The 21 best French restaurants and bistros in Uusimaa

An intimate and atmospheric place in a beautiful building in a great location. I had an excellent pressed lamb with seasonal vegetables. A very balanced dish. In my companion's dish, the pike perch had been replaced by whitefish, but it was a fantastic dish. The fish, braised in browned butter, was heavenly. The wine recommendation was also spot on. The dessert of creme brule with strawberry-black pepper sorbet was also a positive surprise. The fresh sorbet made the portion well balanced.

We truly enjoyed our visit! Selected appetizers, main courses and desserts from the list to taste different kinds. Would recommend choosing similar amount as in the 5 course menu. Fantastic service, cozy atmosphere and great wine suggestions. Would visit again!

Absolutely delicious salmon tartar and regular tartar. Their fries were perfection, my favorite fries I’ve had in ages in Helsinki. Their wine selection was really good and tip: ask the waiter if they have any good/interesting wine bottle open that is not on the menu. You might very well be lucky! Overall love this place: food is amazing, service is outstanding and nothing beats sitting outside on Bulevardi on a summer evening.

The food and wine pairing were well prepared, but the overall atmosphere felt noisy and casual rather than fine dining. I had left a note in my reservation about tartar, but it was not addressed and the first course was tartar without any check from the staff. This left me with the feeling that attention to detail in service could be improved. Compared to other Michelin-mentioned restaurants in Helsinki, the experience felt less polished, especially in terms of atmosphere and service. Overall, good food but feels more like a casual restaurant than fine dining.

Tasty, elegant, very french food. Excellent experience. Dessert, chocolate/sorbet was a superb ending.

We have never experienced such poor service compared to similar restaurants in Helsinki. Here’s a summary of our experience: (1) We ordered the 5-course menu, but only received four courses when it came time for dessert, the waitress validated with the kitchen and informed us, “I have no idea why we didn’t serve you the starter.” (2) The wine was poured while I was in the restroom, with no opportunity to taste or see the bottle. I had to specifically ask about which wine was served. (3) Since we only received four out of five courses, the restaurant offered a 20% discount. However, I had also opted out of the cheese plate, meaning I effectively only received a 3-course meal. Despite this, the discount was applied to the full 5-course menu price. (4) My friend and I paid separately, but despite ordering different wines and courses (he had four courses while I had three), the waitress simply split the bill evenly between us. This was not only inaccurate but also frustrating. While the food was refined, the service was neither attentive nor respectful.

Very big disappointment. Have never seen this level place with THIS horrible service. Makes me feel that you could just buy a place in Michelin guide. The menus were never explained, not a word about the courses. We ordered olives, that were not brought. When we ask the waiter (makes me think it was a shift manager or such, as other waitresses were asking him for advice, a tall guy with glasses) about our olives his reaction was -A!! No apologies or anything. (Later on, they did not include the olives in the check, let’s say it was a sign of apology…….) I had white fish crudo for the starter, which had lots of sauce and a spoon was supposed to be brought with it. (The other waitress brought the same dish for the other table with the spoon at the very beginning and the guests did not have to ask for it separately). When my wife finished her starter and I was still eating, the same guy just took away her plate without asking e.g. if she enjoyed the food or anything. That was just gross violation of service rules . Makes me feel the guy never worked in a restaurant before and does not even know the basics. As to the food, it was ok, nothing special. Presentation was average, as well as the taste. Though, I was amazed with the wines- there were brilliant. Overall, it is not worth it. I’m so shocked how place with this kind of service could be in Michelin guide Would not recommend.

Savoy Café ☕️ Coffee — tasty, atmosphere — nice, overall everything’s good… But hey team, don’t forget to smile! Service is “technically fine”, but it’s the warmth that makes the difference. Still, definitely worth a stop for a quality cup of coffee.

I had the lobster linguine and it was absolutely delightful. The lobster was fresh and tender, paired with perfectly cooked linguine in a sauce that was creamy yet beautifully balanced — rich without being overwhelming. The staff recommended a glass of Pouilly-Fumé to go with it, and it turned out to be a perfect match. The overall setting is elegant and relaxed.

The place was truly elegant and peaceful, with no distracting noise. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere carried a sense of prestige. We enjoyed a four-course meal accompanied by cocktail wines and dessert wines, and everything was matched and paired perfectly. The food was outstanding and beautifully prepared, complemented by a well-made cocktail options. Everything was spotless and well maintained. If you are looking to unwind in the heart of Helsinki with a fine dining experience that remains budget-friendly, this is the perfect choice. ✨✨✨🥰

Lovely photo place a lunch with a French atmosphere. Great food and platting. Service is good but would be nice if they know a bit more about the plates they serve.

In general all dishes were well cooked and it was tasty. Service was 10/10

A wonderful bistro, with delicious dishes and a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. It was quite busy, yet we enjoyed our stay and the staff were helpful all the time! The wine list is rather extensive, so you should definitely ask for suggestions. I had the signature cocktail, pork & celery, lobster pasta and tarte Tatin, and would recommend all of them!

Writing this as a native finn and Helsinki born individual. Really nice relaxed fine dining place. Located in a perfect spot by the legendary Esplanade Park. Big windows for you to watch the lively heart of the city. Were here with wife and 10 year old Child. Child had Gnocchies and chocolate mousse. We had the 4 course menu. Especially the white aspargus risotto blew our minds. Loved also the octopuss. Desserts were excellent. Staff was kind, authentic and warm hearted. Totally recommend this to any local or tourist. Kiitos, oli ihana ilta tänään.

An unforgettable culinary experience Our visit to Savoy was an absolute highlight. From the first greeting to the last bite, every moment was perfectly thought out. The cuisine impressed with an exceptional balance of creativity and precision. The lobster deserves special mention, with its sophisticated composition of flavors. The wine accompaniment was excellently matched and emphasized the complexity of the dishes. The service was impeccable - professional, attentive and cordial without being intrusive. The atmosphere of the restaurant exudes elegance and tranquillity, which rounded off the overall experience perfectly. Savoy is a must for foodies and a real addition to Helsinki's culinary scene. We look forward to our next visit!

