragu food menu
Source: Bronda restaurant
Bronda
Run by star chefs Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg, Bronda serves bold, Mediterranean-inspired dishes. With influences from Italy, Spain, and France, it offers a vibrant dining experience in a stylish setting.
Bronda menu
Good to know when dining in Helsinki
- Water is self-service in most restaurants and offered for free.
- Rye bread & butter are often complimentary – don’t skip this Finnish staple!
- Punctuality matters – arriving on time for reservations is polite.
- Explore local markets like Hietalahti Market Square and Old Market Hall for fresh Finnish flavours.
- Try Finnish coffee & korvapuusti in cosy cafés or discover craft beers and Nordic-inspired cocktails.