Food Scene
Here are some of our favourite spots for yummy food!
All of these restaurants have some great options for vegetarians/vegans.
Small Vietnamese 3 blocks away. Their vegan noodle salad bowl is heavenly!
EDIT; at least at the end of the summer their Iso-Roobertinkatu joint was closed, and they now have a bigger restaurant on Eerikinkatu 14. Menu stays the same.
Vibami Iso Roba
3-5 Iso RoobertinkatuSmall Vietnamese 3 blocks away. Their vegan noodle salad bowl is heavenly!
EDIT; at least at the end of the summer their Iso-Roobertinkatu joint was closed, and they now have a bigger restaurant on Eerikinkatu 14. Menu stays the same.
Good Italian pizza and a lively bar. Serves food till midnight every day. Tiny club room downstairs has great club nights on some weekends.
71 abantu bendawo batusa
Putte's Bar and Pizza
6 KalevankatuGood Italian pizza and a lively bar. Serves food till midnight every day. Tiny club room downstairs has great club nights on some weekends.
Great "flatties", thin crust pizzas. The strawberry goat's cheese one is great. There’s another, bigger restaurant in Viiskulma 3 blocks away, and in the summer they have a restaurant on Liuskaluoto island, with a live DJ most evenings.
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Skiffer Erottaja
11 ErottajankatuGreat "flatties", thin crust pizzas. The strawberry goat's cheese one is great. There’s another, bigger restaurant in Viiskulma 3 blocks away, and in the summer they have a restaurant on Liuskaluoto island, with a live DJ most evenings.
Great sapas, Finnish tapas in this classic restaurant a few blocks away.
80 abantu bendawo batusa
Ravintola Juuri
27 KorkeavuorenkatuGreat sapas, Finnish tapas in this classic restaurant a few blocks away.
Nice and trendy vegetarian/vegan restaurant 3 blocks away. Gets very busy so you need a reservation or be prepared to eat at the bar.
47 abantu bendawo batusa
Yes Yes Yes
1 Iso RoobertinkatuNice and trendy vegetarian/vegan restaurant 3 blocks away. Gets very busy so you need a reservation or be prepared to eat at the bar.
My favourite restaurant. Beautiful bistro with tasty seasonal food, great wines and wonderful service. Ask for veggie menu of the day. Reservation needed.
56 abantu bendawo batusa
Baskeri & Basso Bistro
My favourite restaurant. Beautiful bistro with tasty seasonal food, great wines and wonderful service. Ask for veggie menu of the day. Reservation needed.
Nice sister restaurant and bar to Baskeri & Basso restaurant upstairs. Bar menu and great wines. No reservation needed.
31 abantu bendawo batusa
BasBas & Staff Wine Bar
27-29 TehtaankatuNice sister restaurant and bar to Baskeri & Basso restaurant upstairs. Bar menu and great wines. No reservation needed.
Sea Horse
11 KapteeninkatuFinnish fare in a beautiful art nouveau building down the street.
Great korvapuusti, cinnamon buns 2 blocks down. They are massive!
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Café Succès
2 KorkeavuorenkatuGreat korvapuusti, cinnamon buns 2 blocks down. They are massive!
Maxill
4 KorkeavuorenkatuA neighbourhood classic. Good food and small bar one block down.
Hey Poke
12A FleminginkatuSmall poke bowl place in the next block.
Tasty and stylish Hawaiian restaurant at 6th floor restaurant complex at Kamppi mall. Get a window table and enjoy the view. Tofu teriyaki is wonderful, and at lunch it won't break the bank.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Hoku
4 KorkeavuorenkatuTasty and stylish Hawaiian restaurant at 6th floor restaurant complex at Kamppi mall. Get a window table and enjoy the view. Tofu teriyaki is wonderful, and at lunch it won't break the bank.
Falafel joint 3 blocks away. Open till 5 am on weekends. Halloumi pita for vegetarians, cauliflower pita for vegans are great options.