Elegant and yet personable, the service here matches the delicious range of items on the menu, each with its distinct flavour. Loved the history and storytelling as well as adjustments to the summer menu. An excellent representation of Helsinki and a fantastic Finnish experience.

I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for the fantastic lunch you organized for our marriage day. Everything was perfect, and we couldn’t have been happier with the experience. The service was outstanding, the whole crew and especially thanks to our main waitress, who was attentive, friendly, and made everything run smoothly. The food was excellent from start to finish, and the beautiful cake you made for us was truly delicious. Please pass along our special thanks to the cook for such exceptional work. I also loved the table decoration, it added such a warm and elegant touch to our celebration and made the setting feel even more special. Thank you again for helping make our day so memorable. We will always remember it fondly and look forward to visiting again in the future.

It is one of the most popular fine dining restaurants in Helsinki. I visited on a Friday for dinner, the place was almost full. So, I strongly recommend those who plan to visit shall make a reservation in advance. The high standard yet friendly service topped in my ratings. The atmosphere was also great, The pianist played soft songs that blended well with the ambiance. And, most importantly, the sound level was just right. The food tasted great with enhancing, artistic, yet practical presentation. The price point in Savoy is extremely friendly for a Michelin star rated fine dining restaurant. And as the price index here in the Nordic is high, this makes the price here even higher value for money.

A beautiful restaurant. The menu was very attractive and the food was delicious and the portions were just perfect. The wine list is exhaustive and although a bit expensive it was comparable with other restaurants in Helsinki but worth it. Great advice from the sommelier. Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. A wonderful experience in a historic setting

This is a very good restaurant in Helsinki. The food, wine and atmosphere could not have been better.

One of Earth’s finest restaurants. The room, the staff and of course the dishes are all of the most exceptional levels. Miles Davis soundtrack was perfect for our lunch of fish dishes and the warmth of the folks taking care of us was sincere.

Top notch experience from start to Finnish! Food and service were both fantastic, great value, and we would happily return. Stand outs from the menu (which changes regularly and showcases local ingredients were: The rustic homemade baguette!, Goats cheese tart, Beef tongue (special of the day) and the Potato skin with olive oil and peanut Swiss roll dessert. This last dish was very unique and really worked well.

make sure to book a table, this place gets very crowded. service was lovely. for these jaw-dropping prices, i would expect more. the steak was absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked, but the rest of the dish left a lot to be desired. i would've liked more than half of a barely seasoned potato...

Excellent dinner here on my last night in Helsinki. I had a 2-course meal from their new menu. Arctic char followed by peppercorn steak. Both were delicious. The service was also faultless. I found the staff welcoming and professional, and everything very well timed. Yes, it is pricey but that’s mainly due to the wine and less so the food. I did opt for a half-glass of wine to accompany the appetiser and a full glass of red with the steak. This is refined yet unfussy food in an intimate, unpretentious atmosphere. I’ve eaten well in Helsinki but this was my best meal and overall dining experience.

Absolutely perfect dinner. Super good food and one of the best experiences overall. My husband has some food restrictions, and sometimes it becomes a little awkward when eating out, but not here! They were super accommodating and seemed to be very happy to customize dishes for him. It was the best restaurant experience for him ever. Thank you so much! Needless to say the service is absolutely top class!

Beautiful little bistro in a charming, historic building right near the harbour. Beautiful, delicate food.

Perfect place for a fancy date night. 😍 Average price for a fine dining and the food is worth every penny! Restaurant is small but the atmosphere is comfy and romantic. Service is so friendly and professional, big applause to the British waiter. Would give more than 5 stars if that was possible. 🤩 Recommended to book a table on the weekends since the restaurant is fully booked often.

Excellent food, service and atmosphere. We had the steak tartare and pepper steak. Would totally come back! Fairly priced, the desserts smelled amazing but did not have the chance to taste them, maybe next time!

This is easily the best restaurant in Helsinki. Food, atmosphere, service is excellent. The wine was superb. They have an eye for detail in everything from the interior to the tastes. There is a nice rustique simplicity. The music is not too loud. Price is affordable. The experience is perfect time and time again.

My favorite restaurant in Helsinki! You have to try it! The food is always great, be bold and try maybe something you wouldnt normally order (or that sounds weird). ;) Those dishes always surprise me the most and are my fav! And the wines are so good! The atmosphere is so relaxed and there is always so positive energy! The service is out from this world. The staff is always amazing and they have such a good vibe going on. Special Thanks to Liina! Last night she was 🔥🔥!

The food was absolutely delicious, crafted with care and full of balanced, seasonal flavors. Every dish felt thoughtful and refined without being over the top. Service was a standout: warm, professional, and genuinely attentive. The staff made us feel welcome and well taken care of throughout the evening. The atmosphere was relaxed yet stylish, striking a perfect balance between cozy and elegant. Together, the food, service, and setting created a dining experience that felt effortless and special. It’s a place I’ll definitely return to!

Having two-time experience downstairs at Basbas Kulma, it was difficult to manage my expectation, especially I had to stay late after 00:00 to make the reservation for a newly available day on the calendar. Maybe I have missed something, but I cannot tell the concept difference between the two restaurants. Well the vibe downstairs was more lively. The food I ordered was just average this time, the grilled seabass was tasty, but the starter whitefish was too sour and the risotto too salty. I will still be a fan of Basbas:)

Aug. 12/25: 3.5 Stars, food missed the mark as it just wasn’t up to par compared to BasBas Kulma (we ate here three days ago). The scallops were unfortunately bland, the daily fish, in this case Pike was overpowered by the tomato, so with this it simply wasn’t a meal that will remembered fondly. Maybe our expectations were too high. The service was terrific!!

One of the best spots for pretty much any occasion. The menu changes often, so there’s always something new to try. Prices are super reasonable for the quality you get!

