Eat, drink & sauna
Restaurants - Harju/Kallio/Hakaniemi
Here are my recommendations for food in the area.
This is one of the most popular spots to meet friends, eat a casual meal or have a drink! Open till 2 am
59 abantu bendawo batusa
Harju 8
8 HarjutoriThis is one of the most popular spots to meet friends, eat a casual meal or have a drink! Open till 2 am
Cute little restaurant & bakery. Perfect for breakfast, a glass of wine or a nicer lunch. You can also grab some freshly baked bread to go!
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Way Bakery and Wine Bar
9 AgricolankatuCute little restaurant & bakery. Perfect for breakfast, a glass of wine or a nicer lunch. You can also grab some freshly baked bread to go!
Traditional and relaxed lunch place and great for dinner too!
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Gastro Cafe Kallio
7 FleminginkatuTraditional and relaxed lunch place and great for dinner too!
Located on the 2nd floor of nearby Hakaniemi market hall, this is the perfect spot for lunch or dinner after visiting the market hall!
Restaurant Kirsikka
Located on the 2nd floor of nearby Hakaniemi market hall, this is the perfect spot for lunch or dinner after visiting the market hall!
Döner Harju
23 FleminginkatuThe best döner kebabs in the city, right across the street.
A lovely little wine and tapas place just a block away. Nice wine, on the pricier side.
Vinolito Wine & Tapas
26 HämeentieA lovely little wine and tapas place just a block away. Nice wine, on the pricier side.
Cool spot for dinner, brunch or a drink. Tends to be crowded on weekend evenings
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Tanner
11 HämeentieCool spot for dinner, brunch or a drink. Tends to be crowded on weekend evenings
Faselli Italian street food
Really nice vegetarian & vegan restaurant. Their “go nuts” noodle salad (lunchtime) is so so good.
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Green Hippo Kallio
10 FleminginkatuReally nice vegetarian & vegan restaurant. Their “go nuts” noodle salad (lunchtime) is so so good.
A quirky Italian! They make the most wonderful limoncello from scratch. A little pricier but worth the visit.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Madonna
5 B HaapaniemenkatuA quirky Italian! They make the most wonderful limoncello from scratch. A little pricier but worth the visit.
Wino
11 FleminginkatuExcellent food and natural wines. On the pricier side!
The best chicken burger fast food. Also vegan option!
Highly recommend ordering in advance through the Wolt app, tend to be long lines/wait.
KotKot Helsinki Kallio
The best chicken burger fast food. Also vegan option!
Highly recommend ordering in advance through the Wolt app, tend to be long lines/wait.
"Natural wines & excellent food in Vallila"
A nice 10 min walk through the old Puu-Vallila neighborhood that features old wooden houses - what is left of "old-time Helsinki."
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Restaurant Plein
18 Suvannontie"Natural wines & excellent food in Vallila"
A nice 10 min walk through the old Puu-Vallila neighborhood that features old wooden houses - what is left of "old-time Helsinki."
Thai O'Cha Sörnäinen
11 HelsinginkatuMy go-to Thai takeout
Pizza and a good place for a chill evening. Tenho offers live music often, check out their schedule. I recommend their live jazz Sundays, live performances start at 8 pm but I recommend getting a table earlier.
84 abantu bendawo batusa
Tenho Restobar
15 HelsinginkatuPizza and a good place for a chill evening. Tenho offers live music often, check out their schedule. I recommend their live jazz Sundays, live performances start at 8 pm but I recommend getting a table earlier.
Bistro Koi
58-60 HämeentieThe chicken kara-age is really good...
Cafes - Harju/Kallio
Way Bakery and Wine Bar
9 AgricolankatuOne of the most popular spots for breakfast.
Cafe Bakery Meli
11 HelsinginkatuLocated a block away.
Ipi Kulmakuppila
13 PorthaninkatuA really lovely summer/autumn cafe about 15-20 min walk from the apartment. Situated by Töölönlahti lake it has pretty views over the neighborhood too. There are two cafes next to each other.
73 abantu bendawo batusa
Sinisen Huvilan Kahvila
11 H LinnunlauluntieA really lovely summer/autumn cafe about 15-20 min walk from the apartment. Situated by Töölönlahti lake it has pretty views over the neighborhood too. There are two cafes next to each other.
Round Kallio
15 HelsinginkatuDonuts!
Bakeries - Harju/Kallio
A block away
Kanniston leipomo
6 KankurinkatuA very, VERY traditional bakery. It's been there FOREVER. No seating.
22 abantu bendawo batusa
Avikainen
10 FranzeninkatuA very, VERY traditional bakery. It's been there FOREVER. No seating.
Hermannin piirakkaleipomon myymälä
Traditional karjalanpiirakka on Vaasankatu!
