Le Ankka

The story

Le Ankka Helsinki – Modern Cuisine with Finnish Soul, Michelin Recommended

Modern Cuisine Rooted in Finnish Soil

At Le Ankka in Helsinki’s Ullanlinna district, the guiding principle is simple: a good ingredient is the foundation of everything. Chef Ilkka Lääveri works with small-scale producers and fishermen, sourcing primarily Finnish meat and fish. The menus shift with the seasons, and the kitchen even draws from Lääveri’s own garden near the restaurant. This commitment to locality and craft has earned Le Ankka a place in the Michelin guide, a recognition the team wears with pride.

A Menu That Follows the Seasons

The carte du jour offers three, four, and five-course menus, each built around what is best right now. Starters might include lightly salted whitefish from Kuusamo with roe, horseradish, and cucumber, or reindeer pastrami with domestic shiitake and lemongrass. Mains range from roasted pike perch from Lake Saima with a mussel mousseline to lamb from Sea Lapland with rosemary jus and garlic potatoes. Desserts keep the same precision: a white chocolate-whitecurrant parfait, a chocolate cake with coffee ice cream, or a crème caramel with blood orange sorbet. Vegetarian, vegan, and fish-free versions are available, and the kitchen accommodates dietary needs when notified at booking.

Wine Pairings and Private Dining

Le Ankka offers wine pairings and alcohol-free pairings for each menu, and the team also pours local wines. The restaurant’s private cabinet can be hired for groups up to 40 guests. Open Tuesday through Friday from 5 PM and Saturday from 2 PM, it is a place where the food speaks for itself — supported by a philosophy of minimising waste and recycling carefully. As The Sunday Times noted, “the recently opened Le Ankka, which combines French cooking with Finnish ingredients, is the place to eat.”