Misaij has visited the Italian restaurant Olivia Central Station Helsinki a few times. The restaurant is convenientlylocated at Helsinki Central Railway Station and offers an Italian-inspired dining experience in a historic, architecturally iconic setting. Here is a review of one of those visits.
The visit in question took place in the summer of 2025 on a Saturday evening, and we were quickly seated for two without a reservation, even though there was a small queue at the entrance and the restaurant appeared quite full. For larger groups, making a reservation is probably advisable.
Service was fast and friendly and conducted in English. We started with glasses of Franciacorta sparkling wine on recommendation, and for starters we ordered Manzo Tonnato—thinly sliced beef tenderloin with tuna sauce, capers, and marinated onion—and Caprese di Olivia, consisting of cherry tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. The gluten-free version of Caprese di Olivia did not include gluten-free focaccia, but gluten-free toast was available instead. The basil oil in the dish was particularly flavorful and elevated an otherwise traditional composition. The Manzo Tonnato was quite generous and very tasty for a starter portion. In Italy, it is one of my favorite dishes, and this version came fairly close.
For main courses, we ordered Insalata Amalfitana and Risotto Milanese con scampi. The creamy saffron risotto was rich and flavorful, the rice was well cooked, and the dish contained a generous amount of scampi. The Insalata Amalfitana included buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto, and melon alongside the salad. These elements were tasty, but the salad base itself felt somewhat uninspiring and dry, possibly pre-packaged. The accompanying focaccia, however, was wonderfully soft and flavorful. We did not try desserts on this occasion.
Olivia Central Station Helsinki | Summary
Overall, the dining experience at Olivia Central Station Helsinki was very good. It should be noted that this was already my third visit, so the restaurant has proven to be a reliable choice. The historic building and the restaurant’s interior design complement each other well, creating a pleasant atmosphere, and the venue appears to be very popular. It offers a relaxed setting, and on Saturday evening there were both couples and larger groups present. Service was efficient and really quick despite the restaurant’s size and lively atmosphere—only the bill took a little time to arrive. Olivia is an easy choice for a relaxed evening out and dining. The outdoor terrace is also a nice feature.