Set in the heart of Helsinki, Boreal is a restaurant shaped by collaboration and a deep respect for the northern world that surrounds it. Designed by Treivas Architecture Bureau, the space draws its name from the boreal regions — landscapes defined by forests, lakes, and long cycles of light — and translates that spirit into an immersive dining experience rooted in hospitality and craft.
Boreal’s story begins with a shared passion for nature, gastronomy, and the handmade. The founders’ years of experience in fine dining meet an explorer’s mindset, resulting in a restaurant that feels instinctively familiar while constantly revealing unexpected details. This sense of discovery runs through both the interiors and the menu, creating a place that many guests come to regard as their own.
At the centre of the restaurant sits an open kitchen island, framed in timber and forming the heart of the dining area. Guests can gather in the communal hall to watch the events of the kitchen and bar unfold, or retreat into more intimate dining rooms designed for private events and hosted dinners. The layout encourages conversation, and a shared appreciation of the craft behind each dish.
Lighting plays a defining role. Diffused, amber-toned illumination evokes the glow of the Northern Lights, reflected in dark, glossy tiles that recall the still surface of a forest lake at dusk. This atmospheric backdrop supports an interior shaped by Baltic influences and a wider, nomadic sensibility. Timber, ceramics, and woven elements are globally recognisable, yet distinguished through precise detailing and thoughtful execution.
Finnish design principles emerge through clear geometry and practical solutions, such as a central column encircled by an ergonomic waiter’s station. Throughout the space, works by Scandinavian artists sit alongside unexpected objects collected from around the world, some made by the restaurant’s own team. Notably, the sculptural lamps above the dining tables are crafted from kombucha, casting a warm, translucent light that contrasts with delicate broderie anglaise table linens.
A recurring red line weaves through the interior — along walls, textiles, and fittings — and acts as a subtle guide through the richly layered space. Together, these elements form Boreal, a contemporary restaurant in the city’s Design District, inspired by the nature and the seasons of Finland.
Restaurant Boreal Helsinki Photography, Sofia Kulianu.
