Heidi Mäkinen's favourite wine places in Finland 2025
Top sommelier and Master of Wine Heidi Mäkinen is Star Wine List's Finland Ambassador. Explore her guide to the best wine bars and restaurants in her home country!
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Phone: +358 040 0354997
Address: Aleksis Kiven katu 13, Tampere
Huber is owned by the same people who run Bertha, and some of their own imported wines make it to the wine list too. The menu focuses on premium meat, but the wine list has an interesting array of grower producer wines of both colours. Situated in Tampere, where beer culture is flourishing, Huber also has a long list of specialities for those looking for interesting brews. The restaurant is popular but, with two floors and some bar seats as well, people can easily walk in for a bite and a glass whilst watching the kitchen cook the various cuts to perfection.
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Phone: +358 (0) 50 5144220
Address: Vironkatu 8, Helsinki
This neighbourhood restaurant offers possibly both the best value and most innovative cuisine in the city. The menu and its ingredients change all the time according to seasonal availability and the nicely-priced wine list is written by hand in a little booklet. Both quirky and classic options are available, with most customers trusting the staff's pairing recommendations. The place is small so booking is recommended, but it’s worth visiting regularly as the food is inspiring and the wine list worth discovering.
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Phone: +358 (0) 10 2818242
Address: Arkadiankatu 14, Helsinki
This classic restaurant is a long-time favourite of many, celebrating Finnish ingredients and design. The wine list focuses on top notch European producers with a separate cellar list adding rare gems and mature wines to the selection. Wine pairing is on offer to accompany the dishes, and the relaxed front of house service makes the place feel very cosy.
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Phone: 046 9214400
Address: Tehtaankatu 34 D, Helsinki
International Newcomer List of the Year, presented by Ceretto 2025
Laivakoira is a welcome addition to Helsinki’s restaurant scene as it’s open every day of the week and thus often sees people from the trade enjoying a long meal on Sundays. The ever-growing wine list focuses on classic European regions, featuring carefully-picked quality producers mostly from France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The atmosphere is very warm and relaxed, but the tablecloths, excellent service and elegant stemware add refinement to the experience.
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Phone: +358 09 663139
Address: Laivastokatu 18, Helsinki
International Sustainable Wine List of the Year, presented by Lingua Franca 2025
This small place is tucked into a small street corner close to the harbour and is as cosy inside as it looks from the outside. The kitchen follows its own path using sustainably-sourced, seasonal ingredients which are presented in the form of regularly changing menus of different lengths. The wine list includes both classic and more off-piste options, with many exciting choices focusing on small and sustainable producers. In the summertime there are also a couple of tables outside where one can enjoy an aperitif or a full meal.
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Phone: +358 010 5050904
Address: Aleksanterinkatu 22, Helsinki
Best Medium-Sized List of the Year Finland, presented by Louis M. Martini 2024
Brasa is a buzzing restaurant where one can enjoy premium ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere. Focusing on grilling dry-aged cuts of meat and fish on an open fire, the culinary experience here is guaranteed. The wine list has two parts, with the more premium section offering a range of fine white and red wines to accompany the dishes. The awarded wine service is professional without any pomposity, and the whole staff manages to make the visit relaxing and fun, reminding everyone what eating out should be all about!
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Phone: +358 09 61285950
Address: Pohjoisesplanadi 15, Helsinki
Best Short List of the Year Finland 2025
This restaurant enjoys a reputation of being a classic along the esplanade of Helsinki. This ‘classic’ feeling is reflected both on the food menu and in the wine list, where well-recognised and established producers from their respective regions are represented. The wine list features mostly European wines, with the longest sections devoted to German white wines, Italian reds, and Burgundy. The restaurant also offers afternoon tea, with which one can choose their preferred glass of bubbles.
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Phone: +358 044 2399714
Address: Bulevardi 32, Helsinki
Newcomer List of the Year Finland 2024
This French-influenced bistro has a lovely street corner location that gives one the feeling of almost being in Paris. The wine list understandably focuses on French wines, featuring something from all wine regions of the country. It is a mostly classical selection yet also has a few low-intervention and orange wines. There are a couple of older vintages available too and the food is very wine-friendly, making this a lovely spot to relax and enjoy some real delights.
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Phone: 041 3119355
Address: Tehtaankatu 12, Helsinki
This restaurant has a very relaxed atmosphere and a lovely bar area, too, where one can enjoy a glass of wine or one of the many vermouths on offer. It’s possible to have a full set menu (of which there are several) or to choose specific dishes from the à la carte list, which specialises in sustainably-sourced, dry-aged meats.
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Phone: 010 5050909
Address: Korkeavuorenkatu 27, Helsinki
This restaurant is situated within an area full of independently-run restaurants in Helsinki, very close to the Design Museum. The kitchen combines French and Japanese culinary art, and the wine list focuses on classic European wine regions. The stemware is well thought-through and there is a small space downstairs that can be booked for parties within the cellar. The atmosphere is friendly and easy-going, just like a neighbourhood bistro should be.
