Finland Restaurants

The newest pedestrian street in the city is home to the old, traditional Fazer that has served the inhabitants of Helsinki for decades. The university buildings, Hotel Kämp and Maxim cinema are all nearby. You can have cakes, pastries, handmade chocolates, pasties, pies, savoury snacks and salads in the café or take them with you. You can always have tasty, traditional ice cream and good Finnish coffee. Place an order before hand for parties. Check out the gift service for cakes and personalised Fazer gifts.

Kappeli has been a pioneer in Finnish dining since 1837, offering beautiful views of the seafront. The café part has gorgeous (though expensive) desserts, perfect for any time of day. The restaurant serves traditional Finnish dishes, often sporting sauces made from the beer brewed in the restaurant's own brewery. The same building also contains a bar and a cellar restaurant. In the summer, guests can make use of their large, busy terrace and watch passersby and the acts on the next-door Espa stage. Hours vary with each section.

Kuu Kuu displays the work of many artists and other culturati. There's even a permanent collection of Bolshevik Lenin pictures. Kuu Kuu is a popular hangout with an interesting mix of clientele. You can expect to rub shoulders and bump elbows with local theater folk-- writers, actors, stage hands, a director or two and other behind-the-scenes players. Sandwiches and snacks are always served and Kuu Kuu has a wide selection of drinks: ten beers on tap (from five different countries), ciders and imported beers are available.

Located in Etu-Töölö behind the National Museum and next to Parliament, St. Urho's Pub was opened over 20 years ago, making it one of the most popular of traditions with locals. A wide selection of bottled ale and beers on tap are available and the menu has everything from small to huge meals. There is never a cover charge, even during live music performances.

A true British Pub, Angleterre specializes in hand pulled cask ale from various British breweries. Since 1976, this pub's warm atmosphere has lured locals and tourists alike. Angleterre also serves 40 odd bottled beers from the UK and Finland and a good range of Scottish malts. No British pub would be complete without a dart board, so this one has two.

As a typical European "brune cafe," William K is a popular spot for locals. The special is William K. Bock, brewed by the Kappeli microbrewery. Eight beers are on tap with nearly 100 bottled beers and seasonal specialties for plenty of variety. William K has two rooms with a capacity for about 120 customers. A table for 12 to 25 people can be reserved for the afternoon or early evening.

Located ten minutes from Helsinki's city center, this modern legendary pub moved from the Tennis Palace to Töölö. Hundreds of beer bottles adorn the walls of Vastarannan Kiiski's elegant bar. The colors inside are rich and warm, coupled with an elegant mood lighting. You'll feel sophisticated while sipping your suds.

Lux Nightclub is an exclusive club for all those party animals who wish to spend their evenings in luxury. Situated in a prime spot in the city center, Lux is another successful venture of the SK group of restaurants. It has five bars, a VIP lounge, six lavish booths and a large, airy terrace for private parties. You can also hire the place for any of your private or corporate events.

Located in the effervescent downtown area, this café is the ideal spot to unwind. You will always find students, professionals and shoppers here, thanks to its delightful fare and late hours. The menu is simple, yet delectable; try the pastas, salads, sandwiches and dig into scrumptious desserts. So now you know where to halt after your long shopping bout!

The best-known jazz club in Helsinki, Storyville resides in a basement where the red brick walls scream New Orleans. This is a place for those who like to sit down, enjoy drinks and listen to a band playing light, easy jazz; you can always pop in and expect a live performance. Guest musicians are often from abroad. Storyville is especially popular on weekends, but you can wait in the upstairs pub if the club is full.

This relaxed classy central restaurant is perfect for business lunches and for stylish young adults. The décor and food lack personality though. The restaurant is mostly non-smoking. Try the most popular dish here — the Tandoori Chicken Salad. The venue is also quite well known for its extensive but safe selection of wines.

Located in the Palace Hotel, this restaurant is definitely worth visiting. Eating here in the summer months is marvelous, not least because of the view. Palace Grill is more a place for long conversations and enjoying yourself, so if you're looking to have just a quick lunch you should try Café Palace. At Palace Grill you can enjoy some of the best grilled salmon around, as well as a wide choice of other traditionally Finnish dishes. The advantage of eating here is that it is open late.

Restaurant Kaisaniemi is an interesting phenomenon on the north side of Kaisaniemi park, right in the heart of town. This extremely old octagonal building has hosted numerous events and parties, and is still available for special reservations. As a restaurant, Kaisaniemi flourishes as summer sets in. With a large terrace in the backyard, it attracts customers like a magnet. Winters balance out this popularity, and Kaisaniemi is practically empty. Its speciality is the Sunday buffet, which definitely gives you your money's worth. A large variety of meat stews, fish and vegetables is available. The interior of the restaurant itself is something to see. The old-fashioned décor and the peculiar structure of the dining hall remind visitors of the building's age. Many locals of Helsinki are emotionally attached to Restaurant Kaisaniemi and the memories it arouses.

Retaurant Eliel is the pride and joy of the Central Railway Station in Helsinki. Not only is this restaurant big and inexpensive, it is also popular. This popularity doubles when summer sets in as Eliel also runs the beer terrace area outside the station. But, the restaurant is also surprisingly friendly to customers. This huge dining hall serves breakfast until 10:30a. A lunch buffet is available from 11a until 6p and includes many different kinds of hot dishes, both vegetarian and meaty portions. On weekends this buffet costs more than on weekdays. Certainly the à la carte menu also offers tasty dishes, a Greek salad or some chicken cutlet Mexican style. The restaurant even has a roulette and blackjack table for those of you who want to place some bets. Overall, it's an excellent place to dine.

Restaurant Arthur is the only place to dine in the small but cosy Hotel Arthur. Situated right in the heart of town next to Kaisaniemi park and Metro station, Arthur enjoys customers throughout the year, but especially during summertime. Its own restaurant is surprisingly classy when compared to the general look of the hotel. Crystal chandeliers decorate the ceilings, and the large bar gives the place some shape. The usual à la carte menu is fairly simple, but the special offers that change weekly are the ones to look out for. One week the special menu was a Caesar salad for starters, a portion of Baltic herring with potatoes as the main course, and Bavarian custard pie for dessert. Restaurant Arthur cannot compete with the restaurants in bigger hotels, but it is not supposed to. Its way of showing style and class has succeeded in its own right.