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Ravintola Carelia
Review
About
Best ingredients, innovative touch, certainty brought by experience, and classic French cuisine shake hands in a relaxed brasserie atmosphere right across the street from The National Operahouse. Personal addition to the unique surroundings is the original decor saved from the 1920s pharmacy. Unique atmoshere of Restaurant Carelia is a charming combination of ambience from the past, liveliness of a French brasserie as well as modern and urban feel. It has been said that a visit to Carelia feels like visiting old Vyborg, Paris and Helsinki, all at the same time. We pride ourselves with our wine selection which is one of the best that Helsinki has to offer and delicious but simple menu along with friendly, capable and professional service.
Features
CUISINES
French, European, Wine Bar
Meal types
Dinner, After-hours, Drinks
Special Diets
Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Private Dining
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Visa
Wine and Beer
Location
Does this restaurant offer free wifi?
Reserve a table
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 11:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
16:00 - 23:00
Wednesday
16:00 - 23:00
Thursday
16:00 - 23:00
Friday
16:00 - 23:00
Saturday
14:00 - 23:00
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4.0
199 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
77
Average
26
Poor
15
Terrible
4
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Harald Diver
Sipoo118 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
One one the few classic restaurants open till late Saturday night ( 11:00 p.m!) in Helsinki, it has never failed. This time we chose the seafood menu, three ( a bit overpriced ) oysters for me, and a Gorgonzola salad for her, followed by mussels á la marinière and another with Gorgonzola and cream, both excellent, accompanied with fries with Dijon mayo. A sparkling brut from Loire was a nice match. A shared blood orange Pavlova and Irish coffees completed a beautiful experience! Next time I'll try the Pavlova with Auslese wine.
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin E
Helsinki178 contributions
Mar 2023 • none
Carelia, with its absolute lovely setting (I remember when it still was a pharmacy), has always been a favourite of mine. The last visit was very disappointing, though. It is hard to put my finger on what exactly went wrong, but the slightly clumsy service, the changing of people waiting on you, the time it takes for staff to see that you want something... the staff is not there for you. Mussels are in season, the moules mariniere were ok but not sensational. The meatlovers at the table got their steaks, also good but nothing special. What can I say? At Carelia you eat well but the love of running a restaurant is gone.
Written 17 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kai Harjula
Helsinki15 contributions
Jan 2025 • family
One of the best, if not the best, French bistro in Helsinki.
The food is excellent: delicious, tasty and authentic French style. We had excellent mussles "Moules Marinières", exactly as they should be. Also other dishes in our group were just delicious. The "Tarte Tatin" I had for desert was just as it is supposed to be. It did reach the same level as the "Tarte Tatin" you would get at it's birthplace Hôtel Tatin in Lamotte-Beuvron in France. Just superb!
The decor and the athmosphere of the old pharmacy converted to a restaurant is really nice, service is friendly and attentative. A true 5* bistro in Töölö.
Written 4 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikael N
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • friends
Food was relatively good ( however, the portions were quite small). That said, the issues were more on the waiting side - waitresses not properly qualified and "indifferent" attitude. Additionally, wine list is badly outdated, many wines were "sold out" and no real knowledge of the wines when asked.
Written 23 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
e.g. LEF
Kirkkonummi712 contributions
Mar 2025 • business
Kirkkonummen Huolto had its spring celebration with a dinner in the Restaurant Carelia in the City of Helsinki. Carelia was before a pharmacy and the restaurant started 1996. It is a french restaurant. To the start I got shrimps and the main menu was molva. As dessert we all got Pavlova à l'orange sanguine. Good.
Written 14 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDR
Finland5 contributions
Oct 2021 • family
The food was almost impeccable, despite a slightly overcooked medium steak and a thick bearnaise sauce. Delicious nonetheless. The staff was equally excellent, but unfortunately didn’t wear a face mask. In my view, that’s unacceptable during a pandemic, whether they’re vaccinated or not. This review would otherwise be 5 stars.
Written 31 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DocCreature
Helsinki15 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
Great athmosphere near the Opera House.
Great service and a great place. The food is very depented of the menu list. I ate 5 Star lobster there once but havent been able to have it again. The restaraunt is famous of its tartar. The tartar is decent a la 3,5 Star tartar. It is cut right but it isnt from a 5 Star meat.
I recommen this place after the Opera!
Written 11 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jmahg
Maidenhead696 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
We took a chance on a table and as it was early evening we were had our pick. The service was excellent throughout our meal and the food was of the same standard. Very tasty and very well presented. Would recommend without hesitation. Thanks for such an enjoyable meal.
Written 4 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happyinagoodhotel
Helsinki36 contributions
Sept 2023 • solo
This is a traditional restaurant in beautiful rooms of an old pharmacy. I had zucchini soup, arctic char and creme brulee. Sounds traditional, even boring? But everything was really good, with a little (but not too much "twist". Excellent service. A fantastic winelist with more than 500 items, and a professional real sommelier. I recommend!
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olli L
Lahti108 contributions
Dec 2023 • friends
A very stylish restaurant. The food was really good, even though the list is short, it was still difficult to choose. The wines were really amazing and their pairing with the food was very successful. The service was very elegant.
I would definitely come again.
Written 21 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura O
73 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
Delicious food, interesting taste combinations and superbe service! Will definately go again! This restaurant is also very close to Olympia Stadium so it’s the go-to place right before concerts!
Written 28 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura S
Helsinki27 contributions
May 2024 • family
Authentic French brasserie atmosphere and delicious food, recommended highly. They make best paguette in Finland. I will definitely eat there in the future as well.
Written 15 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roxana D
Oradea19 contributions
Nov 2023 • family
The best!
The food was so tasty!
The guy was so nice with us.
Also the girls (7 years old) had a good time.
One of the best restaurants!
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria Ö
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • friends
Visited a few year ago, expected a pleasant meal. To my surprise the service was rude och the meat chewy. Only exception, the summelier, who was nice.
Written 7 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kesäauringonkukka
Helsinki24 contributions
Aug 2022 • friends
Nice atmosphere, very good lacation but very rude service 👎🏻🙄 I felt like other customers were more important than us.
Written 25 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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