Menu

KITCHEN & PRODUCE

At Nolla, everything we source is fully traceable. Most of our produce is organic, biodynamic, regenerative, wild, or foraged – supporting a more balanced, climate-resilient ecosystem, as well as a sustainable local economy.

Our strict definition of “local” produce is determined by distance to the restaurant, rather than geography. We strive to reduce food miles as far as possible, whilst also evaluating each ingredient for its environmental impact and ethics of production. Besides a handful of unavoidable exceptions, vegetables are sourced within a maximum 100 km radius of the restaurant, meat from up to 200 km, fish within 250 km and dairy less than 300 km. Even the charcoal for our grills is Finnish-produced organic birchwood. Only six essential ingredients must be sourced from further afield: salt, coffee, tea, wine (none of which are produced in Finland), seaweed (hand-harvested Swedish seaweed from local fishermen), and rapeseed oil (because local production is very limited, so doesn’t support the kitchen for the whole year).

Our kitchen is a dedication to the natural larder on our doorstep, at its best, throughout the Finnish year.

Vegetables and grains make up double the amount of animal protein on our menu. Where we do use meat, it is sourced directly from local farmers whose ethical, social and environmental standards are as strict as our own. We favour poultry or game for their lower environmental impact, and lamb and beef are used very rarely and selectively – such as in the case of an ex-dairy cow, or cattle from grazing or biodynamic farming. We don’t believe in using only choice cuts, instead we purchase the whole animal and make valuable use of every part. All our fish is sourced from fishermen whom we are confident use responsible, low-intervention methods, from Finnish waters. We never use farmed fish, nor any wild fish designated as endangered by the WWF.

Waste is a design flaw, and we seek to eliminate it from our operations at every level. As such, there is no place for expired or upcycled ingredients on our menu, which might commonly feature in the context of ‘zero-waste’ cooking. Instead we support positive food production practices, and cherish every part of every ingredient: no part is thrown away or wasted.

Restaurant Nolla Pickled Ginger and Spruce ice cream. Dining in Helsinki | Finnish restaurant Helsinki

MORE ABOUT THE MENU

Our menu changes eight to ten times a year, making the most of southern Finnish produce during every micro season. By challenging ourselves to maximise every part of every ingredient, our dishes are composed not of techniques, but are an imaginative response to the produce available to us. Ultimately, too, our menu is personal – reflecting the complex mosaic of life experiences, heritages and influences within our diverse kitchen team.

See menu

SUPPLIERS

  • Berries
  • Cereals
  • Crockery
  • Dairy
  • Drinks
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Fruit
  • Honey
  • Meat
  • Mushrooms
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Others
  • Seaweed
  • Textiles
  • Vegetables

PRODUCE CALENDAR

Our menu reflects the very best of the southern Finnish produce at each moment in the calendar year. Take a walk with us to find out what we are working with, each month.