Went here a few weeks ago - amazing all around! Food was seasoned perfectly. And i like that some dishes leaned more fresh acidic & others more rich umami. Highlights for me was the pasta dish, the caesar salad, and the paris brest dessert. I really wanted to like the tartar more but it could’ve been served colder with some crunchier element beyond the pickled daikon. Nonetheless, all were still tasty and the wines recommended are decent and good. Service was very nice and friendly too!

We had a six-course dinner with pre-selected dishes and enjoyed all of them. The restaurant manages to make classic dishes like risotto, tartare, ceviche, and tuulihatut feel special, using good ingredients and careful preparation. Service was friendly and the atmosphere was cozy. Some wines had run out during our visit, so when the Pinot Noir I ordered wasn’t available, they offered another that would be similar. I later noticed it was more expensive, but it wasn’t mentioned at the time — a small thing, and I could have asked of course. Overall, I would recommend the place.

Very good and well prepared food. The starters were excellent and mains also nice, but slightly on the bland side. Atmosphere is nice, modern and intimate and service was fast and friendly. Overall a good restaurant for casual dinner with friends and family.

The restaurant had a cozy atmosphere, great food, and lovely service. The kitchen was flexible, making small changes to the sides when we preferred alternatives. I highly recommend it. A special thank you to all the waitstaff and the bartender!

Had a nice and relaxing dinner here. All the staff are quite nice and friendly. Social & cozy atmosphere. We got treated with some extra pieces of burnt chocolate before leaving. It’s quite lovely!

A place known for their meats for a reason. We had the 6 course menu where the lamb main and risotto stood out. Will come back for the mocktails, they were spot on.

I love all the sauce taste, they used various fruits in their recipe.

The beef and drinks are great but other (sea) food is overpriced. Would not order the tiger prawns again. Probably the most overcooked prawn ever eaten. Literally I had to eat the prawn with the shells as it did not peel in any reasonable manner. Would have otherwise sent it back to the kitchen but was a company event so didnt want make a mess..

I somehow have mixed feelings about the atmosphere is great. Very warm, stylish and classy. The table was great, lighting added to the nice ambiance. The starters were all great and had some special touch to it such as the plums added to the Burrata (the burrata could’ve been a little more liquid inside). I especially liked the pulpo and the onion soup. Now on to the mains: both the t bone and the Prime Rib were a little too raw for my liking and a little too fatty and chewy as well. The sauces, however, were quite yummy again. All desserts were really nice and there was something for everyone with sweet and not as sweet options here. The cocktails were refreshing and tasty! Service was friendly and attentive but slow at times, especially between starters and main. All in all a mixed buck - but nice for a special evening.

Cozy and pleasant place, with absolutely amazing service (especially for Helsinki). Nice wine 🙂 The food didn’t impress me though, so I’d give it a 4 for the atmosphere, service, and good music. Recommend to visit with friends or family🙂

I had a very disappointing experience at The Grand Bar & Grill. My friends and I felt extremely uncomfortable with the service. The waitress displayed an irritated and almost condescending attitude simply because we asked a few questions about the menu. Since we are not very familiar with steaks, it was natural for us to want more information before ordering. Instead of being helpful, however, the waitress made unpleasant facial expressions and replied with rude remarks. When the food finally arrived, it helped us calm down and start to enjoy the meal and drinks. We wanted to continue enjoying our drinks and the evening, but unfortunately, the poor service spoiled the mood and made us ask for the bill earlier than we intended. To make matters worse, we only wanted to split the cost of the starters, but instead of clarifying, the waitress snapped back at us with “so what.” This was shocking, especially since we were celebrating our friend’s 50th birthday and wanted the evening to be special. Unfortunately, the service from this one woman in the green dress completely ruined the atmosphere. That said, the other staff members were lovely, the food was delicious, and the cake was excellent. It’s a real shame that one person’s attitude overshadowed what could have been a happy and memorable evening. Since I also work in the service industry, I can say this was truly a very poor example of service. There was no guidance, and her body language — pursed lips, rolling eyes — made us feel extremely uncomfortable. I tried to think that perhaps she was simply having a bad day, but unfortunately, she ended up making my friend’s 50th birthday an unpleasant memory as well.

I agree with some of the other reviews that the overall experience is a bit mixed. Steak was tender and cooked medium rare. The fries were super crispy and well seasoned, and the sauces really good. But the seats were a bit uncomfy and it gets quite noisy when the restaurant fills up. Service was good and attentive, but a bit too casual for my taste. All in all, had a wonderful time, but i expecting a bit more.

Unfortunately quite a disappointing experience. The red hair waitress was awful to my friends. She had a pissed attitude from the start. She was extremely rude and defensive to them. To the point that was speaking Finnish to Finnish customers and when my friend talked to her in Finnish she said: I don’t speak Finnish 😅 She was like angry to us(?) At first we thought maybe we are overthinking it? But didn’t get any better :/ We didn’t quite understand what caused this tbh (Hopefully it wasn’t a discrimination case but at points it did feel like that) Luckily we asked for a change of waiter and the other staff members were better. I feel sorry for the restaurant’s crew as they had to cover for their colleagues’ lack of service skills. They seemed swamped and a bit stressed with work. We gave feedback to the manager and he was very open to receive it, thanks for that! The food took an hour to arrive. The steak and fries were quite disappointing too. Super small portion and very average flavors for 29€. Hard beef to chew. The wine selection on the other hand was good! I wish I would have better things to say about the experience :( but I cannot stay silent for the mistreatment my friends got from this particular staff member. Hopefully the restaurant can do better in the future!

