Food Lovers' Guide to

Tuska Festival
Curated by
World of Mouth team
Last update
June 2024
Today’s culinary Helsinki offers a colourful smorgasbord of street food, Asian flavours, fine dining, wine bars, coffee shops, bakeries and bistros. Discover curated recommendations for great places to eat and drink by World of Mouth, a global restaurant guide powered by a community of culinary experts. Thanks to its compact size, Helsinki is easy to explore.
Helsinki
A gastronomic Nordic crossroads with a proximity to nature.
Neighborhoods
Discover different neighborhood vibes.
Food & Drink
Must eat dishes and where to try them.
Marketplaces & Food Shops
Where to find great food produce.
Your restaurant guide to Helsinki

Helsinki City

This guide has been curated in collaboration with the World of Mouth, an independent restaurant guide powered by a global community of experts, including some of the world’s best chefs and food writers. Discover recommendations by some of Helsinki’s most knowledgeable experts, who share their local favorites, classic institutions, and hidden gems. Culinary Helsinki offers a colorful smorgasbord of street food, Nordic and Asian flavors, fine dining, wine bars, coffee shops, bakeries, and bistros. Thanks to its compact size, Helsinki is easy to explore, and there is always an inspiring food destination around the corner.

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Neighborhoods

Helsinki is a fairly small seaside city surrounded by water in many parts of town. Most restaurants in town are located in the central and southern districts, but also the northern district of Kallio has an active restaurant scene. Much of the eating is within a walking distance of 20 minutes from the city centre, but for greater mobility take the tram, metro, city bikes or electric scooters. The old Helsinki can still be experienced in the districts of Katajannokka, Kruununhaka, Ullanlinna and Töölö with plenty of old residential blocks, beautiful architecture, local street side shops, cafés and restaurants and a village-like atmosphere. To meet the creative and younger crowd, go for the Kallio or Punavuori districts that are full of small boutiques, design shops and galleries as well as cozy cafés, bars and restaurants. In the summer, the small islands dotting the sea are accessible by ferries from the mainland - many of them offering nice restaurants. In the wintertime, when conditions are good, follow the footsteps in the snow of locals for some island hopping on the ice of the frozen Gulf of Finland and enjoy a mug of hot chocolate or mulled wine in the crisp cold.

Food & Drink

Here’s a list of a must eat dishes and drinks and where to try them.

Must EatS
Baltic Herring
Anders Husa / Helsinki Partners
Baltic Herring
"
Silakka
"
Baltic herring is a small, local fish, usually served crisp fried in butter with mashed potatoes. The fish used to be the staple food of the people in Helsinki. Also try the pickled version.

Try it at Kosmos or Savoy

Cinnamon Bun
Cinnamon Bun
"
Korvapuusti
"
A freshly baked cinnamon bun; the taste of the Nordics.

Try it at Ekberg, Rams Roasters or St George Bakery

Karelian Pie
Karelian Pie
"
Karjalanpiirakka
"
A Karelian pie is a typical Eastern Finnish savoury pie made of a thin sheet of rye dough filled with rice porridge. The freshly baked pies are basted with butter and served with a spread of hard boiled eggs and butter.

Try it at Konditoria Hopia

Vorschmack
Anton Sucksdorff
Vorschmack
"
Vorschmack
"
Vorschmack is a traditional dish served at some Helsinki restaurants. It’s a mince made of lamb, beef and herring and has an Eastern European-Russian origin. The dish may sound odd, but served with a baked potato, pickles, sour cream, a cold beer and a shot of schnapps, the dish will convince most sceptics.

Try it at Savoy, Kosmos or Sea Horse

Salmon Soup
Rachel Iwanyszyn / Helsinki Partners
Salmon Soup
"
Lohikeitto
"
A classic dish from the coastal regions of Finland, Finnish Salmon soup is a chowder with cubes of salmon, potato, onion and other vegetables. The soup comes in two versions, with a clear broth or with cream.

