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Europe Finland Helsinki Dining Elite

Overview

Elite

The guide was updated: 2025-06-10

This Töölö restaurant has been a local hangout for artists and creatives since 1932. The dining room feels like stepping into a piece of Helsinki’s cultural history—original artwork lines the walls, and you can even sit where famous actor Tauno Palo used to. The food is traditional Finnish, with some dishes linked to its artistic crowd. In summer, the green terrace is a nice spot for a drink and a break from the city buzz.

Useful Information

Address: Eteläinen Hesperiankatu 22, Helsinki
Website: www.elite.fi/en/front-page
Phone: +358 9 61285200

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Muru

Muru

A small, relaxed bistro in the heart of Helsinki, with a daily-changing menu built around whatever’s freshest. The cooking leans French with a few Italian touches—simple, well-executed plates that don’t try too hard. Muru takes its wine seriously, and the staff actually know what they’re talking about. If you’re into pairings or just want to try something new by the glass, this is a good call.

Kuu

Kuu

Kuu serves Finnish and Scandinavian dishes with a modern twist, using fresh local ingredients—fish, meat, root veg, and berries. They keep things simple so the flavours really come through. The place has a slightly old-school feel, with cosy lighting and a covered terrace that’s perfect when it’s chilly. The wine list is well chosen, too.

Teatteri

Teatteri

Right on the edge of Esplanadi Park, Teatteri is a mix of things—grill restaurant, cocktail bar, deli, and late-night club—all under one roof. You can start your day here with coffee and end it with a drink and a DJ set. The food’s straightforward, with a focus on grilled dishes, and the crowd shifts throughout the day, from business lunches to pre-party drinks. It’s central, easy to drop into, and great for people-watching.

Kultá Kitchen & Bar

Kultá Kitchen & Bar

Kultá is a stylish spot with a Nordic edge—think reindeer, mushrooms, lichen, and other northern ingredients used in modern, unfussy ways. The menu leans into Lapland flavours without getting too heavy or traditional. And its interiors are clean and wood-heavy, with a bit of a high-end cabin feel.

Elite

Elite

This Töölö restaurant has been a local hangout for artists and creatives since 1932. The dining room feels like stepping into a piece of Helsinki’s cultural history—original artwork lines the walls, and you can even sit where famous actor Tauno Palo used to. The food is traditional Finnish, with some dishes linked to its artistic crowd. In summer, the green terrace is a nice spot for a drink and a break from the city buzz.

Finnjävel Salonki

Finnjävel Salonki

A focused take on Finnish fine dining, where old techniques—curing, fermenting, smoking—are used in quietly inventive ways. Dishes are built around local ingredients, and the space itself reflects modern Finnish design without overdoing it. If you’re curious about how Finnish cuisine can be reimagined, this is the place.

Pastis

Pastis

A small French bistro tucked into central Helsinki, Pastis does the classics well—steak frites, mussels, tartare—without overcomplicating things. The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious, and the wine list is solid, with plenty by the glass.

Salutorget

Salutorget

Set in a former 1910s bank near the Market Square, Salutorget keeps some of the original details—marble floors, wood-panelled counters, and a stained-glass mural behind the bar. It’s a polished, quiet space that works for both a long lunch and a slow dinner. The menu leans classic—seafood, soups, clean flavours—and they serve traditional afternoon tea, which is still rare in Helsinki. There's also a terrace with a view of the harbour, good on warm days. Locals actually come here, which says something.

Nokka

Nokka

Located in Katajanokka, Nokka is a key player in Helsinki’s food scene, known for its focus on seasonal Finnish ingredients. The kitchen works closely with small producers across the country, from Lapland’s forests to local farms. The menu changes with what’s fresh and pure, offering a clear connection to the source.

Savotta

Savotta

Just off Senate Square, Savotta serves traditional Finnish food in a setting styled after old logging camps and countryside homes—wooden furniture, enamel mugs, and a dose of nostalgia. The menu sticks to local ingredients: game, fish, root veg, and forest flavours. Service is warm, and the atmosphere is more casual than the location might suggest.

Saaga

Saaga

A meal at the Lappish restaurant Saaga is an enjoyable combination of tastes, tales and sensations. Saaga’s original Lappish wooden boat is filled with ice chips, and on top of them is gathered a real fisherman’s catch. In addition to fish delicacies, Saaga offers classic and modern Lappish and Finnish cuisine in a casual and cosy setting adorned with antler chandeliers.

Stefan's Steakhouse

Stefan's Steakhouse

Just off Esplanade Park, Stefan’s is a straightforward steakhouse named after Finnish-American chef Stefan Richter (you might recognise him from Top Chef). The focus is on quality cuts, done simply, with a few modern touches. The atmosphere is relaxed enough for a casual dinner but polished enough for a longer night out.

Krog Roba

Krog Roba

Housed in an old police station, Krog Roba's menu sticks to Nordic basics, from simple burgers to more thoughtful dishes, all served in a relaxed, neighbourhood vibe.

Saslik

Saslik

Open since 1972, Saslik is Finland’s best-known Russian restaurant, with décor straight out of the Czarist era—velvet, candlelight, and heavy drapes included. The menu sticks to old favourites: blinis, spiced beef, bear dishes, and over-the-top signatures like Ivan’s Sword and Baked Alaska. It’s theatrical, a bit over-the-top, and exactly what you'd expect from a place that hasn’t changed much in decades—in a good way.

Savoy

Savoy

An institution since the 1930s, Savoy sits above Esplanadi with rooftop views and interiors originally designed by Alvar Aalto. It’s one of Helsinki’s most iconic dining rooms—quiet, understated, and tied to the city’s history. The food blends French technique with Finnish ingredients, and service is formal but not stiff. Pricey, certainly, but surely memorable.

Toscanini

Toscanini

Toscanini brings a slice of Tuscany to Helsinki with straightforward, generous dishes made from quality, fresh ingredients. The menu sticks to classics—ribollita, bistecca, fresh pasta—without fuss or frills. The atmosphere is informal, friendly, and a bit rustic, making it a good spot for a relaxed meal that feels honest and well done.

Goodwin The Steak House

Goodwin The Steak House

Goodwin is Finland’s only classic American-style steakhouse, built on traditional grilling techniques and quality beef. If you’re into charcoal-grilled steaks and hearty sides, this is your spot.

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