In a nutshell: nice place for drinks with friends and family. Service is amateurish (staff taking shots behind the bar, service limited to transporting dishes, slow, forgetting to charge items, etc.). Food is ok but nothing special. Stay away from the cheese plate. We visited the Grand on a Friday evening as part of a credit card promotion. The place had a nice cosy ambience where everyone seemed to be having a good time. For starters, we order the burrata cheese and a plate of cold cuts. The starters were nice and tasty, but we noticed the absence of bread on the table and the lack of description of the plate from the staff (I would have liked to know what sort of cold cuts they were). The service was fairly slow, and 1:20 into the dinner, we finally got the main dish. Again, I have no idea what the sauce served with the stake was as the service was limited to transporting the food from the kitchen to the table. No bother to ask how you want the meat, either. Nevertheless, the meat was cooked to perfection, and we enjoyed it. We ordered the cheese plate and a Spanish cheese cake for dessert. The cheese cake was deliciously creamy, but I highly recommend staying away from the cheeses. We got a brie and a blue cheese (of some sort, again, no info) that seemed to be beyond their ripening time ( the blue cheese was more yellow than blue and the brie was more brown than white), and so, were left almost intact on the table. This is not a matter of not liking mature or artisan cheeses, as we have eaten all sorts of artisan french cheeses before. Overall, it was an ok experience but likely not coming back. The owner should focus on training the staff to avoid issues such as drinking while working, failing to charge items, and slow and amateur service.

Amazing food and even better service. Yesterday was my second dinner at Grand and it is getting just tastier and tastier. Highly recommend to try gratinated oysters, pickles a la nicolai and pulpo.

Good food & great service! The restaurant gives a cozy, family atmostphere. However the space is a bit small, and so many tables around. I’m a bit overwhelmed when sitting too close to other people. 😅

We went as a group of six people. It was a significant birthday for one of us, and we wanted to have a meal out together somewhere nice to celebrate. The whole experience was wonderful. We had the five course meal choice with a different wine for each dish, as suggested by the restaurant. The choice of wine was explained every time, details about where it was produced and what type of grapes were used to give the specific taste of the wine. I definitely learnt a lot.. And the food was truly wonderful, check out the photos on this review page. I would say it was the best restaurant experience I have had in the last twenty years..

Quality food and wine: beef tartar, Iberico pork, cheese. The only thing letting it down is a service, which was very slow considering just a 4-course meal. The tables are close to each other, but it doesn't feel crammed.

I was recommended this place by the receptionist at my hotel, and it was truly worth recommending further. When I walked in, I just said “surprise me” without knowing anything about what they had on the menu or what they were known for. First, I got both sourdough bread and focaccia with garlic butter, along with some Caster Liebart Cuvée Cécile Champagne. All of this was really good. The first course was beef tartare with thyme mayo, pickled chanterelles, and sourdough crackers and this has to be the best beef tartare I’ve ever eaten! It was served with Bottega Vinai Pinot Nero 2019, which paired fantastically with the dish. The second course was their Jerusalem artichoke risotto with Finnish apple and wow, the flavors in this risotto were truly amazing. Definitely worth trying when you visit this place. It was served with Domaine Gresser GC Wiebelsberg 2003, again a perfect choice for this meal. For the third course, they served pan-fried trout with potato purée and beurre blanc. The fish was excellent, with a crispy skin and a great balance of flavors. I never thought I’d eat trout in a restaurant that was better than the ones I catch and cook myself, but this was definitely better! This dish was served with Domaine Jean Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet 2022 and once again, a great choice by the sommelier. For the cheese course before dessert, I was served Ossau-Iraty and Fromager d’Affinois with homemade flatbread and some jam. At first, when combined, I didn’t notice that the flatbread had a hint of licorice flavor. But when I tasted it on its own, I did and although I don’t normally like licorice, this combination of flavors blended together beautifully. It was served with Canfine Castelvecchio Barolo 2019, which, like everything else, was excellent. Finally, for dessert, I had chocolate praliné mousse and blackcurrant leaf ice cream and this has to be the best mousse I’ve ever had. It was served with Arnaud Lambert Crémant de Loire, a really nice way to end this wonderful meal. To finish it all off, they served me a Negroni, which was also amazing. Thank you for the excellent service and delicious food! This was truly a fantastic dining experience. I would recommend everyone in Helsinki to visit this restaurant, such a cozy atmosphere and a super friendly staff!

I had the 4-course meal. The potato waffle was just okay, the truffle pasta was too lemony, and the crème brûlée was underwhelming—I’ve had better. The fish lacked flavor, and the fish sauce was too strong. Service was slow, but the wine selection was great, which was a highlight. Coming from NYC, the flavors felt a bit boring for my taste.

High quality, delicious food. Cozy atmosphere and nice interior design. The staff is adorable and very service minded. However, 5 courses of small dishes took 4 hours. Since we did not do a wine/beverage package, as we do not drink alcohol, it felt very very slow.

Outstanding food and quality and wine provided with kind English fluent waitresses, reservation is advised to ensure seats availability.

Not satisfying the expectations. Nice place, well decorated, good atmosphere, however the food is not good at all. Very basic, simple, trying to mix flavours without any sense at all. Probably expensive for what you get, fish of the day was just grilled and nothing else. Beetroot carpaccio simple. Dessert was good really good. Maybe there are more options in Helsinki, will search…

Our waiter, older lady, was extremely rude and had an attitude like she was better than us customers. My boyfriend requested to have the steak without mushrooms and she told him it was of course possible. When we got our food she served him a plate with mushrooms and didn’t recall him requesting to remove the mushrooms. She explicitly accused him not letting her know in advance! Then the waitress proceeded to “make the dish again” - in reality she just scraped the mushrooms off the plate and served it as new in 2 minutes. He ate the steak but felt disgusted even thinking it had touched mushrooms. Rest assured, we will not be attending again.

Table by the window to look over our beautiful Esplanade. Clean and well kept Finnish-Swedish interior from our golden years. Good traditional food and excellent service. Happy to still have these traditions alive.

We went to celebrate our first time in Helsinki and boy was it an amazing experience! I personally had a Negroni that was just like I love! Than I had the salmon with a poached egg and it was delicious! For the desert, I had a full coconut desert and it was fresh and delicious! This restaurant is a bit pricey but in my opinion it's worth it, the ingredients are such high quality! Plus the waitress was adorable!

