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Finland might not yet shine as brightly as its Nordic neighbours when it comes to Michelin stars, yet this understated Nordic sibling is simmering quitely with a hot pot of restaurants deserving of closer attention.
The country is rich in seasonal produce and chefs are tapping in to their local larders by foraging and hunting and showcasing their countries' flavours on a plate.
When it comes to discovering the best restaurants, capital city Helsinki boasts the biggest names. In the annually produced list of the 50 Best Restaurants in Finland, five restaurants in Helsinki make the grade this year. Discover them below.
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HOW IS THE 50 BEST RESTAURANTS IN FINLAND LIST COMPILED?
“Viisi Tähteä” (Five Stars) in partnership with Food Camp Finland are the organisations behind the 50 Best Restaurants in Finland, which first began in 2004.
Votes are made online by over 1000 industry professionals in Finland including chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers and journalists etc. with each voter listing their 5 best restaurants with a supporting statement for their choices. The system has also 10 categories to vote for the best wine list, best service, best employer etc.
Here are the TOP 5 restaurants in Finland according to the 2019 listing:
GRÖN
Michelin starred Grön mixes up the Nordic flavours with a menu that offers plenty of wild herbs and a well curated organic wine list.
BASBAS
Simple French nuances and a natural wine selection are served in this relaxed joint. BasBas scored special mentions for Best Service, Best Atmosphere and Best Employer.
OLO
Nordic minimalism and solid sense of style meet in this capital city gastronomic powerhouse. Brave perfectionism, beautiful food, multifaceted wines and Scandinavian aesthetics are awarded with a single Michelin star.
PALACE
Chef Eero Vonttonen combines Nordic and Japanese flavours with a twist of classic French cooking as well as hints of Spanish and Italian influence.
INARI
Only six months old, Inari wins best newcomer with Chefs Kim Mikkola and Evelyn Kim at the helm, formerly of Noma. Instead of "fine dining" they describe their cooking as ‘minimalism’ as known in the Nordic countries, Lapland, Russia and Asia, most so in Korea.
