Restaurant Savotta

We originally wanted to have dinner at Savotta, but it was fully booked. So we made a reservation for the following evening — and it was absolutely worth the wait. The atmosphere is very cozy and perfectly in tune with the concept. You truly feel transported back to the year 1917, but in a very positive and charming way. The staff are exceptionally hospitable, warm, and polite. Every course was explained in detail, and we were always asked if we needed anything else — exactly the kind of attentive service one hopes for. Friendly smiles were always included. The food — especially the traditional Finnish specialties we chose — was outstanding. The mixed Finnish appetizer platter, the bear meat slow-cooked for over 10 hours as an intermediate course, and the grilled reindeer as the main course are all highly recommended. We sadly had no room left for dessert, which says a lot about how perfectly sized the portions were. The prices are very fair considering the uniqueness and quality of the dishes. The mocktails are also well worth trying. Anyone wanting to experience authentic Finnish cuisine and atmosphere should definitely visit Savotta — it is truly worth it.

If you’re looking to explore authentic Finnish cuisine, this is the place to be. The moose tartare was excellent, and the bear stew was surprisingly pleasant and flavorful. The whole experience was made even better by the extremely homely and welcoming atmosphere

Savotta – Great for the "Bear & Moose" Bucket List, but pricey 🐻🦌 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you are in Helsinki and want to tell people you’ve eaten the entire cast of Bambi and Brother Bear, Restaurant Savotta is your place. It’s located right in the tourist heart of the city (Senate Square), and while the food is good, you are definitely paying a premium for the location and the "theatrical" experience. 🎭 The Vibe & Service The service was 10/10 and truly magnificent. The staff dresses in traditional Finnish clothing, which adds a cool, vintage touch to the atmosphere. They are incredibly professional and handle the "exotic meat" explanations perfectly. It’s charming, even if it feels a bit geared toward tourists. 🍽️ The Food: An Interesting Adventure Everything was spectacular in terms of quality, but Finnish traditional cuisine is... an acquired taste. * The Highlights: Trying the Bear Soup and the Moose Burger was a unique experience. You don't get to eat those every day, and they were well-prepared. * The Classics: The Reindeer was tender and authentic. * The Reality Check: While the food is solid, if you are used to the rich culinary scenes of Spain or Asia, this might feel a bit simple for the price point. It’s "Top" for the novelty factor, but maybe not a place I’d crave every week. ⚖️ The Verdict A solid 4-star experience. It’s perfect for checking "Eat Bear" off your bucket list and enjoying a central, professional atmosphere. It’s expensive for what it is, but for a one-time Finnish experience in a prime spot, it’s worth the visit.

Really great service! The staff explained that the restaurant used to be a home so the decor has a lot of cosy vibes, in the past it felt more like logging camp. We tried the bear, salmon soup and trout. All of it was great, very fresh and delightful and service was exceptionally fast. Overall a great experience!

Great atmosphere in a traditional style Finnish restaurant with friendly helpful staff and great food. I had the 20th anniversary set menu which gives you a taste of many of the traditional dishes including reindeer. Great place and pretty busy so booking is recommended.

Great food, friendly staff and beautiful interior! We had s lovely dinner at this restaurant and a lovely chat with the staff, they were very helpful in suggesting beer pairings for the menu we chose and even helped us out to choose te next location for drinks in the evening. The interior is very close and well designed to make you feel like you are in an old Finnish house. The food was very yummy!

Savotta in Helsinki is an absolute gem. Located right by Senate Square, the setting is rustic and full of charm: wooden furniture, vintage photos, traditional embroidery, and details that make you feel like you’re dining in a cozy countryside home. The menu celebrates Finnish heritage with ingredients from local lakes, forests, and small producers. Every dish tells a story from creamy salmon soup and slow-cooked reindeer stew to beautifully plated mashed potatoes with root vegetables and lingonberries. The flavors are richly balanced, and everything tastes honest and home-cooked, just elevated. The service was warm, attentive, and genuine. the staff really seem to care that you enjoy not just the food but also the Finnish experience. I loved how they explained each dish and its background. Desserts were the perfect ending. simple but elegant, with touches of local berries and ice cream that felt handmade. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Helsinki who wants an authentic and memorable meal.

