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.
Eeron Keittiö
Eero's kitchen is your kitchen
Sarah Hudson /
A truly loved local favourite, founded in 2001, this restaurant offers friendly and ...
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 ...
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 ...
Lemon Grass
Tasty Thai
Sarah Hudson /
A good location, hearty portions and they're not afraid to spice it up. They do an excellent ...
Loose
A liberal living room for good people
Sarah Hudson /
Located not too far from Kamppi on a street which has a few great little bars and eateries ...
Mbar
Drop in, chill or get some work done!
Sarah Hudson /
A trendy, funky, central, international cafe/bar. An institution for locals and ...
Adams
Hip to be square
Sarah Hudson /
It's quite new on the Helsinki scene, but already giving us not-so-teeny bopper types ...
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 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 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.
Cafe Vanha
Old school haunt
Sarah Hudson /
The former house of the Helsinki University student union, this beautiful ...
Cafe Vanille
Shelter from the wind
Sarah Hudson /
This quaint little cafe is located in the old Russian merchant's quarter opposite the ...
Gaijin
Mix of various Asian kitchens
Pauli Sortti / A food experience. Gaijin is a mixture of Asian kitchens. Chef´s are extremely good and this ...
Grotesk
Special treat
Sarah Hudson /
It's got a big reputation, but it's not at all up it's own bottom, so to speak. The experience here ...
Il duetto
Real Italian
Sarah Hudson /
Throwing a little Italian pizza into shopping centre life, this modern pizza and pasta ...
Juuri
Finnish tapas aka sapas
Pauli Sortti / Prepare youre taste buds and try a Finnish tapas, called ”sapas”. These fellas come in ...
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 ...
Kaisla
Real beer in a real pub
Sarah Hudson /
Any self-respecting beer connoisseur shouldn't walk past Kaisla. It’s quite large and ...
Karl Fazer Cafe
Pauli Sortti / In 1891 Karl Fazer established this french-russian confectry where the backroom´s ...
Kitchen & Co
Get on the glad rags
Sarah Hudson /
In the heart of Helsinki, they offer a range of mouthwatering dishes and wines. With a classy ...
Kokomo Tikibar & Room
Pacific cocktails and atmosphere!
Annina Airas /
They serve pacific-style food in a setting to match. Starters are from €3-10 euros and mains ...
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 ...
Linnanmäki
Helsinki <3 Amusement park
Katariina Mäkelä /
Amusement park in the heart of Helsinki. This is the place where Helsinkians have screamed ...
Moko
Madhipsteries?
Sarah Hudson /
Situated at the end of Helsinki's design street, it's a popular lunch place for all the ...
Molly Malones Helsinki
Ex-pat haven
Sarah Hudson /
Ah, Molly’s, home of real live music and real live ex-pats. A classic melting pot for meeting ...
Navy Jerry's
Ahoy there, m' parties!
Sarah Hudson /
It's the new place to be. Pure and simple.
New Bamboo Center
Cheap 'n cheerful
Sarah Hudson /
Fast, informal service, generous portions, very tasty dishes and a constant supply of ...
Pacifico
Pacific thrills
Sarah Hudson /
Owned by one of two local young Finnish brothers, both of whom are lovers of all things ...
Patrona
Mexican food love affair
Sarah Hudson /
The food. Oh my god, the food. It's fresh, zingy, authentic and crafted with love and real ...
Ravintola Bellevue
More Russian than Russia
Sarah Hudson /
It's the real deal. Not like the fancy schmancy modern food that doesn't make a dent in your ...
Ravintola Hoshito
Japan comes to Finland
Sarah Hudson /
Hoshito is a perfect example of the new wave of global cuisine that’s blossomed in Helsinki ...
Ravintola No. 11
Eat like Kaurismäki
Sarah Hudson /
A classic Helsinki eatery that's popular with working people keen to get a hefty feed in ...
Sävel
Cool beer and hot food
Katariina Mäkelä /
This laid-back restaurant offers lunch on weekdays, brunch on Saturdays or then you can ...
Shanghai Cowboy
New Mexican fusion kitchen!
Annina Airas /
The legendary restaurant is now a happening party spot in the city centre. Serving ...
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 ...
Sivukirjasto
Library come pub, or pub come library?
Sarah Hudson /
The kind of place where you’ll find board games, a peaceful atmosphere and a range of books to ...
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 ...
Unicafe
No frills eating
Sarah Hudson /
This university owned cafeteria ensures that the youthful student population of ...
Vapiano Helsinki
Whack it on my card...
Sarah Hudson /
A centrally located fast-casual restaurant. You get given a “credit card” at the door, then ...
Vegemesta
Vege masters
Sarah Hudson /
Local people starting something they believe in. It's an important fuel-stop for non-meat ...
Wrong Asian Kitchen
So wrong it's right
Sarah Hudson /
Fast and filling, this Asian noodle bar is a good place for a refueling stop in the centre of ...
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 ...
Zucchini
Vegetarian Café
Annina Airas /
Zucchini is a great place in the city centre to have a vegetarian lunch or a snack. You can ...