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 ...
Eeron Keittiö
Eero's kitchen is your kitchen
Sarah Hudson /
A truly loved local favourite, founded in 2001, this restaurant offers friendly and ...
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 ...
Il duetto
Real Italian
Sarah Hudson /
Throwing a little Italian pizza into shopping centre life, this modern pizza and pasta ...
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 ...
Lemon Grass
Tasty Thai
Sarah Hudson /
A good location, hearty portions and they're not afraid to spice it up. They do an excellent ...
Adams
Hip to be square
Sarah Hudson /
It's quite new on the Helsinki scene, but already giving us not-so-teeny bopper types ...
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 ...
Juuri
Finnish tapas aka sapas
Pauli Sortti / Prepare youre taste buds and try a Finnish tapas, called ”sapas”. These fellas come in ...
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 ...
Kortteliravintola Lungi
Kortteliravintola Lungi
Riikka Rankinen /
Casual and trendy local restaurant at the heart of Ullanlinna district. A good place for ...
Linnanmäki
Helsinki <3 Amusement park
Katariina Mäkelä /
Amusement park in the heart of Helsinki. This is the place where Helsinkians have screamed ...
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 ...
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 ...
Vegemesta
Vege masters
Sarah Hudson /
Local people starting something they believe in. It's an important fuel-stop for non-meat ...
We Got Beef
Jammed with young crowd
Pauli Sortti / Established in 2003, We Got Beef has firmly delivered their own view of the Helsinki ...
Zucchini
Vegetarian Café
Annina Airas /
Zucchini is a great place in the city centre to have a vegetarian lunch or a snack. You can ...