Best Cafés in Helsinki
Traditional and More Unique Coffee Shops in the Capital of Finland
Cafés worth visiting for a traveller are nowadays somewhat difficult to find in Helsinki, with many soulless coffee shop chains invading the city with their lattes, frappes and cookies that are the same everywhere. Luckily there are still both old-fashioned Finnish coffee houses and modern hangouts with a more unique touch.
Classical Cafés in Helsinki
Esplanadi features numerous cafés, but Café Esplanad (Pohjoisesplanadi 37) is one of the most famous ones. Confusingly there is also a coffee shop called "Café Esplanade", and while that is also a fine place, Esplanad is the place known for its scrimptious cinnamon buns, said to be the largest in Finland and big enough to make for a decadent lunch by itself.
Karl Fazer Café (Kluuvikatu 3) is definitely a Finnish classic. The candy factory and bakery hosts one of the largest coffee houses in Helsinki just a few steps from the massive café congregation of Esplanadi. Cakes, ice cream, savory goods, you will find it at Fazer. The selection of coffees, teas and hot chocolates is also impressive. Don't forget to buy some candy for souvenirs (if you can make them last that long).
Established in 1852, Ekberg (Bulevardi 9) is another one of the most classical cafés. It has even more of a reputation for hosting little old ladies, but little old ladies know where to enjoy their morning coffee. Ekberg serves lunch and buffet breakfast and also has a small store selling gourmet foods. It is closed on weekends in the summer.
Café Ateneum (Kaivokatu 2-4) is located at the basement of the Ateneum art museum which you might want to visit anyway, almost in front of the Helsinki main railway station. This large but peacefully atmospheric coffee house is known for their delicious cakes, but they also serve a tasty vegetarian lunch from Tuesdays to Fridays.
Albeit as not well known as the other traditional cafés in this list, Kahvila Hopia (Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 9) is widely praised for its baked goods: pies, cinnamon buns and the Karelian pastries (karjalanpiirakka), the signature Finnish baked good. It is located in the lovely district of Töölö nearby the city center and only open on weekdays.
Unconventional Coffee Shops
Soihtu (Aurorankatu 13) is a tiny coffee shop located near the parliament house. While the interior and location are not that special, they offer large selection of fine teas - and the staff knows how to brew them properly. The various coffee drinks and many of the baked goods are available vegan. Despite its size Soihtu also features an art exhibition, a laptop for Internet use and books and board games, occasionally even gigs and other visits, for visitors to enjoy.
It's a few kilometers from the city center to Taikalamppu (Torkkelinkatu 21), but the Kallio district is worth a visit anyway. This inexpensive café is known for its unique decoration, including colorful furniture, paintings and textiles and loads of plants. Taikalamppu (the name means "magic lamp" in Finnish) feels like a cozy, rainbow-colored living room of that strange neighbour you can't help but love.
Café Aaltopelti (Kaasutehtaankatu 1) is located in the Suvilahti district, near the Sörnäinen and Kalasatama subway stations. The surroundings are fairly industrial (and the name of the place means "corrugated iron"), but the café has a very relaxed, homemade feeling, also hosting events like flea markets. Sadly Aaltopelti will only be open until the end of August 2009.
In Hakaniemi near Kallio you can find Silvoplee (Toinen Linja 3). It is actually a raw food buffet restaurant, but they also serve lovely baked goods and other desserts, both normal and raw ones, as well as drinks from kombucha tea to organic wines. The atmosphere is nice - the place has a hint of hippieness and new age, but is also roomy and full of sunlight in the summer. Sadly there is no outdoor terrace.
If you want a truly Finnish coffee experience, you should go visit an outdoor café at a marketplace such as Kauppatori or even better, Hakaniemen tori (much fewer tourists there). Grab a paper cup of coffee and preferably a "piggy donut" (munkkipossu, a large sugar-coated donut filled with jam) and you'll fit right in with the locals.
See Also
Public Transportation in Finland
Flamingo Waterpark and Wellness Spa, Finland
Taikalamppu
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