Food, Lifestyle, My Work

Visit Helsinki: Saaga

December 16, 2015

Arriving to Helsinki, Finland for the first time about 9 years ago, I was completely in shock of how much I have instantly clicked with a place that I’ve been wanting to visit for so long and at the same time in disbelief of how big cultural differences were between Finland and Croatia, back then my home country.

Just to start from the weather and food to how people and traditions are like day and night in these two countries. However, these facts didn’t make it a problem for me to find my home in Helsinki and adopt all of the best thing from Finnish culture into my life.

NE8B8003

One of the easiest and fastest ways to “taste” and realise the history and characteristics of some country is by tasting the most traditional food and by visiting a restaurant such as SAAGA is! Entering Saaga, you are entering a priceless piece of Finnish tradition, tastes, smells and an overall, museum like experience, as for your eyes, as well for your taste buds!

NE8B8028

NE8B8034

For this collaboration with A&S restaurants, we have visited Saaga during their popular Lappish Christmas buffet which is SO worth trying out! You’ll find a big variety of homemade meals as if your Finnish grandma would have made them. You know that kind of meals which will be for a long time stuck in the register of the the best foods you’ve ever tasted… Yes, those kind of meals, simple, traditional but prepared with so much love and bursting with flavour.

saaga2

saaga8

saaga10

saaga9

I went for the “fish” options while my companion went for more meaty and hearty ones. 🙂 The choices were “endless”, from smoked salmon, white fish mousse, pickles to cold smoked reindeer and bear salami.

saaga3

saaga6

saaga5

saaga7

After we were done eating, we went for a small tour of the restaurant which was an experience that I was so happy to share with my daughter’s wondering eyes.

The lowest part of the restaurant ( street level ) is decorated and imagined to be/ represent dwarf world, middle part is representing the Earth, “open air” effect space with lots of amazing details such as almost forgotten, old Sami language cave signs on the chairs and walls. Last level, which is small and serves also as a private cabinet is decorated and presented as a place for gods/ shamans… I swear to you my dear readers that I got the biggest goosebumps taking a tour through Saaga… You just have to go there and see for yourself. 🙂

NE8B8220

NE8B8219

NE8B8207

NE8B8030

*All of the photos by Natali K. photography

*This post was made in collaboration with A&S restaurants, all of the opinions are my own.

*Thank you Johanna for making this collaboration possible.

You Might Also Like

38 Comments

  • Reply Trang Do December 17, 2015 at 12:11 AM

    Looks so delicious! Lovely pictures!
    Xoxo,
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:15 PM

      Thank you so much for commenting and always being so kind!

  • Reply April December 17, 2015 at 1:36 AM

    Amazing everything

    https://www.shophandbag.co.uk

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:15 PM

      It really was amazing!

  • Reply Bernice December 17, 2015 at 1:37 AM

    Very delicious

    https://www.parajumperpjs.com

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:14 PM

      Everything was super delicious in Saaga!

  • Reply Matea December 17, 2015 at 5:28 AM

    E ovo je baš mjesto u kojem bi ja uživala 🙂

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:14 PM

      Dodji mi u posjetu, pa cemo zajedno uzivati! 🙂

  • Reply Anoushka December 17, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    Wow this looks so yummy, I’ve only been to Helsinki briefly but if I ever go back I will definitely check this place out!

    Anoushka Probyn – A London Fashion Blog

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:13 PM

      Please do Anoushka, you’ll love it, I’m sure! 🙂

  • Reply Viktoriya December 17, 2015 at 6:36 AM

    Stunning place!

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:13 PM

      It truly is! 🙂

  • Reply IOANNA December 17, 2015 at 8:31 AM

    Wow! Looks so yummy!
    xoxoxo, Ioanna

    https://fashionyourdreams.com/

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:13 PM

      Thank you Ioanna for commenting!

  • Reply Elements of Ellis December 17, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    You’re making me want to visit Finland! It sounds like an amazing place! And the food looks yummy!

    https://elementsofellis.com/

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:12 PM

      It really is an amazing country and very unique too!

  • Reply Emma December 17, 2015 at 12:27 PM

    I love your pictures 🙂

    emmabrwn.com

    Follow me on bloglovin’ 

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:12 PM

      Thank you Emma!!

  • Reply artadorned December 17, 2015 at 3:52 PM

    Amazing photos everything looks beautiful.
    https://artadorned.com/

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:12 PM

      Thank you so much!!

  • Reply Toks December 17, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    Helsinki is going higher on my list of places to visit, seeing these amazing posts. xoxoxo

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:11 PM

      That’s so great to read! I hope that you’ll come to visit someday, I’d be glad to show you around! 🙂

  • Reply Maireem December 18, 2015 at 1:45 AM

    I’ve turned into a heart-eyed emoji for all the foods on this post! 🙂 -Maireem

    My Fair Autumn | Instagram

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:11 PM

      Heheh! That’s great to read! Thanks for writing Maireem!

  • Reply Amy Ann December 18, 2015 at 6:09 AM

    What fun and unusual decor. Your food looks great.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:11 PM

      Thanks a lot Amy!

  • Reply Yuokva December 18, 2015 at 8:23 AM

    Looks so delicious! Love that antler chandelier!
    https://www.yukovablog.co.uk/

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:10 PM

      It’s so unique, right?! I was so impressed when I saw it!

  • Reply Catarina December 18, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    That food look so delicious!
    https://www.silkypearl.com/

    • Reply natali karppinen December 18, 2015 at 12:10 PM

      I’m glad that the photos are doing the justice to the deliciousness of the dishes! 🙂

  • Reply Gypsy Tan December 18, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    Gorgeous Photos lovely!!

    Sabrina | http://www.gypsytan.co

  • Reply Adela Acanski December 18, 2015 at 2:05 PM

    Koji divan ambijent! Odlicno

    Adela Acanski

  • Reply Filipa Jackson December 18, 2015 at 3:41 PM

    Ugh this place looks so lovely… wish I could go right now. The food looks fantastic too!!

    Filipa x

    https://www.playingwithapparel.com
    https://www.instagram.com/filipajackson

  • Reply Dee December 18, 2015 at 4:23 PM

    Wow, what a nice place! Everything looks delicious, definitely have to visit it some day!

    Dee
    https://www.urbanchicblvd.com/

  • Reply ivana split December 19, 2015 at 6:04 AM

    fantastične fotografije, baš mi otvorila apetit koji mi je u zadnje vrijeme nešto (skroz netipično za mene) oslabio:)…Hrana tamo je san snova, stvarno bih voljela posjetiti ovaj restoran.

  • Reply Nataliya December 19, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    Looks like a great spot, wonderful place!

    http://www.ndudlagirl.blogspot.com

    xx, Nataliya

  • Reply sanssouci December 19, 2015 at 1:15 PM

    Amazing images! Loved the interior and festive details! Beautiful warm colours and light!
    http://www.sanssouci.website

  • Reply erica December 19, 2015 at 9:51 PM

    Great pics!

    xo | The Fashion Forecast

  • Leave a Reply