I have been in Finland again recently, this time to Helsinki. I recall about 7 years ago going to the Lappi restaurant in Annankatu and recall a very good starter of fish and roe. As its name suggests the restaurant focuses on a N. Finnish or Lapp theme. I got instructions on how to find it from the hotel reception but had difficulty locating it.

 lappi exterior

It is pretty unobtrusive with no obviously lit signs. Inside there is a bar with staff wearing Lapp-style costumes.

 lappi interior

The interior is mainly wood and stone clad with solid wooden tables and benches. Generally there is quite a rustic appearance. Staff were friendly and there are menus in many languages. Prices were fairly high with starters averaging about €20 and maincourses €30. Staff were friendly and helpful and the place seemed pretty full.

As a game fan I focused on one course which was described as Grilled elk (North American readers would recognise this as moose) fillet, fried deer sausage, reindeer roast, oven baked winter vegetables and thyme potatoes with creamy game sauce.

 lappi elk dish

The dish was served with cowberries (lingonberries according to the menu) which are in the cranberry family but smaller (in the UK, Lidl describes them as "wild cranberries" but they are a different and native European berry). The tartness of the berries complements the venison and elk's gamey taste very well. The elk fillet was tasty and certainly not dry (a fear I have with that sort of gamey meat). The venison sausage was fine - though no better than what I have recently bought in the UK.

 lappi elk dish2

The vegetables include a large slice of thyme potato, roast carrots and roast beetroot. (all tasty but not that different from what we do at home in winter) though  I liked the presentation in a sizzle pan. One course was certainly enough to eat  - I am sure the starters and desserts were good though. Although well known the restaurant did not seem to compromise on ingredients.

If you like Nordic-style fish and game then this is a good place to go providing you are happy with the 30 € price level for a single course. It is reasonably centrally located in Helsinki though not on one of the major streets.