The reindeer fillet was cooked & served to perfection the salmon soup was good but the blueberry tart was really phenomenal. Friendly people with cheerful smile & positive vibes. It’s been a great experience Highly recommended.

I ate a freaking bear! Well, not like a whole bear, and I didn't hunt it or anything. The only thing I hunt is the Most Dangerous Game ^_____^ Anyway, the food here was super good! I'm always a little concerned when you start getting way north up there, because it seems like the spices never made it that far and therefore the flavour is going to be lacking! But alas, twas not the case here! Everything was fantastic and the sampler was exactly what we were looking for to try a little bit of everything of that Nordic cuisine. The service was fantastic and the views were astounding! Would definitely come back if I ever came back. Which is likely, cuz this place was fun :D Anyway, pack yer bags'n buy a ticket, cuz this is where you're going next!

Here's a polished Yelp review for Savotta in Helsinki: A Cozy and Authentic Finnish Dining Experience - Highly Recommended! Savotta in Helsinki offers a truly authentic taste of Finland in a warm and inviting setting. My dining companion and I opted for the three-course meal, and every dish showcased the quality and tradition of Finnish cuisine. We started with a meat tart featuring moose, which was rich, flavorful, and perfectly prepared--a great way to kick off the meal. The Arctic char for the main course was beautifully cooked, with delicate flavors that highlighted the freshness of the ingredients. To finish, the blueberry tart was a perfect balance of sweet and tart, a simple yet delicious nod to Finland's love for wild berries. The ambiance was casual yet intimate, possibly enhanced by the quiet charm of a February winter night. Service was friendly and attentive, making the experience even more enjoyable. If you're visiting Helsinki and want an authentic Finnish meal, Savotta is a fantastic choice. Highly recommended!

Came here on a recommendation and I enjoyed every bite of my time here. The appetizer was a surprise, because I didn't know what to expect. It was delicious though, and I found myself wanting more after finishing it. It was so good. The contrasts played well with each other, both texture and flavor. For the main, we had the arctic char. The fish itself was cooked nicely, with the fish melting in the mouth and the skin providing a good contrast. I really enjoyed the taste of the fish as well, similar to salmon for those wondering, but here at Savotta, a bit lighter feeling. Hard to explain. The dessert we got pana cotta. It was a nice way to end the night's meal. The staff was gracious enough, but very Finnish. If you know what that means, you know. Straightforward and direct. I'd be back to try the other goods on the menu. The interior was very nice with Finnish elements throughout.

Date of visit: 8/27/2024 One of the recommended restaurants by the Tourist Information Center and the hotel where I am staying. Didn't disappoint! - I ordered Iso Kalakeitto (salmon soup): one of traditional Finnish dishes that you have to try when you're in Finland. Delish! It comes with Ruisleipä (Rye Bread) that unfortunately I didn't like. - hubby ordered Karjalanpaisti (Karelian Hot Pot) which is a stew of mixed meats (beef, pork & iirc moose). Tasted great but one of the meat, hubby thought it was the beef, was tough. - we shared Finnish French toast for dessert. Pretty good, but very sweet! - bilberry mocktail: yum! Besides the rude male server that unfortunately was assigned to our table for the evening, it was a great dinner!

This place is a delightful authentic little gem. Yes it is pricey, but so is all of Helsinki. The food was good and the service great. If you want to try authentic food from the region...this is a great option!

The Savotta restaurant serves Finland nineteen hundred era food. The service was good and the atmosphere was charming. It was beautiful to look out the windows and see the square.

Reindeer steak, Atlantic Char: both are fantastically good. Reindeer liver as a starter is also phenomenal. Tommi was great as a server. Loved it!! Try the cloudberry liquor/wine!!

Exceptional service. They are SOOOO busy and yet they go so far out of their way to make sure you feel welcome and when your food is served they take the time to let you know everything about what is on your plate. And they're playful, which means the world to me. Tell Tommi you like his hat. See what he says.

