Great Scott's take on the best places to eat in Helsinki

by **Great Scott** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:19 pm

Aspiola inspired me to create this list as we both seem to be in agreement that most of the restaraunts in Helsinki are disappointing, overpriced, or both. Hence I bring my worthless culinary opinions to you, my English-speaking brethren.

1. Anitiokia Atabar This is my personal favorite. A Turkish restaraunt in Kamppi. The food is just out of this world, and the prices are reasonable (average main course 12-15 Euros). You'll find it on Eeerikinkatu right off of Abrahaminkatu. Don't be fooled that downstairs it looks like a hole in the wall. Upstairs it has a great ethnic feel. Even has live belly-dancing on weekend evenings.

2. Singapore. This is the best Chinese restaraunt I have found in Finland despite the fact it is not chinese (Malaysian). Cheap food, big portions, nice owners, and it actually tastes like something! This can't be overstated as you all know that Chinese food in Helsinki is bland beyond words. Lapinlahdenkatu nearly across the street from Maria Hospital.

3. Eerikin Pippuri. This is a kebab place as all kebab places should be. The tomatoes are bright red, the lettuce crunchy and green, and the food excellent. Eerikinkatu between Albertinkatu and Fredrikinkatu.

4. Mount Everest. Most of you know this one. Lapinladenkatu. Amazing Tibetan food. Not the cheapest, but very reasonable. Try the Mango Lassi.

5. Santa Fe, world trade center. I had to think before putting this one down because I hate the place. Poor service mostly owing to the way the place is designed. Still can't ignore the fact that it is really good Tex-Mex for a damn good price. Also has the only year-round terrace in Helsinki.

Enjoy and Bon appetit!

**Sponsor:**

by **Hank W.** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:24 pm

Did a little help on this (and corrected spelling) :lol:

- my fav's all of them. (This guy has been in Helsinki for too long...) I'll add a few more, and anyone else is free to do so too.

by **Guest** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:29 pm

Greatly appreciated! Thanks! :wink:

by **daive** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:31 pm

It would be helpful if the mods can add this whole section to the ALREADY EXISTING good and bad restaurant critiques in the Food and Culture section.

Have a nice and sunny day.

Daive

by **PeterF** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:43 pm

Daah shouldn't this be in "Culture and Cuisine" as a Sticky?
I can add one --- but shall I...??OK...
I had to think whether to or not because it is small and hard enough to get a table already without advertising it to the whole of .. :twisted:

.but I take the risk... :wink:

Ruddolfo on Kirkkukatu..thats one of the streets that heads away from Senate Square to the East..vaguely behind Tarja Halonens pad (linna)...but three streets back from it..
Real Italian style family place sensible prices, the days special is always.."Mama mia..Special".. good wine list at reasonable prices..nice small bar to wait for a table.
But book... it is very popular with the Finnish/Italian fraternity and also with those who work in the area.

by **PeterF** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 2:29 pm

daive wrote:It would be helpful if the mods can add this whole section to the ALREADY EXISTING good and bad restaurant critiques in the Food and Culture section.
Daive

OK I will try but not sure what happens when I move a Sticky!"

Zwaaaaahhhh.mene...!

Daah It has arrived and to prove it its here in its new home!

by **deojuvame** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 4:12 pm

Shouldn't we make the other restaraunt thread a sticky as well?

by **PeterF** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 4:18 pm

arabella wrote:Shouldn't we make the other restaraunt thread a sticky as well?

The difficult I do immediately..the Impossible takes a bit longer time...

Which thread might that be arabella?

by **Great Scott** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 4:33 pm

Thanks for the help Hank and for correcting my spelling, It is poor in just about every language! Of course it doesn't help that I type most of my messages on the sly while working my shifts in the hospital. If anyone decides to hit ATA send me a message, I live just around the corner and eat there all the time.

Ooops forgot another one. Persopolis on pikkurobertinkatu. They have an all day all you can eat buffet for 7.40. Okay it's a bit basic, but damn it's cheap.

by **simakun** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 8:00 pm

Peter, you beat me to Rodolfo's. I went there for my first time over the weekend. it was truly ab fab. I thought you couldn't get any decent italian stuff here and this place proved me wrong. it was sooo good i had a pizza [i]and[/i] a lasagne. It isn't expensive too- about 10€ for a main course. for the vegetarians out there, they've got the only vegetarian lasagne i've found in helsinki and it's excellent.

by **deojuvame** » Thu Nov 27, 2003 12:35 pm

Peter Floyd wrote:
arabella wrote:Shouldn't we make the other restaraunt thread a sticky as well?

The difficult I do immediately..the Impossible takes a bit longer time...

Which thread might that be arabella?

I was thinking of this one:

http://www...com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=215

by **PeterF** » Thu Nov 27, 2003 12:47 pm

arabella wrote:
Peter Floyd wrote:
arabella wrote:Shouldn't we make the other restaraunt thread a sticky as well?

The difficult I do immediately..the Impossible takes a bit longer time...

Which thread might that be arabella?

I was thinking of this one:

http://www...com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=215

Found it but the last entry was Sept 23rd.
Unfortunately the option of making a posting a "sticky" is only apparently available on the initial entry options.
I cannot add that option to an existing post.
The best way to keep it near the top is to add some more Critiques.
Sorry....

by **Hank W.** » Thu Nov 27, 2003 1:16 pm

I'd be suggesting we delete all "discussion" messages from here and edit "copypaste" the critiques from that other thread to this one. That was my initial idea - but I got a bit busy. I just liked the topic so well :mrgreen:

by **PeterF** » Thu Nov 27, 2003 2:58 pm

Cant we just "move" this new thread to join on the tail of the old thread....?

by **aspiala** » Fri Nov 28, 2003 12:54 pm

Ummm.. Scott? Scott?

<leaping up and down behind a crowd of tall people seriously discussing stickies, placement, etc>

Thanks for the suggestions! Found Singapore recently too, and was so happy--after food poisoning at some other crappy chinese place I steered clear of so-called chinese food here for a while. There's a little place on the Hesperian puisto too which isn't bad, can't remember what it's called though.

Also, a new Japanese place is opening on Pursimiehenkatu 5 called Len's Cafe, which looks like it might be good. Something different, at any rate.

And Vi Voan in Hakaniemi has frozen rice balls and steamed buns!

--Tina wiping away drool