Recommendation List for Helsinki
Updated October 2023
Helsinki Free Tour's comprehensive list of things to do and places to eat and drink
Don't forget to drop your guide a Google review!
Disclaimer:
***Before visiting any location on this list, please check opening hours
on Google or the location's website.***
Restaurants
We highly recommend eating a big lunch (11:30am – 14:30pm) as most restaurants are cheaper at this time and many offer a lunch time special (called “lounas”) which serves a dish of the menu but with up to a 40% discount, or a lunch buffet.
Helsinki is not cheap to eat out, but the places below shouldn’t cost more than €40 per person (except the fine dining places). Careful with the drinks menu as drinks can be quite expensive, especially alcohol. Tap water should always be on offer.
(The area the restaurant is located in is in brackets)
Range €€
Konstan Möljä – Hietalahdenkatu 14, 00180 Helsinki (Punavuori) ***Opens again 10th November 2023*** 11:30-14:30 17: 00-23:00 Closed on Sundays http://www.konstanmolja.fi/english Finnish food buffet. There is a lunch buffet menu for €12.70 and a dinner buffet menu for €35 which includes reindeer stew, Karelian Stew, oven baked salmon and more.
Cella – Fleminginkatu 15, 00500, Helsinki (Kallio) 15:00 – 00:00 https://www.ravintolacella.fi/
Traditional, very well priced pub food, 9 beers and cider on tap and HD sports on TV.
Zetor – Mannerheimintie 3-5, 00100 Helsinki (Centre) Mon-Thu 15:00-00:00 Fri-Sun 13:00-04:30 https://www.raflaamo.fi/en/helsinki/zetor
“Zetor is a legendary Finnish restaurant where you sit among tractors and other countryside memorabilia. Big portions of Finnish home cooking. “- myhelsinki.fi. Kitchen is open until midnight (00:00).
Ravintola Savotta – Aleksanderinkatu 22 (Senate Square) Tue-Sat 16:00-23:00
https://www.ravintolasavotta.fi/en/frontpage.html
A well established and highly rated Finnish food restaurant with all the Finnish classics, not cheap
but in a great location with great food and they have bear meat on the menu!
Range €€
Factory – Runeberginkatu 3, 00100 (17 locations in Helsinki and Espoo)
https://factorykamppi.com/lounas/
Another well-priced lunch buffet 11:30am-3pm with salad bar, 4 main dishes, coffee, and dessert for €12,30
Weeruska – Porvoonkatu 19, 00510 Helsinki (Appila) 11:00-22:00 (kitchen closes at 21:00) closed on Sundays. https://www.weeruska.com/en/ A more old-fashioned style of restaurant with Finnish classics, burgers, and pizzas. High quality food but without the high-end prices.
Oodi – Töölönlahdenkatu 4 (ground floor) 10:00-21:00 (lunch Monday-Saturday 11-14:30) https://www.compass-group.fi/en/ravintolat-ja-ruokalistat/food–co/kaupungit/helsinki/oodi/ Yes, you can have breakfast and lunch in one of Helsinki’s coolest buildings. The buffet lunch sometimes has traditional Finnish food, but is good and well priced (€12,70).
Tapahtumatalo Bank – Unioninkatu 20, 00130 11:00-14:00 https://www.ravintolabank.fi/en/bank-lunch/ – Located in an old bank in the heart of the city, this restaurant does one of the best lunches in town. €13.50 buffet with different offerings each day. Be prepared to see people of all walks of life eating lunch together, people in suits, construction workers and even tour guides!
Ravintola Nokka – Kanavaranta 7 F, 00160 Helsinki (Katajanokka) 16:00-23:00 Wed-Sat
https://www.ravintolanokka.fi/en/
Seasonal Finnish food sourced from small Finnish producers; I would recommend booking a table in advance on the restaurant’s website.
Kappeli – Eteläesplanadi 1 00130 Helsinki (Centre)
https://www.raflaamo.fi/en/helsinki/kappeli/menu
Legendary restaurant on the Esplanade boulevard serving Finnish classics all year round. Go for the cafeteria since it serves the same food with less service and less price.