Will not return. Found bone in the meatballs, sweaty pork flavor, and a major downgrade in quality. This used to be my go-to place for Swedish meatballs. They used to be rich, comforting, and made with beef. Now they’ve switched to 100 percent pork, and it shows. The flavor is sweaty and off. I bit into hard chunks of bone and cartilage. One bite nearly chipped my tooth. I’ve attached photos. Yup, that really came out of a meatball. The color was a pale grey beige. The dish came without lingonberries, which are a standard in any proper Swedish version. Used to always come with the dish. I asked, and was told you now have to request them separately. That makes no sense. It’s like eating fries without ketchup, you just don’t. This was clearly a cost-cutting move, and it’s lost them a loyal customer. My family and I won’t be back unless they bring back the original all-beef recipe. If you have come this far thanks you reading, go somewhere else if you’re looking for meatballs. Btw did not get a discount or apologies only ”I will inform the chef”. I gave the waiter my feedback already, this is not news for then. This is for you, the customer.

We got up to the 2nd floor restaurant to experience our first Finnish food. We simply enjoyed it. I was amazed by the collection of old books as a display. Burata? My first experience the kind of cheese as an entrée

Beautiful sit-down, full service restaurant upstairs! I enjoyed the planned course menu with prawn starter and chateaubriand entree. The blueberry crumble was a miss--it did not taste right. One friend tried the truffle menu, and shared a taste of each course, which was delightful! I really enjoyed the beautiful decor of the restaurant and the views as the sun set. Would love to return on my next trip!

food was made with high quality ingredients, presented beautifully, and catered well to a pescatarian palette. for me, the starter tasted only of the horseradish sauce and my fish main course had several large bones in which was unpleasant. overall, the dishes tasted good but nothing stood out as being super amazing. the service was friendly and welcoming, although we had a gifted 4 course menu and felt a little pushed by the waiter to order drinks and spend money when we didn’t want to. loved the french decor and music but as someone who has lived in paris, the atmosphere was quite dull and not reminiscent of a true french bistro.

This is a decent french restaurant in Helsinki. We tried the classics i.e. escargot and tartare and they were as good as it gets. The main steak was also well prepared - nothing mind blowing though. Unfortunately their crème brûlée lacked taste and came out a bit flat. I have to compliment them on their service as it was warm, quick and friendly. The atmosphere resembled an authentic French brasserie. I would recommend booking a table in advance.

Excellent food in very nice surroundings and good vibe. Friendly and attentive service, great wine selection and fair prices. Overall great experience!

Had a chefs menu as dinner here. First starter really smooth, balanced and tasteful. Second dish was a bit creative. Maybe not just my cup of tea. Main char was yet again really smooth, balanced and enjoyable. Raspberry desert was mediocre. I'll do better myself. Wine package was interesting since had one wine that was between rose and red but it went well with the dish. White with the first dish was excellent being a bit on the dark and heavy side of whites. Desert wine was really good since it wasn't traditional super sweet. Overall pastis offers premium french kitchen experience. Definitely worth visiting if you are a friend of french kitchen. Restaurant side is really noisy when the place is full. Bar side can be a bit more peacefull.

Very nice atmosphere, original elevated seating by the window, one of the iconic Finnish brasseries in Helsinki. Professional service, attentive and friendly. The food is on par with the expectations. A good overall experience.

Located very central in heart of Helsinki, Finland🇫🇮. Very nice ambiance but food was average and service was very slow for brunch. I think there are many better options in town. I think they should expand the brunch menu as it was very short and not too many options which qualify the menu as brunch because it was very standard lunch kind of offering. No croissants no eggs and nothing from breakfast etc

It's one of my favorites in Helsinki. It is always a pleasure to go. Food is delicious, traditional in a French style. The selection of wines is amazing. Friendly and very professional staff.

I had a fantastic lunch at Restaurant Pompier! I ordered the rainbow trout with salad lunch set, and it was absolutely delicious. Definitely one of the best fish dishes I’ve had in Helsinki. The service was warm, friendly, and efficient, and the food was served surprisingly quickly. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. I’ll definitely be coming back and highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great food and excellent service in the city.

We (a group of four) went Pompier Espa on Saturday evening. The restaurant looked elegant, but also cosy and the atmosphere was welcoming to eat. Most of us chose to take the menu of the day which was really good decision. The portions were really good sized and the food was really delicious and the wines for the dishes were spot on chosen. The service was so polite and professional whole evening which made the dinner even more perfect. One of us had gluten free diet, but it wasn't any kind of problem. The staff made the some changes to the dishes so everyone could enjoy the food and the evening our waitress always notified that the gluten free diet was taken care for each dishes. What a perfect evening. I can recommend the restaurant based on our experience.

Charming local restaurant serving French cuisine. Had the local fish of the day and it was delicious with hints of pistachio in the buttery sauce with a creamy side dish of potatoes. The apple tart with the vanilla ice cream was a sweet treat for dessert to end the meal. The bread was amazing and paired well with the butter.

Fantastic dining experience whilst on a work trip. Food was first class, and extremely attentive staff when it came to service. They even offered to move me between courses when a better table became available.

Beautiful place. We had a late 9 pm booking but the welcome was very warm! The staff who served us were fantastic- made the night , and the food delicious! . They know what they are doing here and a good team make for an exceptional experience . The 3 course meal was great value for an expensive city and great quality. I would highly recommend to any one?

It was already my second time dining at Pompier. The first one was absolutely amazing and memorable with great food and atmosphere. This afternoon, I went again to have lunch. As usual, my walnut-parmesan chicken and basil risotto was divine, with generous portions and on-point seasoning. But what really set this visit apart was the service. The service was just superb, friendly, and polite. Everyone was understanding and went over and beyond my expectations. I will be back for sure!

A notable downside was the 30-minute wait for a table during lunch, which may test patience for those seeking a quick meal. The food was decent overall, though the dishes leaned slightly too salty for personal taste. The lunch salad bar offered limited options, lacking variety. The space was very crowded, especially during peak lunch hours While it’s worth a try for those curious, the combination of wait time, saltiness, and crowdedness means I likely won’t return

Outstanding service! The ladies on the staff were truly exceptional: incredibly kind, always helpful, extremely polite, and warmly welcoming. The food was also delicious. It was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this place!

