Linko

Awarded the best pizza in Helsinki 2015 they keep it up with their own unique sort that is both fresh and full of taste. Not giving you the food hungover that normal pizza gives. The place is both bohemian and calming, during a rush you can just take a beer and wait for your seat.

It would be nice to comment on how the pizza tasted last night, but I went without dinner thanks to Linko. The menu board listed «kantarelli» as one option, and there were two prices next to it. I told the guy that I’d like the chantarelle pizza and asked what the two prices were. He said the cheaper one is vegan and has no cheese. I asked for the one with cheese. When the pizza arrived, there was bacon on it. I took it up to the guy and asked him about the bacon, and he said he told me there was bacon on the more expensive one. Neither my boyfriend nor I heard any mention of bacon! The guy turned around and went on with his business. I’ve been a vegetarian for 25 years, and the few times something like this has happened, the server always offered to make something else (both in Finland and elsewhere). I waited in line for quite a while to speak to the guy again to ask for a take-​away box (for my boyfriend to eat). He replied that they had no boxes and offered some aluminum foil that was narrower than the pizza. How was I supposed to take an entire thin-​crust, drippy pizza home in foil? In the end, I paid 15 € to sit in a restaurant and eat nothing. We had plans after dinner, so I didn’t have time to eat anywhere else. Worst restaurant experience ever.

A pizza joint? Sounds like nothing new in pizza-​populated Helsinki, but luckily Linko is one of those places that set new standards for the rest of the places.
They have a simple menu consisting of four-​six pizzas, drawn daily on a chalk board depending on available ingredients and the chefs’ moods. I’ve tried a spicy mexican pizza with avocado and last time I went for the beetroot one with goat cheese dressing. With quality ingredients like in Linko, you can’t go wrong.
Their style of baking the crust is to make it extra thin so it really crisps up — personally I like the bubbly thick crust — and they top the pizzas with dressings, fresh rocket etc.
For me the best thing about Linko is the atmosphere. It’s one of those places where you go for a casual pizza and drink with a friend but end up ordering wines by the bottle and engaging in conversations with adjacent tables, only to find yourself next at a karaōke bar with new made friends. There’s also live music now and then (check their webpage) and a social and fun staff. If I were a ‘Töölöläinen’, this would be my regular.

Best pizza I’ve had since being in Finland 3 years! They only have like 3 options available but it really doesn’t matter when it’s this fresh and tasty. Good selection of beers and nice enough prices too!