Helsinki

Helsinki is renowned for its Russian restaurants, and probably the best of the bunch is Bellevue, which is reputedly the oldest Russian restaurant outside of Russia. It also claims to produce Russian favourites that are better than you will taste in the home country, and many gourmets tend to agree. Characteristics of Russian cooking are soups, black bread, pastries, caviar and fish dishes. Bellevue's menu contains all these, for example a menu featuring beetroot soup, Chicken Kiev and Baked Alaska, or try pot-roasted bear steak or roast fillet of reindeer. The ambience is pleasant, the décor unpretentious but classy, and the service friendly and efficient. Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch and dinner, and Saturday for dinner only.

Food Type :Russian

Address :Rahapajankatu 3

Website :www.restaurantbellevue.com

For a taste of traditional Lapland cuisine in the heart of Helsinki, Lappi should be a definite dining experience on any visitor's itinerary. Finnish dishes, including reindeer of course, are served up on the rustic wooden tables in a warm, friendly 'log cabin' atmosphere. If you want to just pop in for a drink the attached Kelonkolo bar will give a sample of the ambience to be enjoyed in the restaurant itself, where specialities include dishes like grilled fillet of elk with turnip and red wine sauce. Reservations are essential at Lappi, so popular with tourists that its menu is printed in eleven languages. The restaurant opens Monday to Saturday for dinner.

Food Type :Local

Address :Annankatu 22

Website :www.lappires.com

The Michelin-starred Restaurant Ask serves organic fine dining in a quiet street of Kruununhaka and while it might seem unassuming from the outside, it's known as one of the best places to eat in Helsinki. The set menu changes weekly and features modern Scandinavian food carefully paired with biodynamic wines, some available exclusively through Ask. With only 22 seats, patrons need to reserve their tables far in advance to experience this exclusive eatery. Open Friday and Saturday for lunch and Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.

Food Type :Local

Address :Vironkatu 8

Website :restaurantask.com

Whether you're after a quick bite or a relaxed cup of coffee, Gran Delicato is one of the most popular delicatessens in Helsinki. The scent of fresh-roasted coffee pervades the air as customers linger over the stuffed ciabatta and baguette sandwiches as well as pastas, salads and other light meals. There are three locations across Helsinki, each with a slightly different atmosphere. Their flagship restaurant on Kalevankatu is a bit of a walk from the city centre, but worth it for the Greek spirit and great food.

Food Type :Café

Address :Various locations

Website :www.grandelicato.fi

With a wide variety of Asian and Vietnamese dishes, Lie Mi places itself on the culinary map of Helsinki with gusto. Located in the design district of the city, it's a popular place to grab a quick lunch. Try the traditional Vietnamese Pho with beef and meatballs or the Shanghai tacos with crispy pork. During lunch, a fresh salad bar is included in the price along with coffee or tea. The menu changes for dinner, and their Runeberginkatu location serves brunch on a Sunday. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Food Type :Asian

Address :Eerikinkatu 20

Website :http://www.liemi.fi

With Finnish delicacies like reindeer and bear on the menu, Savotta gives local fare an edgy twist. While the ground-level dining area looks out over the stately Senate Square, the downstairs space has been transformed into a showcase of the logging camps of Finland. As the restaurant carefully curates ingredients from small local producers, the menu changes regularly with the season, but look out for perennial favourites like fresh fish from the lake and the range of berries in both savoury and sweet dishes. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for dinner.

Food Type :Local

Address :Aleksanterinkatu 22

Website :http://www.ravintolasavotta.fi