Eating In Helsinki

Helsinki is a compact, accessible and exciting city to visit. Here you can find the very best in style, tradition, architecture and entertainment. The opportunities for the food lover are excellent, too.

Says Riitta Balza of the Finnish Tourist Board: �All the finest Helsinki restaurants are centrally located and there is a great variety. Choose from ethnic to modern fusion kitchen, and you can be sure of a memorable experience that is also good value for money.�

Before choosing your restaurant, look out for establishments offering the �Helsinki Menu�. This ensures the use of local, mostly organic ingredients, fruits of the forest, wild river and lake fish to create as closely as possible the essence of true Finnish flavour. More details from www.finfood.fi/helsinkimenu

There are many restaurants to choose from, but we have assembled seven which perhaps warrant special attention:

Chez Dominique: quite simply the best Helsinki has to offer. What�s more, the restaurant boasts two Michelin stars to prove its point. Check out: www.chezdominique.fi

George: the proud winner of a Michelin star recently, you�ll find the Menu Classic at around �34 a head and the Menu George at �75 including drinks. Check out: www.george.fi

Mecca: a stylish, trendy new port of call on Helsinki�s gourmet map. An exciting presentation style includes menus that really are not menus at all. They tell diners the name of the chef, but not the dishes! Expect to pay around �70 for their �gourmet journey�. Drinks included. Check out: www.mecca.fi

Suomi on the Plate: another new addition to the culinary landscape. The accent is on Finnish specialities. Check out: www/suomiravintola

Savoy: the emphasis here is on elegance, tradition and the best of formal Finnish cuisine. The Finnish military hero and statesman Field Marshal Mannerheim was a regular guest. Elegant surroundings created by Alvar Aalto. Check out: www.royalravintolat.fi

Saari: located on the beautiful Sirpalesaari island, only a short ferry ride from downtown Helsinki. Saari is a summer-only establishment, offering fantastic views of Helsinki�s natural harbour and the outlying islands of the gulf. Check out: www.ravintolasaari.com

Kasakka: one of Finland longest-established Russian eateries, serving superbly authentic Russian delicacies at reasonable prices set menu around �26pp). Check out: www.kasakka

Notes for editors Bona fide journalists wishing to arrange a visit to Helsinki for the purpose of visiting and reviewing these or other restaurants are welcome to contact the Finnish Tourist Board, whose staff will do their best to offer assistance. Please contact Riitta Balza by telephone on 020 8600 5680 or by email at riitta.balza@mek.fi

More details on Helsinki can be found at www.visithelsinki.com and www.helsinkiexpert.fi

Information compiled by Finnish Tourist Board. For more details please contact Riitta Balza on 020 8600 5680 or riitta.balza@mek.fi. For more information on Finland please visit www.visitfinland.com/uk For images please register at www.imagebank.visitfinland.com