Cafe Bar Valimo — Restaurant in Helsinki sub-region

The food here is absolutely delicious — credit to the chef for that. Unfortunately, everything else about the experience was ruined by the horrible customer service.

There were only six people in the restaurant, yet the staff were impolite and unwelcoming from the moment we walked in. They stood in the entrance blocking the door, making it awkward to even get inside. When our plates were taken, the server didn’t bother to ask if we were finished, if we wanted more drinks, or if we’d like dessert — just took them and walked away.

We ended up speaking with the head chef to compliment the food, but it’s clear the front-of-house staff don’t share the same level of care. If you’re a tourist looking for a great dining experience, look elsewhere — this place doesn’t deserve your hard-earned money. If you’re hungry, maybe just order takeaway to avoid the truly awful service.

On any other day, I might have shrugged it off — but to treat guests this way on a special occasion is unforgivable. We came here to celebrate our anniversary, and while the food was delicious, the service ruined the night.

----------------Edit after owner's response--------------------

Thanks for your response — though honestly, it just proves my point about the poor service. Instead of accountability, I see defensiveness and finger-pointing. Telling customers it’s their fault for not announcing a “special day” isn’t great hospitality. Your staff felt so unapproachable that we didn’t even feel comfortable mentioning it — which speaks louder than anything I could write here.

As for the photos: they were taken in a public space, showing my genuine experience, and they’re fully allowed under the platform’s guidelines. Trying to shift blame onto customers instead of improving service says everything about why my experience was...

The best restaurant, bar, and terrace in Suomenlinna. Slightly off the touristy "blue route," but truly worth discovering. I live in Suomenlinna, and Cafe Bar Valimo has been a summer safe haven for my spouse and me for over 15 years.

The menu changes daily, offering around 10 dishes, including reliable pasta options, Finland's best pike patties, hearty salads, and the restaurant's classic: rainbow trout soup. An excellent selection of drinks, ranging from draft beers to wines. The selection also includes beers from Suomenlinna's own brewery.

A large sunny terrace (it's worth staying until the spectacular sunset). The Northern Lights in the summer of 2024 were extremely rare in Suomenlinna – but be prepared for anything. Historic dining hall, where a cozy fire often burns in the autumn, occasionally bustling, but always with friendly and attentive service.

The Suomenlinna guest marina operates in the same complex, so the place attracts many boaters. As a bonus, you can hear the traditional evening bell chime from the Suomenlinna Church tower on the terrace at 9 PM (during midsummer, weather permitting).

As a local, I have to say that if you haven't visited Cafe Bar Valimo, you haven't experienced the true...

The Suomenlinna Fortress spreads across a few linked islands and it’s one of the biggest sea fortress in the world.🌏 This area is easy to reach by hopping on a City Transport Ferry from the Market Square which operates all year round and the journey takes about 15 minutes.⛴ This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a perfect gateway from the hustle and bustle of Helsinki where you can enjoy coastal nature and learn about the history of Finland.🇫🇮

There are few Cafe and Restaurants around, our favourite one was definitely this one! 😍 It’s a bit hidden gem (not on the main “blue road” leading across the island) which makes it such a peaceful and relaxing spot. Fresh brewed coffee, lovely staff, cozy outside & inside sitting area, and of course delicious food. What a dream! ☕️

🎬 For the full Helsinki Guide watch our YouTube Channel where we also visited the Cafe Bar Valimo...