Aurora Igloo Porvoo

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.

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

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

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

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.

It might be slightly more challenging than usual to reach the entrance – you receive a code to open the side door before taking the lift up to the 14th floor – but once you’re safely ensconced, the view from this modern office building is worth it. The modern open-plan interior allows you to see into the kitchen where the chefs prepare the interesting set menu. Top quality local and international ingredients come together in flavoursome dishes crafted using classical techniques, with the breads in particular being a highlight.

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.