Bars - Harju/Kallio
Your new local, just across the street from the building. A classic dive bar.
66 abantu bendawo batusa
Bar Molotow
29 VaasankatuYour new local, just across the street from the building. A classic dive bar.
Solmu Pub
8 VaasankatuOne of my favorite bars on Vaasankatu. Inexpensive & relaxed.
Limbo Bar
21 HelsinginkatuA newish good basic bar really close to the apartment
The legendary Corona bar, founded by Aki and Mika Kaurismäki, recently moved from central Helsinki to Vallila, a 10 min walk from the apartment.
32 abantu bendawo batusa
Corona bar & billiard
3 TraverssikujaThe legendary Corona bar, founded by Aki and Mika Kaurismäki, recently moved from central Helsinki to Vallila, a 10 min walk from the apartment.
A traditional small neighborhood bar in the picturesque Puu-Vallila area, about 5-10min walk from the apartment. If you have extra time, this little neighborhood is worth a peek.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Pikku-Vallila
19 VallilantieA traditional small neighborhood bar in the picturesque Puu-Vallila area, about 5-10min walk from the apartment. If you have extra time, this little neighborhood is worth a peek.
Flying Dutch
Great for a drink outside
Nightlife - Harju/Kallio
"Late-night club featuring DJs playing techno & house music in an old factory building."
Located in a cluster of clubs 5-10 min walk from the apartment.
140 abantu bendawo batusa
Kaiku
4 Kaikukatu"Late-night club featuring DJs playing techno & house music in an old factory building."
Located in a cluster of clubs 5-10 min walk from the apartment.
"Hip concert venue with a programme of local & international bands, plus a bar & restaurant."
128 abantu bendawo batusa
Kuudes linja
13 B Hämeentie"Hip concert venue with a programme of local & international bands, plus a bar & restaurant."
"A music bar and dance club dedicated to you. Whether you want to dance or just hang out, you’re welcome here, as long as you treat others and the vibe with respect."
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Post Bar
2 Kaikukatu"A music bar and dance club dedicated to you. Whether you want to dance or just hang out, you’re welcome here, as long as you treat others and the vibe with respect."
Saunas - Harju/Kallio
You haven't experienced Helsinki OR Finland if you haven't been to a sauna. Some of these are very traditional and some might say rough - when the local buildings didn't have running water, these saunas were where people came to bathe.
The classic scene is seeing naked people in towels sitting on the sidewalk outside of the sauna. Perfect combination with Harju8 as they’re next to each other. "Traditional wood-fired sauna offering an old-timey atmosphere & limited refreshments (BYOB)."
*Please note no swimming suits*
Men & women separate.
151 abantu bendawo batusa
Kotiharjun Sauna
1 HarjutorinkatuThe classic scene is seeing naked people in towels sitting on the sidewalk outside of the sauna. Perfect combination with Harju8 as they’re next to each other. "Traditional wood-fired sauna offering an old-timey atmosphere & limited refreshments (BYOB)."
*Please note no swimming suits*
Men & women separate.
Open year round, this traditional waterside sauna has separate areas for men & women but common cooling room.
*Please note no swimsuits in the sauna but wear one when going swimming*
113 abantu bendawo batusa
Kulttuurisauna
17 HakaniemenrantaOpen year round, this traditional waterside sauna has separate areas for men & women but common cooling room.
*Please note no swimsuits in the sauna but wear one when going swimming*
This started off with a few people deciding to build a sauna in a deserted industrial area. Much has changed since then, and this UG sauna has become a go-to place during the summer months! You'll find people there at noon and at 4 am. This is very DIY - no dressing rooms. If you're not comfortable with seeing nudity this might not be the place for you. Best accessed by bike but you can walk. Either walk all the way or take The metro one stop to Kalasatama and walk from there. Bring everything you need with you.
Unisex. Expect nudity.
69 abantu bendawo batusa
Sompasauna
6 VerkkosaarenkujaThis started off with a few people deciding to build a sauna in a deserted industrial area. Much has changed since then, and this UG sauna has become a go-to place during the summer months! You'll find people there at noon and at 4 am. This is very DIY - no dressing rooms. If you're not comfortable with seeing nudity this might not be the place for you. Best accessed by bike but you can walk. Either walk all the way or take The metro one stop to Kalasatama and walk from there. Bring everything you need with you.
Unisex. Expect nudity.
Fun / random
Your neighborhood cinema is just two blocks away!
59-seat indie cinema in a historic building, with a bar providing movie-inspired cocktails & snacks. I recommend booking asap.
88 abantu bendawo batusa
RIVIERA
2 HarjukatuYour neighborhood cinema is just two blocks away!
59-seat indie cinema in a historic building, with a bar providing movie-inspired cocktails & snacks. I recommend booking asap.