An amazing rustic Finnish restaurant that serves traditional food. The menu offers either a set option with pre-selected starter, main, and dessert or you are welcome to pick your own dish. The menu is quite varied, offering meat, fish, and veggie dishes. Bear and deer meat are among delicacies offered. The staff are happy to help, and explain you each dish they bring. The restaurant can get quite busy so I would advise to make a reservation!

Amazing atmosphere, food and service! We totally enjoyed and will be back! Love that they have many gluten free options!

Very nice atmosphere and service. If you want to try the traditional Finnish cuisine definitely should visit Savotta.

Offering traditional Finnish food in a cozy atmosphere. Food are sourced from a small batch of local and region farmers to ensure quality as Finnish food is cooked simple as the ingredients should shine. Reservations are a must and we asked for a table by the window to have a view of the square and cathedral. Everything we ordered was delicious (except the dessert. Wrong choice as we should of had the cake. The portion was also small) and service was outstanding. Tourists and locals alike packed this place. Was here in the spring and we ordered Fish Soup (a must in Findland); Supreme Savotta which offered an assortment of meat from land and sea; Stew Beef; Roast of Reindeer; Pot Pie Stew Bear; and Pancakes with Strawberry Mousse and Raw Chocolate.

HOMELY DECOR, NICE SERVICE & UBER DELICIOUS FOOD! We were visiting Helsinki and the Scandic staff directed us to this place for traditional Finnish food. As we walked in the restaurant , the place had a very homey feel. Chick mix and match decor and dim lights, classic italian music playing in background. The server wasn't very friendly cheerful but nonetheless very serious about her job. We were seated at the window with the view of the cathedral. We were served with a complimentary plate of boar meat and some chutney. We ordered gnocchi with coffee cream, Reindeer, fish fillet and braised lamb and the waitress helped us with the wine pairings for all. All the dishes were very well plated and the flavors were wonderful. The food is somewhat pricey but the taste is well worth the price!

Yes yes yes, everything people say about this place is true. If you're in Helsinki and wondering where to go to experience an authentic meal as well as ambience, this is it. Located right across the Catherdal we got a spot overlooking the church and plaza. The servers were dressed in traditional attire and the whole restaurant as a family home type appeal. We tried all the main dishes on the menu but my favourite was the stew (the one is the bowl everyone is talking about), paired with a glass of red wine, it was delicious! For dessert, I tried their cake, I forget the name now but it almost had a bread pudding-like consistency and was perfect. I highly recommend this place for not just the meal but also the ambience and experience as a whole.

I opted to go for a three course meal at hotspot Restaurant Savotta located in Senate Square, just across the street from the Helsinki Cathedral. I started wither the Finnish sampler platter called the Supreme Savotta which was the assortment of the best Finnish appetizers from land and water, according to the menu, including green salad with wine garden cheese, mushroom mousse, Patti toe lamb pate, bear salami, reindeer tongue (the only one I didn't touch), karelian pie, traditional pastry, picked herring, tar tar dill mayonnaise, and beet rooted flavored salted salmon with cranberry. For the main course I had something which made me quite nervous - the Juniper marinated rump of reindeer fawn with organic carrots fried in spruce syrup served with smoked swede purée and sea buckthorn salt but it was incredible - a cross between veal and a really tender and flavorful filet mignon. The dessert for me was the only disappointment and only because I don't like licorice, those around me were essentially licking the bowl. Due to its close proximity to the Helsinki Cathedral I headed across the street after dinner as the sun was starting to set (post 10pm in July) and got some great shots.

