This is already something of a classic: the Lapland-themed restaurant has been operating for over 30 years on Annankatu in central Helsinki. Stepping inside feels like arriving at a cabin in the woods. The natural materials used in the décor immediately transport you to another world – you could easily imagine yourself in Lapland.
You’re greeted straight away by the bar, where a staff member welcomes guests dressed in Lapland-appropriate attire. Near the bar stand massive wooden tables with chunky log stools; you can just as easily drop in for a drink here.
A waiter leads us down a winding corridor deeper into the restaurant. Colourful rag rugs line the floor all the way to the table, while Finnish schlager music hums in the background.
My companion is originally from Lapland, so I ask what he thinks of a themed restaurant like this. He says he’s simply glad that, right in the middle of Helsinki, there’s a place where you can tap into a proper Lapland atmosphere. Only the Northern Lights are missing from the night sky.
To start, we order a sharing platter for two (€56) featuring a selection of Lapland delicacies. When it arrives, we realise it includes even more than promised on the menu – a pleasant surprise. The platter includes salmon tartare, roe, cured reindeer, dried reindeer meat, wild mushroom salad, smoked vendace, salmon spread, pickles, elk tartare, and squeaky Northern cheese with cloudberries. A few slices of rye bread and flatbread with a knob of butter are served alongside.
The sharing platter packed with Lapland flavours is a must
If Lapland cuisine isn’t familiar to you, this sharing platter is an absolute must. The waiter mentions that it’s also available as a single portion. Quite literally, Lapland on a plate.
My personal favourites from the starters are the salmon tartare, the cured reindeer and the elk tartare. I hadn’t eaten elk in years, so it feels pleasantly exotic.
As my companion tastes the mushroom salad, he says it’s just like the one his grandmother used to make for Christmas. Memories of a Lapland childhood home come rolling back through flavour alone.
It takes a while to work our way through the starters – it’s a generous portion. We begin to wonder how we’ll manage the mains at all. Both of us give the starters five stars.
For mains, we order sautéed reindeer (€36) and pan-fried vendace (€23), both served with mashed potatoes. After the vibrant starters, the dishes feel slightly underwhelming.
The mash could have used more flavour, and the vendace needed a generous pinch of salt. The reindeer, however, is tender and well-seasoned, without any unnecessary fuss. It tastes distinctly of reindeer, which is exactly the point.
The sautéed reindeer earns a solid four stars – but next time, I’ll have my vendace in summer at the Market Square.
Atmosphere A small slice of Lapland in the heart of Helsinki.
Food Carefully prepared traditional Finnish cuisine with a northern emphasis.
Drinks You can also pop in just for drinks and soak up the atmosphere.
Time Out tip You’ll get a proper taste of northern flavours from the substantial starter platter alone, so if you’re looking to save money, consider skipping the main course altogether.