Originally Posted by
AUSSIEFOODIE
Thanks guys, maybe we will try Manala then if that is nice. I emailed Helsinki Tourism and they sent me a long list of Restuarants/Bars/Clubs that were open on 24th/25th/26th December last year and the times they were open to. Manala was open from 6pm - 4am on the 26th last year so no problems there but there were other restaurants that were open until 11pm or later. Is Manala close to an area where we might be able to take some nice photos around town after dinner? Or any other suggestions are welcome!! These were some of the other restauarants that were open late according to the Tourism Office, are any of these any good food/location wise?
Belge, Kluuvikatu 5, tel.010-766 3590 11-23
Kynsilaukka Garlic, Fredrikinkatu 22, tel.651 939 (garlic) 13- (entr. before 23)
Kämp Cafe, Pohjoisesplanadi 29, tel.5840 9530 11.30-01
Lastu/Scandic Continental, Mannerheimintie 46, tel.4737 2207 17-23
Makasiini/Scandic Grand Marina,
Katajanokanlaituri 7, tel.09-16 661 18-23
Manala, Dagmarinkatu 2, tel. 580 77 707 (Fin-nish/home-cooking) 18-04
Savotta, Aleksanterinkatu 22, tel.7425 5588 (Finnish) 17-23
Salve, Hietalahdenranta 11, p.603 455 14-23
Teatteri, Pohjoisesplanadi 2, p.6811 1311 11-01
Zetor, Mannerheimintie 3-5, t. 010-7664 450 (Finnish, tractor theme restaurant) 12-24
Thanks again for your help!
I hate to sound negative, but if you are a food lover as your handle indicates, you are unlikely to get anything really worthwhile in any of those places. Most are generic hotel restaurants, the rest are iffy qualitywise, at best. The one place with some authenticity is Salve, which is a greasy spoon serving some pretty good fish. They are located very close to a decent hotel (Radisson Seaside).
Manala (meaning The Underworld) is a late night standout in town, but mainly because you can get food very late. Quality and selection wise nothing to write home about, though.
Whichever place you decide to choose, be sure to email them directly to make sure they are open and serve food at the time you plan to arrive.
One further suggestion, firmly off the beaten path, is Eerikin Pippuri, a legendary kebab joint on Eerikinkatu. It is cheap, portions are huge, and the food tasty. Definitely not gourmet, but a very authentic slice of late night Helsinki. They are open til midnight plus they have a hole in the wall that is open til 5 am.
Cheers,
T.