Discover Helsinki presents our “Let’s Eat, Helsinki” series, where we highlight restaurants, bars and cafes which are located in the Helsinki area. We know that food is an important part of travel, and finding the right places to eat is an essential element of a great trip. We hope to help you accomplish exactly that, starting with the fun dining experience at Muru restaurant and wines.
Make a table reservation for Muru Dining here.
Since its opening in 2010, Restaurant Muru has earned a stellar reputation as one of Finland’s finest restaurants. Muru’s kitchen is headed by top chef Henri Alen, who has appeared on Masterchef and American Food Battle, and their incredibly expansive wine cellar is under the care of highly experienced sommeliers Samuil Angelov and Taneli Lehtonen.
Located in the heart of Helsinki, ‘fun-dining’ is the motto of this award-winning bistro. Keeping the mood relaxed, in true bistro style, while serving food that maintains fine-dining standards, has been key to accomplishing this goal.
Charming and offbeat in style, with a delightfully crafted wine-bottle chandelier and lampshades made from repurposed wine boxes, the restaurant’s mood is light-hearted yet intimate. This is reflected in the teams’ approach to their restaurant, where their focus is on the experience of their customers, whom they prefer to consider as friends.
The hallmarks of their menu are simplicity, seasonality and quality. Because of this, their four-course menu changes daily, underscored by the philosophy that they only serve what is perfect today.
The menu is rooted in Gallic tradition but also has a Nordic twist. While the four-course menu is standard, there is also a small a la carte list to choose from, and options are available for diners who have special requirements such as vegan or gluten-free dishes.
While the menu might be short, the wine list is certainly not, with some 850 labels in their collection. Overseeing their collection is sommelier Samuil Angelov, who is currently the President of the Finnish Sommelier Association.
Angelov has previously held the role of Chef Sommelier at both the Brasserie Kämp and the Savoy Restaurant, both of which are prestigious restaurants in Helsinki.
Together with Taneli, their combined experience, knowledgeability and passion for wine has earned the restaurant the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator in 2017, the first time the honour was given to a Finnish restaurant. Muru is the only holder of ‘two glasses’ in Finland, a ‘glass’ being akin to the Michelin star in the wine industry.
Their cellar has a wide selection of French as well as New World wines and the cellar holds some intriguing finds, including their oldest vintage from 1772, as well as unexpected surprises such as wine from China, which is a relative newcomer to the Western markets.
Muru’s drinks menu also includes non-alcoholic options for diners who prefer not to indulge and, of course, for kids, who are also welcome to dine there, in keeping with the laidback and relaxed vibe of the bistro.
Opening Hours & Address
Muru is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. They are located at Fredrikinkatu 41, 00120.
Tel.: +358 300 472 335