Try it at Seahorse

Meat Pie
Tuukka Koski / Helsinki Partners
Meat Pie
"
Lihapiirakka
"
A Meat pie, Lihapiirakka, is a common lunch snack and late night drunk food-the night version is filled with everything from fried eggs to pickles and grated cheese. The doughnut-like deep fried pasty has a savory filling of rice, minced meat and onion.

Try it at Eromanga Café or at the Central Market Square

Long Drink
Long Drink
"
Lonkero
"
Long Drink, Lonkero, is a ready mixed drink made of gin and, most commonly, grapefruit soda. The drink was created for the visitors of the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki.

Try it at in most bars and restaurants on tap, in cans or bottles

Marketplaces & Food Shops

Kuvatoimisto Kuvio Oy / Helsinki Partners

Helsinki has three old food market halls: The centrally located Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli), the Hakaniemi Market Hall in Hakaniemi and the Hietalahti Market Hall. The first two of these have both fresh food merchants and cafés and restaurants and they also have open-air markets selling produce like vegetables and fruit. Hietalahti Market Hall is a food court with many restaurant options within the building.

  • Market Hall Restaurants: Kirsikka is a bistro in the Hakaniemi Market Hall serving both lunch and dinner.
  • Cheesemonger: Rolling Cheese is a popular cheesemonger with two shops: the main shop on Museokatu in Töölö and a smaller one in the Old Market Hall. On Museokatu Rolling Cheese has a nice selection of cheese and a few tables for eating small plates (like cheese toasts) with wine, beer and cider.
  • Traditional neighbourhood food grocer: Töölön Kyläkauppa is a tiny grocer on Museokatu, next to Rolling Cheese, focusing on quality tinned foods, spices, chocolate, oils etc. They also have fresh bread and Finnish savoury pies from some of the best bakers, fresh organic fruits, vegetables and charcuterie.

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Helsinki
Neighborhoods
Food & Drink
Marketplaces & Food Shops
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Tuska Festival

's Picks

Restaurants

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Hills Dumplings
Street Food & Quick Bites
Restaurant Forza
Casual
面师傅 Noodle Master
Street Food & Quick Bites
Eromanga Oy
Street Food & Quick Bites
Luovuus kukkii kaaoksesta
Fine Casual
Ravintola 305
Casual
Restaurant Alexanderplats
Traditional
Restaurant Elm
Casual
Way Bakery
Cafés & Bakeries
Wino
Fine Casual
Kosmos
Traditional
Restaurant Wellamo
Fine Casual
Toppa Restaurant & Bar
New Openings
Restaurant Kuurna
Fine Casual
Restaurant Bona Fide
Fine Casual
Sake Bar & Izakaya
Casual
Café Clé
Cafés & Bakeries
Restaurant Baskeri & Basso
Casual
Restaurant Demo
Fine Dining
Restaurant Yes Yes Yes
Casual
Ravintola Nolla
Fine Casual
Murun Viinibaari
Drink & Wine Bars
Restaurant BasBas Kulma
Casual
Boulevard Bar & Seafood
Fine Casual
Restaurant Savoy
Fine Dining
Ekberg 1852
Cafés & Bakeries
St. George Bakery
Cafés & Bakeries
Café Savoy
Fine Casual
Canvas Canteen
Casual
Restaurant Le Coucou Vert
Casual
Ravintola Nolita
Casual
Ravintola Palace
Fine Dining
Eppu’s Cheesesteaks
Street Food & Quick Bites
Thai Noodle (ลุงทุม ต้มตุ๋น)
Street Food & Quick Bites
Konditoria Hopia
Traditional
Layers
Cafés & Bakeries
Restaurant Teller
New Openings
Restaurant Sea Horse
Traditional
Rams Roasters
Cafés & Bakeries
The Grand Bar & Grill
Fine Casual
Restaurant Plein
Fine Casual

Where do the local chefs and food writers eat?

Toni Toivanen
R&D at Noma
Local's Favorites

Toni Toivanen

Toni Toivanen is a chef with an exceptionally long working experience at Noma in Copenhagen. Before Noma, Toivanen was a sous chef at chef Hans Välimäki's two star restaurant Chez Dominique in Helsinki.

