Kaksio Helsingissä omalla parkkipaikalla

Friendly service, sensible prices and plenty of buzz in the air – this is the kind of neighbourhood spot we’d all love to have at the end of our street. It’s located in the north of the city, inside a substantial three-storey building dating back to the 19th Century. The unfussy dishes are a great example of Nordic bistronomy: rustic, satisfying and filled with bold, balanced flavours – whether that be fresh herbs adding vibrancy to a burbot dish, or tart lingonberries cutting through the sweetness of meringue.

There is a comfortable and contemporary feel to this restaurant in the neighbourhood of Töölö. The cooking is inspired by the seasons and the well-constructed dishes deliver layers of intense flavours, with texture and acidity also playing a key role. There is generosity in the tasting menu offer, including some servings split across multiple complementary dishes – as with scallop presented both raw and as a dried powder to add flavour to a cabbage salad. Wine pairings are available to enhance the experience.

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.