My family of four capped off our visit to Helsinki with a fantastic Finnish feast at Savotta! The restaurant decor is charming and assuming. The food is incredible. We started with the Supreme Savotta sampler for the appetizer; we enjoyed every single thing on that plate! In fact, my nine-year old would have kicked the plate if I'd permitted him. For dinner, we all ordered different things and enjoyed (and shared) them all: my husband got the lamb from wooden Sära bowl, my twelve-year old got the topside roast of reindeer fawn; my nine-year old got the glow fried salmon; and I got the pike perch fillet with rye bread crust. We will be dreaming about this meal and the charm of the place for a long time. PS: reservations are easily made by emailing the restaurant in advance. (Same day reservations by phone only I believe.) ;

Food was very good and view of the cathedral fantastic. You want a true Finn food experience? This is the place - I recommend reindeer and the Karelian stew. (please do not have red currant raw cake, it was terrible. I've warned you) Going there I knew it's going to be pricey, so I can not hold it against them. But I must deduct a star for slow service. The servers were pleasant but food came very slowly. For example after finishing our entrees we probably waited 15 minutes to have the plates picked up and another 15 minutes to get desserts. The dinner took over 2 hours and we're pretty fast eaters. At times the wait times were aggravating but at the same time we didn't want to complain to the waiters.

Staff were friendly and very helpful. Food was excellent and plentiful. Highly recommended.

A fine selection of Finnish specialties. Our server was very helpful and pointed out several traditional dishes. We tried the bear, reindeer, and the Scandinavian sampler starter. Fantastic!

Really traditional! Best fish soup I've ever tasted. Cosy place, warm atmosphere. Loved the style and how they serve food.

For the taste of Finland Savotta is the place to go. The food was hearty and the decor what I imagined a Finnish cottage would look like with antiques. The view out onto the square was very nice with the cathedral standing out in white.

A small but authentic Finnish restaurant. Full house at 8pm. Lucky that someone was just leaving so we could be seated. Definitely recommend reservations for dinner. Food was really tasty. We had the lamb in a wooden bowl. From the wooden Särä bowl-ten-hour braised foreloin of Sea-Lapland's lamb, root vegetables, garlic and potatoes in tasty braising stock. I was disappointed to watch as a single gentleman was seated at the height of service. He waited 15 minutes before getting up and leaving because nobody came to service him. Which points to the weakness here. There was no one bussing tables. The wait staff was doing double duty. To make it worse there did not appear to be anyone dedicated to our table as we had 4 different woman attend our table.

Had dinner in this wonderful cellar last night. The appetizer platter was a great intro to Finnish cuisine. I had the reindeer as a main. Their beer was excellent, and the red wine not bad. Service was friendly and very competent if a bit slow. The place was packed, and we were a party of 10, so this may not be unusual under those conditions. A thoroughly good time.

went here on Christmas eve this year. The food was excellent - they serve traditional Finnish food. the service was excellent, we were served by this very friendly server whose initial is "J". I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to try the local food in Finland.

Absolutely the BEST!!!! We enjoyed authentic Finnish food and the staff was remarkable. Although I personally didn't enjoy the flavors of every item, I was very glad I got the Christmas Menu so I could taste so many different flavors. The spices and cooking methods were unique so it was a real experience. Others got the Classic Menu and the Lamb. Everyone was quite pleased. Finnish beer is lighter than other beers but with a strong flavor. I compared it to a dark roast coffee that was over diluted. The warm wine drink was quite nice! Loved the older woman and older gentleman who worked their tails off to keep everyone happy. Other wait staff great and all had colorful costumes...even an elf!

Had lunch at a restaurant called Savotta on Senate Square that specialises in traditional Finnish cuisine. The friendly waitress put me at a window table with a view of the Lutheran Cathedral. I skulled a cranberry and lemonade then ordered something called the Log Floater's Sparkling Cocktail - sparkling wine with Finnish raspberry liqueur. The waitress was back with the latter straight away, along with an amuse bouche of sour cream infused with herbs topped with a sliver of smoked vendace in a little coracle shaped cracker. Very tasty. I followed the waitresses suggestions for entree and main; a traditional Finnish salmon soup and roasted reindeer rump served with potato puree, scorched parsnip and cranberry sauce. The soup came in a little wooden bowl with a handle and was a delicious, buttery broth loaded with chunks of salmon and potato. Normally I add pepper to everything, but this is one of the few dishes I've had that was perfectly spiced as is. I'm not a huge fan of salmon, but I could eat this all day. Delicious. It came with a basket of mixed breads and soft butter. Oh, and if you're wondering what the handle on the bowl is for, my theory is it allows you to get those last few drops of soup that you can't quite get onto the spoon. I've never had reindeer before and I wasn't sure what to expect. Something gamey presumably, but apart from that, no preconceptions. It reminded me a little of venison which is not surprising in hind sight (no pun intended). The meat was very rare and tender with a lovely subtle flavour, not gamey at all. Never been a big fan of parsnips, but these were interesting - quite sweet. The potato was gorgeous; smooth and buttery. Lovely meal and great service. My only regret? I didn't have enough room to try the bear salami. That's right. They make salami out of bears here. Gotta love the Finns...