Elite – Eteläinen Hesperiankatu 22, 00100 Helsinki (Töölö)
https://www.elite.fi/en/
Good Nordic food, reasonable prices for Helsinki, established in 1932 and reinvented for the 21st century.
Lasipalatsi – Mannerheimintie 22-24, 00100 Helsinki (Centre) Mon-Fri 11:00-20:00; Sat 14:00-20:00
https://www.ravintolalasipalatsi.fi/ravintola-helsinki/?lang=en
Restaurant in the ‘Glass Palace’ which prides itself on using fresh ingredients and features Scandinavian and Nordic classics. There is a cafeteria and restaurant, the cafeteria section is a bit cheaper and uses the same kitchen as the main restaurant, lunch menu available.
Mamma Rosa – Runeberginkatu 55, 00260 Helsinki (Töölö)
http://mammarosa.fi/
A family run, well established restaurant with great food and a nice lunch time menu.
Kosmos – Kalevankatu 3, 00100 Helsinki (Centre) Monday-Friday 11:30-00:00 Saturday 16:00-00:00 closed on Sundays
https://kosmos.fi/sv/our-food/
Highly rated restaurant on TripAdvisor with traditional Finnish food, reindeer, herring, roe etc and a 1950s theme.
Sen Chay – Siiltasaarenkatu 3-5, 00530 Helsinki (Kallio/Hietaniemi) 11:00-19:00 (12:00-19:00 on Saturdays, closed on Sundays)
https://www.happycow.net/reviews/sen-chay-helsinki-42950
A tiny, vegetarian Vietnamese restaurant, a real hidden gem in the city, very well priced but a bit hard to find, good luck!
Yes Yes Yes – Iso Roobertinkatu 1, 00120 Helsinki (Centre/centro) 16:00-23:00 closed on Sundays
https://www.yesyesyes.fi/
Vegetarian restaurant in an ex-McDonalds restaurant.
Zucchini Vegetarian Café – Fabianinkatu 4, 00130 Helsinki (centre) Monday – Friday 11:00-16:00 A top rated vegetarian cafe in the centre of the city. More info on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063693978316
Just Vege – Vaasankatu 15, 00500 Helsinki (Kallio) 11:00-23:00 Vegetarian restaurant in the heart of the Kallio neighbourhood. https://www.justvege.fi/
Bun2Bun – Vaasankatu 13, 00500 11:00-22:00 (Kallio); Pursimiehenkatu 5 11:00-21:30, 00150 (Punavuori) A burger place that has recently switched to an all-vegan menu. Specialises in burgers and finger food. https://bun2bun.fi/en/
Way Bakery – Agricolankatu 9 (Kallio) – Well known for its excellent baked goods and breakfast menu.
Paulig Kulma – Aleksanterinkatu 9 (Centre) – Healthy breakfast buffet for €12,90 and close to the Senate Square
Buongiorno Café – Museokatu 46 (Töölö) – Top rated breakfast place about 10 minutes walk from the Rock Church.
Roasberg Café – Mikonkatu 13 (Centre) – Well located near the start point of the tour with good breakfast and lunch options.
Pizza
Via Tribunali – Sofiankatu 4, 00101 Helsinki (Centre)
Highly rated pizzeria very close to the Senate Square.
Skiffer – multiple locations
Daddy Green’s – multiple locations
Nepalese
Nearly all of the Nepalese restaurants in Helsinki have over 4-star ratings on TripAdvisor and on Google so your nearest one is almost certainly going to be good. My three favourites are Saktar on Fredrinkinkatu 41 (centre), Himalaya on Ratakatu 2 (Eira) and Mountain on Nordenskiöldinkatu 8 (a bit further out from the centre in Töölö).
Mexican
Taquería El Rey – Vuorimiehenkatu 18, 00140 Helsinki / Annankatu 20 00101 Helsinki (Centre) / Kolmas Linja 17 (Kallio)
http://www.elrey.fi/
A fantastic Mexican restaurant.
