Lunch experiences in the world of smash burgers

In the Finland's Best Lunch 2024 competition organized by Edenred, Bistro Liekki Talvikkitie, which has been operating since 2016, secured a top position by becoming second in the open voting. This charcoal grill restaurant located in Tikkurila, Vantaa, specializes particularly in delicious burgers and steaks, served during both lunch and dinner hours. The restaurant's name is derived from their unique grilling method.

This cooking method is not typical for lunch restaurants. The restaurant's almost signature dish, the smash burger, is prepared individually by hand on a griddle, rather than being baked in large quantities in an oven. The burger buns are also baked in-house.

The restaurant adopted the smash burger concept when the owner, Aslan, wanted to experiment with it. However, customers quickly fell in love with the burgers, and they have since become the reason for the restaurant's current popularity. Although the restaurant is especially known for its burger-focused lunch, the wide selection of appetizers and salads alongside the burgers makes it an appealing option for a variety of customers.

Revamping the lunch concept in 2023

Bistro Liekki's lunch selection took a new direction in 2023 when Ville, who had been working at the restaurant, became a partner with owner Aslan. Together, they decided to focus on a burger-oriented lunch. They noticed that many lunch restaurants in the area already offered extensive lunch buffets, but few specifically focused on burgers. Aslan and Ville aimed to develop a lunch that would stand out from the rest and provide customers with more than they expected. This development work required hundreds of hours over several months as the duo delved deeply into enhancing their lunch offerings.

The results speak for themselves: by February 2024, Bistro Liekki's lunch skyrocketed in popularity. The lunch gained significant visibility thanks to active social media engagement, particularly on TikTok, where Ville showcases the restaurant's daily lunch specials to the online audience. The burgers and the visibility the restaurant has garnered have attracted customers from outside the capital region as well. Owner Aslan believes that their lunch is contributing to the development of lunch culture across Finland.

Increased visibility through the Finland's Best Lunch competition

Edenred's Finland's Best Lunch 2024 competition was an intriguing experience for Bistro Liekki. The restaurant, which secured second place in the competition, gained additional visibility and customers as a result, and the success brought new partnerships. However, Aslan emphasizes that to succeed in the competition, the restaurant must also put in the effort. Active participation from the staff and the visibility of competition information within the restaurant's premises are key to ensuring that customers know about the competition and feel motivated to vote. Brochures, television advertisements in the restaurant, and active social media engagement helped Bistro Liekki rise to the top positions in the competition.

As a result of their competition success, the visibility of the restaurant's lunch has increased, and new lunch-goers are eagerly coming to try Bistro Liekki Talvikkitie's smash burgers. Social media influencers are also interested in the restaurant and are creating their own content about the lunch.

According to Aslan, the competition has encouraged them to further develop their business. The goal has always been to ensure that customers get value for their money and leave satisfied after their lunch experience.

New customers through innovative practices

Bistro Liekki Talvikkitie is an excellent example of how innovative thinking and the use of social media can elevate a restaurant's profile and increase customer numbers. The collaboration between Aslan and Ville has brought fresh ideas to the restaurant, which has been operating since 2016, and it is now ready to face future challenges with a positive attitude. Have you already tasted the smash burgers or tried the lunch at Bistro Liekki Talvikkitie?

This article is based on an interview with Aslan from Bistro Liekki Talvikkitie conducted on 25.2.2025.