đ«đź A delicious light meal at the century-old Ekberg Cafe in Helsinki
đ° Ekberg 1852: Helsinki's Historic Cafe Where Fish Soup Meets Champagne (and Pricey Treats) Step into Ekberg 1852, and youâre stepping into Finnish culinary historyâthis place is so iconic, locals still flock here to sip champagne with fish soup at noon (yes, really). Hereâs the lowdown on this heritage spot: đ Ambiance: Old-World Charm with a Side of Fancy Think gilded mirrors, mahogany wood, and waitstaff in bow tiesâthis is where Helsinki goes to feel fancy. The table next to us? A grandma popping champagne with her fish soup. Thatâs the kind of vibe weâre talking about. đ Fish Soup: Worth the Price Tag (Maybe) 2024 Reality Check: âŹ18.90 (up from âŹ12 a few years ago). Ouch, but⊠Portion & Flavor: Chock-full of fish (salmon, cod, shrimp), served with a buttery cream sauce for bread. One bowl = 80% fullness. Pro Tip: Dip bread generously in that sauceâcalories donât count in historic cafes, right? đź Desserts: Sweetness with a Side of History Alexander (Pink Pastry): Named after Tsar Alexander I since 1819. Ugly pink exterior, but Leena loved its almondy, marzipan-y insides. My verdict? Meh. Napoleon (Vanilla Cream Puff): Since 1865, layers of (not super crispy) with homemade vanilla cream. Rich, velvety, and sweetâexactly how dessert should be, fight me. Pair with coffee to cut the sugar. đ° Price Shock: Historic Prices for Historic Eats Fish soup: âŹ18.90, desserts: âŹ8-9 each. Yep, pricey, but youâre paying for 170+ years of history (and that cream sauce). Go for Brunch: Weekends only, if youâre feeling extra spendy. đ Final Verdict: Come for the Vibe, Stay for the Cream Sauce Skip if youâre on a budget; go if you want to taste Helsinkiâs past. The fish soup and Napoleon are legit, but prepare to shell out for the experience. #HelsinkiHistory #FinlandCafe #LuxuryEats #HistoricalDesserts