Heidi Mäkinen's favourite wine places in Finland 2023
Finnish top sommelier Heidi Mäkinen MW is Star Wine List's Finland ambassador. Here is her guide to the best wine bars and wine restaurants in the country – check it out!
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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 their guests authentic culinary journies to Southeast Asia. The dishes are full of flavour and combine sweet and salty, as well as bitter and spicy notes to layered entities. The wine list is one of the rare ones in Helsinki giving space also for wines outside of Europe. The different pairing menus are also on offer, with one focusing on New World wines and one being more focused on traditional wines from European wine regions. One can also enjoy a mature vintage of top Bordeaux or a bottle of prestige Champagne, whilst savouring o...
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Phone: +358 10 5050909
Address: Korkeavuorenkatu 27, Helsinki
This gem of a restaurant is situated within an area packed with independently-run restaurants in Helsinki, very close to the Design Museum. The kitchen is run by one of the top chefs in town and the food is all about great seasonal ingredients with some Ego’s classics always available. The wine list focuses on classic European wine regions, with exciting choices by the glass. The stemware is well thought out, and there is a small space downstairs that you can book for a party to be held in the middle of the cellared bottles. The atmosphere is friendly and easy-going, just like a neighbourhood...
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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 their wine list too. As a meat-focused restaurant, the wine list has many full-bodied red wines from classic European regions. Situated in Tampere where beer culture flourishes, Huber has a long list of specialities for those looking for interesting brews. The restaurant is popular and has two floors and some bar seats too, which let people walk in for a bite and a glass of something, while watching the kitchen cook the various cuts to perfection.
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Phone: +358 03 2141553
Address: Hämeenpuisto 23, Tampere
Tuulensuu is a truly legendary place in Tampere. Although most customers go for their diverse and ever-changing beer selection, the wine list is also vast, with a producer focus and many back vintages. Many of the wines are bought from the restaurant’s van-driving trips to European wine regions, so some wines are only available at their premises. The gastropub menu has both wine and beer recommendations for each course and the selection of spirits, especially absinthes, can be overwhelming. This is not for those who want a fancy dinner, but if you’re happy with a Schnitzel and a great wine at...
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Phone: +358 044 2441276
Address: Aleksis Kiven katu 23, Helsinki
This restaurant is a real gem in a newly developing 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, in particular, French and Italian cuisine and the outcome is rather exceptional. 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 and a bite, and upstairs is a rooftop terrace Alexis where one c...
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Phone: +358 044 7554555
Address: Meritullinkatu 6, Helsinki
Best Short List of the Year Finland 2023
Situated close to the Helsinki harbor and old Market Square, Kuurna is an all-time favorite. The restaurateurs split the responsibilities between the kitchen and the front of the house, and the menu changes every couple of weeks with classics such as tartare and pepper steak always being available. The food and wine pairings are carefully tested and selected, and the wine list is compiled of mostly classic wines from small growers. It’s one of the rare places in Helsinki open on Mondays.
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Phone: +358 09 61285301
Address: Eteläesplanadi 14, Helsinki
Although only open since the autumn of 2022, Café Savoy is already a classic that seems like the restaurant had been part of the foundations of Helsinki city center for decades. The kitchen is led by Helena Puolakka, who has worked for many years in a top restaurant in London, who is now responsible for the upstairs classic fine dining restaurant Savoy. The wine list focuses on classics, which is exactly what you want with the carefully-crafted, classical dishes with their solid base in French culinary art. Being one of the prime locations of Helsinki, this is a great addition to the city’s co...
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Phone: +358 40 1639313
Address: Fredrikinkatu 22, Helsinki
Special Jury Prize Finland 2021
The zero-waste restaurant Nolla has a clear policy with regards to the ingredients that are used in the kitchen; the wines also reflect the ideology of the three founding owners of the place. The result is that mostly organic and biodynamic small producers are being poured alongside restaurant’s own brews and one can find rarities from the small cellar list. Yet here you will also find some of the best prices in Helsinki. There are a few bar stools where one can pop in for a glass or two and some bites while watching the staff take care of their guests. The restaurant seems to be busy all th...
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Phone: +358 50 5520822
Address: Uudenmaankatu 13, Helsinki
Best Short List of the Year Finland 2023
This cosy little wine bar situated on one of the restaurant-filled streets of Helsinki was founded by three friends and has a super warm design, and a cozy atmosphere. The ever-changing wine list offers many choices by the glass and bottle, mostly from small- and mid-sized producers. To accompany the wines there are small bites, charcuterie, and cheese available. During the summer there is a small terrace on the street and next door there is a space where they often host various wine tastings. This is one of the few places in Helsinki that is also open on Sundays!
