Winest — Restaurant in Helsinki sub-region

Given the glowing reviews. our visit ended up in quite a disappointment. At first, the waitress refused to give us a vacant table for 2 in a window, as she claimed it was reserved at the later time – which in the course of the evening became clear that it definitely was not! We chose the first set menu with apparently five courses – three starters and two mains, and added to that the wine tasting of four different Georgian wines (each allegedly 4cl). Hardly had we received the aperitifs, we had ordered, and settled down to relax for a nice evening, when the food arrived: all three starters simultaneously, and not in succession. Still on our first sip of our aperitifs we were then introduced to two Georgian white wines and given a short explanation, which was not very intelligible. The filling level of the wine glasses each were closer to 3 to 4cl, rather than 6cl, which was, however, sort of OK, as the wines were both highly forgettable. In any event, the message conveyed by this succession of events appeared to be: get on with it, we might be able to sell the table again this evening. As it turned out, the two main courses listed in the menu were not cumulative but alternative. And as I had finished my 2 wine puddles long before the mains arrived, we waited until after I was long finished with my main course, before the second set of two red wines appeared – maybe not as miserable as the first two but nothing really to write home about. All in all the food was OK, the process hurried and the service dismal. As a result – only because we put a heavy emphasis on the food itself – this restaurant just barely made three...

This is my first ever review, written to support the wonderful woman who owns this place. I promise that one day we will come back and eat here properly.

We actually came to this restaurant by mistake we had planned to go to the one next door. Winest didn’t have a free table for us, but kindly offered seats at the bar and promised to move us to a table as soon as one was free. The atmosphere was very nice, and the host was warm and welcoming. We enjoyed a wonderful Georgian natural amber wine and even ordered some food.

About 10 minutes later, the owner noticed that on our Google account we had opened photos of the restaurant next door. She smiled and gently asked if we thought we were in the other restaurant. We laughed and said yes, we were surprised by the different menu. She kindly showed us the restaurant next door and explained everything with such honesty. She even offered to cancel our order without any problem, saying: “They spend money and time to optimize their Google profile to attract customers, so I can’t take their clients.” We were honestly amazed by her attitude. As a small restaurant owner myself in Madrid, I have many competitors — but I never even thought in this way. Her kindness and integrity really touched us.

Thank you, Lika — in this sometimes selfish world, your values are rare and beautiful. I wish you and your restaurant great success.

(We went next door afterward, and let’s just say… it was overrated and disappointing. Servers were so stressed and tired. Next time we’ll definitely stay...

Winest offers an authentic Georgian dining experience in the heart of Helsinki. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a rustic-chic interior that complements the rich flavors of the cuisine.

We started with the Khinkali Qalaquri, traditional handmade dumplings filled with a mix of beef and pork, served with garlic and sour cream sauce. The dumplings were juicy with a thick, tender skin, showcasing the depth of Georgian flavors.

For the main course, we enjoyed the Shkmeruli, a dish of chicken cooked in a traditional garlic and sour cream sauce. The chicken was succulent, and the sauce was rich and aromatic, embodying the bold flavors characteristic of Georgian cuisine.

The staff at Winest were attentive and knowledgeable, providing excellent service and enhancing the overall dining experience. The wine selection is impressive, featuring a variety of Georgian wines that pair beautifully with the dishes.

While the pricing is on the higher side, the quality of the food and the unique dining experience make it a worthwhile visit for those seeking authentic Georgian cuisine...