Demo
Helsinki, Finland
⭐1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
It might be slightly more challenging than usual to reach the entrance – you receive a code to open the side door before taking the lift up to the 14th floor – but once you’re safely ensconced, the view from this modern office building is worth it. The modern open-plan interior allows you to see into the kitchen where the chefs prepare the interesting set menu. Top quality local and international ingredients come together in flavoursome dishes crafted using classical techniques, with the breads in particular being a highlight.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
Here are three unique and unconventional things about the Michelin-starred restaurant Demo in Helsinki, highlighted by their titles:
1. DEMO is the only restaurant in Helsinki that has managed to keep a Michelin star for 14 years — this is the longest term of any Finnish restaurant with such a high award
Demo holds the distinction of maintaining its Michelin star continuously for 14 years, the longest streak among Finnish restaurants, showcasing remarkable consistency and excellence.
2. DEMO is a short for “Demonstration” — a place where contrasts live in harmony with elegance and unique tastes
The restaurant's name reflects its concept as a "Demonstration," emphasizing a harmonious blend of contrasts in flavors and presentation, creating an elegant and unique culinary experience.
3. The modern open-plan interior allows you to see into the kitchen where the chefs prepare the interesting set menu
Demo features an open-plan design that lets diners observe the chefs at work, adding an interactive and transparent dimension to the dining experience, which is unusual for fine dining establishments.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at Michelin-starred Restaurant Demo in Helsinki, reflecting their Nordic culinary philosophy and seasonal focus, include:
Fermented Herring: Used in a pan-seared filet paired with malt-miso puree and langoustine, this ingredient highlights traditional Scandinavian preservation techniques and brings a complex, acidic flavor to the dish, connecting to Finnish heritage.
Langoustine: Featured alongside the fermented herring, langoustine adds a delicate seafood sweetness and luxury element, balancing the boldness of the herring.
Creamy Fish Stock: Central to their modern take on Nordic fish soup, this lighter-than-chowder broth forms the base for a dish with lox, quail egg, and dill, showcasing the importance of fish in Nordic cuisine and the use of local, seasonal ingredients.
Dill: A classic Nordic herb, dill is used to add a zesty, fresh contrast in their fish soup, emphasizing regional flavor profiles.
House-baked Wheat Bread with Bone Marrow Brown Butter: This pairing exemplifies Demo’s innovative approach to traditional elements, where the rich, fatty bone marrow enhances the brown butter, creating a unique and memorable accompaniment that elevates the bread experience.
These ingredients are significant not only for their quality and seasonality but also for how they embody the restaurant's philosophy of blending tradition with modern techniques and flavors in Finnish and Nordic cuisine.