The restaurant and cafe culture in Helsinki has absolutely flourished in the last few years and the central suburbs are developing a gastronomical scene to rival the trendiest of international cities. Helsinki is gaining its fair share of Michelin star restaurants but its the wonderful, community-minded and ethically oriented cafes, lunch places and internationally themed (and run) restaurants that are popping up like mushrooms in the rain. The Finns’ love for simplicity, quality and organic ingredients leads to excellent cuisine, without the pomp and self-congratulation of the more renowned southern European kitchen. Meanwhile, American, Latin, African and Asian kitchens are becoming established here, bringing fabulous new influences and ideas. Former Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi infamously slammed Finnish food a few years back and since then Finland has made it its mission to prove him wrong.
Cafe Bar no 9
A reliable choice
Sarah Hudson /
A waft of steamy air laden with the scent of stir-fry, pasta dishes and salads, greets you as ...
Cafe Vanille
Shelter from the wind
Sarah Hudson /
This quaint little cafe is located in the old Russian merchant's quarter opposite the ...
Kaffecentralen Korkeavuorenkatu
Great coffee in a lovely part of town
Sarah Hudson /
These three popular and well-situated cafes pride themselves on their well-trained ...
Karl Fazer Cafe
Pauli Sortti / In 1891 Karl Fazer established this french-russian confectry where the backroom´s ...
Kippo Frozen Yogurt
Frogurt!
Sarah Hudson /
A tiny little, bright and clean nook of a place which is easy to miss. They do really good ...
Mbar
Drop in, chill or get some work done!
Sarah Hudson /
A trendy, funky, central, international cafe/bar. An institution for locals and ...
Brooklyn Cafe
Slice of NYC in HKI
Sarah Hudson /
Chilled out tunes, the sunshiney vibes of Brooklyn and muffins, brownies and bagels so good ...
Cafe Ekberg
A Glimpse of 1920's vibe
Pauli Sortti / A place with long traditions where adults and business men go to have morning and ...
Cafe Fanny
Good breakfast, brunch and lunch
Pauli Sortti / Located near Sinerbrychoff park, Fanny is a great place to have a breakfeast, lunch or a ...
Cafe Jääkellari
Cosy ice cellar?!
Sarah Hudson /
Another nice, warm place to hide out in when you get tired of roaming over the windswept ...
Cafe Regatta
Cafe by the seaside
Sarah Hudson /
Love, love, love this tiny cute little wooden building right next to the water in Meilahti.
Kaffecentralen Frederikinkatu
Epicentre of fab espresso
Sarah Hudson /
Kaffecentralen's three popular and well-situated cafes pride themselves on their ...
Kaffecentralen Museokatu
Coffee lovers' Mecca
Sarah Hudson /
This bunch own three popular and well-situated cafes and they pride themselves on ...
Kahvila Sävy
Good coffee in Kallio
Sarah Hudson /
Their new place is open and airy, and its a tribute to their impact on the Kallio cafe scene ...
Kortteliravintola Lungi
Kortteliravintola Lungi
Riikka Rankinen /
Casual and trendy local restaurant at the heart of Ullanlinna district. A good place for ...
La Torrefazione
Central cuppa
Sarah Hudson /
A popular new roastery/cafe, right on the main shopping street, it attracts locals and ...
Moko
Madhipsteries?
Sarah Hudson /
Situated at the end of Helsinki's design street, it's a popular lunch place for all the ...
Pacifico
Pacific thrills
Sarah Hudson /
Owned by one of two local young Finnish brothers, both of whom are lovers of all things ...
Signora Delizia
Italian coffee ... mmm?
Pauli Sortti / Tiny little Italian shop and cafe, selling organic Italian and Mediterranean products ...
Siltanen
Bridge to a better place
Sarah Hudson /
It's got a down-to-earth vibe and it's easy to find yourself hanging out here all afternoon ...
Sinisen Huvilan Kahvila
Cafe with a view
Sarah Hudson /
It's a favourite of joggers or cyclists as they take a break during a circuit of Töölönahti ...
Tin Tin Tango
French feel in Töölö
Sarah Hudson /
It's a classic local haunt with a very "French" feel. Many locals use this place as their home ...
Yobot Frozen Yogurt
Fro yo, let's go!
Katariina Mäkelä /
This colorful small café and it's delicious frozen yogurt makes me take long detours on ...