THE JOURNAL
Kitchen & Bar by Maannos. Photograph by Ms Pauliina Salonen, courtesy of Kitchen & Bar by Maannos
In the search for sun, sea and culture at this time of year, Helsinki might not be the first place that springs to mind when checking out Skyscanner. However, for this week’s Style Council city guide, fashion entrepreneur Mr Alexander Lewis is here to extol the virtues of travelling to Finland’s capital. You won’t necessarily find soaring temperatures and Instagram-ready beaches, but what Mr Lewis does promise is a winter break with plenty of character, atmosphere and a great cup of coffee, too.
Where to eat
Kitchen & Bar by Maannos
Jerusalem artichoke tartare. Photograph courtesy of Kitchen & Bar by Maannos
“A really great little restaurant, serving ‘farm-to-table’ food using locally sourced ingredients, and focused nearly entirely on vegetables. Besides the great menu, there’s also a solid selection of natural wines. The staff are casual and cool but knowledgeable and, like all good Finns, speak better English than we do.”
Where to drink
Nude
Photograph courtesy of Nude
“This place has a very cool local vibe, with a really unique approach to wine and food pairings. The location is great and easy to walk to from lots of the hotels and bars around central Helsinki. It’s a bit more contemporary than the cosy vibe at Maannos, but still decidedly Finnish inside.”
Where to stay
Hotel St. George
Photograph by Mr Mikko Ryhanen, courtesy of Hotel St. George
“Stay in one of the rooms on the top floor with a private balcony. Even though it’ll be freezing, waking up and seeing a fresh layer of snow outside your door will make it worth your while. It’s extremely atmospheric and makes for great pictures.”
Where to drink coffee
Kaffa Roastery
Photograph courtesy of Kaffa Roastery
“The Finns really do have coffee down. This little casual joint has a great selection of exclusive coffees, which are perfectly suited to a variety of tastes. The baked goods they sell to accompany your hot drink are not to be missed either. You can also buy the coffee ground to take home with you.”
What to wear
“I would suggest a good, warm jacket such as this one from Loro Piana as, obviously, it’s quite cold in winter. A sweater, too, is essential. I’d go for this style by The Elder Statesman because I’m a Californian at heart and I need to take one with me everywhere. It’s a cool and stylish city so I’d pack these Rick Owens boots, which are really warm and have a rubber sole for grip.”