Restaurant Favorites

01 Ravintola Palace

02 Eromanga Oy

03 Ravintola Vinkkeli

nameRavintola Palace

Ravintola Palace

Fine dining, Nordic, Great wine list
Innovative yet sophisticated Nordic fine dining experience with splendid views

Eteläranta 10, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

nameEromanga Oy

Eromanga Oy

Café & bakery, Street food, Local, Traditional, Families
Old school lunch café-bakery for 'lihapiirakka', the local meat pasty

Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu 6, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

nameRavintola Vinkkeli

Ravintola Vinkkeli

Fine dining, French, Nordic, Great wine list, Traditional
Modern versions of French classics with a Nordic touch

Pieni Roobertinkatu 8, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

Kenneth Nars
Creative Director at World of Mouth
Local's Favorites

Kenneth Nars

Kenneth Nars is a food writer and creative director & co-founder of World of Mouth. Nars lives and works in Helsinki, he's the Nordic and Baltic Academy chair of The 50 Best Restaurants and has a track record as a food writer involved in several magazines, cookbooks and international TV-productions.

Restaurant Favorites

01 Restaurant Bona Fide

02 Ravintola Palace

03 Kosmos

04 Way Bakery

05 Restaurant Savoy

nameRestaurant Bona Fide

Restaurant Bona Fide

Nordic, Fine dining, Vegetarians, Great wine list
Fun, new wave Finnish with sustainable fish and veggie dishes

Vironkatu 8, 00170 Helsinki, Finland

nameRavintola Palace

Ravintola Palace

Fine dining, Nordic, Great wine list
Innovative yet sophisticated Nordic fine dining experience with splendid views

Eteläranta 10, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

nameKosmos

Kosmos

Traditional, Local, Casual, Families, Fine dining
Classic restaurant featuring traditional Helsinki dishes

Kalevankatu 3, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

nameWay Bakery

Way Bakery

Café & bakery, Wine bar, Brunch, Natural wine, Casual
All-day bakery, wine bar and restaurant-cool vibes and natural wines

Agricolankatu 9, 00530 Helsinki, Finland

nameRestaurant Savoy

Restaurant Savoy

Fine dining, Traditional
An iconic Helsinki restaurant, ultimate in style and fine dining

Eteläesplanadi 14, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

Helena Puolakka
Chef Patron at Savoy
Local's Favorites

Helena Puolakka

Helena Puolakka is the Chef Patron of Savoy, an iconic Helsinki restaurant opened in 1937. Puolakka is one of the most recognized Finnish chefs, leading Savoy with a vision of balancing the rich history of the restaurant with the present. Before returning to Finland in 2019, Puolakka worked abroad for over 20 years, including three Michelin star restaurants: as Chef de Cuisine in Pierre Koffmann’s La Tante Claire in London and with Pierre Gagnaire in Hotel Balzac in Paris.

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Restaurant Favorites

01 Ravintola Nolla

02 Way Bakery

03 Boulevard Bar & Seafood

04 Ateljé Finne

05 Restaurant Sea Horse

nameRavintola Nolla

Ravintola Nolla

Casual, Vegetarians, Natural wine
Zero waste ideology and in-house brewery with playful combinations

Fredrikinkatu 22, 00120 Helsinki, Finland

nameWay Bakery

Way Bakery

Café & bakery, Wine bar, Brunch, Natural wine, Casual
All-day bakery, wine bar and restaurant-cool vibes and natural wines

Agricolankatu 9, 00530 Helsinki, Finland

nameBoulevard Bar & Seafood

Boulevard Bar & Seafood

Seafood, Fine dining, Cocktail bar, French, Casual
Top notch seafood in the heart of Helsinki

Bulevardi 6, 00120 Helsinki, Finland

nameAteljé Finne

Ateljé Finne

Casual, Fine dining, Great wine list, Local, Nordic

Arkadiankatu 14, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

nameRestaurant Sea Horse

Restaurant Sea Horse

Traditional, Local, Casual, Walk-in, Seafood
A classic Finnish restaurant from 1934, serving traditional no fuss Finnish food

Kapteeninkatu 11, 00140 Helsinki, Finland

Ina Niiniketo
Chef at Canvas Canteen
Local's Favorites

Ina Niiniketo

Ina Niiniketo is a Finnish chef and cookbook author. Working as a chef since the age of 16, Niiniketo graduated from Culinary College in 2011. With a background ranging from bistros to Michelin-starred establishments, Ina is passionate about intense flavours and using the best possible ingredients in season. Her unique dishes stem from a love of timeless Parisian elegance and Japanese and Nordic minimalism.