Sushi
Sushi is very popular in Helsinki and they tend to be reasonably priced. Many also serve Chinese-style food too.
Fried chicken
KotKot – A relatively new chicken wings and burgers place. Locations in Töölö and in Kallio. https://www.kotkot.world/
Japanese
Kampai3 – Cozy Japanese restaurant, well priced and well located in Kallio. http://www.kampai3.fi/
Cafés
In 2022, the Finns were named the biggest coffee consumers in the world consuming 12kg of coffee per person!
Cafetoria – Runeberginkatu 31, 00100 Helsinki (Töölö)
By the Rock Church, highest rated café on TripAdvisor. Closed on Sundays.
Café Regatta – Merikannontie 8, 00260 Helsinki (Töölö) https://caferegatta.fi/inenglish/
The most famous place for cinnamon buns and coffee. Located very close to the Sibelius Monument.
Lasipalatsi Cafe – Mannerheimintie 22 24, 00100 Helsinki (Centre)
Robert’s Coffee Jugend – Pohjoisesplanadi 19, 00100 Helsinki (Centre)
Robert’s Coffee is kind of the Finnish Starbucks, I recommend this one in particular because it is in a fantastic Jugenstil style building.
Café Java – Mannerheimintie 22, 00100 Helsinki (Centre)
The coffee here is very strong, nice sandwiches and cakes and other sweet treats.
Fazer Café – Kluuvikatu 3 and many more locations.
Fazer is the biggest chocolate and confectionary brand in Finland and have very nice cafés dotted around the city. Kluuvikatu 3 (on the unicorn block) is the location of their original café.
Café Esplanade – Pohjois-Esplanadi 37, 00100 Helsinki (Centre)
A legendary café on the north side of the Esplanade, very fancy inside but not any more expensive than anywhere else in the city.
Oodi – Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki (Centre)
A spectacular public library with 2 cafés, buffet lunch of weekdays and terrace (summers only).
The Good Coffee – Eerikinkatu 33, 00180 Helsinki (Punavuori)
A cosy Austrian run café with a nice atmosphere, good coffee and a friendly barista. They also organise Finnish language conversation sessions if you’re feeling adventurous!
Bike Café – mainly Esplanade, Eira & Senate Square (Summer only)
https://www.facebook.com/bikecafefinland/
A mobile café which serves Italian style coffee and can be found in different parts of the city depending on the day
Bars, Karaoke and clubs
There are hundreds of bars in Helsinki and I haven’t been to all of them…yet, so to make things easier and to offer more choice, I have compiled a list of streets with good bars and nightlife and a selection of my personal favourites. I would also hight recommend you check out the karaoke bars, its where even the most famous hang out.
Areas/Zonas:
- Kallio/Sörnainen (Helsinginkatu, Vaasankatu, Häemintie)
- Kamppi (Salomonkatu/Antinkatu)
- Punavuori (Iso Robertinkatu)
- Teurastamo (Työpajankatu)
The Old Irish Pub – Mannerheimintie 12 00100 (Centre). 10:00-05:00 every day
Sports, live music and beer starting from €3.50 on weekdays and before 20:00 on weekends, the cheapest pint in Helsinki!
Iltakoulu – Vaasankatu 5, (Sörnainen) €4.50 beer!
Make sure you get here early to avoid paying to get in and to get a table.
Brewster – Kaarlenkatu 1, 00530 (Kallio) Beer prices start from under €5 and well connected to the centre via the tram.
Om’Pu – Siltasaarenkatu 15, 00530 (Kallio)
Legendary bar in Kallio with temporary art shows and live music. Open from 9am every day!
RIVERA – Harjukatu 2, 00500 (Kallio/Sörnainen)
Bar, restaurant, independent cinema.
Ol Hus – Various locations in Helsinki
Huge selection of beers on tap.
Bryggeri – Sofiankatu 2 (Centre)
Nice selection of international, local, and in-house beers and good food too!
Bar Loose & Bar A21 – Annankatu 21 (Punavuori)
Bar Loose has live music and A21 has drinks offers throughout the week.
