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Time Out Helsinki has published its 2026 restaurant list, with Vallila’s Plein taking the top spot this year – an understatedly stylish restaurant that manages to impress every single time. A four-course dinner for €58 and an atmosphere that feels more like a neighbourhood living room than a fine dining spot? It’s no wonder Plein claimed first place, even though the competition was tight.
Second place went to The Alley in Kallio, while fermentation-focused Boreal comes in third. The list, which covers thirty restaurants, is particularly diverse this time around: expect modern fine dining, neighbourhood finds, innovative kitchens and straightforward spots whose charm lies precisely in the fact that they’re not trying too hard to be polished.
Time Out’s picks are based on the editorial team’s own visits, and not a single restaurant appears on the list that the team wouldn’t happily recommend to friends. Value for money has played a key role: on this list, a place can be expensive only if it’s worth every euro.
Jussi Syväniemi, General Manager of Time Out Nordics, sums it up neatly:
‘Helsinki’s restaurant scene is going through a strong period of change right now. The city is evolving quickly, and we want to help readers keep up – by highlighting the places where genuinely memorable experiences are being created. This list is an honest snapshot of where you should be eating in Helsinki right now.’
Top 10: Helsinki’s best restaurants 2026
- Plein
- The Alley
- Boreal
- Shii
- Elm
- Luovuus kukkii kaaoksesta
- Thai Noodle
- Wellamo
- Skörd
- Kaisan pitseria
Read the full list: Helsinki’s best restaurants