Did some research on high quality restaurants, and based on all the recommendations Vinkkeli had received, decided to book a table. And true enough, the glowing reviews were on spot. High quality of service, absolutely beautiful interiors, beautiful tableware were first indicators that this was a great selection. We decided on the four course menu, which was well explained by the staff member. Everything worked, dished were absolutely excellent, paired well with recommended wines. Timing was spot-on, and we felt like the customer was on focus here. Thank you Vinkkeli, you are GREAT!

A truly pleasant experience! The dishes were full of great flavors and clearly prepared with care. I was especially impressed by how well different allergies were taken into account – we felt safe and well looked after the entire time. The service was excellent: friendly, knowledgeable, and warm from start to finish. I especially enjoyed the vegan starter and the soup – both were absolutely delicious and beautifully balanced. The main course wasn’t quite to my personal taste, but everything else more than made up for it. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back!

All around an amazing dinner. We took one of the set menus with wine pairings. We did swap out one of the desserts as my partner doesn’t like coconut at all but they provided a perfect alternative. Staff were attentive and knowledgeable. Food was spectacular and delicious. The restaurant was cozy and elegant. Recommend making a reservation but we did book the day we ate there. This was a great meal to end our visit to Helsinki. If you want a high quality meal that is not extremely expensive this is the place to go. Can be romantic, good for business or a nice meal out .

Lovely restaurant with a nice 4 course menu (incl veggie options) and a tremendously well priced wine menu!! Also amazing and attentive service!

Excellent lunch experience. Great food and very good service. They also made room for a stroller.

We chose the set menu with the wine pairing and thoroughly enjoyed. Should have been 5 star but the pork schnitzel was a bit too tough. Otherwise really excellent and eclectic choices of wines which complimented perfectly.

This was absolutely amazing - excellent food and atmosphere! Please give our compliments to the chef - the dishes were perfectly balanced and you could taste how each ingredient was allowed to shine. Special thanks to Andrey, who recommended a wonderful wine and shared fascinating insights about both the wine and the restaurant. We will definitely be back! Thank you so much!

Located on the corner of a busy tram line intersection crisscrossed by [Linja 1, 2, 4, 8, 10) the restaurant offers diners a nice menu that can be paired with select wines per course. Intimate and ambient for couples and group meetings between work colleagues or professionals, friends or family. The admixture of vegetarian entrees to more classic non-vegetarian standards are exceedingly rarified. The seafood and fish courses are also seaworthy of tasting, in a Finnish style of ‘haute cuisine’ modern eclecticism. Highly recommended for nearby hotel guests and international visitors alike.

Quality ingredients but not over average taste. Medium steak was extremely burnt on the surface which dominated the whole taste of meat. Fries as the side of burger were too dry and not in the good way. Dessert was the best part of menu plus helpful staff and cozy vibe.

It's a nice restaurant with good food. The old flair is quite comfortable. Staff was nice but partially a bit slow. Could have sold more drinks by showing up more frequently. Had to wait 40 minutes till dessert gets served. French Fries were a bit too salty.

Bring back the classics. Amazing service, beautiful place, superb wine selection. What can I say, a must in Helsinki. Will repeat for sure!!

Proper size portions, friendly service. Good food. As starter I had the salad, which was great! The entrecote was a nice surprise as well. The table foot is very wide so you cannot get your chair so close to the table as you might wish.

Nice restaurant and wine bar. This time was for drinks only but earlier experience with food has been good. We ended up being the last customers but the very nice bartender was is no hurry to close and we got to finish our drinks with no rush. Attentive service!

Had a birthday dinner. The food was amazing and service was very kind.

- tiny portion yet super expensive food. (This dish in the picture costs 24 euros) - super slow service. (Almost 1 hour from order time) + ok dessert. + ok welcome drink. + great atmosphere. - cost a total of 38 euros of food but I'm no where near half full.

We had a fantastic private graduation party at Cheri’s upstairs space. Great atmosphere, excellent food with a delicious buffet and good options for dietary needs, and super helpful staff. Being able to bring some of our own desserts and decorate made it feel really personal. ❤️ Highly recommend for a relaxed yet stylish celebration!

We had a very nice time here. The food was delicious and as well the champagne we tried. We finished our experience with 2 shared desserts (we were actually full but wanted to try) and we were over the moon, the desserts were fantastic. The interior is also pretty cool and very nice and friendly service. Thank you for a nice time and we can highly recommend.

Just had dinner there to celebrate my friends birthday, we each got a starter and a main course and then a bottle of wine to share. It was my first time having risotto, it did not disappoint but to be honest what stood out the most for me was the service, there were 2 waiters working and they did an outstanding job. The food was good but the service was amazing. From the second we walked in we felt welcomed and seated almost immediately, the staff kept checking in on us and had some really good conversation. In short we felt very comfortable and at home. The staff was always smiling and it's a nice thing to see! 10/10 would return just to get served by Nikita and Cali again! ❤️

Nice, pink and romantic atmosphere. Warm service though we had to wait for long times. Food had a beautiful presentation but unfortunately sauce with a steak had a vinegar flavor, french fries very salty. Entree and dessert were tasty. For the quality of food, it was too pricey.

The food was just amazing! Bold flavors and good Technique, chef Ben was a delight! The team is very friendly, the music was good and the place is very cozy and nice 😊 Hope for a return!

Le Ankke in Helsinki serves amazing food that mixes French and Finnish flavors perfectly. Every dish on the menu was really tasty, and the wine pairings matched well in most cases. The staff is super friendly and welcoming. The only downsides were the restaurant being too warm and a few flies flying around. But overall, it's a great spot for a unique dining experience in Helsinki!

Famous artist Stenwall made the centerpiece of this fine establishment, and it is indeed a duck with colors and vibe matching the restaurant. Menu is really good, where there are some options which are amazing each on their own. Great service with good selection of wines and other liquors. Take your date here, it’s an intimate and cozy setting, but down to earth - eavesdropping or making new friends definitely an option😊 5/5!