49 abantu bendawo batusa
Fafa's Iso Roba
2 Iso RoobertinkatuFalafel joint 3 blocks away. Open till 5 am on weekends. Halloumi pita for vegetarians, cauliflower pita for vegans are great options.
Tortilla House - Iso Roobertinkatu 7
7 Iso RoobertinkatuTaco place a few blocks away. Mostly take away.
Nicely designed bar with ok pizza, DJ every night. Nice club feel on weekend nights.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Jackie Bar
21 Iso RoobertinkatuNicely designed bar with ok pizza, DJ every night. Nice club feel on weekend nights.
The Red Koi Thai
27 LönnrotinkatuGood thai.
Restaurant and lively bar in Kallio. Djs and performances in the evenings. Great seasonal veggie pizza. Their sister restaurant Linko is also good, address Ruusulankatu 3 in Töölö district.
84 abantu bendawo batusa
Tenho Restobar
15 HelsinginkatuRestaurant and lively bar in Kallio. Djs and performances in the evenings. Great seasonal veggie pizza. Their sister restaurant Linko is also good, address Ruusulankatu 3 in Töölö district.
Kippo
14 MannerheimintieVegan, organic smoothies and sandwiches.
Nice café inside the lifestyle shop. Salads and ok lunch.
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Moko Market Café & Store Punavuori
10 PerämiehenkatuNice café inside the lifestyle shop. Salads and ok lunch.
Beautiful building by the sea. Restaurant, bar and public sauna. Their salmon soup is very popular, good cinnamon buns. Great place to work with the Wi-fi, amazing view and fireplace. Sauna needs to be booked in advance. https://cloud.hotellinx.com/Loyly/Home/SetLanguage?lang=EN. Both traditional smoke sauna and normal wood burning stove, swimming in the Baltic all year round 😊
322 abantu bendawo batusa
Löyly Helsinki
4 HernesaarenrantaBeautiful building by the sea. Restaurant, bar and public sauna. Their salmon soup is very popular, good cinnamon buns. Great place to work with the Wi-fi, amazing view and fireplace. Sauna needs to be booked in advance. https://cloud.hotellinx.com/Loyly/Home/SetLanguage?lang=EN. Both traditional smoke sauna and normal wood burning stove, swimming in the Baltic all year round 😊
Small outdoor café open during warm months. Lovely bakeries and soft ice cream by the sea, watching people walk by.
Café Compass
1 EhrenströmintieSmall outdoor café open during warm months. Lovely bakeries and soft ice cream by the sea, watching people walk by.
Nice café in old market hall. Wonderful bakeries and nice lunch. They are also in Kamppi at 6th floor restaurant complex.
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Restaurant Story
EtelärantaNice café in old market hall. Wonderful bakeries and nice lunch. They are also in Kamppi at 6th floor restaurant complex.
Good Asian lunch. All the vegan curries are yummy, great tofu.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Twisted Street Kitchen
58 FredrikinkatuGood Asian lunch. All the vegan curries are yummy, great tofu.
World class Pan Asian fare. Great tasting menus, including vegan menu. Reservation needed.
Edit; new location on Arkadiankatu 6
39 abantu bendawo batusa
Farang
6 ArkadiankatuWorld class Pan Asian fare. Great tasting menus, including vegan menu. Reservation needed.
Edit; new location on Arkadiankatu 6
Ravintola Il Bucatino
38 TehtaankatuGood quality local Italian. Reservation needed.
Upscale Italian in our block. They also have a café that serves breakfast.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Osteria & Caffé Ventuno
21 KorkeavuorenkatuUpscale Italian in our block. They also have a café that serves breakfast.
Second hand shop with a nice café. Their summer terrace is lovely.
20 abantu bendawo batusa
Relove Freda
25 FredrikinkatuSecond hand shop with a nice café. Their summer terrace is lovely.
Gateau Ullanlinna
6 KorkeavuorenkatuGreat artisan bakery in the next block across the street.
Tiny and popular taco spot 3 blocks away. Nice vegan tacos. Reservation recommended.
