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 Vanha
Old school haunt
Sarah Hudson /
The former house of the Helsinki University student union, this beautiful ...
Kaisla
Real beer in a real pub
Sarah Hudson /
Any self-respecting beer connoisseur shouldn't walk past Kaisla. It’s quite large and ...
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 ...
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.
Linnanmäki
Helsinki <3 Amusement park
Katariina Mäkelä /
Amusement park in the heart of Helsinki. This is the place where Helsinkians have screamed ...
Sävel
Cool beer and hot food
Katariina Mäkelä /
This laid-back restaurant offers lunch on weekdays, brunch on Saturdays or then you can ...
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 ...