From Tallinn to Helsinki by Ferry: Discover a Restaurant with a 'World’s Happiest Country' Menu

During my six-week trip through Europe, I flew from Berlin to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, planning to stay for a few days. But on my very first day, I headed straight from the airport to the ferry harbour—I had a spontaneous idea: why not take a short trip to Helsinki, the capital of Finland, ranked the world’s happiest country in 2025?

I booked my ticket online through the Tallink website and chose the Megastar ferry. A round-trip ticket cost €70.60.

It was my first time taking an international ferry, and I was very excited.
The journey takes about two hours. On board, there are several restaurants, duty-free shops, and lounges.
To be honest, I didn’t even feel like I was on the sea—the ride was so smooth. I sat by the window, letting the soft sunlight warm my face and enjoying the calmness of the Baltic Sea. No airport stress, no rush—just calm water and quiet joy.

Two hours later, I arrived in Helsinki in the late afternoon. The city felt small and walkable—you could easily explore it on foot.
The sky was brushed with soft shades of blue and pink, and a street musician played guitar, singing Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game: “I don’t want to fall in love... with you.”
There was a gentle melancholy in the air that made the city feel even quieter and more intimate—like it moved at a slower pace. While it wasn’t a bustling metropolis, I found the simplicity and stillness refreshing. The cold and the slightly higher prices were noticeable, but they didn’t take away from the city’s beauty and charm.

Determined to try some Finnish food, I walked to Hietalahti Market Hall, a cozy indoor food market with a vintage vibe and small restaurants offering global cuisine.
But not many stalls were open, and most of the food wasn’t Finnish.

Wandering the streets, I randomly came across Restaurant Saaga. From the window, I spotted a sign: “The happiest menu in the world.” Haha—how could I resist?

Inside, the restaurant was decorated in wood, with a rustic, forest-like atmosphere.
Saaga is a Finnish word meaning story—and true to its name, the restaurant offers a story of Finnish flavors.
Its menu celebrates the purity and freshness of Nordic ingredients—gifts from the waters, forests, and fields of Finland.

For my meal, I ordered:

• Traditional creamy salmon soup served in a sauna pail (yes, really!)

• Traditional sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and pickled cucumber

• And a Finnish beer served in a Harald drinking horn

The soup was creamy, comforting, and absolutely delicious. The reindeer was flavorful—earthy and wild, yet refined.
And the beer? Drinking it from a horn made me feel like a Viking for the night. Haha!

It was on the pricier side, but was absolutely worth it.
I didn’t just eat—I felt like I’d taken a little journey through Finland’s forests and traditions, one delicious bite at a time.