After working in Michelin-starred restaurants in Helsinki, she moved to Stockholm at the age of 22, eager to expand her knowledge. Most recently, she worked as head chef at Mathias Dahlgren's French Bistro at the Sparrow Hotel in Stockholm.

In September 2021, she moved back home to Helsinki and is currently the owner and chef of the lunch bistro Canvas Canteen together with her husband Roni Kerttula.

Restaurant Favorites

01 Café Clé

02 Palace

03 Restaurant Elm

04 Luovuus Kukkii Kaaoksesta

05 Restaurant Kuurna

nameCafé Clé

Café Clé

Walk-in, Brunch, Breakfast, Café, Take away, New opening, Vegetarians, Casual, Lunch, Latin American, Bakery
Tiny brunch café by Brazilian owners in the Kruununhaka district

Mariankatu 21, 00170 Helsinki, Finland

nameRavintola Palace

Ravintola Palace

Fine dining, Nordic, Great wine list
Innovative yet sophisticated Nordic fine dining experience with splendid views

Eteläranta 10, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

nameRestaurant Elm

Restaurant Elm

Casual, Traditional, Families, Pet friendly
All-day neighborhood park restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine

Puistokatu 4, 00140 Helsinki, Finland

nameLuovuus kukkii kaaoksesta

Luovuus kukkii kaaoksesta

Casual
Fun and quirky bistro with creative food by a young and ambitious team

Pieni Roobertinkatu 13, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

nameRestaurant Kuurna

Restaurant Kuurna

Casual, Local, French, Great wine list
A modern classic in Helsinki, cozy neighborhood bistro

Meritullinkatu 6, 00170 Helsinki, Finland

Explore Helsinki

No items found.
Hills Dumplings
Restaurant Forza
面师傅 Noodle Master
Eromanga Oy
Luovuus kukkii kaaoksesta
Ravintola 305
Restaurant Alexanderplats
Restaurant Elm
Way Bakery
Wino
Kosmos
Restaurant Wellamo
Toppa Restaurant & Bar
Restaurant Kuurna
Restaurant Bona Fide
Sake Bar & Izakaya
Café Clé
Restaurant Baskeri & Basso
Restaurant Demo
Restaurant Yes Yes Yes
Ravintola Nolla
Murun Viinibaari
Restaurant BasBas Kulma
Boulevard Bar & Seafood
Restaurant Savoy
Ekberg 1852
St. George Bakery
Café Savoy
Canvas Canteen
Restaurant Le Coucou Vert
Ravintola Nolita
Ravintola Palace
Eppu’s Cheesesteaks
Thai Noodle (ลุงทุม ต้มตุ๋น)
Konditoria Hopia
Layers
Restaurant Teller
Restaurant Sea Horse
Rams Roasters
The Grand Bar & Grill
Restaurant Plein
No items found.
Hills Dumplings

Hills Dumplings

Kalevankatu 17

Casual, Asian
Casual Asian eatery spezialized in dumplings and craft cocktails
Book a table
Restaurant Forza

Restaurant Forza

Pursimiehenkatu 29

Pizza, Casual, Italian, Café & bakery, Families
Pizza perfection by Luca Platania
Book a table
面师傅 Noodle Master

面师傅 Noodle Master

Eerikinkatu 20

Chinese, Street food, Casual, Take away
Authentic Chinese street food with handpulled noodles and dumplings
Book a table
Eromanga Oy

Eromanga Oy

Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu 6

Café & bakery, Street food, Local, Traditional, Families
Old school lunch café-bakery for 'lihapiirakka', the local meat pasty
Book a table
Luovuus kukkii kaaoksesta

