Sea Horse Helsinki: The Soul of Finnish Comfort Dining Since 1934
Tucked within the historic Ullanlinna district of Helsinki, Sea Horse — or “Sikala” as the locals affectionately call it — stands as a timeless landmark of Finnish gastronomy. Since its founding in 1934, this beloved restaurant has been serving honest, heartwarming Finnish cuisine to generations of diners. Stepping inside Sea Horse feels less like entering a restaurant and more like walking into a piece of Helsinki’s living history.
A Helsinki Icon
Outside, the Sea Horse façade remains beautifully unchanged — green neon signage glowing softly against the rustic stone walls. The familiar seahorse logo marks the entrance, welcoming locals and travelers alike.
Inside, conversations hum, plates clink, and time slows down. Sea Horse doesn’t chase trends; it preserves them — holding fast to the Finnish spirit of hospitality, humility, and hearty satisfaction.
A Classic Interior With a Story to Tell
The dining room is an ode to old-world charm — wooden chairs, crisp white linens, and the soft glow of amber light reflecting off glassware. The centerpiece mural of twin seahorses, stylized in gentle blues and reds, gives the restaurant its unmistakable identity.
This interior isn’t trying to impress with modern gloss; it comforts with authenticity. It’s a place where tradition meets nostalgia — where artists, sailors, and politicians have shared the same table for nearly a century.
Fried Baltic Herrings: A Taste of the Sea
The first image captures one of Sea Horse’s signatures — Fried Baltic Herrings (Silakat). Golden and crispy, served alongside creamy mashed potatoes, dill, lemon, and pickled cucumbers, the dish is simplicity perfected.
It’s a staple of Finnish coastal cuisine — briny, tender, and comforting — the kind of food that carries the memory of home-cooked meals and seaside air. The balance between tangy pickle and buttery mash is quintessentially Finnish, unpretentious yet deeply satisfying.
Fried Liver with Bacon and Lingonberries: Bold, Rustic, and Real
Few dishes embody Finland’s rustic heart like fried liver, rich and earthy, paired with crisp bacon and a vibrant lingonberry sauce.
The combination of savory and tart creates a melody of flavor — bold, confident, and perfectly in tune with Northern tastes. Served with mashed potatoes and a glass of red wine, it’s a dish that speaks to the enduring strength of Finnish tradition.
Pike Perch à la Mannerheim: A Tribute to Elegance
Named after Finland’s former president and national hero, Pike Perch à la Mannerheim pays homage to both refinement and history. The dish features delicately breaded fish fillets, new potatoes, and a velvety mushroom cream sauce.
This plate represents the upper note of Finnish dining — refined, subtle, and steeped in culinary heritage. The gentle use of dill and lemon adds brightness, elevating it beyond comfort food into something truly elegant.
Finnish Meatballs: The Heart of Home
A Finnish meal is incomplete without meatballs with mashed potatoes — and at Sea Horse, they’ve perfected the recipe. Generous, juicy, and served in a silky brown gravy with pickles and lingonberries, these meatballs are a celebration of balance: salty, sweet, creamy, and tangy all at once.
It’s no wonder this dish remains one of the restaurant’s most beloved — a timeless reminder that comfort never goes out of style.
A Final Toast to Tradition
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, dining at Sea Horse feels like joining a long, unbroken story — one told in butter, dill, and laughter. Each dish celebrates Finland’s culinary roots with honesty and pride.
If you want to taste Helsinki as it once was — and as it remains in its truest form — there’s no better place than Sea Horse.
Visit: www.seahorse.fi
📍 Kapteeninkatu 11, Helsinki, Finland
🍽 Classic Finnish cuisine served with soul since 1934.
