Popular articles
Recent discussions on forum
The Best Coffee Shops In Helsinki
Find out the best spots for a delicious cup of coffee in the beautiful city of Helsinki!
Published January 26, 2022
Select language
Vasileia Fanarioti
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
The Finnish capital Helsinki is famous for its café culture. In fact, Finland has one of the highest rates of consumption in Europe. Below I made a list of some of the best coffee shops I visited in Helsinki, so make sure to visit them when you are there and tell me your thoughts!
1. Cafe Taideterassi & Sinisen Huvilan Kahvila
The sea-like bay of Töölönlahti makes it possible to sit by the sea in the middle of the city. I really like this corner and especially fell in love with the wonderful Café Taideterassi, which has been here for a few years. Behind the mint-colored wooden villa there is a terrace with a beautiful view over the bay. In addition to the classic offer, there are also fresh smoothies, vegan cakes and always a friendly smile.
The Sinisen Huvilan Kahvila, which was built in 1896, is right next door to Café Taideterassi. It is a small blue kiosk where you can get coffee, cake, ice cream and other snacks and also enjoy the view over the bay.
2. Cafe Ursula
No visit to Helsinki without a coffee at Ursula's! Located right by the sea, the café has an amazing view, the perfect location for a stroll and it's delicious too. And has been since 1952! Coffee is often followed by a hearty snack if I ever chose to stay longer than planned. Lunch is also available at Café Ursula and there is brunch on Sundays.
3. Cafe Carusel
The recently renovated Carusel has been around since 1996. In addition to coffee and pastries, there are also lunch menus, snacks, pizza and all kinds of delicacies. In addition, there is always live music, both inside and outside. In summer, the water bus to Pihlajasaari departs right next to the Carusel.
4. Cafe Regatta
A cult café and rightly so. The little red wooden house, which looks like a cross between a doll's house and a museum from the inside, actually has a long history. Built in 1887, it once belonged to the famous Paulig coffee roasting family, who kept their fishing nets in it.
There had been summer cafés here since 1952, before today's Café Regatta opened in 2002. For me, this little cafe has the best cinnamon roll in town. Another highlight is grilling a sausage over the open fire in front of the house. Oh and be sure to visit the bathroom. Why? I’ll let that be a surprise! In any case, this café is an institution in both summer and winter. If the sea is frozen in winter, there is also an ice carousel in addition to the regatta, which the little ones absolutely love.
5. Cafe Kappeli
The history of this cafe dates back to 1867. As early as 1840, lemonades and pastries were sold from a stand. The small building was reminiscent of a church or chapel and was quickly called "Kappeli". When the old wooden building was just too old to maintain, there was a refurbishment.
The "Kappeli" opened again on June 4, 1867 - the birthday of Mannerheim, who would later become the supreme commander of the Finnish army and Finnish President. Today the Kappeli houses a café, a bar and a restaurant area.
6. Ihana Kahvila Baari
This cafe is a little oasis right on Helsinki's main shopping street, Aleksanterinkatu. Here you can definitely escape stress and the hectic vibe of the city life. Feel-good music is playing, there's always a smile behind the counter, sofas and armchairs invite you to linger, everything is somehow "easy going" and it tastes good too!
7. Helkatti Cat Cafe
It's relatively clear who or what is the main attraction here. In Helsinki's cat café, a deeply relaxed cat always comes by to cuddle or play and makes sure that the visitors leave with a smile. Of course, this is not only due to the cats, but also to the daily freshly prepared dishes with a Finnish twist, coffee specialties and drinks. Not to miss!
8. Robert's Coffee Jugend
"The mothership" — Robert's Coffee Jugend is the largest café in a chain of mainy. Upon entering, it's a bit like stepping into another world. The magnificent Art Nouveau room, which is more than two hundred years old, gives the café a very special charm. In addition to various coffee specialties, there is also bread from the stone oven, homemade ice cream and more.
9. Cafe Esplanad
Due to its location directly at the park of the same name, it is actually always full here. But that has its charm on many days, when things get lively in the coffee house with probably the biggest cinnamon rolls, which are baked in the in-house bakery along with various other delicacies. The typical Finnish salmon soup is also popular, it is said to be particularly creamy here.
10. Cafe Rouge
It's tiny, I probably would have overlooked it, but on the way to the legendary club Tavastia, which is practically next door, it made sense and we didn't regret it. Whether coffee, tea, a snack or delicious Lebanese specialties - everything is prepared and served with love. You can't get out of here without a chat and that's a good thing in this case. Small café, big passion — Café Rouge warms the stomach and the heart.
Final Thoughts
There should be something for everyone in Helsinki and once you're through with this list, you can just start all over again. Or check out Green Hippo, Tin Tin Tango, Brooklyn Café, Johan & Nyström, Café Torpedo, Fazer, Moomin, Engel, El Fant, and many more!
About the author
Vasileia Fanarioti
My name is Vasileia and I’m here because i decided to combine my two favourite things: writing and coffee. I love travelling around the world and visiting coffee shops but my biggest goal is to visit a coffee farm, to see where it all starts! You can follow my coffee adventures via my blog: thewanderingbean.net
Add comment
More on the coffee lab
Sign up and contribute now