Helsinki is not one of the cities listed on every traveler's bucket list for Europe.
Maybe it's just too far from the “hot spots” everyone goes to and it has the reputation of being ridiculously pricey (which it definitely is if you are as much into wine as I am. It's fine if you aren't).
Since I am genuinely interested in overseen places I booked my flight to see the Helsinki Design week and found: the Abattoir.
The compound of several warehouses was built in 1933 and obviously served as Helsinki's Meat Market.
Today this area is being slowly taken over by creatives, restaurant owners and urban gardeners.
I immediately fell in love with the restaurant Kellohalli, which in my opinion hit the fine line of showing the past and introducing modern design perfectly.
The steel beams and doors were left in their original state and the high tables in the entrance area appear stable enough to slaughter a pig on them.
Copper pipes become lamps on the old cold store has become a lounge.
Next to them the dining tables appear delicate and like they were taken from a school canteen. Chains of lights in said beams give the room a feminine hippie note.
To be honest, I couldn't afford lunch there but it looked amazing.
I had a tea instead and still enjoyed the place.
Take your time and wander around the area, there's food for every taste like the B-Smokery (amazing and affordable burgers, also in a great ambiance) or Jädelino for artisanal ice cream.
Where:
Työpajankatu 2, FI-00580 Helsinki
How to get there:
Take the Metro to Kalasataman and then walk for about 5 min
How much:
free if you just want to hang out, prices for restaurants differ
Write a comment
Lisa (Saturday, 13 December 2014 15:51)
i'm planning to travel to helsinki next year, visiting some friends of mine.
the abatoir looks awesome. do you have some more suggestions where to go?
best,
lisa
Sarah (Saturday, 13 December 2014 16:30)
Hi Lisa,
you could take a boat trip to Suomenlinna, that's a tiny island close to the
city. The boat leaves from the harbour so you could go to the giant market hall
first and get everything you need for a picnic on the island.
Have fun in Finland!
nieke (Monday, 15 December 2014 22:23)
nice! discovering such places makes a city trip complete. I really wanna go and explore helsinki...
Sarah (Monday, 15 December 2014 23:56)
Hi nieke,
you should definitely check out Helsinki! But maybe not in December...
SADICK BONIPHACE (Thursday, 11 August 2016 07:06)
hi mom Sarah i,m Sadick from Tanzania i was wondering if you can give some instruction about how to get a job in Helsinki abattoir in Finland
Sarah (Thursday, 11 August 2016 07:47)
Hi Sadick, unfortunately, I don't know anybody there. Maybe you can just get in touch with the restaurants and shops on the premise?
best essay services (Monday, 11 September 2017 17:58)
Creativity at its best, this is the only expression that I can share with you! I expect new topics in the fore coming installment of articles, good luck to you all.