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Phone: +358 10 3229385
Address: Arkadiankatu 6, Helsinki
Best Short List of the Year Finland 2022
Farang has been around since 2009 and, ever since, has offered its guests authentic culinary journeys to Southeast Asia. The dishes are full of flavour and combine sweet and salty, as well as bitter and spicy notes. There are several menus available with thoughtful wine pairings created for each of them. The wine list is one of the rare ones in Helsinki to give space to wines outside of Europe. It is also possible to enjoy a mature vintage of top Bordeaux or a bottle of prestige Champagne, whilst savouring one of the restaurant’s signature dishes such as softshell crab or green curry.
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Phone: +358 14 333900
Address: Yliopistonkatu 23, Jyväskylä
International Best Short List of the Year, presented by Oddbird 2025
Pöllöwaari is a classic restaurant attached to the boutique Hotel Yöpuu in Jyväskylä’s city centre. Their wine list is full of gems, especially considering the restaurant’s location in the middle of Finland. The list follows the trends without forgetting the classics and offers many delightful surprises, making it hard to choose from. Although taking the menu with wine pairings is the most common choice, the bottle list is excellent and deserves at least a glance. The lounge-style wine bar section is also a perfect place to enjoy the wines and, if one decides to spend the night upstairs, they...
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Phone: +358 03 2141553
Address: Hämeenpuisto 23, Tampere
Tuulensuu is a legend in Tampere. Although most customers go for their incredibly diverse and ever-changing beer selection, the wine list is also vast, often featuring a producer focus and many back vintages. Some of the wines are brought back from the restaurant’s van-driving trips to European wine regions, which means that they are only available here – and at very reasonable prices. The gastropub menu has both wine and beer recommendations for each course, and the selection of spirits (especially absinthes) can make one feel quite overwhelmed. This is not a place for those wanting a fancy...
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Phone: +358 044 2441276
Address: Aleksis Kiven katu 23, Helsinki
This restaurant is a real gem in an up-and-coming area of Helsinki. The beautiful interior is very atmospheric, and one can expect to see people photographing the great cocktails and delicious dishes during their dinner. The menu takes inspiration from European (especially French and Italian) cuisine, and the outcome is rather tasty. The wine list has a strong focus on German, Italian and French wines, and the producers listed are mostly small family wineries. There is a small bar area where one can walk in for a glass or cocktail and a bite, and upstairs there is a roof terrace named Alexis,...
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Phone: +358 044 7554555
Address: Meritullinkatu 6, Helsinki
Best Short List of the Year Finland 2025
Situated close to Helsinki’s harbour and old marketplace, Kuurna is a real classic. The restaurateurs split the responsibilities between the kitchen and the front of house, and the menu changes every three weeks (though staples such as their famous steak tartare are always on offer). The food and by-the-glass wine pairings are carefully tested and selected, and the bottle list is compiled mostly of traditional wines from small growers. The regular list is accompanied by picks from the cellar, and some wines are also cellared for future use. Dining at Kuurna makes one immensely happy, and it’...
Kuurna is temporarily closed.
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Phone: +358 09 61285301
Address: Eteläesplanadi 14, Helsinki
International Best Medium-Sized List of the Year, presented by Dreissigacker 2025
Although only a few years old, Café Savoy has already become a classic – it feels like this restaurant must have been in one of the stone foundations of Helsinki’s city centre for decades. The kitchen is led by Helena Puolakka, who has worked in great restaurants in London for many years and is also responsible for Savoy, the classic fine-dining restaurant upstairs. The wine list focuses on classics but also features unique and interesting picks, which fit perfectly the carefully-crafted, classical dishes with a solid base in French culinary art. There is often a special Friday bottle opened...
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Phone: +358 50 5520822
Address: Uudenmaankatu 13, Helsinki
Sparkling Wine List of the Year Finland 2025
This cosy little wine bar situated on one of the restaurant-filled streets of Helsinki is run by two friends, and has a super warm design and atmosphere. The ever-changing wine list offers many choices by the glass and bottle, supporting small and sustainable producers. To accompany the wines, small dishes are also available. During the summer, the restaurant has a small terrace and a space next door where it hosts regular wine tastings and events – be sure to keep an eye out for those. What's more, this is one of the few places in Helsinki that is open on Sundays.
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Phone: +358 300 472339
Address: Lönnrotinkatu 14, Helsinki
International By the Glass List of the Year, presented by Château d'Yquem 2025
It’s hard to believe this timely classic hasn’t always been where it is, having duly established itself as one of the top locations in Helsinki to drink wine since opening in 2020. Muru Wine Bar regularly hosts wine tastings and opens special bottles, which are advertised in advance, so it’s recommended to follow them online. In addition to their own vast cellar, they share the bottle list (the “little black book”) with Muru Restaurant – just around the corner. Here, you find the wine world’s real classics including a vast selection of older vintages and prestige cuvées. Small bites, charcute...
