Source: A&S Restaurants

Respecting tradition

For those who like to follow Finnish May Day traditions, restaurant Lasipalatsi offers a May Day lunch (48€) with a lot of choices; the starter can be chosen out of three alternatives, the main course out of four and the dessert out of three alternatives. The main ingredients for the main courses are beef, freshwater crayfish, pike, salmon and beetroot-goat cheese lasagna. A delightful addition to the supply is the children’s own May Day buffet menu (10€) with meatballs, fried chicken, salmon and French potatoes. As dessert there is chocolate mousse and ice cream.

Another traditional milieu can be found in the heart of Eira: the family owned restaurant-café-patisserie Olive’s suggests a May Day lunch (49€) that consists of a starter (veal topside, herring caviar or avocado-tomato casserole as alternatives), main course (salmon, beef steak or pancake with spring vegetables) and dessert (white chocolate cake). Children eat the same menu for the price of 25€.

A rustic May Day can be experienced at the café Wanha Pehtoori where a traditional brunch (25€) is organized. The specialty of the café is the house’s very own barley porridge and sugar donuts. The price for children depends on the child’s age, 1€/year.

An historical atmosphere can be found at the the restaurant White Lady which according to legend was the first restaurant where women were allowed to go without the company of men. White Lady’s May Day buffet (36€) is fish orientated. As the main course one can have salmon, but also chicken, pork topside and fresh pasta, followed with potatoes. At the children’s buffet meat balls, wieners, mashed potatoes, pizza, spaghetti and vegetable dip is served and at the dessert table you’ll find some candy, cookies, fruits and lollipops. In this restaurant, children have their own playing corner with games and video players. 

Stylish party atmosphere

One can experience an elegant May Day at Kämp Café where the May Day lunch costs 50€ and includes a starter, main course and dessert, all from a menu with two alternatives for each course. The main course alternatives are whitefish and beef.

In Jugend style Hotel Linna one gets the May Day lunch for 44€ (children pay half price). The menu is served in buffet form and the main course alternatives are pike and beef.

Finnish exoticism

In almost all the A&S restaurants there is some kind of May Day lunch, only restaurant Saaga is closed for the festivity. Experience restaurant Savu’s May Day lunch (38€) consists of a starter buffet table, a main course served to the table and a enjoyable pancake buffet. A separate tasty children’s menu can also be found.

Finnish atmosphere and food are also presented in restaurant Savotta that serves among other things European cisco kukko and tar ice cream. The May Day menu costs 44€. A Russian mood can be found at restaurant Saslik where one can choose a menu with fish, meat or vegetarian as entree.

A breeze from the sea

Seaside restaurants Saari and Saaristo open their season on the first of May. Saa-risto’s May Day lunch (49,50€) starts with a welcome toast, followed by a starter buffet. The main course can be chosen out of three alternatives and is served to the table. The dessert is served on a buffet table. Saari’s May Day lunch works by the same principles but is a little bit less expensive, 47€.

Royal restaurants create a marine atmosphere. Examples are for instance Meditterranean Macu where the May Day lunch consists of a fish plate, Arctic charr or baby lamb and crème brulee. The unique restaurant Nokka on the other hand serves menus with three (54€) or five (68€) courses. Lovely side dishes in between the courses and cheese as the grand finale top the menus. Fish restaurant Havis’ May Day lunch (53€) is fish-oriented, naturally.

A marine first of May can be celebrated also in restaurant Blue Peter, founded in 1976, where one can watch sailing boats departing and arriving through the window as the restaurant is located in Lauttasaari, in the middle of the yacht club area. Blue Peter’s May Day buffet lunch consists of a comprehensive starter, a main course that one can choose out of three alternatives and a tasty dessert.

For sensualists it’s recommendable to enjoy restaurant Walhalla’s traditional May Day lunch that has a five-hour-long sitting between noon and 5pm (arrival before 2 pm). While eating, it’s possible to enjoy the beautiful setting of Suomenlinna sea Fortress Island.

A modern May Day or something completely different?

The ten-year-old restaurant Hima&Sali works in a modern environment. Stylishly decorated spaces in the old Nokia Cable Factory give the May Day lunch an interesting setting. For the price of 33,50€ one can enjoy soups, salads, aubergine-feta lasagna and fish, meat (e.g. beef, baby lamb, reindeer). The organic bread of Hima&Sali tops the lunch. Children have their own menu, price: 1€/year of child.

Source: Virgin Oil Co.

Virgil Oil Co. offers an entertaining May Day! There is a delicious buffet lunch, followed by a drag show. The spectacle called ShoWhat by Osku Heiskanen & Jarkko Valtee is preformed at the Virgin Oil Club the first of May 2011 at 3pm. The drag show imitates famous Finnish artists but also international stars. The buffet itself consists of Italian fish and meat dishes. Price: 49€.

The only all-year-around open restaurant ship Wäiski offers a May Day lunch in buffet form. For the price of 32€ one gets a comprehensive starter assortment, main course (fish rolls, pork fillet, creamy potatoes, roasted root vegetables) and dessert.
Which is your choice?