TOURISTS have been shocked by a branch of Burger King in Europe that many are labelling the “most beautiful” in the world.
Fast food restaurants aren’t typically high class establishments, with art hanging on the walls and shiny marble floors.
But that’s exactly what can be found at the Burger King in Helsinki’s Central Station, which was designed by architect Eliel Saarinen and opened back in 1919.
The Finnish capital’s restaurant looks more like a museum than a burger bar, with the station described as one of the best known works of Finnish architecture.
Entry to the Burger King is gained via an ornate glass archway, which is lit up by a chandelier hanging outside.
Travellers not from Finland have been surprised by quite how pleasant the Burger King is, including YouTuber Dave Seminara, also known as Mad Traveler.
He described the Helsinki fast food spot as a “must visit” in his video, in which he approached staff members and customers, asking if they agreed that it was the most beautiful.
He said: “I think we just stumbled across the most beautiful Burger King in the world.
“It’s inside the art deco Helsinki Central Station. This is beautiful, check it out. Could you believe this is a Burger King? Look at this place.
“Absolutely the fanciest Burger King in the world, it’s got to be.”
One of the staff members Dave approached in the video agreed that it was the most beautiful, saying: “That’s why I came to work here.”
Along with its beautiful decor and extravagant fixtures, the Finnish Burger King restaurants also have unique menu items that cannot be bought in other countries.
That includes the pineapple and bacon chicken burger and the popcorn and caramel flavoured milkshake.
Dave isn’t the only person to claim that the Helsinki branch is the most aesthetically pleasing Burger King in the world.
X, formerly Twitter, user Birmingham81 shared a photo they had taken in the restaurant and asked: “Is this the world’s most beautiful Burger King? Spotted inside Helsinki Central Station.”
Another argued on TripAdvisor: “The restaurant is in the most beautiful interior in Helsinki.
“It’s like a hamburger place was opened inside the Colosseum in Rome.”
There are, however, other competitors to the title of world’s most beautiful Burger King.
Perhaps most notable is the one in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Wander Argentina argued it is the “most elegant” branch of the fast food restaurant with its ornate stairs, its paintings and domed glass roof.
They wrote: “Even if you’re a vegetarian, or you came to Argentina to eat steak– not hamburgers, it’s worth slipping in and climbing up the grand stairway to the second story.
“There you’ll see a huge central dome with a five-panel leaded-glass ceiling and beautiful mouldings and frescos in each separate room of the dining area.”
The McDonald’s at Nyugati Railway Station in Budapest, is in a stunning building dating back to 1877.
The station was designed by Austrian architect August de Serres, who later went on to help built the Eiffel Tower.
The McDonald’s opened back in 1990, and is often said to be one of the most beautiful in the world.
It closed back in January 2024 due to renovation work – and has finally reopened.
Many of the original features have been resorted, which includes the antique lamps and painted stucco ceilings.
The vintage design has huge glass windows around the entire building, as well as copper-covered light fixtures.
Along with the more modern designs including touch screen kiosks, diners can even watch the food conveyor belt between the two levels of the kitchen a “unique” feature to the McDonald’s.
Otherwise food can be ordered via the app, and even get it delivered to the table.
The McCafe also has a new outdoor terrace, and has been moved to the entrance level.
Meanwhile, this is a list of the most beautiful Wetherspoons pubs in the UK.
And here are some of the most beautiful McDonald’s restaurants.