They also have another spot on Annankatu a short walk away, in case this location happens to be fully booked.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
El Rey
20 VuorimiehenkatuTiny and popular taco spot 3 blocks away. Nice vegan tacos. Reservation recommended.
They also have another spot on Annankatu a short walk away, in case this location happens to be fully booked.
Alfons' Pizza
35 VuorimiehenkatuNice pizza across the street from Taqueria el Rey.
Pontus
26 KapteeninkatuNice neighbourhood bistro 4 blocks down. Great pizzas and salads.
Trendy pizza place on Iso-Roba a few blocks away, and also in Töölö. Tasty pizzas, serves wine.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Daddy Greens
26 Iso RoobertinkatuTrendy pizza place on Iso-Roba a few blocks away, and also in Töölö. Tasty pizzas, serves wine.
Great local ice cream. 2/3 of the flavours are vegan. Their coconut ice cream is amazing!
Bus Gelato Helsinki
34 LönnrotinkatuGreat local ice cream. 2/3 of the flavours are vegan. Their coconut ice cream is amazing!
Sushibar + Wine
42 FredrikinkatuGood sushi a few streets away.
Great sushi buffet in the area. They also have salads and warm dishes and even dessert, so it's great value for money. Always fresh.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Haru Plus Sushi
6 AnnankatuGreat sushi buffet in the area. They also have salads and warm dishes and even dessert, so it's great value for money. Always fresh.
Lovely Ethiopian food in Vallila. Vegan plate is yummy. Buffet style lunch, so you get to try different dishes.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Addis Ethiopian Kitchen
28 SturenkatuLovely Ethiopian food in Vallila. Vegan plate is yummy. Buffet style lunch, so you get to try different dishes.
Kosmos
3 KalevankatuTraditional Finnish fare in this artsy restaurant.
Traditional Finnish food and crayfish parties at this island fortress that used to be a cannonball storage. Summertime only.
Ravintola Särkänlinna
SärkkäTraditional Finnish food and crayfish parties at this island fortress that used to be a cannonball storage. Summertime only.
Upscale, traditionally stylish restaurant serving wonderfully prepared Finnish fare. The restaurant was designed by Alvar Aalto. For those special evenings and people.
Reservation needed.
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Restaurant Story
EtelärantaUpscale, traditionally stylish restaurant serving wonderfully prepared Finnish fare. The restaurant was designed by Alvar Aalto. For those special evenings and people.
Reservation needed.
Nice café by the sea. They also serve hamburgers and falafel etc. Lots of outdoor seating, including rocking chairs and hammocks. Fireplace inside.
Closed during winter months.
55 abantu bendawo batusa
Birgitta
2 HernesaarenrantaNice café by the sea. They also serve hamburgers and falafel etc. Lots of outdoor seating, including rocking chairs and hammocks. Fireplace inside.
Closed during winter months.
Modern Finnish fare made from local ingredients. The only imported thing they use is salt :)
Even the wines and craft beers are local.
Ravintola Skörd
37 FredrikinkatuModern Finnish fare made from local ingredients. The only imported thing they use is salt :)
Even the wines and craft beers are local.
Zero waste fine dining in a nice atmosphere. Bar also serves small dishes, if you feel like a drink and nibbles is enough.
46 abantu bendawo batusa
Ravintola Tori
2 PunavuorenkatuZero waste fine dining in a nice atmosphere. Bar also serves small dishes, if you feel like a drink and nibbles is enough.
Great Ramen in the old Hietalahti market hall. The vegan broth with cauliflower is my favourite, and fish lovers love the smoked salmon dashi.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Fat Ramen
34 LönnrotinkatuGreat Ramen in the old Hietalahti market hall. The vegan broth with cauliflower is my favourite, and fish lovers love the smoked salmon dashi.
Latitude 25 - Edomae sushi bar
19 KorkeavuorenkatuJapanese food from Okinawa region, a vegan menu.
Nice vegan & gluten free restaurant two blocks away. Cosy and relaxed. Great seasonal menus, like wild mushroom menu in the autumn.
