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. On my first day, however, I headed straight from the airport to the ferry harbour with a spontaneous idea: why not take a short trip to Helsinki, the capital of Finland, which had been named 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 because 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. There was no airport stress and no rushing, only calm water and quiet joy.

Two hours later, I arrived in Helsinki in the late afternoon. The city felt small and walkable, perfect for exploring 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.”
A tender melancholy filled the air, giving the city an intimate, slower rhythm. While Helsinki 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 Old 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?

The interior was decorated with wood, creating a rustic and forest-like atmosphere. Saaga, which means “story” in Finnish, lived up to its name. Its menu told a story of Finland, celebrating the purity and freshness of Nordic ingredients, gifts from the country’s waters, forests, and fields.

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 carried earthy and wild flavors, yet was refined and tender.
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.