An Ode to Finnish Cuisine

The prestigious 50 Best Restaurants list by Viisi Tähteä magazine has been published, and Finnjävel Salonki has once again earned its place among Finland’s finest — at number 14. This is a recognition not only of our kitchen’s craft but of the mission we pursue every single day: elevating the roots of Finnish food culture to the level of fine dining.

Tradition Meets Innovation

Finnjävel was born from one simple yet ambitious idea: Finnish heritage recipes hold extraordinary gastronomic potential. We seek out centuries-old dishes, deconstruct them, and rebuild them — inventively, respectfully, and with an element of surprise. The result is food that stirs memories and nostalgia while creating entirely new experiences.

As Viisi Tähteä notes, this is exactly what the international dining world has been waiting for from Finland: cuisine that rises from its own culture and transforms it into something unique on the global stage. Our Michelin star was earned on precisely this foundation — and it is a distinction we carry with immense pride.

Gastronationalism at Its Finest

Viisi Tähteä captures the Finnjävel philosophy in a single word: gastronationalism. It means a belief that Finnish food culture — with its four distinct seasons, northern climate, regional specialities, and ancestral traditions — holds the potential for world-class gastronomy.

We don’t travel the world in search of inspiration. The inspiration is right here, all around us: in the forests, lakes, and fields, and in the recipes our grandmothers once prepared. We simply reinterpret them in ways that honour their origins while delighting with the unexpected.

Teamwork and Passion

The Finnjävel story is a shared vision of three master chefs. Tommi Tuominen, who has held a Michelin star at restaurant Demo since 2007, alongside Henri Alén and Timo ”Lintsi” Linnamäki, have together created a concept that doesn’t merely interpret Finnishness — it shapes an entirely new gastronomic identity from it.

This ranking is a tribute to our entire team, from the kitchen to the dining room. Every dish, every encounter, and every evening at the Salonki is part of this story.

Come and discover why Finnish cuisine deserves its place among the world’s best.