Really delightful experience in nice atmosphere. Creative menu and dishes were nicely prepared, showcasing different styles and flavors. Intimate and relaxed atmosphere. Freshly made bread was nice touch. Friendly staff kept the evening moving along smoothly.. Allergies and gluten free options were accommodated.

We enjoyed the food with my wife, duck would have benefited from having a bit more acidity on the side (the beetroot and mustard seeds didn’t quite make it) because of the duck being so fatty. Mushroom risotto was the queen of the show, it was excellent and the fish soup and wagyu beef were tasty too. Desserts complimented the menu well. The place is nice though small, it was a bit too tight for our preference but still manageable. Jackets were just stuffed on one wall, perhaps a bit more space would help but this didn’t bother us more than one star’s worth. Keep up the good work guys! :)

An absolute gem has opened up in Helsinki. Super fine dining and great wine pairings, with relaxed service. By far the best restaurant experience this year. Bonus points for Lake Saimaa being the inspiration! French onion soup a superior dish! Best of 2023! Also bonus points for vintage Arabia tableware!

My wife and I experienced Le Ankka for St Valentine’s (not on the day, but still) and it was exquisite! From the very personal service, to the small attentive team, the cosy restaurant itself and the delicious, meticulous food, all was perfect! We went for the 4-course menu and it kept on delivering dish after dish. I highly recommend the place for a couple who wants a caring, tasty moment.

THE discovery in Helsinki for really good food in a nice surrounding: Le Ankka. If there were 6 stars ⭐️, I would give them all to this cozy restaurant. Fine French style menues with local ingredients from nearby, fish from Saimaa lake and apples from the chef‘s garden. Don’t miss out the monastry wines 🍷 from Valamo and the Puruvesi 🐠 vendace, a fish with protected geographic indication (PGI).

Nice restaurant in the center of Helsinki with French-Asian-Fusion kitchen. The restaurant itself is quite cute, the service was incredible and also the food tasted really good. I had the lamb leg with a glass of fantastic Chardonnay and a pistachio cake with raspberry sorbet. Definitely can recommend this place but please be prepared that it's a bit pricey, but still worth it.

Very pricey with small portions, charge for water and bread. This was the first time for me being charged for bread in semi fine dinning restaurants in Helsinki. And one of the food was not well prepared, chicken comes with blood around bones. Will not visit again. Ah yeah, let’s not forget about the fly who join us.

We reserved a table for 8 people for a birthday dinner. Many of us chose the chef’s menu, which included 4 courses. The chef himself brought out the dishes and explained what was on each plate - such a nice touch. Our waitress was super helpful and friendly, even though our group was quite chatty and loud. They even surprised the birthday person with a dessert topped with a candle, which made the night extra special. Overall, the experience was really warm, and the food was absolutely delicious. The ingredients were top quality and incredibly fresh

Oh dear where to start. It was a disappointment to say the least. I was super excited about coming here because of all the great reviews and that it was a Michelin star restaurant but neither the service nor the food was amazing. The server was quite inexperienced. I asked for recommendations and she told me she’d never tried anything from the restaurant. She also had a hard time explaining what any of the dishes were. In fact she had to run back into the kitchen to ask the chef how big the portions were. She was sweet and tried her best but the staff definitely need to be trained on what they’re serving at the restaurant. The food was also a disappointment. The pumpkin was quite nice. The fish tasted completed of gasoline. I understand it’s supposed to be grilled but I left with an aftertaste of gas. I would not come back.

We had a wonderful evening at this restaurant! Ardit was incredibly professional and attentive throughout our dinner. His recommendations were spot-on, and every dish was delicious. Excellent service and a warm atmosphere – highly recommended!

Well, you expect superb service and food when you dine at a 2 fork restaurant....it was amazing at all levels, amazing service, amazing place, amazing food and amazingly expensive 😂. Nevertheless, it worth every single penny.

We've been here twice, our visits almost 1.5 years apart. Both times, everything has been excellent. There are fun, surprising flavor combinations in the dishes, and everything is executed perfectly. Service is friendly and professional. Wine pairings work very well. Having been to 10+ Michelin star restaurants, I cannot fathom the current low rating of 4.3 here. If you're like me and tend to filter out anything below 4.5 when travelling, stop for a moment and give Ego a chance!

I was looking for a high-end spot to celebrate a special birthday lunch, and Salutorget in Helsinki was absolutely perfect! The restaurant has a colorful upscale design and comfortable seating that exudes a relaxed yet elegant vibe. It feels a bit like you're stepping into Alice in Wonderland. The food was fantastic! The French onion soup, burrata, and oysters were over the top in size and flavor and were some of the best I’ve ever had. Drinks were top-notch, and the service was cheerful and attentive throughout the meal. If you’re looking for a memorable lunch or dinner experience in Helsinki, Salutorget is the place to go!

Very fancy and tasty restaurant experience next to ”Salutorget” aka Kauppatori. This place has very long waiting time between dishes, so be prepared for waiting for each dish atleast 30 mins. I like the historical, fusion and Helsinki’s local vibe there 🙌🏻 🔥

Excellent service! We arrived hungry last minute and kitchen was closed. Our server quickly checked with the kitchen crew if they could take our order and luckily they did. We ordered the reindeer steak and traditional fish dish and a salad to share and raspberry tiramisu. The reindeer steak melted in the mouth and the fishes were delicious. Our servers were polite and friendly. Definitely we want you to be back again.

This used to be a 200 year old bank that is now a restaurant. The place is nicely decorated and the basement vault is now the entrance to the WC. The food was good, tasty, and fresh. Overall, we had a good experience.

Don't miss out on enjoying this place and fabulous people. We were lucky but highly recommend reservations. Lovely lunch and tea was fully booked.

What a beautiful restaurant with elegant design and amazing food 🥹✨ it was sweet when the waiter gave me some tea leaves when I mentioned that I loved their earl grey tea 🫖 thank you ❣️

Good food in a nice setting. I had the Skagen toast and Reindeer, my friend had the steak. Both were delicious.