Luovuus kukkii kaaoksesta

Pieni Roobertinkatu 13

Casual
Fun and quirky bistro with creative food by a young and ambitious team
Book a table
Ravintola 305

Ravintola 305

Toinen linja 3

New opening, Date night, Natural wine, Wine bar, Casual, Family friendly, Nordic, Bistro, Business meal, Sustainable, Cocktail bar
Wine bistro and bar in Kallio for a dinner, wine or a cocktail
Book a table
Restaurant Alexanderplats

Restaurant Alexanderplats

Eteläesplanadi 22

Walk-in, Great wine list, Date night, Business meal, Nordic, French, Casual, Bistro
Busy Nordic brasserie in the city center, great for lunch and dinner
Book a table
Restaurant Elm

Restaurant Elm

Puistokatu 4

Casual, Traditional, Families, Pet friendly
All-day neighborhood park restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine
Book a table
Way Bakery

Way Bakery

Agricolankatu 9

Café & bakery, Wine bar, Brunch, Natural wine, Casual
All-day bakery, wine bar and restaurant-cool vibes and natural wines
Book a table
Wino

Wino

Fleminginkatu 11

Natural wine, Cocktail bar, Fine dining
Natural wine and innovative small dishes in a cozy setting in Kallio
Book a table
Kosmos

Kosmos

Kalevankatu 3

Traditional, Local, Casual, Families, Fine dining
Classic restaurant featuring traditional Helsinki dishes
Book a table
Restaurant Wellamo

Restaurant Wellamo

Laivastokatu 18

Nordic, Fine dining, Traditional, Great wine list, Date night
Cozy bistro with Nordic menu located in a classic restaurant space
Book a table
Toppa Restaurant & Bar

Toppa Restaurant & Bar

Katajanokanlaituri 1

New opening, Street food
Modern takes on street food and cocktail bar with stunning terrace views
Book a table
Restaurant Kuurna

Restaurant Kuurna

Meritullinkatu 6

Casual, Local, French, Great wine list
A modern classic in Helsinki, cozy neighborhood bistro
Book a table
Restaurant Bona Fide

Restaurant Bona Fide

Vironkatu 8

Nordic, Fine dining, Vegetarians, Great wine list
Fun, new wave Finnish with sustainable fish and veggie dishes
Book a table
Sake Bar & Izakaya

Sake Bar & Izakaya

Vironkatu 11

Japanese, Casual, Local, Great wine list, Walk-in
Tiny bar with artisanal sake & casual Japanese izakaya-style food
Book a table
Café Clé

Café Clé

Mariankatu 21

Walk-in, Brunch, Breakfast, Café, Take away, New opening, Vegetarians, Casual, Lunch, Latin American, Bakery
Tiny brunch café by Brazilian owners in the Kruununhaka district
Book a table
Restaurant Baskeri & Basso

Restaurant Baskeri & Basso

Tehtaankatu 27-29 (sisäpiha)

Casual, French, Italian, Wine bar, Walk-in
Benchmark wine bistro and local favorite with honest cooking
Book a table
Restaurant Demo

Restaurant Demo

Uudenmaankatu 9-11

Fine dining, French, Great wine list, Vegetarians, Business meal
One Michelin star for already 16 years, an exeptional wine cellar
Book a table
Restaurant Yes Yes Yes

Restaurant Yes Yes Yes

Iso Roobertinkatu 1

Casual
A bustling bar & hip vegetarian restaurant with a seasonally changing menu
Book a table
Ravintola Nolla

Ravintola Nolla

Fredrikinkatu 22

Casual, Vegetarians, Natural wine
Zero waste ideology and in-house brewery with playful combinations
Book a table
Murun Viinibaari

Murun Viinibaari

Lönnrotinkatu 14

Wine bar, Italian, French, Casual, Great wine list
Seasonal menu, charcuterie, cheese and classic big and small wines
Book a table
Restaurant BasBas Kulma

Restaurant BasBas Kulma

Telakkakadun kulma, Tehtaankatu 27-29

Wine bar, Natural wine, Walk-in, Casual
Busy wine bar with small dishes, mostly natural wines. Also walk ins
Book a table
Boulevard Bar & Seafood