Delicious traditional restaurant. Simple, casual decor. Reindeer was very good. Service was excellent.

Savotta offers truly delicious Lappi food in an underground dining room. It feels a bit like an Epcot installation, with the silly outfits and the kitsch, but they didn't seem to be joking. Their wine selection features an organic white from Italy, which paired very well with my entree of small mushroom and onion pancakes (not sweet pancakes, such as we know in the U.S.A.). The mixed vegetables on the side reminded me of that dread canned thing known as Veg-All, but only in appearance. The vegetables tasted quite fresh and they were a bit firm to the bite. There is bear on the menu here! My man ordered it, and our server explained that, although listed as steak, the bear was in fact ground and mixed with beef to add some fat. It was served with a slab of pork belly and a small fried egg on top. The sides were pickled greens of some type and a mushroom gratin. My man said it was fine, but he should have got the reindeer. Savotta is not a destination for anyone who has difficulty navigating stairs or tight spaces, but for everyone else visiting Helsinki who wants some localish flavor, it's a good choice.

Let me first say. This place is touristy and expensive. If you want a meal for less than 40 euro, you'll want to go elsewhere. If you want a traditional Finnish meal at high quality with some character of an old Finnish farmhouse, then this is your place. We came here for our first dinner in Helsinki upon recommendation from our hotel. They pre-warned us that it was expensive but that it was the best place for traditional Finnish food like reindeer or bear. Unfortunately they didn't have bear that night other than a bear burger. We went for the fish soup, lamb pot roast and the roast reindeer. The fish soup came out first and was a creamy, delectable soup with potatoes, salmon and dill. Definitely a great soup for a cold, rainy night. The main courses came 20 min later, served in traditional wooden bowls. The pot roast was soft and tasty. Definitely had been cooked for a long time as the meat just fell apart. It was served in a broth with parsnips, potatoes and carrots. Super tasty. The reindeer was good, roasted to medium rare and with a mashed potato. I'm not the biggest fan of the meat but it was made well. I probably wouldn't come again as it's expensive but it's definitely worth going to once if you're new to Finnish culture.

TOURIST TRAP Although the food is good and atmosphere is charming, expect to have your wallet emptied for an ok meal. The biggest surprise on the bill was wine, 16.50 euros for a glass of cheap wine. Dinner for two with 2 glasses of wine will run you about 160 euros. Conversations with customers is the tourist standard, what country are you from, is this your first time in Finland, etc.. Again, food is ok, but if you truly want an authentic Finnish meal at an afordable price, look somewhere else.

This was my first visit to Finland and I couldn't have been luckier to dine here. My friend who is Finnish and lives in Helsinki suggested it. I wanted to try Finnish food and there is no better place. It was so authentic, cozy, quaint and authentic. The food, especially the reindeer, was amazing!! Everything right down to the china was spectacular. The waiter was dressed like someone from 100 years ago. I will post pics because a picture is worth 1000 words and no words can describe how awesome this restaurant is. If you visit Helsinki and don't eat here, you are doing yourself a disservice. This restaurant will be one of my favorite memories of my life!!

