Ravintola Nolita — Restaurant in Helsinki sub-region

Our recent visit to Nolita in Helsinki was a mixed bag. While the interior is super nice and the mains were delicious, unfortunately, the ambiance was not complemented by the service we received. Despite having a reservation, we were not greeted warmly or with any hospitality. Instead, we were met with a curt "Can I help you somehow?" No one welcomed us or guided us to our table properly. Only one menu was tossed onto the table for the two of us, which felt dismissive. Since I really wanted to visit Nolita for a long time already, we stayed and ordered the bread plate with dips for two, a burger, and shakshuka. The wait for our food was excessively long. Even the bread plate, which you'd expect to be a quick starter, took about 15 minutes to arrive. The waiter sliced the bread using his hands, without a towel or proper hygiene measures, and then left it waiting for the dips for another like 5 minutes. This was not only unprofessional but also concerning from a hygiene perspective. As a bakery, we had high expectations for the bread plate, but it was a disappointment. The plate consisted of four thin, almost transparent slices of bread on one plate and half slices of grain bread on the other. The burger and shakshuka were good, which made the experience a bit nicer. The burger was juicy and flavorful, and the shakshuka was interesting and delicious - not traditional one, mixed with zucchini and potato. However, these dishes alone were not enough to redeem the overall experience. Even when we finished our meal, it took quite a time for the bill to arrive. The waiters were engaged in conversation with other customers, possibly regulars or friends, and at one point, one of them went outside to play with a child. This lack of attention was frustrating, especially as we were trying to conclude our brunch experience.

In summary, while the beautiful interior and enjoyable mains were definite highlights, the uninviting atmosphere and service issues significantly affected our visit. Unfortunately, double thinking now before trying the dinner menu (even though the menu looks very...

Fantastic spot for brunch. Highly recommend and wish I had visited sooner. Will be back for dinner. Very well priced

Charcuterie: Absolutely lovely. 100% order. Ordered the small portion and was enough for two. If you get the bread board as well it makes for a great pairing. Was fun to watch the meat be cut on the machine

Sage linguine: Didn’t know what to expect but loved by the end of the dish. Suitable for nut allergy as they can remove the pine nuts from the top. Very summery and light.

Gnocchi: Summery taste. Friend liked but thought the ratio of sauce to gnocchi wasn’t great. Needed more gnocchi.

Shakahouka: Was the least popular dish at the table but the flavour was good. Eggs were fried on top rather than cooked in the tomato sauce which was different. Little spicy for those who don’t eat spice (so watch out!).

Bread: Fantasic sourdough. Finland has questionable bread in my opinion but these guys have done it very well.

Service: Very very friendly and attentive. Busy place when we arrived so...

One of the best restaurants in Helsinki – and still a hidden gem! I’m genuinely surprised this place isn’t packed every night. We walked in without a reservation and were blown away by the whole experience. The food is not just seasonal and fresh – it’s full of talent, charisma, and a deep understanding of what makes something truly delicious.

I was especially impressed by the salads. The Panzanella salad was so tasty I honestly wished they served it in an XXL size! I'm not always a fan of fish, but their fillet with yogurt-herb sauce and beans had the perfect flavor, texture, and a touch of Greek summer. The small churros made from fish were bursting with spice and taste.

But what really made the evening unforgettable was the atmosphere – warm, welcoming, and relaxed – and the incredibly attentive staff. Nollita is a place I’ll keep coming back to, and one I hope stays just the way it is:...