Magu
27 KorkeavuorenkatuNice vegan & gluten free restaurant two blocks away. Cosy and relaxed. Great seasonal menus, like wild mushroom menu in the autumn.
POBRE Filipino
15 Urho Kekkosen katuGreat vegan lunch, good value for money.
ROUND Punavuori
16 Iso RoobertinkatuVegan donut & ice cream shop.
Boon Nam
4 LönnrotinkatuUpscale Thai at St George Hotel. The vegan menu is excellent.
Lopez y Lopez, Punavuori
24 Iso RoobertinkatuNice local taco shop, excellent chilli sauce bar.
Cosy café and bakery in Kallio district. Excellent porridge options and homemade bread.
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Way Bakery and Wine Bar
9 AgricolankatuCosy café and bakery in Kallio district. Excellent porridge options and homemade bread.
Drinks & Nightlife
Nice places for a drink, or to go dancing.
Nice bar next to restaurant Grotesk. Beautiful building with Djs on weekends. Chilled vibe.
52 abantu bendawo batusa
Artek Helsinki
1 B KeskuskatuNice bar next to restaurant Grotesk. Beautiful building with Djs on weekends. Chilled vibe.
Afro Sundays at Maxine are great.
Fiesta Latina and Uptown Friday also great club nights here.
In the summer the events are outside at Apollo terrace Fri-Sat-Sun.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Maxine
1 Urho Kekkosen katuAfro Sundays at Maxine are great.
Fiesta Latina and Uptown Friday also great club nights here.
In the summer the events are outside at Apollo terrace Fri-Sat-Sun.
Nice cocktail lounge in our block. Nibbles from Ventuno kitchen.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Goldfish Cocktail Bar
21 KorkeavuorenkatuNice cocktail lounge in our block. Nibbles from Ventuno kitchen.
Traditional bar at the rooftop of Hotel Torni. Great views.
Edit: Under renovation in the summer of 2021.
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Ateljee Bar
26 YrjönkatuTraditional bar at the rooftop of Hotel Torni. Great views.
Edit: Under renovation in the summer of 2021.
Latin Wednesdays, Uptown Fridays, Fiesta Latina Saturdays and Afro Sundays in the summertime. Sundays can get super crowded, so go early!
Apollo Terrace Bar
1 KalevankatuLatin Wednesdays, Uptown Fridays, Fiesta Latina Saturdays and Afro Sundays in the summertime. Sundays can get super crowded, so go early!
Bronda
20 EteläesplanadiNice bar at Esplanad. They also have a restaurant.
Resturant Teatern
2 PohjoisesplanadiNightclub in Esplanad park. Stylish over 25 crowd.
Relaxed international bar with a DJ every night. Small dancefloor gets packed on weekends.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Aussie Bar
5 SalomonkatuRelaxed international bar with a DJ every night. Small dancefloor gets packed on weekends.
Nice club venue at Senate Square. Hiphop many Saturdays and afro on Sundays out at the terrace. Check the schedule.
Valkoinen sali
16-18 AleksanterinkatuNice club venue at Senate Square. Hiphop many Saturdays and afro on Sundays out at the terrace. Check the schedule.
Underground club at a boat in Sörnäinen harbour. Techno, house, dancehall and reggae nights.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Merikerho
Underground club at a boat in Sörnäinen harbour. Techno, house, dancehall and reggae nights.
Underground club in Vallila district. Sunday afternoon house music in the courtyard in the summer, techno, house and hiphop clubs and gigs inside on Fridays and Saturdays. Young crowd.
68 abantu bendawo batusa
Ääniwalli
13 PälkäneentieUnderground club in Vallila district. Sunday afternoon house music in the courtyard in the summer, techno, house and hiphop clubs and gigs inside on Fridays and Saturdays. Young crowd.
Nice view from the stylish bar upstairs the Clarion hotel. Nice place for a date.
44 abantu bendawo batusa
Clarion Hotel Helsinki
2 TyynenmerenkatuNice view from the stylish bar upstairs the Clarion hotel. Nice place for a date.
Löyly terrace gets super busy on warm summer days. In the winter it’s nice to sit inside by the fire and drink something warm.
