Helsinki, Finland + Add a trip

If you want some local neighborhood flavor go to Maxilli's on Korkeavuorenkatu. http://www.maxill.fi/index_en.html. The food is ok, the people are 90% regulars.

For Italian in a neat Scandi design surrounding, Gastone (Korkeavuorenkatu 45) - food is reliable and prices reasonable for the quality. À la carte menu available at http://www.gastone.fi/alacarte_menu.html. They also have a decent and good value 3 course prix fixe at lunch time.

check http://eat.fi for places to eat it has reviews, price indications and most importantly opening times for just about every restaurant in Helsinki (and expanding to other cities!)

If you need to get sufficient amount of nice food, try ameritalian restaurant la Famiglia (Keskuskatu 3) in absolute city centre. http://www.rafla.fi/index.php?id=2370

To get yourself kickstarted with good food and big portions one should go to Manala (http://www.botta.fi/). And not to mention the best thing that kitchen is open until late. Which is good if you arrive late and hungry.

My favorite italian restaurant these days is Bistro. My friend who's italian says it's the only place in Helsinki to get real pasta. That's got to be worth something :)

It's not cheap but it's not over the top either.

Again, it depends on what you like but you can't go wrong with Kuurna.

Restaurant Olo