As part of Finnish airport company, Finavia’s significant ‘one roof’ re-development programme at Helsinki Airport – which began at the airport in 2014 – SSP has opened its largest ever food court in Finland featuring six brands.
Having opened a number of new units across Helsinki Airport throughout 2023, SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has today released more details on the concepts on offer together with a series of new images.
As part of Finnish airport company, Finavia’s significant ‘one roof’ re-development programme at Helsinki Airport – which began at the airport in 2014 – SSP has opened its largest ever food court in Finland featuring six brands.
Centrally located, the food court was designed to complement the architectural theme of the terminal and offers a diverse selection of concepts, appealing to the international traveller. Of the six units, three are bespoke brands, created by SSP Finland. Amongst them is free-flow restaurant and café, Café Tori, a brand which has been a favourite at the airport since 2011. A welcome addition for late arrivals and departures, Café Tori is open 24 hours a day, offering a menu that includes a selection of Finnish traditional homecooked food, fresh pastries, and healthy options.
‘Asian Corner’ brings the experience of the best food stalls in Asia to the terminal. The menu is full of flavours from across the continent, and is changed regularly to reflect current tastes and trends. In Pala Pizza Bar, dough rested for 48 hours and baked with fresh toppings makes for a delicious pizza. Pizzas are served from a service counter to make sure even the busiest travellers have time to enjoy their meals.
The Food Court also features three established international concepts. Bastard Burgers serves classic New York-style burgers with a Scandinavian touch. Middle Eastern-style Finnish favourite, Fafa’s offers filled pitas, mezes and salads with vegetarian and vegan options. For guests seeking a caffeine fix, iconic Finnish chain, Robert’s Coffee, provides home comforts to Nordic travellers and new experiences to international visitors.
Guests at the Food Court are able to make their selections via a self-ordering kiosk, which allows quick and easy ordering and payment. In Tori Café & Kitchen customers can use self-checkout tills to pay quickly without having to queue. Meanwhile, a communal seating area allows passengers travelling in groups to each enjoy their own choices of food.
Beyond the food court, SSP has opened a number of other new outlets at the airport. Expanding its retail offering, a third WHSmith opened in February to provide customers with all their travel essentials, in the non-Schengen area of the airport. The aromas of fresh baking greets customers of Kaffet Bakery, which opened in the arrivals hall in April to arrivals hall, and invites customers to enjoy a cup of great Finnish coffee with freshly baked goods. Tasty pastries and breads are handmade daily at SSP’s airport bakery by professional bakers. Kaffet Bakery is sister café of Kaffet Helsinki, located airside. The company also opened its fourth Starbucks in June within the award-winning departure hall.
A new kitchen extension at The Oak Barrel Irish Pub will allow the team to prepare The Oak Barrel’s signature hamburgers, fish & chips and classic ‘pub grub’ with a local twist on site. A new ‘beer wall’ means the number of draft beers available has doubled. The pub, with its laid-back atmosphere and extensive menu of beers and whiskies, has long been a favourite meeting place at the airport.
Since June, SSP Finland has operated Finnair Lounges at Helsinki Airport. Finnair offers three lounges at the Airport – the Finnair Lounge (in the Schengen area), and the Finnair Business Lounge and the Finnair Platinum Wing (both in the non-Schengen area).
Elena Heiska, Managing Director of SSP Finland said; “These openings are a reflection of the hard work of our team, the efficiency of our operations at the airport, and our long history as a trusted partner at HEL. With particular appeal to the airport’s ever-growing percentage of leisure travellers, the new bars, restaurants and shops will offer something for everyone.”
Nora Immonen, Director of Commercial Business at Helsinki Airport of Finavia said; “We are excited to further develop the food and beverage selection at the airport together with our long-term partner, SSP. We are positive our passengers will enjoy the new restaurants in the food court at the heart of our airport. The variety of restaurants significantly increases the supply of hot food options and take-away products at Helsinki Airport.”
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