Restaurant Shelter — Restaurant in Helsinki sub-region

We found the restaurant through the Word of Mouth service's 2in1 discount, which enticed us to try their three-course menu with wine pairing. Overall, the experience was good, though there were some areas for improvement.

Food 3/5 The restaurant's three-course menu offered European cuisine that was tasty but didn't evoke strong emotions or surprises. The dishes were well-prepared but leaned towards the conventional rather than bold flavor combinations. However, the starter bread stood out and deserves special praise for its deliciousness. The wine pairing with the main course worked well, enhancing the flavors of the dish, but overall, the menu didn't leave a lasting impression.

Service 3/5 The service was professional but reserved in the typical Finnish style. The staff handled everything efficiently and on time, but there was a lack of engagement, and the staff didn't add much value to the experience with recommendations or enthusiasm. The service was adequate but lacked the personal touch that could have elevated the atmosphere.

Ambience 4/5 The restaurant is beautifully located by the sea, creating an inviting first impression. The interiors are cozy, barn-like, and stylishly decorated, providing a warm and open atmosphere. The architecture and decor make it an excellent spot for a relaxed and calm dinner, but when the restaurant is full, the acoustics can make it noisy, which detracts from the overall experience. Still, it offers a pleasant environment, especially during quieter times.

Accessibility 4/5 The restaurant is mostly well accessible, making it a good option for guests with mobility issues. The entrance is accessible, and the restroom is conveniently located near the main door. Most of the dining area is easy to navigate with a wheelchair. The only notable challenge is the lighting, which may be difficult for visually impaired guests, as it's dim in some areas, making it harder to move around or read the menu without additional lighting.

In conclusion, the restaurant offers a decent dining experience, though the food and service are somewhat average. The beautiful location and good accessibility enhance the appeal, especially for those who appreciate a seaside atmosphere and...

The food itself was quite good, we got the chef’s menu and all was well, even tho the main course (steak) was visibly different portions for each of us and it was 7 people. The service however made the experience bad. Right away when we arrived we were met with hostility and were told that we can’t have a stroller next to our table, because there were people coming later. Mind you nobody came for the 2,5 hours we were there. Then when all our party arrived we were told that we have to leave by 19:30 (our booking was for 17 and all of us were in the restaurant at 17:30). The waiters told us this information along with that we don’t have much time to get a la carte so basically our only option was the chef’s menu. And she stood there while we wanted to discuss if we only want main a la carte or the menu. We felt pressured to order and very rushed. No privacy. The food arrived quickly and we enjoyed it mostly. Cocktails were ok. I’ve been to shelter before and never had such bad customer service. All the other waitresses were extremely nice and smiling, except the waitress we got (she was the one wearing all black). When my friends order coffee in the end of the dinner, it was spilled all over the plate and bottom of the cup, which would obviously result in the spilled coffee dripping on your clothes when you drink it. In the end of the dinner she even showed us the page for giving a tip on the external… I usually tip, but at my own will haha. It was just weird bcs in Finland is not very customary to tip. Also the waitress was waiting for us to ask for the bill at 19:20 and she was hovering around our table, again pressuring us. The dark bread and whipped butter and the tomato carpaccio was our favorite parts of...

A restaurant is not only about food, it is much more - an experience. This is what was missing at Shelter for our group.

We had a table for 9, to celebrate a bachelor. The booking was at 15:00, when the restaurant opens.

Poor attitude - We reached the restaurant at 14:52, with slightly heavy rain pouring. We waited at the entrance, which was open, to be acknowledged by the staff. We hoped, that we would be extended the courtesy to ask us to step inside, if not take a seat, due to the rain. To our surprise, even after the staff saw us, in the rain, and came out to 'close off' their outside bar, they did not ask us to step in until 15:02. This was not good behaviour, and each one of us found it to be odd.

Food - They have a decent selection of food in the menu, with something for everyone. Food was well presented, served in time, and was good overall.

Drinks - Good selection of wines and other drinks. Avoid the home made mock-tails and soft drinks. Those taste bad.

Special request - Since we were celebrating a bachelor, I asked the restaurant (and got confirmation) to put a candle on a cake or similar to celebrate the bachelor. To my surprise, they failed to do so, even after confirming it one day prior.

Overall, even though the place has good food, the staff's attitude, and overall lack of empathy for guests...