Sori Taproom – Vuorikatu 16 (Kaisaniemi)
Huge selection of beer and the best burgers in Helsinki, not cheap but worth it.
Kaisla – Vilhonkatu 4 (Kaisaniemi)
A nice, specious, quiet pub with a large selection of beers and board games. Around €8-9 a beer.
Teerenpeli – Olavinkatu 2 (Kamppi)
A nice, specious, quiet pub with a large selection of beers. Around €7-9 a beer, serves snacks.
Helsinki Distillery Company – Työpajankatu 2a, 00580 Helsinki (Sörnainen/Kalasatama).
https://hdco.fi/ Wed-Sat 16:00-late.
The first distillery in Helsinki to open since 1919. A stylish bar located in the Teurastamo, the meat packing district, with excellent cocktails, whiskeys, gin & tonics as well as tours of the distillery itself. There are guided tours and tastings on Fridays and Saturdays, make sure you book in advance for a tour!I
Wallis Karaoke – Kanavaranta 7 E 22, 00160 Helsinki
Karaoke Bar Anna K – Annankatu 23, 00100 Helsinki (Punavuori)
Karaoke Bar Pata Ässä – Snellmaninkatu 13, 00170 Helsinki (Kruununhaka)
Singer’s Karaoke Bar – Lönnrotin puistikko 1, 00100 Helsinki (Punavuori)
Populus Karaoke open 24h – Alexis Kiven katu 22 00510 Helsinki (Sörnäinen/ Kallio)
Discover Helsinki has made a list of the best night clubs in town. Keep an eye out on Facebook and Instagram for events in the city.
https://discoverhelsinki.fi/activities/nightlife/top-12-best-night-clubs-helsinki/
Public Transport
To use the metro, train, bus, and bikes in Helsinki, I recommend you use the HSL or Whim app.
Tickets are bought through the app before the journey begins and are shown to the bus driver when you get on and when an inspector asks for your ticket. The same ticket applies to all public transport in the city including to the Suomenlinna Fortress.
The airport is in zone C, so a ticket zone extension is necessary. This can be bought through the apps.
**If you are going to make more than 3 trips on public transport within 24h, it is cheaper to buy a 24 hour ticket for 9 €.**
Scooters are operated by a variety of different private companies, and each have their own app. (Summer only)
Download the corresponding app and follow the instructions.
Inter-city trains are operated by VR, book your ticket here: https://www.vr.fi/en/
If you are moving to Helsinki, GreenMobility offers a great car sharing service with free parking, hourly and day packages. Use code bwdqSGH1 and get 30 minutes for free!
Day Trip
Suomenlinna – 17th century fortress Unesco World Site (ferries leave every 20 minutes from the Market Square in the summer, every 40 minutes in low season, take the HSL boats and use your public transport card or the HSL App, or Helsinki Card, or tickets from the machine. Tickets for zone AB is required. Book a guided tour here: https://www.suomenlinnatours.com/en/excursions?johku_product=26
Vallisaari – Old military base on an island just off Helsinki. JT Line boats can take you there from the Market Square. https://vallisaari.fi/en_US (SUMMER ONLY)
Nuuksio – A great example of Finnish countryside beauty about an hour away from the city, take the trains from the main railway station. https://www.nationalparks.fi/nuuksionp
Luuki Recreational Area – Another great example of the Finnish countryside 23km from Helsinki city centre. Take bus number 345 from the train station to get there. https://www.visitespoo.fi/en/visitor/see-do/nuuksio-national-park/luukki-recreational-area
Porvoo – 13 century medieval town (¾ h – 1 hour away by train or bus from Kamppi shopping centre). Get your tickets with OmniBus as it is cheaper:
https://www.onnibus.com/home
Turku – Finland’s historic capital, 2 hours away by train. Medieval buildings, traditional Finnish
architecture. Book a train on VR or a bus with Onnibus.
Tampere – The Manchester of Finland. An ex-industrial city with an interesting history and museums. 2 hours from Helsinki by train.