Boulevard Bar & Seafood

Bulevardi 6

Seafood, Fine dining, Cocktail bar, French, Casual
Top notch seafood in the heart of Helsinki
Book a table
Restaurant Savoy

Restaurant Savoy

Eteläesplanadi 14

Fine dining, Traditional
An iconic Helsinki restaurant, ultimate in style and fine dining
Book a table
Ekberg 1852

Ekberg 1852

Bulevardi 9

Café & bakery, Traditional, Local, Brunch, Families
The grand café and temple of pastry culture in Helsinki
Book a table
St. George Bakery

St. George Bakery

Yrjönkatu 13

Café & bakery, Casual, Local, Brunch, Take away
Small café and bread shop with lunch dishes. In the St George Hotel
Book a table
Café Savoy

Café Savoy

Eteläesplanadi 14

Fine dining, French, Great wine list, Casual
Elegant brasserie with French inspired menu in the centre of Helsinki
Book a table
Canvas Canteen

Canvas Canteen

Pursimiehenkatu 21

Casual, Café & bakery, Fine dining, Business meal, Vegetarians
Busy and intimate lunch bistro with daily changing dishes
Book a table
Restaurant Le Coucou Vert

Restaurant Le Coucou Vert

Bulevardi 32

French, Fine dining, Great wine list, Walk-in, Casual
French bistro fare with a contemporary touch. Great summer terrace.
Book a table
Ravintola Nolita

Ravintola Nolita

Kankurinkatu 6

Brunch, New opening, Bakery, Casual, Date night, Vegetarians, Pasta, Vegan, Italian, French, Walk-in, Family friendly, Bistro
Cozy all day-neighbourhood bistro and bakery
Book a table
Ravintola Palace

Ravintola Palace

Eteläranta 10

Fine dining, Nordic, Great wine list
Innovative yet sophisticated Nordic fine dining experience with splendid views
Book a table
Eppu’s Cheesesteaks

Eppu’s Cheesesteaks

Pursimiehenkatu 5

Walk-in, Take away, Cheap eats, Street food, Casual
Cheeze oozing, authentic Philadelphia cheese steak sandwiches
Book a table
Thai Noodle (ลุงทุม ต้มตุ๋น)

Thai Noodle (ลุงทุม ต้มตุ๋น)

Pursimiehenkatu 12

Walk-in, New opening, Asian, Thai, Lunch, Take away, Vegetarians, Cheap eats, Counter seating, Casual
Authentic Thai dishes in hole in the wall place with friendly service
Book a table
Konditoria Hopia

Konditoria Hopia

Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 9

Traditional, Café & bakery, Local, Take away, Casual
Traditional bakery with the best Carelian pasties, meat-rice pasty and pulla sweet buns
Book a table
Layers

Layers

Cygnaeuksenkatu 6

Café & bakery, Local, Casual, Take away, Brunch
Tiny bakery shop with perfect croissants and other pastries
Book a table
Restaurant Teller

Restaurant Teller

Fredrikinkatu 71

New opening, Casual, Bistro, French, Wine bar, Nordic, Vegetarians
Newly opened brasserie in the Töölö district with creative dishes and nice wine list
Book a table
Restaurant Sea Horse

Restaurant Sea Horse

Kapteeninkatu 11

Traditional, Local, Casual, Walk-in, Seafood
A classic Finnish restaurant from 1934, serving traditional no fuss Finnish food
Book a table
Rams Roasters

Rams Roasters

Neitsytpolku 10

Café & bakery, Casual, Local, Families, Take away
Cozy café with coffee from top roasters and home baked quiches, cakes and cinnamon buns
Book a table
The Grand Bar & Grill

The Grand Bar & Grill

Korkeavuorenkatu 21

Steak, Popup, New opening
Grill-bar with open fire grilled Finnish beef, oysters and cocktails
Book a table
Restaurant Plein

Restaurant Plein

Suvannontie 18

Natural wine, Fine dining, Café & bakery, Casual, Great wine list
Neighbourhood bistro serving small shareable plates and natural wines
Book a table
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