Our story
Animals and local food at Hell’s Gate
Does the name sound a bit grim? Don’t worry! We aren’t talking about a scary place, but rather the relaxed and nature-oriented Restaurant Helvetin Portti (Hell’s Gate), located right next to the Helvetinjärvi National Park.
Here, you can enjoy wild boar and ostrich dishes from our own farm, complemented by the best ingredients from local producers.
In addition to hearty meals, we serve coffee, home-baked pastries, and ice cream—all in the heart of the wilderness. We serve soul-warming, cozy, and meat-focused food with love and no unnecessary fuss.
Truly local products
Supporting Finnish work and using pure ingredients is core to who we are. That’s why we source everything from as nearby as possible—right down to the tableware.
Alongside our signature wild boar and ostrich dishes, our menu features items like pike-perch from local fishermen and mushrooms from the surrounding forests. You’ll also find local handicrafts, souvenirs, and meat to take home.
Through our network of local partners, we can also help arrange accommodation, canoe rentals, and bus transportation. We host everything from business meetings and coffee dates to birthdays and farm tours.
How about a guided tour of the National Park, followed by a steaming bowl of wild boar soup and a relaxing session in our Yurt Sauna? Sounds "hellishly" good, doesn’t it?
How did we end up in Hell?
At the turn of the millennium, we were working as grill entrepreneurs in the center of Ruovesi. Eventually, we grew tired of the seven-day work weeks and 12-to-17-hour days. We decided to give it all up, move out here into the wilderness, get regular jobs, and start living like "normal people."
Mirja started working at a local shop, and Mika went back behind the wheel of a big rig. The years passed pleasantly, and the children flew the nest. In the summers, we raised chickens, turkeys, salmon, and pigs just for fun. Life was easy-going.
Despite the quiet life, we dreamed of animals we could keep year-round. Surprise, surprise—we ended up with wild boars! Slowly, the herd grew, and eventually, it turned into a profession.
Then came 2011. Our neighbor had run a small kiosk at the Helvetinkolu parking lot for over 20 years and decided it was time to do something else. The ladies "swapped jobs," and Mirja became an entrepreneur once again.
We immediately started developing the site. The ostriches arrived, and that’s when things really took off! Mika tried to juggle two jobs for a few years but eventually had to give in and become a full-time "Master of the House."
The years have flown by, and the place has slowly built its reputation. Over time, we’ve employed many wonderful people, both young and old. It’s been quite a ride!
In 2020, we replaced the small kiosk with a new 150-seat restaurant and opened an expanded park for caravans. We are proud to employ many local youths; during the summer, we have as many as 13 employees.
Our goal is to serve our customers as well and as diversely as possible. In addition to wild boar and ostrich, our restaurant offers vegetarian and fish options so that the whole family finds something delicious.
You can visit our farm animals for free, and our sandy beach is open to everyone. You can also pick up free maps of Helvetinjärvi National Park from our info desk before heading out on your hike. And oh, your furry friends are welcome here too!
We wish you a warm welcome to "Hell"!
Your hosts at Helvetin Portti,
Mirja & Mika