**If you are thinking of travelling abroad, check travel restrictions of the country you are going to.**
Tallinn – Estonia’s capital is only 2 hours away by ferry and can be seen well in about 6 hours. Silja Line, Ekerö and Tallink all operate services there, best to book a ticket online. Most ferrys leave from the West Terminal and cost roughly the same, take tram number 7 from the train station to the last stops Länsi Terminaali T1 and T2. Viking Line services leave from Katajanokka in the city centre.
Links to the main ferry companies below.
https://www.eckeroline.com/
https://www.tallink.com/
https://www.vikingline.fi/
Stockholm – Silja line and Viking Line both operate daily ferries to the Swedish capital from the Olympia or Katajanokka terminals near the Market Square. There are generally two options: the fast ferry, or the overnight ferry. The overnight ferry costs more but it includes a sleeping cabin, buffet food with beer and wine as well as entertainment on board.
**Routes are closed due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine**
St Petersburg – Only citizens of the Russian Federation and people with visas are allowed to cross the border and this can ONLY by done by bus, private vehicle or on foot.
Saunas
Finland has more sauna’s than cars. Most hotels, Air BnB’s, hostels and friend’s homes will have access to a sauna, and this is the cheapest way to experience it. I would recommend bringing your own towel and bathing suit (optional) as renting can be expensive.
Allas Sea Pool – Katajanokanlaituri 2a, 00160 Helsinki) https://www.allasseapool.fi/en/
This sauna has multiple saunas, fresh and sea water pools, bar and restaurant.
Löyly – Hernesaarenranta 4, 00150 Helsinki http://www.loylyhelsinki.fi/en/front-page/
Voted as one of the coolest saunas in the world in 2018, I would recommend booking in advance which can be done online.
Kotiharjun Sauna – Harjutorinkatu 1, 00500 Helsinki.
https://www.kotiharjunsauna.fi/en/home/#pll_switcher
The best example of a local, traditional Helsinki public sauna. The temperatures are high, and the löyly is good.
Sompasauna – Verkkosaarenkuja 6, 00580 Helsinki https://www.sompasauna.fi/in-english – “Helsinki’s most public sauna open 24/7/365” A free public sauna open all day, all year.
Furuvik Sauna – Furuvikintie 5, 00870 Helsinki https://saunat.fi/en/places/villa-furuvik-rantasauna – If you are looking for a tranquil, healing sauna experience, you will find it at the Furuvik Sauna
A more comprehensive list can be found following the link below:
https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/see-and-do/activities/8-public-saunas-in-helsinki
Churches
Helsinki Cathedral – The big, white Lutheran church in Senate Square. Recommended entrance donation of €5. https://www.helsinginseurakunnat.fi/en/index/tuomiokirkkoseurakunta.html.stx
Uspenski Cathedral – Russian Orthodox Church. Closed on Mondays!
https://www.hos.fi/kirkot/uspenskin-katedraali/
St John’s Church – One of the biggest churches in the city.
https://www.johanneksenkirkko.fi/en/index.html
Rock Church – Carved into a huge granite boulder in the 1960s. €8 entry (entrance included in the Helsinki Card). Lots of well-priced souvenir shops nearby. Check opening hours online in case of any private events, closed on weekends.
https://www.temppeliaukionkirkko.fi/en/index/nimi.html#ticketinadvance
Chapel of Silence – One of the newest churches in the city, a bubble of tranquillity in the busy city centre. €5 entry fee
https://www.kampinkappeli.fi/index/visit_1.html
Kallio Church – Designed by Lars Sonck and built in 1912.
https://www.helsinginseurakunnat.fi/en/index/kallionkirkko.html.stx
St Henry’s Church – The first Catholic church in Helsinki built in the mid-19th century.
https://henrik.katolinen.fi/english.html
Museums
If you are thinking of visiting more than 3 museums in Helsinki, I would recommend you purchase the GoCity Helsinki Card which grants you entry to nearly all the museums in the city and includes public transport, hop on hop off bus es, Suomenlinna guided tours and much more. Available for 24, 48 or 72-hour periods.
