When searching for a lunch Espoo location, Ravintola Haikaranpesä stands out as an exceptional choice in Haukilahti. This family-owned restaurant offers a comprehensive Scandinavian buffet lunch in a unique water tower setting with stunning views across southern Finland. The restaurant provides a memorable dining experience, combining traditional Nordic cuisine with panoramic scenery overlooking both Helsinki and Espoo.
What makes Ravintola Haikaranpesä a unique lunch destination in Espoo?
Ravintola Haikaranpesä occupies the distinctive position of being southern Finland’s highest restaurant, located within Haukilahti’s water tower. This elevated setting provides unparalleled panoramic views extending across the sea towards both Helsinki and Espoo, creating an unforgettable dining atmosphere that sets it apart from typical lunch venues.
The restaurant’s heritage as a family restaurant Espoo spanning three generations adds authenticity to the dining experience. Since the late 1960s and early 1970s, guests have enjoyed both dancing and the renowned Scandinavian buffet in this remarkable location. The combination of traditional Nordic hospitality with the spectacular tower setting creates a lunch experience that transcends ordinary dining.
The unique architecture of the water tower restaurant provides floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase breathtaking maritime and urban landscapes. This setting makes every lunch feel like a special occasion, whether you’re entertaining business clients or enjoying a leisurely meal with family and friends.
What does the Scandinavian lunch buffet at Haikaranpesä include?
The Scandinavian buffet Espoo at Haikaranpesä features a comprehensive three-course experience including an abundant starter table, daily changing main courses, and an extensive dessert selection with coffee and tea. The maritime-themed menu showcases the finest Nordic culinary traditions with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
The starter selection includes premium seafood such as warm-smoked salmon, cold-smoked salmon, gravlax whitefish, and prawn Skagen. Traditional accompaniments like cold-smoked vendace, smetana herring, and sherry herring complement the seafood offerings, alongside boiled eggs and buttered potatoes.
Main course options typically feature roast beef, reindeer pâté, chorizo meatballs, and duck breast, accompanied by fresh salads including tomato-mozzarella and Caesar salad. The daily fish and meat selections vary seasonally, served with potato sides and seasonal vegetables. The bread selection provides authentic Nordic varieties to complete the traditional experience.
The dessert table offers ice cream, strawberry cake, chocolate cake, mousse cake, and cheesecake, along with fresh fruits. This comprehensive buffet lunch Finland style ensures every guest finds satisfying options across all courses.
How much does lunch cost at Ravintola Haikaranpesä?
The lunch restaurant Haukilahti pricing is £56 per person for the complete Scandinavian buffet experience. Children aged 4–7 years are charged £12 per person, while children aged 8–12 years are charged £15 per person. This pricing structure makes the restaurant accessible for families while reflecting the premium quality and unique setting.
The comprehensive pricing includes access to the full buffet experience: the abundant starter table, daily changing main courses, dessert selection, and coffee and tea service. Given the restaurant’s unique location in the water tower and the extensive buffet offerings, the pricing represents good value for a special Espoo dining experience.
Special dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, and allergy considerations, can be accommodated with advance notice. This ensures all guests can enjoy the full buffet experience regardless of dietary restrictions, though advance communication helps the kitchen prepare appropriate alternatives.
What are the lunch hours and how do you make reservations?
Lunch service operates with specific arrival times to ensure optimal food quality and service. On weekdays, the final arrival time is 2:30 PM, with food service concluding at 3:00 PM. Weekend service extends later, with final arrivals at 4:30 PM and food service ending at 5:00 PM.
Reservations can be made through three convenient methods: online booking through the restaurant’s website, by telephone at 09-4524254 (available on opening days from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM), or by email at ravintolahaikaranpesa@kolumbus.fi. The multiple booking options ensure flexibility for different preferences and circumstances.
Groups exceeding 10 people require confirmation of final numbers two working days before the reservation date. The confirmed number serves as the billing basis, ensuring accurate preparation and service. This policy helps maintain the high service standards while managing kitchen preparation efficiently.
The restaurant reserves the right to modify menus based on ingredient availability, ensuring the freshest possible offerings. This flexibility allows the kitchen to showcase seasonal ingredients while maintaining the authentic Scandinavian buffet experience that has made Ravintola Haikaranpesä a beloved lunch destination in Espoo for over five decades.