Trying to find somewhere that would offer the perfect Finnish experience, Löyly ticked all the boxes on both amazing local food and a traditional sauna experience. With stunning views of the Helsinki waterfront, locals and tourists flock here to witness an amazing sunset, delicious food and a relaxing sauna.
ATMOSPHERE & SERVICE
Located on the foreshore of the Baltic Sea, floor to ceiling windows offer a gorgeous view of the sun setting in the distance. The fit out of the building is stunning, with a modern and geometrical architectural design. Walking in to the space may seem a bit busy as the entrance to the sauna is just off to the left, however moving past the crowd, you are welcomed by a long feature bar, perfect for those looking for an after sauna drink, or a bit to eat.
Concrete floors and dark light fixtures create a dramatic vibe to the busy space. The tables are set quite simple with just glassware and cutlery and a splash of colour with the candles. Outside, additional seating is available, which is a perfect place to enjoy a drink during the warmer months.
Their popular sauna area offers changing and shower facilities, large saunas and a lounge area complete with fireplace. Alcoholic & soft drinks can be purchased from the sauna bar and enjoyed while you relax. The best part was the stairs that lead down to the Baltic Sea. Jump into the bitter cold water and then pop back into the sauna to really get your circulation flowing.
FOOD
The food here represents the Finnish culture, offering a range of different dishes you may not be accustom to. Although the menu is limited in choices, the options were all amazing and made the decision quite difficult!
While we were decided what to order, we were presented with some traditional Finnish bread (similar to rye) and homemade butter.
For entree, MC ordered the ‘Air-Dried Organic Charolais Beef’ served with reindeer crème and pickled forest mushrooms. A board of cured meats was presented to the table to be enjoyed with the smoky flavoured reindeer crème.
I decided to order the ‘Roasted Root Vegetables’ served with Kolattu goat cheese, honey and pumpkin seeds. Another great dish to start our night! The flavours were earthy with hints of sweetness from the honey.
For mains I ordered the ‘Finnish Beef Steak 240gm’ with spiced butter, red wine sauce and potatoes with rosemary. The steak was cooked to perfect, was tender and juicy and the potatoes were soft on the inside with a slight crunch on the skin. Definitely worth ordering if you are a steak lover!
MC had to try the ‘Reindeer Ossobucco’ served with root vegetables and cranberry gremolata. Another stand out dish for us. This is a true representation on the Finnish culture and a great dish to enjoy on a cold evening. The reindeer was tender and the root vegetables brought a sweet flavour to the dish.
Overall we were very impressed with the food, service and atmosphere at Löyly. The food was a true representation of the Finnish culture, the sauna was a fantastic experience and the location offered stunning views.