The awards were announced at the Spring Fair, which was held at Helsinki Messukeskus on March 30.
Helena PuolakkaSavoy’s chef patron, received the Messukeskus Professional title. The award for the best mover supported by Estrella Damm beer went to a chef and restaurateur Kim Mikkola, while Café Savoy was chosen as newcomer of the year. Creativity blooms from chaos won the Most Innovative Restaurant award.
The annual list of the 50 best restaurants in Finland and the research is carried out by the restaurant industry media company Viisi Tähteä. The main partner of the study is the Helsinki Fair Center. Other partners are Wihuri Metro-tukku, Quandoo reservation system and Estrella Damm beer.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and political decisions were reflected in the survey results. Helsinki strengthened its position on the list, as there were 33 restaurants among the 50 best, compared to only 17 from the rest of Finland. The number of restaurants from outside the capital on the list has decreased since last year, which Rislakki considers the cause of the pandemic and the challenges restaurateurs face due to it.
The results also reflected the breakdown of the sense of community that used to exist in the industry, with restaurants competing against each other to attract staff. “There is no end in sight to this. Thanks to the government, the authorities and the media, who repeated their message that restaurants were at the heart of the pandemic problem, the entire industry was demonized without any evidence,” said Rislakki.
In this year’s list, Tampere also won the traditional Turku vs. Tampere battle, where six restaurants from Tampere made the list, while five from Turku.
Almost 400 restaurant industry professionals from different parts of the country participated in the survey, which is considered to be the most significant restaurant list in Finland. Voters had to justify their choice between the five best restaurants they proposed for the list and name the winners in eight different categories. Their identities are not made public, but they represent the pinnacle of the Finnish restaurant world.
The list highlights restaurants and the people behind them, including their dedication to their craft, ideas, expertise, food culture, service, business acumen, philosophy, creativity and design leadership. It evaluates restaurants’ concept, service, food and drink, experience and atmosphere more strictly than consumers.
More detailed comments about each of the top 50 restaurants can be found on Viisi Tähteä’s website. The website also lists the restaurants that reached 51-100 places.
Finland’s 50 best restaurants in 2023
- palace, Helsinki
- BasBas, Helsinki
- Kaskis, Turku
- Bistro Bardot, Helsinki
- Tip, Helsinki
- Creativity blooms from chaos, Helsinki
- Savoy, Helsinki
- Grön, Helsinki
- Cafe Savoy, Helsinki
- Alexanderplats, Helsinki
- Boulevard Bar & Seafood, Helsinki
- Olo, Helsinki
- Finnjävel Salonki & Hall, Helsinki
- Kuurna, Helsinki
- Muru, Helsinki
- Bona Fide, Helsinki
- Zero, Helsinki
- Kajo, Tampere
- Brasa, Helsinki
- Demo, Helsinki
- Mom, Turku
- Smör, Turku
- Pastis, Helsinki
- Elm, Helsinki
- Mati district, Helsinki
- SicaPelle, Porvoo
- Wellamo, Helsinki
- Restaurant Huber, Tampere
- Nokka, Helsinki
- Paulette, Helsinki
- Kosmos, Helsinki
- Albina, Helsinki
- Hella and Huone, Tampere
- Really, Helsinki
- Aanaar, Inari
- Ego, Helsinki
- Kakolanusu, Turku
- Vår, Porvoo
- Fiasco?, Helsinki
- Bistro O Mat Tapiola, Espoo
- LiV, Tampere
- Restaurant Bertha, Tampere
- Lily Lee, Helsinki
- Plein, Helsinki
- Spis, Turku
- Apaja, Tampere
- Roux, Lahti
- Ragu, Helsinki
- Paakari, Kangasala
- Wine bar Apotek, Helsinki
Winner of Finland’s 50 best restaurants poll
2023 Palace, Helsinki
2022 Palace, Helsinki
2021 Palace, Helsinki
2020 Palace, Helsinki
2019 Grön, Helsinki
2018 Grön, Helsinki
2012 Olo, Helsinki
2011 Farang, Helsinki
2010 Chez Dominique, Helsinki
2009 Chez Dominique, Helsinki
2008 Chez Dominique, Helsinki
2007 Chez Dominique, Helsinki
2006 Chez Dominique, Helsinki
2005 Chez Dominique, Helsinki
2004 Chez Dominique, Helsinki
HT
Source: The Nordic Page
