FINLAND. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport passengers can choose from four new restaurants and two more cafés amid SSP Group’s continued expansion of its airside food court.
Centrally located, the expansive dining area has been designed to complement the terminal’s award-winning Nordic architecture. It offers international flyers a diverse selection of choices, including three bespoke brands created by SSP Finland.
Among them are Café Tori, a 24-7 licensed tea room offering a traditional menu of Finnish home-cooked foods, street food concept Asian Corner and Pala Pizza Bar which boasts a 48-hour-rested local sourdough.
SSP began the roll-out this summer as part of Finnish airport authority Finavia’s major ‘one roof’ redevelopment programme which began in 2014 and included an ambitious international architectural competition to expand and redesign the Helsinki gateway.
“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 Helsinki. With particular appeal to the airport’s ever-growing percentage of leisure travellers, the new bars, restaurants and shops will offer something for everyone,” said SSP Finland Managing Director Elena Heiska.
The Food Court also features three established international concepts: Bastard Burgers, which serves classic New York-style burgers with a Scandinavian touch; Middle Eastern pitta and mezze bar Fafa’s; and renowned Finnish café chain Robert’s Coffee.
Convenience is to the fore with food court guests able to make their selections via a self-ordering kiosk. In Tori Café & Kitchen customers can use self-checkout tills without having to queue.
Beyond the food court, SSP has opened several other new outlets, including a third WHSmith in February. Meanwhile a delicious whiff of freshly-baked bread greets customers at Kaffet Bakery, which opened in the arrivals hall in April. Kaffet Bakery is the sister business of Kaffet Helsinki, located airside. SSP also opened its fourth Starbucks in June.
A kitchen extension at The Oak Barrel Irish Pub offers signature fish & chips while a new ‘beer wall’ means the number of draft beers shas doubled.
Since June, SSP Finland has also operated the airport’s three Finnair Lounges.
Helsinki Airport Director of Commercial Business Nora Immonen, said; “We are excited to further develop the food & 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.” ✈︎
