A trendy grillhouse running at full heat

At Restaurant Estelle, the open charcoal grill is something you see, feel, and taste. Dieta collaborated with the restaurant team to design, equip, and install the kitchen. The result is a striking open kitchen, a practical workspace, and a distinctive restaurant concept.

Restaurant Estelle sits on the banks of the Aura River, in one of Turku's most popular dining areas. Modern grill cuisine, high-quality drinks, and a relaxed riverside ambience attract visitors from near and far. The idea for Estelle was sparked during the renovation of its predecessor, Restaurant Nooa, which inspired Simo Hallikainen and Tero Sintonen to create something entirely new.

"As the project progressed, our vision grew clearer. The growing grillhouse trend, especially in Stockholm, inspired us to introduce the concept to Turku," Hallikainen explains. The concept centred on a large, open charcoal grill for preparing steaks, fish, lobster, shellfish, vegetables, and starters. It serves as both the kitchen's focal point and the restaurant's centrepiece.

"Our goal was to create a restaurant that is both refined and relaxed. The interior and white tablecloths lend a high end touch, while the service remains friendly and approachable," Hallikainen adds.

As experienced professionals, they knew that a successful kitchen project runs most smoothly
with one trusted partner.
"At our previous restaurant, Nooa, only the walls and floor remained, and even the floor was completely refinished. We chose Dieta again as our kitchen partner, based on our previous positive experiences," Sintonen says.

When every centimetre in the kitchen matters

Planning began with a joint review of layouts and space utilisation. The restaurant's size remained the same, but the new layout provided significantly more workspace and improved functionality throughout. The kitchen was reorganised step by step: the central island was expanded, workstations were clarified, and staff movement was improved. Existing equipment, such as drawer units, was serviced and reused where possible. Dieta's role was crucial from the outset.
"We had a strong vision of what we needed from the kitchen," Hallikainen emphasises.

Beyond layout planning, installation, and user training, Dieta supplied a Mibrasa open charcoal grill, ovens, and kitchen equipment. The technical requirements for the charcoal grill made the project exceptionally demanding: the wall materials, chimneys, and the exhaust hood all had to be renewed.
"It was centimetre- precision work. Combining old and new is far more challenging than building from scratch. Dieta was a huge help throughout the process," Sintonen says.

The kitchen rebuild was completed swiftly and on schedule.
"The entire project took about five months, from design to completion, and we opened on time, as planned," Hallikainen notes.

The grill at the heart of Estelle's identity

The open charcoal grill and kitchen didn't remain merely striking design features; they became the heart of the restaurant. The grill also gave Estelle the opportunity to reinvent the menu. Fish-based main courses such as shellfish and lobster, slow-cooked meats, vegetables, starters and even dessert elements are all prepared over charcoal. Vegan options are available as well. On the practical side, the open charcoal grill speeds up service and adds real efficiency to the kitchen.
"The open charcoal grill opened up a completely new world for us. Above all, it's an incredibly effective tool. At the same time, it brings a distinct flavour, atmosphere, and experience to every dish," says Hallikainen.
Both restaurateurs are satisfied with the project outcome and with their collaboration with Dieta.
"Dieta excels at kitchen design; the equipment is top-notch, deliveries are reliable, and calls
are answered. That's why our collaboration with Dieta has endured from year to year and from restaurant to restaurant," Sintonen concludes.

Planning a restaurant renovation or opening a new one? Let's build a kitchen together that looks great and works even better.