- The strengths of Helsinki’s food tourism are versatility, personality and a certain uniqueness. The level of the top restaurants in Helsinki is illustrated by our one two-star and six one-star Michelin restaurants, says Nina Vesterinen, Tourism Director of Helsinki.
The Matka Nordic Travel Fair, held 20–22 January 2023, is the largest travel sector event in Northern Europe. In connection with the travel fair, Helsinki will also launch its own food culture strategy work. The aim is to make Helsinki a world-class food city of interest.
Helsinki wants to invest more in food travel
Helsinki has published a Helsinki Tourism and Events Programme for 2022–2026. The programme highlights vibrant urban culture complete with events, tourists and restaurants as a key strategic priority for promoting the city’s vitality and wellbeing. Internationally, food has become an important appeal factor for tourism in recent years. Helsinki already has a number of innovative restaurants, a high-quality food offering, interesting market halls and culinary experience providers, which is why Helsinki wants to invest more in food travel. The aim is to promote the competitiveness of the tourism and food sector as part of a vibrant urban culture and to increase the recognition of the Finnish food culture. Food, restaurants and food tourism products could be an even more significant part of Helsinki’s international image.
- The City of Helsinki wants to continue supporting restaurants even after the pandemic. Food travel helps restaurants get more customers, who will share their experiences when they return home. Unique and shared experiences support the development of the Helsinki brand into an international gastronomic gem, says Jukka-Pekka Tolvanen, the City of Helsinki’s business liaison responsible for restaurant cooperation.
Helsinki’s stand at the travel fair highlights the city’s best restaurants
Helsinki’s stand at the travel fair hosts a group of restaurants emphasising the diversity and high quality of Helsinki as a food travel destination. Every restaurant at Helsinki’s stand represents the best of its own type of restaurant: Pompier Espa, Fearless Cycling Eatery, Yeastie Boi, Fat Ramen, Pastis and Happy Waffle.
In addition to food, visitors can enjoy the programme of Helsinki’s own stage and the refreshments at the Compass Group bar. The interesting performances seen on the stage revolve around the themes of restaurants, food and culture, featuring Helsinki’s top chefs and other key players in the field. The stand is open to visitors during the opening hours of the fair, from morning coffee to the last call of the evening.
More information:
Helsinki Tourism and Events Programme
Matka Nordic Travel Fair website(Link leads to external service)