Restaurant Elite — Restaurant in Helsinki sub-region

It is not often I do this! Being a very local from Helsinki and Töölö where Elite is and haven lived more then 25 years abroad I think I can give some insights. Going to Elite is not fussy as one going to a Michelin place. It is honest, genuine and extremely local with roots back to 1932. It starts with cloakroom attending you, super classical setting, well dressed staff and tables with white tablecloths and proper napkins and the bistro style always too small, but still elegant wine glasses. And the staff is old school there forever and so on top of things and super friendly. A famous place for ”intellectuals” and ”artists” that give a sophisticated yet a very normal flare to the place.” What is even greater is that the food was far beyond my expectations, haven been there 15 years earlier. It is a classical Finnish kitchen with French influence that was common in”old days”. Had my snails with a twist adding one of the most appreciated Peltola blue cheeses from Finland. Don’t count calories and dip the bred! Followed by pan fried liver with smashed potatoes and the typical lingonberry jam. Amazing. The dessert follows the artistic line and was called ”Flickan” ie ”the girl” after many of the original paintings decorating the walls. Simple and delicious and will tell no more. For the wines…fairly good but know that Finland is not cheap so take the better once…it only hurts once. The Amarone was excellent. Highly recommend and nicely open on a Sunday for especially dinner when most sadly are closed in Helsinki…..and a quite full indeed with...

Very nice 30'sish atmosphere and basic quality traditional finnish food, but for a premium price.

Horrible acoustics, don't expect to have a conversation here when it's busy during the evening. You can basically hear ALL the conversations from the other side of the restaurant. They also put small tables right next to each other with this "fence" in between. Not a place for a romantic dinner at all.

Also as usual in Finland, there's way too few waiters and they tend to make bad mistakes in a hurry sans apologies.

The main toilet was a disaster zone and nobody seemed to care. There are two so why not hide the problems with a maintenance sign or something?

Do a lunch if you must or just avoid, there are many many better restaurants in the price...

This restaurant is just amazing in its own personal way. It's one of the city's classic places which serves everything as in the restaurants in the past, except it's not mockup retro - they've just kept it as is since 1940s. The food is well prepared, dishes are classic Finnish/Nordic kitchen - no special cooking tricks, but just high quality ingredients and years of experience. The service makes you feel welcome all the way from the door as you enter. Perhaps Elite is not the fanciest one, not the most trendy or the most-laid back - but it's a place you will leave with a smile on your face, because you have just experienced the spirit of the past that does not exist anywhere else anymore. And you will promise yourself you will come...