Guidebook for Helsinki
Food Scene
The lovely folks behind Helsinki's best döner take their craft seriously, and have spent a good deal of time in Berlin, seeing how it's done. Everything they serve is fresh, flavoursome and made in-house. They also do vegan döner (do try!) and occasionally also options like moose döner. And it's on our block!
118 locals recommend
Döner Harju
23 FleminginkatuThe lovely folks behind Helsinki's best döner take their craft seriously, and have spent a good deal of time in Berlin, seeing how it's done. Everything they serve is fresh, flavoursome and made in-house. They also do vegan döner (do try!) and occasionally also options like moose döner. And it's on our block!
One of the best little cafés in Helsinki. Some of the Finnish barista championships hail from this little corner café. If you'd like to start the day off with excellent coffee and breakfast fare (they do sandwiches, yogurt and granola, croissants, etc.), this spot has a it all, plus a really nice Kallio vibe. And do try their apple juice, it comes from Ahvenanmaa (an island off the coast of Finland), and it's excellent.
63 locals recommend
Sävy
12 Aleksis Kiven katuOne of the best little cafés in Helsinki. Some of the Finnish barista championships hail from this little corner café. If you'd like to start the day off with excellent coffee and breakfast fare (they do sandwiches, yogurt and granola, croissants, etc.), this spot has a it all, plus a really nice Kallio vibe. And do try their apple juice, it comes from Ahvenanmaa (an island off the coast of Finland), and it's excellent.
A great combo of a cafe and yoga studio. Serves great healthy breakfasts, good for taking your laptop and getting some work done, as well as staying for lunch or hanging out in the evening. Would recommend hitting a morning hatha class and getting a matcha latte to go post-morning yoga.
34 locals recommend
Roots Helsinki Vallila
8-10 EurantieA great combo of a cafe and yoga studio. Serves great healthy breakfasts, good for taking your laptop and getting some work done, as well as staying for lunch or hanging out in the evening. Would recommend hitting a morning hatha class and getting a matcha latte to go post-morning yoga.
Essentials
Right across the road, our local S-Market is one of the best and biggest in the neighbourhood. They have a good range of veggie food, great produce section and meat and fish counters. Opens early, closes late.
65 locals recommend
S-market Vallila
11 Aleksis Kiven katuRight across the road, our local S-Market is one of the best and biggest in the neighbourhood. They have a good range of veggie food, great produce section and meat and fish counters. Opens early, closes late.
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the newer establishments on Vaasankatu, aka Kallio bar strip. Smallish space, nice decor (bathrooms especially), and great selection of beers (including their own IPA). Also good for cocktails, often quite full, but folks tend to be merry and make space.
22 locals recommend
Solmu Pub
8 VaasankatuOne of the newer establishments on Vaasankatu, aka Kallio bar strip. Smallish space, nice decor (bathrooms especially), and great selection of beers (including their own IPA). Also good for cocktails, often quite full, but folks tend to be merry and make space.
Just around the corner from the apartment, Molotow is one of those places you can't remember living without. Small in size, big in character. The quirky decor makes for a comfy, eccentric feel, you'll always run into interesting folks and will be guaranteed to find a new beer they've managed to score since you were last there.
66 locals recommend
Bar Molotow
29 VaasankatuJust around the corner from the apartment, Molotow is one of those places you can't remember living without. Small in size, big in character. The quirky decor makes for a comfy, eccentric feel, you'll always run into interesting folks and will be guaranteed to find a new beer they've managed to score since you were last there.
Entertainment & Activities
A recent addition to the Kallio scene, this small neighbourhood cinema opened in 2015. The space, however, has housed a movie theatre in some decades ago, and now the single studio 55 seater is back in business. What's more, is that it comes with a bar. Drinks are tailored to suit screenings, and you can top up mid-movie, which is a bonus. Book tickets in advance and make sure to get there early to have ample time for stocking up on drinks and snacks.
88 locals recommend
RIVIERA
2 HarjukatuA recent addition to the Kallio scene, this small neighbourhood cinema opened in 2015. The space, however, has housed a movie theatre in some decades ago, and now the single studio 55 seater is back in business. What's more, is that it comes with a bar. Drinks are tailored to suit screenings, and you can top up mid-movie, which is a bonus. Book tickets in advance and make sure to get there early to have ample time for stocking up on drinks and snacks.