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Phone: +358 300 472339
Address: Lönnrotinkatu 14, Helsinki
Best Short List of the Year Finland 2023
It’s hard to imagine there was a time when Muru Winebar did not exist, yet it has established itself as one of the top locations in Helsinki to drink wine, and often hosts special wine nights, tastings, and weekly special bottles. In addition to their own vast cellar, they share the cellar list (ask for the little black book!) with Muru Restaurant that’s just around the corner. Here you will mostly find the classics of the wine world, including a vast selection of older vintages and prestige cuvées. Small bites, charcuterie, cheese, and risotto are the perfect accompaniment while you drink thr...
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Phone: +358 9 27090977
Address: Lapinlahdenkatu 1, Helsinki
Medium-Sized List of the Year Finland 2023
Founded in an old pharmacy of Helsinki, this is a sister restaurant to Carelia, with a somewhat similar focus on grower Champagne, German Rieslings and Burgundy. The place is a mix of a bistro and a wine bar and the small dishes are perfect for sharing. The staff is very excited about wine and one can also pop into the small bar area or to one of the lovely terrace tables during summer time. The cheese plate is likely one of the best in town and there are truly some great wines on the list both from classic and up-and-coming producers.
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Phone: +358 50 5058643
Address: Eteläranta 10, Helsinki
Austrian Wine List of the Year Finland, presented by Austrian Wine 2023
The only restaurant in Helsinki to hold two Michelin stars has a great location overlooking the harbour and the old Market Square. Quite understandably for a 2-Michelin star restaurant, the wine list is extremely pricey, but nonetheless has various verticals of top wines around the world. A pairing menu is also on offer and some of the top wines in Finland are served and enjoyed here. The kitchen staff comes to the tables to serve the dishes and the wine service is flawless.
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Phone: +358 9 61285600
Address: Kanavaranta 7 F, Helsinki
Sparkling Wine List of the Year Finland, presented by Nyetimber 2023
Situated in the atmospheric Katajanokka area of Helsinki, Restaurant 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 big and well-established names on the list, but also some smaller organic-driven producers. Although Nokka is a fully-operating restaurant, you can also come for a glass at their bar where sipping wine next to the red brick walls can make you fo...
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Address: Tehtaankatu 27-29, Helsinki
Best Short List of the Year Finland 2023
BasBas was born out of a love for hospitality. Going to BasBas is like going to the home of a good friend who only wants the best for you. The wine list offers adventures whether it’s a juicy wine outside of a famous appellation, or a sought-after classic from one of the wine world’s established producers. Wines by the glass vary constantly and there are many other options available than just those written on the black board. Start with a glass of grower Champagne or pét-nat and let the staff guide you further. The open kitchen sends out dishes that are super wine-friendly. Make sure you don...
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Phone: +358 44 2305900
Address: Tehtaankatu 27-29 (Telakkakadun kulma), Helsinki
Special Jury Prize Finland 2023
The younger sibling of BasBas, situated downstairs, has been extended from a small natural wine bar to a fully-operational restaurant and is one of the trendiest places in Helsinki. The wine offering also plays the role of little brother or sister to the BasBas wine list, taking quirkier paths to places less explored, while not forgetting the classics. The long line of bar stools helps to seat walk-ins and the char-grill adds depth and flavour to dishes that embrace the wines being poured. Skin contact and low sulphite wines fulfil the expectations of those who want to venture into something...
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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, atmospheric wine-focused restaurant in the trendy neighbourhood of Kallio in eastern Helsinki. The wine list has an emphasis on natural wines including quirky choices from lesser-known regions and countries, along with great grower Champagnes and some top Burgundies. The food is creative, and the chef excels with seafood dishes. While it’s important to book, you can also try your luck in getting a seat at the bar, which is a great place to chat about wines with the staff. The house bread served with Wino’s own dip is unforgettable. This is the perfect place both for romant...
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Phone: 09 27090976
Address: Mannerheimintie 56, Helsinki
Sparkling Wine List of the Year Finland, presented by Nyetimber 2023
This classic Helsinki-based French brasserie is well-known for its extensive wine list that focuses particularly 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, while there are also various options by the glass. Speaking with the staff often results in them opening yet more bottles. The menu combines seasonal Finnish flavours with classic French cooking and all the dishes let the wines shine. Downstairs there is a venue space that can be rented separately, and you can also buy a share...
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Phone: +358 40 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 pairing menu is the most popular option, yet there are great choices to be had also by the bottle. The medium-sized wine list has a slight tendency towards natural-minded producers but there are also choices from classic regions. The design is very Finnish, with wooden textures and light colours.