Most museums are closed on Mondays so check opening hours before going!
Ateneum – Finnish Classical Romantic art from the 19th and 20th century.
Kiasma – Contemporary art
Amos Rex – rotating collection (closed on Tuesdays)
HAM – Contemporary art
Design Museum – The history of Finnish design – explains the evolution of Finnish society through design.
National Museum – ***CLOSED 15th October 2023 until Spring 2027*** More in-depth history of Finland in a wonderful National Romantic style building
Helsinki City Museum – goes into the history of Helsinki and has an excellent
Libraries
Helsinki has over 40 public libraries and I have listed the most interesting ones below.
Oodi – The best library in the world. Inaugurated in 2018 it has 3D printers, gaming areas, 2 cafés, over 100,000 books and unique styling. Located behind Kiasma and in front of the Parliament.
National Library – The oldest library in Helsinki and an Engel design. It is located in front of the entrance to the Cathedral of Helsinki (the white one).
Kaisatalo – One of the newest libraries belonging to the University of Helsinki. Located near the Senate Square.
Rihkardinkatu Kirjasto – One of the oldest libraries in the city built at the end of the 19th century.
Near Kasarmitori in the design district.
Useful Information
Emergency services: dial 112
Loss of passport or ID/crime report
The customer must visit the service desk personally in Pasila neighbourhood (Tram 2):
Poliisitalo 1, Pasilanraitio 13, 00240 Helsinki
Mon-Fri 8:00 – 16:15 pm
Sat – Sun 8:00 – 16:00
Telephone Advisory Service (2 numbers)
Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00 Tel. +358 295 417 921
Mon-Fri 8:00-16:15 Tel. +358 295 470 011
In addition, contact your country’s embassy.
Lost and found
HKL delivers finds from trams, metro trains or stations as well as from Suomenlinna ferry to the Lost and Found point in Kamppi center and are available from 4pm the next day.
Narinkka 3, Kamppi Center, Helsinki
9:00 to 21:00 weekdays
9:00 to 18:00 Saturdays
12:00 to 18:00 Sundays
Police Finding Goods Bureau
Pasilanraitio 13, 00240 Helsinki (Monday-Friday 9:00–11:00)
Finnish Lost and Found Service
https://loytotavara.net/helsinki
Puhelinpalvelu 0600 41006, 24h.
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport: Lentäjäntie 1, 01530 Vantaa
Mon-Fri : 9:00-17:00
Saturday: 9:00-17:00
Mäkelänkatu 56, 00510 Helsinki
Mon-Fri: 10:00-18:00
Saturday: 10:00-14:00
The next day will most likely provide information on the goods found. The Finnish Lost and Found Service charges a fee for its services. see. prices on the company’s website. https://loytotavara.net/helsinki
SIM Cards
In Kamppi shopping mall there are a couple of phone operators which sell pay-as-you-go SIM cards with data plans which are valid inside the EU. DNA and Telia are the biggest companies.
Alcohol and Tobacco
All alcoholic drinks up to 5.5% alcohol can be bought in supermarkets from 9am-9pm and it is very likely you will be asked for ID if you look under 30. Any alcoholic drink with more than 5.5% alcohol can ONLY be bought in bars, restaurants, and the state controlled Alko store which is open Monday-Friday 10am-9pm and Saturdays 10am-6pm, closed on Sundays.
Cigarettes can only be bought in supermarkets at the cashiers.
Cash machines
Cash machines are very rare in Helsinki and are most commonly found in shopping malls such as Kamppi and train and metro stations. You can pay for nearly everything by card so no need to stress if you don’t have cash! Otto is the company that runs cash machines in Helsinki.
https://otto.fi/en/where-is-otto/ – This is the link to Otto cash machines in Helsinki and Finland.
Money exchange
Foreign currency can be exchanged in most banks in the city centre such as the big Nordea Bank just off the Senate Square, in Kamppi shopping mall on the ground floor by the Starbucks and on Pohjoisesplanadi 21 near the Market Square.
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