Great location, on the Senate square, behind Esplanadi, but in a courtyard, so surprisingly quiet. It does look like a tourist trap with the old wood decor and the traditional Finnish costumes for the waiters and waitresses, but the patrons are actually mostly Finnish, not tourists. The food is solid and they have a good selection of beers. I had a Finnish hard cider and it was good (rather light and dry). We had the "long line catch", which is an assortment of fish-related appetizers, plus a beet kareli pastry. Everything was nice. My salmon soup (creamy soup with very little dill, lots of chunks of salmon, few chunks of potatoes) was OK; served with two nice breads and butter. Their soups come in 2 sizes, and the large one happens to be generous. So unless you plan on making this your entire meal, the smaller size might be enough. My wife's salmon "roll" (which is just a slice of cooked salmon) and artichoke puree was good. Maybe not consistent with the rustic theme in the decor and tableware (the menu binders are wooden planks, the appetizers were served on a rock, etc) as the dish presentation was actually refined and delicate. I had a nice blueberry pie with some sort of blueberry jam on the side and a scoop of white chocolate ice-cream. It was delicious but the pie was tiny. Literally two bites. So for Eu 11.20, I thought that was pushing it. Overall, better than most other places I've tried in four days.

This is a cute little place where you can sit outside on a nice day. The menu offers various kinds of meat. They have steaks; which do you prefer Bear or reindeer? Well the bear was on the menu for for 37 Euro but they said that they had a different Bear on the menu that was 69 Euro, because bear is so hard to find. As bear is a game meat I have not tried, I ordered the Bear despite the cost. When the meal came, I would definitely say that the bear tasted like every bit of reindeer that I've had in the past. I asked the server Tommi to please confirm that this was bear. He said he'd ask the chef, but then he never came back to tell me the answer. Later the table next to us ordered the reindeer and we got to see it. The cut and size of the meat was exactly the same. I really think that the restaurant upcharged me for bear and then gave me reindeer, rather than just admitting they were out. Other things about the place, the housemade beer is just thick and chewy, with an aromatic element like juniper berries. I did not care for this. The reindeer soup was fantastic. Service is overtaxed. Poor Tommi was covering 10 tables outside, with one of them having 10 people. He was running around like crazy. Given my inferred chicanery of the chef in substituting reindeer for bear, I am giving the place two stars only on the basis of the reindeer soup

Savotta was recommended to us by our tour guide. The experience was overall a good one--we got to experience traditional Finnish food. I think it is a bit overpriced for what we got, plus we were charged for the water.....we probably could have found traditional Finnish food at a cheaper price point, but still a good dining experience overall.

If you're looking for authentic lapland cuisine in a fun surrounding, this is the place to go. The homemade beer is worth trying. Have this with the what I think was the workman's plate, a mixture of Lapland cheese and meats. I have to also give credit to their willingness to turn tables and seat us without reservation. If you go early they will tell you that there is only say and hour and half slot for you and that you'll have to finish up by then. Hey, without a reservation, no problem, and kiitos!

Had a nice fine finnish christmas dinner in Savotta Restaurant:) Enjoy the atmosphere and the environment so much. Great food, i would recommend the starter Supreme Sattova, which is a taste of different finish appetizers in small portions.

Savotta was the choice for a typical finnish meal on our last day in Helsinki The restaurant in the cellars, decorated in woodlog theme is offering a warm and cosy atmosphere. The personel is warm and friendly and will make sure you be entertained. The restaurant is serving finish specialties like reindeer and bear. The prices are high, portions relative smal, but of good quality For me a minus point was the pushing for additional sales on drinks

I had a very nice meal here; was glad I'd booked a reservation ahead of time because it seems to be the go-to for tourists in town who want to sample good Finnish food. It was crowded when I was there. I was sold as soon as I saw they had bear on the menu, but I was a bit disappointed once I arrived and learned it only came as part of a sampler plate and in the form of dried meat, similar to pepperoni. Still, the lamb on the sampler plate was outstanding, as was the reindeer main course--- three medium sized pieces with mashed potato. After the two courses I still had room for dessert. Service was good, quality was good, prices were fair to high and I'd have been disappointed if the quality wasn't there, but it was.