What a lovely place 🍾 Super kind people working here that obviously love what they do. Prices very reasonable considering the high quality of the food and particularly drinks that are served. Interior design top notch, definitely a place you want to enjoy a good conversation or date in ⭐️

Warm and sunny terrace for a nice cold glass of bubbly! Good selection of wine by the glass and selection of small plates. The olives and tartar was a great nibble with my afternoon glass of red in the sun.

Fabulous little wine bar for a drink in Helsinki - we were so in love with the cheese plate we forgot to eat it before we demolished it! Ask for recommendations, champagne of the day was divine.

One of the best wine bars in Helsinki. A delicate selection of fine wines, good sommeliers onboard to help you. I had a tartare, it was decent, can definitely recommend it. About the wine my choice was a Jura Chardonnay- one of the best experiences I’ve had.

Nice small wine bar, with a great selection of wines. Prices are average Helsinki prices, so around 10 euro the small galss of wine. I had a sparkling Spanish wine, it was okay. Very chill atmosphere and music, perfect for chatting with your friends. The staff are very friendly and chatty.

Wow, an absolutely lovely place, great atmosphere, nice wine selection and great food. Highly recommended!

Unfortunately the service was not so good and the wines recommended tasted a bit off. According to the waitress the wines were opened today. I had Spanish white and my friend had rose but they both tasted the same, acidy and hard to drink. Quality and price didn’t quite match, unfortunately.

Dinner during weekend. Good food and ok service. Very lively restaurant with nice terrace in front of the port. Snails (14€), lamb (34€) a little pricey for the quality.

Food is high quality, most of the ingredients have been sourced from local near producers and they prepare quality dishes. Losing some stars because service which was dissapointing. If you have set Menu in the offering you should make sure your waiters know at least some minimum things to tell about the portions and wines.. Well now they at least brought you the Ipad where you could check yourself what you were served..

The Toast Skagen is a mountain of shrimp. Very tasty food but the service could improve. Our waiter didn’t make eye contact with me for some reason.

The pike perch was amazing. Not just the fish that was perfectly cooked, but the sauce was delish. Aesthetically pleasing dishes. Super friendly waiter.

Excellent terrace in the summertime right on the harbor, inside is rustic and cozy. Very friendly staff, knowledgeable and helpful. We had the archipelago buffet which was kept clean, well stocked and the food was very good - also the food ordered from the menu. It's a bit on the expensive side but if you're looking for something other than burgers or pizza... Well worth it!

Nice view and tasty food.

We went there for lunch and stayed in the terrace. It was a hot summer day, so it was a bit hot, but it is good that there is not direct sun over the customers. The food was good, a bit small portions and not too pricy. The service was correct

Visited Bardot with my son and friends on a beautiful Saturday evening this Summer! Excellent food, superb location, friendly and knowledgeable staff with lots of wine! Wine selection is excellent and you can also ask to get pairing suggestions for your food. This is not the cheapest but guaranteed quality food in the heart of Helsinki.

The food and the service are truly amazing. We started with the Rockefeller oysters along with chips, and both were absolutely fantastic—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. For our mains, we had the entrecôte and the steak au poivre, and they were cooked to perfection, tender, and bursting with flavor. The quality of the ingredients really shines through, and everything was beautifully presented. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, making the whole dining experience smooth and enjoyable. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, perfect for a relaxed evening or a special occasion.

Upon arrival, we waited for about an hour before we were able to order drinks. Soon after, we found out that the dishes we had planned to order were not available. The main course we did receive was so overly salted that it was impossible to eat (I usually enjoy quite salty food, but even for me, it was too much). My companion left their main course uneaten. We were disappointed with the food, and the service was also slow.

Cutest little bistro with the BEST chocolate mousse. Strongly recommend! If you can please take a peak inside, the decor looks great

Nice recommendations of Bone Marrow dish and soft shell crab waffle entreés which we are less used to eat, which were delicious. Their steak with pepper sauce and outstandingly great lobster pasta with umami lobster brain juice is absolutely phenomenal 🙌🏻✌🏻

Classic French style, great wine list! Friendly service a bit pricy but worth to go and try at least once!

Bardot fully deserves its Michelin 2024 status. The setting is charming, calm, and in easy walking distance to the piers and main sightseeing areas. Our meal here highlighted the local fish, but the profiteroles with comte stole the show. We enjoyed the dishes and the excellent service throughout, and we would eagerly return when in Helsinki again.

Lovely little place and amazing owner. Friendly customer service, good coffee, delicious pastry and beautiful gift products. Will definitely visit again!

What a sweet and cozy French cafe in the heart of Helsinki! Very nice atmosphere, French music 🎶 makes it even better!

Very sad that Finland barely has enough places that sell eclairs and this place especially has some really amazing and authentic stuff. If you enjoy a good eclair you don't need to search anymore, this is the place for you. Obviously they have many other goodies there that I still have to try out , everything there looked delicious, next time I'll dine in instead of take away!

Oh my god this place is so cute! It looks so luxurious with the lights that it is almost shocking when you leave the place into the Finnish darkness outside. Everything in the place feels cosy and the food is nice. It might feel a bit pricey when you're used to the French prices, but it fits within the prices seen in Finland. Definitely a place to try, it feels like a museum.

Very cosy and authentic place! The choice of french desserts, especially macarons, is huge. Me and my friend enjoyed them a lot. Also, great selections of teas according to your personal preferences. And of course, the owner was brilliant: a very friendly and lovely guy. This place is definitely worth visiting if you want to try something new and untypical in Helsinki.

I visited this cafe/shop yesterday. It has plenty of tea choices and they also help you choose it, it comes in a tea pot with a beautiful tea cup and saucer. There is not plenty of sitting space in and out though its not crowded. I can say it’s pricey but worth a try. The pastries come in different taste and coolers. First time saw the marble tables had name tag on it which was adorable, like Eugenie and Matilde. Unfortunately it’s not wheelchair accessible except for the outside tables.

My favorite French cafe in Helsinki! Delicious sweets and best coffee in town! Such ans atmosphere place!