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Phone: +358 9 27090977
Address: Lapinlahdenkatu 1, Helsinki
Best Medium-Sized List of the Year Finland, presented by Louis M. Martini 2024
Based in an old pharmacy of Helsinki, this is a sister restaurant to Carelia with a somewhat similar focus on grower Champagnes, German Rieslings, and Burgundies from small producers. The place is a mix of bistro and wine bar, with lovely terrace tables during summertime. The dishes are perfect for sharing and the cheese plate here is one of the best in town. The staff is very excited about wine and there are truly some great wines on the list, from both classic and up-and-coming producers. The wine list also has nice lines written about the regions it features so it will keep you company if...
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Phone: +358 50 5058643
Address: Eteläranta 10, Helsinki
International Best Long List of the Year, presented by Château Galoupet 2025
The only restaurant in Helsinki to hold two Michelin stars has a great location overlooking the harbour and the old marketplace. Quite understandably for a two-star venue, the wine list is pricey, but nonetheless has various verticals of top wines around the world. The pairing menu is well considered, and some of the top wines in Finland are served and enjoyed here – the matches are excellent. The kitchen staff comes to the tables to serve the dishes and the wine service is spotlessly executed by very knowledgeable sommeliers. Whilst dining in Palace, one can easily forget being in Helsinki a...
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Phone: +358 9 61285600
Address: Kanavaranta 7 F, Helsinki
By the Glass List of the Year Finland 2025
Situated in the atmospheric seashore area of Helsinki, Nokka is a beautiful restaurant with a lot of talent behind it. The head chef is committed to using premium Finnish ingredients, which he often hunts and gathers himself. The wine cellar holds some older vintages and rarities, focusing on classic European regions. There are quite a few well-established names on the list but also some smaller, organic-driven producers. Although Nokka is a fully operating restaurant, one can also come for a glass at their bar where, sipping wine next to the red brick walls, the outside world can momentarily...
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Address: Tehtaankatu 27-29, Helsinki
Best Medium-Sized List of the Year Finland 2025
BasBas was born out of love for hospitality and, over the past decade, has become one of the most popular restaurants in Helsinki. Going to BasBas is like going to the home of a good friend who only wants the best for you, with an open kitchen that sends out dishes that are super wine-friendly – a perfect hub just to enjoy tasty flavours and textures. The wine list offers adventures, whether you’re after a juicy wine outside of a famous appellation or a sought-after classic from one of the wine world’s established producers. There is also a cellar list for those wanting to drink the big names...
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Phone: 044 2305900
Address: Telakkakadun kulma, Tehtaankatu 27-29, Helsinki
Austrian Wine List of the Year Finland, presented by Austrian Wine 2024
This is the younger sibling of BasBas, situated downstairs from the main bistro – yet another very trendy place to eat out in Helsinki. The long line of bar stools helps to seat walk-ins and the charcoal grill adds depth and flavour to dishes that embrace the wines being poured. The wine offering is extensive, leaning on playful and quirky choices without forgetting classics from Champagne and Burgundy. Skin contact and low sulphite wines fill the expectations of those who want to venture into something different, but the long list of small-producer wines also provides many options for more...
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Phone: +358 45 2227745
Address: Fleminginkatu 11, Helsinki
Best Short List of the Year Finland 2023
Wino is a dimly lit and atmospheric wine-focused restaurant in the trendy Kallio neighbourhood, in eastern Helsinki. The wine list has an emphasis on European natural wines including quirky choices from lesser-known regions and countries, a great grower Champagne selection, and some top Burgundies. The food is creative, delightful, and always tasty; the house bread served with Wino’s own dip is unforgettable. It’s recommended to book, yet one can also try their luck in getting a seat at the bar – a great place to discuss more about the wines with the staff. This is a perfect place for both ro...
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Phone: 09 27090976
Address: Mannerheimintie 56, Helsinki
International Sparkling Wine List of the Year, presented by Nyetimber 2023
This classic French brasserie is well known for its extensive wine list focusing especially on the wines of Burgundy, Piedmont, Jura and Germany. Back vintages and various single vineyard selections are available for those ready to spend a bit more, but there are also various options by the glass and speaking with the staff often results in them opening yet further bottles. The menu combines seasonal Finnish flavours with traditional French cooking and all the dishes allow the wines to shine. The downstairs space can be rented separately, and people can also buy a share in the wine cellar to...
Carelia is temporarily closed.
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Phone: 040 0355477
Address: Rautatienkatu 14, Tampere
Being one of the top restaurants in Tampere, Bertha’s wine program has seen unique selections throughout the years and the restaurant also imports some specific producers just for their own use. The collection is rather compact these days but offers interesting European wines of different styles. The interior design is very Finnish with wooden textures and light colours.
