In our regular series, we ask famous chefs and personalities to tell us all about 'their city'. From top tips on where to dine, to their personal haunts ranging from bakeries to book shops, we’ve got the inside track on the premier spots from the people who know their city best.
With sci-fi series Foundation having recently come to a close, we caught up with actress Laura Birn who plays the role of the last existing humanoid, Eto Demerzel, starring opposite Jared Harris, Lee Pace and Lou Llobell. Already well-known for her work in the Nordic countries, Birn's latest series – based on Isaac Asimov's novels – chronicles a group of exiles whose quest is to save humanity during the fall of the Galactic Empire. When she's not away filming, Finland's capital city, Helsinki, is the place Laura calls home. Read on for a whistle stop tour of her favourite haunts and hidden gems in her home city.
What is your go-to restaurant for a celebration?
A beautiful, special duo of restaurants in Helsinki are Savoy and Café Savoy. Savoy was founded in 1937 and was designed by Alvar and Aino Aalto. Even after renovations, it still exudes its original atmosphere. I love its interior and ambience. It also has beautiful terraces with views over the city. For special celebrations, Savoy is perfect – grandly intimate and timelessly sophisticated – while the newer Café Savoy, which opened a few years ago on the ground floor, is a wonderfully relaxed and sophisticated bistro that's perfect for long lunches with friends!Where would you recommend for a romantic date?
Kuurna is another sweet, relaxed bistro that's perfect for date nights. It’s intimate and cosy. The quality of the food is high and the wine list consists of classic and also natural wines sourced from ecologically and socially sustainable producers.
What is your favourite established restaurant?
I love BasBas Bistro, BasBas Kulma and BasBas Studio. The food is delicious and the wines are carefully chosen. And what really makes these places special is the staff. They're all wonderful – savvy, relaxed and you can tell they genuinely love what they do and care about their restaurants. You always feel welcome, like you're spending an evening with friends. Evenings here have a way of stretching on for hours.What is your favourite newcomer?
305 is a fresh neighbourhood bistro by young creators. The cuisine is creative and there's a wonderfully laid-back vibe. Everything is made with clean, local ingredients and the menu changes with the seasons. Their cocktails deserve a special shout-out.
Which restaurant would you like to go to next?
Bona Fide. It's located in beautiful Kruunuhaka near downtown and the sea... Food can be an incredibly creative experience, and I'd love to experience Bona Fide, which I've heard a lot of praise about. It has been complimented for its warm, welcoming service and creative, expertly crafted flavour pairings, along with menus that change with the seasons. Their four-course menu is affordable at under €50.
Do you have a favourite market?
I adore Hakaniemi Market Hall. My grandmother lived right next to it and I spent years of my childhood fascinated by the hustle and bustle around the hall. It was renovated a few years ago, but still beautifully preserved its old style and atmosphere. Sometimes I fear renovations in Helsinki – I love the city's layered character and roughness.What is your favourite cinema?
I love the old movie theatre Cinema Orion. It's an art deco gem that opened to the public in 1928. It housed a film archive for a long time, and I've seen many classics there that have influenced me. Nowadays the program offers an interesting mix of everything: the latest art-house films, classics, screenings with visiting filmmakers and lectures by fascinating filmmakers. Orion's seats are like a soft cradle where you can sink in and enjoy art.What about your favourite theatre?
Q-theatre, a small independent company where I've been fortunate to work as well. It's based in Töölö, a beautiful old neighbourhood. The theatre is intimate and endlessly ambitious – each opening night becomes an event that thrills and engages audiences. For decades it's been a major force shaping the Finnish theatre landscape. The combination of established artistic voices and new young artists keeps the creative fire alive.
What is your favourite thing to do in Helsinki?
I love spending time in the area of the Lapinlahti Hospital. It's a unique place in the heart of Helsinki, nestled beside the beautiful Hietalahti Cemetery. The historical building, designed by Engel, was one of Europe's oldest treatment facilities built specifically for psychiatric care. Nowadays the area functions as an open cultural centre for everyone. The area includes cafés, a bakery, a sauna and an incredibly beautiful environment with swimming areas. It also hosts dance sessions, exhibitions, a film festival and concerts.What do you miss most about Helsinki when you are travelling for work?
Saunas. There are a lot of nice public saunas around Helsinki (even though almost every house and apartment building has its own). I belong to a small sauna club where I go with a friend several times a week. In the wintertime I practice ice swimming – it calms me in the evening and wakes me up in the morning. I'm a person who suffers from the cold – I might have been born in the wrong country – but through ice swimming I've found a new relationship with winter and the cold. In summer the city is full of many lovely public saunas and swimming spots, for example, the small, cute Furuvik or the wonderful island spot Uunisaari. Architecturally beautiful Löyly is also a great spot for a sauna and a dip in the sea – and food and drinks after of course.Love all things MICHELIN?
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Hero Image: Left – A view out over Helsinki (© Vladislav Zolotov/iStock); Right – Laura Birn, who plays Demerzel in sci-fi series 'Foundation' on Apple TV (© Bartek Szmigulski)
