Things to do in Helsinki
Food scene
This is my favourite weekend brunch place in Kallio. Great menu, tapas style, breakfast edition.
19 locals recommend
Restaurant Flät no 14
14 Viides linjaThis is my favourite weekend brunch place in Kallio. Great menu, tapas style, breakfast edition.
My favourite bakery / restaurant in Helsinki. A bit far from the apartment, but available on Wolt.
29 locals recommend
Levain
29-31 KankurinkatuMy favourite bakery / restaurant in Helsinki. A bit far from the apartment, but available on Wolt.
Another great bakery, with delicious brunch or lunch options. The pastries are to die for.
St. George Bakery
13 YrjönkatuAnother great bakery, with delicious brunch or lunch options. The pastries are to die for.
Unpretentious, but really solid menu, for every taste. The terrasse is fantastic in summer. The dining room is lovely in winter. Can accommodate larger groups if booked ahead of time.
27 locals recommend
The Cock
17 FabianinkatuUnpretentious, but really solid menu, for every taste. The terrasse is fantastic in summer. The dining room is lovely in winter. Can accommodate larger groups if booked ahead of time.
Way Bakery and Wine Bar
9 AgricolankatuBread is delicious, the rest too. Nice brunch.
Ekberg 1852 Ltd
9 BulevardiA local classic. Delicious pastries and small dishes.
One of my favourite restaurants. Usually easier to book for late night dinner.
56 locals recommend
Baskeri & Basso Bistro
One of my favourite restaurants. Usually easier to book for late night dinner.
Pastis
Great French food. Yes, this is Helsinki, but still worth a try.
Ravintola Palace
The best restaurant in town. But VERY expensive.
Grocery shopping
Best place in the city to buy fresh products, often straight from the producer. Amazing seafood, meat, produce, and local delicacies.
185 locals recommend
Hakaniemi Market Hall
1 HämeentieBest place in the city to buy fresh products, often straight from the producer. Amazing seafood, meat, produce, and local delicacies.
Local liquor store, perfect to find a good bottle of wine. Note that wine - and more broadly alcohol- sales are restricted in Finland. The shop closes at 9pm during the week, 6pm on Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
39 locals recommend
Alko
33 VuorimiehenkatuLocal liquor store, perfect to find a good bottle of wine. Note that wine - and more broadly alcohol- sales are restricted in Finland. The shop closes at 9pm during the week, 6pm on Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
My favourite grocery store. The best products from all over the World that you can find in Helsinki. It's a very short tram ride away with line 6 or 9.
9 locals recommend
Food Market Herkku, Helsinki City Centre
52 AleksanterinkatuMy favourite grocery store. The best products from all over the World that you can find in Helsinki. It's a very short tram ride away with line 6 or 9.
Sightseeing
Sveaborg or Suomenlinna offers a lovely day or half-day escapade. Only a 15 minute boat ride from the city center, using just a metro ticket (less than 3 euros as of Jan 2022). Would highly recommend.
61 locals recommend
Sveaborg
Sveaborg or Suomenlinna offers a lovely day or half-day escapade. Only a 15 minute boat ride from the city center, using just a metro ticket (less than 3 euros as of Jan 2022). Would highly recommend.
A local gem. The architecture of this space is stunning, the views are marvellous, especially on a sunny day, and I would recommend their brunch (make sure to book). Alternatively, drop by to grab a coffee to take away, or enjoy dinner outside in the summer (the salmon soup is great). Of course, if you have the chance, enjoy their sauna and take a deep in the sea!
322 locals recommend
Löyly Helsinki
4 HernesaarenrantaA local gem. The architecture of this space is stunning, the views are marvellous, especially on a sunny day, and I would recommend their brunch (make sure to book). Alternatively, drop by to grab a coffee to take away, or enjoy dinner outside in the summer (the salmon soup is great). Of course, if you have the chance, enjoy their sauna and take a deep in the sea!
Regatta
8 MerikannontieGrab a coffee, and walk around the sea. Beautiful views, lovely venue.
Temppeliaukion Church
3 LutherinkatuBeautiful. Note that there is a small cover fee.
Uspenski Cathedral
1 PormestarinrinneFine to just see from outside, while exploring the area.
Going out
Goldfish Cocktail Bar
21 KorkeavuorenkatuBest atmosphere for a nice cocktail in the city.
Another lovely place for a glass of champagne, a cocktail, or a snack. Located inside the George Hotel.
Wintergarden Bar
13 YrjönkatuAnother lovely place for a glass of champagne, a cocktail, or a snack. Located inside the George Hotel.
Vin-Vin
6 BulevardiIdeal place for a nice glass of wine and cheese plate.
Other shopping
Stockmann Helsingin keskusta
52 AleksanterinkatuBest department store in town.
Makia Flagship Store Helsinki
22 MannerheimintieA local fashion brand.
Beyond
4 KaisaniemenkatuFashion store, with most hip brands of the time.
Neighborhoods
Quiet harborside Katajanokka is known for elegant art nouveau buildings, the gold-domed, red-brick Uspenski Cathedral and upscale seafood restaurants. Icebreakers dock on the north shore, and 19th-century warehouse Wanha Satama hosts markets and nautical exhibits. The Allas Sea Pool is a busy outdoor swimming and sauna complex. Overlooking the harbor, SkyWheel Helsinki offers panoramic views of the city. (from Google)
16 locals recommend
Katajanokka
Quiet harborside Katajanokka is known for elegant art nouveau buildings, the gold-domed, red-brick Uspenski Cathedral and upscale seafood restaurants. Icebreakers dock on the north shore, and 19th-century warehouse Wanha Satama hosts markets and nautical exhibits. The Allas Sea Pool is a busy outdoor swimming and sauna complex. Overlooking the harbor, SkyWheel Helsinki offers panoramic views of the city. (from Google)
Arty, trendy Punavuori has a vibrant foodie scene, with busy delis and cafes, plus casual Greek, Thai and taco places. After dark, hip bars draw stylish crowds for craft beers and live music. The area is part of the Design District, with fashion boutiques, contemporary art galleries and showrooms offering Finnish interior design. Sinebrychoff Art Museum exhibits classic European paintings in a 19th-century townhouse (from Google)
20 locals recommend
Punavuori
Arty, trendy Punavuori has a vibrant foodie scene, with busy delis and cafes, plus casual Greek, Thai and taco places. After dark, hip bars draw stylish crowds for craft beers and live music. The area is part of the Design District, with fashion boutiques, contemporary art galleries and showrooms offering Finnish interior design. Sinebrychoff Art Museum exhibits classic European paintings in a 19th-century townhouse (from Google)
Kallio is a laid-back bohemian area known for its many Finnish saunas and the Kallio Church, carved into granite and hosting concerts and organ recitals. Small neighborhood shops sell old maps, records or vintage clothes, while Hakaniemi Market Hall is packed with Finnish delicacies and crafts. A buzzing foodie scene includes popular vegan bistros and craft coffee spots, and the bars have a casual, alternative vibe. (from Google)
75 locals recommend
Kallio
Kallio is a laid-back bohemian area known for its many Finnish saunas and the Kallio Church, carved into granite and hosting concerts and organ recitals. Small neighborhood shops sell old maps, records or vintage clothes, while Hakaniemi Market Hall is packed with Finnish delicacies and crafts. A buzzing foodie scene includes popular vegan bistros and craft coffee spots, and the bars have a casual, alternative vibe. (from Google)
City advice
Ways to save
Home food delivery: use Wolt
Use the code PROMOTIONS for a discount.