Helsinki - Cafés

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Cafés

Helsinki

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Overview

Cafés The guide was updated: 2025-06-10

Coffee is a big deal in Helsinki, and you’ll find it everywhere—from old-school cafés in the city centre to small spots experimenting with new brews in quieter neighbourhoods. Whether you’re after a quick filter coffee or a long sit-down with a korvapuusti (cinnamon bun) and something sweet, there are plenty of places to pick from.

Café Strindberg

Café Strindberg

This long-time Helsinki classic is where locals go when they want a bit of old-school elegance. Upstairs, there’s a restaurant with large windows and views over Esplanade Park; downstairs, the café is more casual but still has that refined European feel. Great spot for people-watching, coffee and cake, or a light lunch with a Scandinavian touch.

Café Ursula

Café Ursula

What started as a small kiosk built by local women to fund social causes—a mission that continues today—has become a Helsinki favourite. Perched at the edge of Kaivopuisto with front-row views of the sea and Suomenlinna, Café Ursula serves breakfast all day, a weekday lunch buffet, and weekend salmon soup. The terrace is the main draw in summer, especially during Friday evening concerts (mid-June to August), but the indoor space is cosy year-round.

Ekberg

Ekberg

The oldest bakery in Scandinavia, Ekberg, has been around since 1852 and still draws a steady mix of regulars and visitors. The café serves breakfast, lunch, and a delicious weekend brunch, with a wide selection of classic pastries and cakes. Next door, the shop is stocked with cookies, jams, and other handmade treats—great for gifts or snacks on the go.

Cafe Regatta

Cafe Regatta

This tiny red cabin by the sea looks like something out of a postcard—and it kind of is. Right next to Sibelius Park, Regatta has been serving coffee and cinnamon buns to locals and visitors for years. The inside is packed with vintage knick-knacks and old-timey charm, but the real draw is the terrace: perfect on a sunny day. Grab a cinnamon bun (they’re famous for a reason), maybe a blueberry pie, and enjoy the laid-back, slightly quirky atmosphere.

Sävy

Sävy

Sävy is a down-to-earth café in Kallio that keeps the focus on doing coffee right. They serve high-quality beans from small Finnish roasters, such as Good Life Coffee, with a rotating filter selection and properly made espresso drinks. There’s a small counter of pastries from local bakeries (the croissants go fast), and you can get an all-day breakfast if you’re hungry.

Finlandia Cafe & Wine

Finlandia Cafe & Wine

Finlandia Cafe & Wine sits inside the freshly revamped Finlandia Hall, with big windows facing Töölönlahti Bay. It’s a calm spot for lunch, coffee, or a glass of wine, especially if you’re into good design—Aalto’s original furniture is still in place. The menu shifts with the season and highlights local producers, with a mix of savoury dishes, pastries, and a few Finnish favourites. There’s also a small terrace that’s great on a sunny day.

La Torrefazione

La Torrefazione

La Torrefazione on Aleksanterinkatu is a second-floor café just above the crowds, with big windows and a relaxed feel. It’s a good spot for a slow morning or midday break. They serve proper coffee beans sourced through Kaffa Roastery, with rotating single origins and well-made espresso drinks. The breakfast menu runs until 10:30 on weekdays (later on weekends) and includes things like avo toast, omelettes, and yoghurt with granola.

Cafe Carusel

Cafe Carusel

Café Carusel sits right on the waterfront near Kaivopuisto, with big windows and a terrace that fills up fast when the sun is out in Helsinki. The menu focuses on local ingredients—seasonal soups, Roman-style pizzas, and pastries baked in-house. They’re big on sustainability, using solar and sea energy, and even grow herbs out back. It’s a popular spot, especially on weekends, so expect a queue at peak times.

Café Piper

Café Piper

Café Piper has been serving visitors since 1928 in Suomenlinna's Piper's Park, offering coffee, pastries, and a scenic terrace with views of the Gulf of Finland. Open during the summer season, it provides a selection of savoury and sweet treats, along with a soup of the day on weekdays. The café also serves beer and wine, including options from the Suomenlinna Brewery.

Karl Fazer Café

Karl Fazer Café

A Helsinki institution since 1891, Karl Fazer Café is where locals and tourists go for chocolate, cakes, and a bit of old-world charm. The space is sleek and modern today, but you’ll still find nods to its history—like the pastry chefs working behind glass. Stop in for a slice of Fazer Blue chocolate cake, a coffee, or just to pick up some beautifully packaged sweets to take home.

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