2_Q9_ScanMag_78_July_2015_Text_JOE _Scan Magazine 1 07/07/2015 15:48 Page 93
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Finland
Restaurant of the Month, Finland
Kannas – Honest Finnish Food For 75 years, Kannas has been a fixture of Eerikinkatu, a 15-minute walk from the city centre. The main use and atmosphere of the space has varied, and food has not always been on the menu, but these days Kannas is known for its authentic Finnish cuisine and generous portions. Rest assured, you will not to leave this restaurant hungry. By Jenni Syrjälä | Photos: Restaurant Kannas
Kannas was originally established in 1939 by IK.T. Itkonen, who had arrived in Helsinki after having to flee his home of Karelian Isthmus during the Winter War. The restaurant was named after the Finnish name of his home, and it has been in business ever since. The slogan of this 75-year old restaurant is “honest Finnish food”, and there is no messing around with tiny, excessively decorated portions – when you step through the door of Kannas, you can expect to leave full and happy, without breaking the bank. “This is one of the more affordable restaurants in Helsinki,” says Akseli Ahonen, CEO of Casa Ravintolat, the familyrun company which owns Kannas. “You won’t be left hungry, and the price-quality ratio is excellent.”
In this city, which offers the cuisines from almost any country you can think of, it is often surprisingly difficult to find the thing that many visitors are the most keen to experience – good, authentic Finnish food. Luckily that is exactly what Kannas has to offer. The menu is simple, with Finnish specialties such as herring and reindeer, as well as salads, steaks and burgers providing a good choice for any appetite. There is no need to go thirsty either, as the restaurant has a focus on Finnish beers from small breweries. The décor of this restaurant, situated in one of Helsinki’s old functionalist buildings, has changed throughout its 75-year old history, but there are still some nods to its origins in the interior design. The atmosphere could be described as Finnish,
with mainly older music being played in the background. The restaurant does not serve lunch, as it opens its doors in the afternoon, but it stays open till late. The website is mainly in Finnish, but does include a menu in English. The restaurant also includes a separate space with a sauna, which can be rented for the night for parties of up to 30 people.
For more information, please visit: www.kannas.fi
Issue 78 | July 2015 | 93