Valoisa & Mukava koti vallilassa

Take in magical views over the harbour from the 10th floor of this modernist building, constructed in 1952 for the Olympic Games. Beautifully delicate modern dishes feature on a multi-course tasting menu packed with well-balanced flavours. These are presented both by the chefs and the top-notch serving team.

An intimate, elegant and professionally run restaurant with just ten tables – everything from the cutlery to the decanters is made by Finnish craftspeople. Set menus feature modern interpretations of traditional Finnish dishes, with first class ingredients used in detailed, technically skilled combinations.

A pretty yellow townhouse located opposite the pier plays host to this cool, minimalist restaurant, where four rooms decked out with locally designed furniture have a delightfully understated feel. Choose between a four-course menu, a tasting menu or a pre-order seasonal tasting menu, all of which showcase produce from the north of the country, with meats such as moose and elk a feature. The refined yet richly flavoured dishes are beautifully presented and often innovative in design, with the sautéed reindeer with Lappish almond potato the chef’s signature. As well as a wine pairing, they offe

Simplicity leads the way at this cosy little restaurant, where the atmosphere is warm and the charming team look after their guests with natural ease. You arrive at either 5pm or 8pm and are served throughout the night by the chefs, who explain each course in detail. Dishes are not only beautiful to look at but comprise layer upon layer of flavour; this could include scallop with honey-roast swede and XO sauce or sea buckthorn with roasted kombu and oolong tea. Fermenting foodstuffs cram the shelves, vegetables come from their garden and the rest of the produce is sourced from within the count

Chef Pasha Demin may be Russian, but he adores Finland: the people, the way of life and the food – and Helsinki’s Design District is the perfect setting for his restaurant’s forward-thinking philosophy. Rooted in the seasons and the landscape, Boreal’s aim is to encourage guests to connect with the planet. Following the rhythms of nature – and with a variety of preservation techniques in evidence to prolong the seasons – the original cooking showcases ingredients that are foraged from the wild or sourced from regenerative farms. Understated names such as ‘Charcoal Foam’ betray the complexity a

In the village-like Puu-Vallila, one of Helsinki’s most distinctive districts, old wooden houses painted in pastel colours sit on narrow winding streets dotted with courtyards. And at its edge, housed within a former butcher’s shop, is this neighbourhood bistro, whose unfussy feel is a perfect fit. Broth and bread are served before the four-course set menu, which can be expanded with two extra dishes; if you’re hungry, go for the latter option. You might find oyster with roast pumpkin and bell pepper purée or blueberries with caramel, douglas fir syrup and liquorice ice cream.

Located midway between Helsinki Cathedral and the sea, is this simple little bistro decorated in blue and white tones, where the welcoming service team help to create an upbeat atmosphere. Two regularly changing, keenly priced set menus are the draw, with the natural, uncomplicated dishes inspired by modern Mediterranean flavours. The chefs have a great understanding of their ingredients and treat them with care, and flavours are subtle but put together in well-thought-out combinations, such as asparagus and nori seaweed or rhubarb with Earl Grey and lemongrass.