322 abantu bendawo batusa
Löyly Helsinki
4 HernesaarenrantaLöyly terrace gets super busy on warm summer days. In the winter it’s nice to sit inside by the fire and drink something warm.
Trillby & Chadwick
KatariinankatuStylish cocktail bar next to Senate square.
Art and things to experience
Fairly new museum of contemporary art. Architecturally interesting structure under the old bus terminal.
61 abantu bendawo batusa
Amos Rex
22-24 MannerheimintieFairly new museum of contemporary art. Architecturally interesting structure under the old bus terminal.
4 floors of contemporary art, a design shop and a café.
Edit: under renovation in 2021.
384 abantu bendawo batusa
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
2 Mannerheiminaukio4 floors of contemporary art, a design shop and a café.
Edit: under renovation in 2021.
New central library. Beautifully designed building with workshops for sewing, 3D printing, producing music etc. Several cafés.
93 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Central Library ye-Oodi
4 TöölönlahdenkatuNew central library. Beautifully designed building with workshops for sewing, 3D printing, producing music etc. Several cafés.
Pihlajasaari island is a great day trip destination on a sunny day. There's two islands; western one has two beaches, a summer restaurant, places for bbq and a café. The eastern one has a nude beach, a camping area and places for bbq.
The boat departs from Café Carousel.
Pihlajasaari
Pihlajasaari island is a great day trip destination on a sunny day. There's two islands; western one has two beaches, a summer restaurant, places for bbq and a café. The eastern one has a nude beach, a camping area and places for bbq.
The boat departs from Café Carousel.
Island with a nice restaurant and a sauna. Boat departs from Kauppatori.
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Lonnan sauna
Island with a nice restaurant and a sauna. Boat departs from Kauppatori.
Sauna by the sea in the back corner of Merihaka. Here men and women bathe separately.
113 abantu bendawo batusa
Kulttuurisauna
17 HakaniemenrantaSauna by the sea in the back corner of Merihaka. Here men and women bathe separately.
Beautiful building by the sea. Restaurant, bar and public sauna. Their salmon soup is very popular, good cinnamon buns. Great place to work with the Wi-fi, amazing view and fireplace. Sauna needs to be booked in advance. https://cloud.hotellinx.com/Loyly/Home/SetLanguage?lang=EN. Both traditional smoke sauna and normal wood burning stove, swimming in the Baltic all year round 😊
322 abantu bendawo batusa
Löyly Helsinki
4 HernesaarenrantaBeautiful building by the sea. Restaurant, bar and public sauna. Their salmon soup is very popular, good cinnamon buns. Great place to work with the Wi-fi, amazing view and fireplace. Sauna needs to be booked in advance. https://cloud.hotellinx.com/Loyly/Home/SetLanguage?lang=EN. Both traditional smoke sauna and normal wood burning stove, swimming in the Baltic all year round 😊
Outdoor pools and saunas at Kauppatori, under the wheel. They have bars and restaurants as well.
218 abantu bendawo batusa
Allas Sea Pool
2a KatajanokanlaituriOutdoor pools and saunas at Kauppatori, under the wheel. They have bars and restaurants as well.
A nice, quiet park behind our block. Bring your blanket and have a nice picnic, or visit the old observatory.
27 abantu bendawo batusa
IPaki ye-Tähtitorninvuoren
A nice, quiet park behind our block. Bring your blanket and have a nice picnic, or visit the old observatory.
Amusement park. Free admission, so you can go and people watch or grab something to eat, even if you are not planning to go on the rides. I love the old roller coaster, though!
220 abantu bendawo batusa
Linnanmaki
1 TivolikujaAmusement park. Free admission, so you can go and people watch or grab something to eat, even if you are not planning to go on the rides. I love the old roller coaster, though!
IKathidrali ye-Helsinki
29 UnioninkatuBeautiful church at Senate Square.
Design museum on my street, one block away. Nice café.
149 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Museum ye-Design ye-Helsinki
23 KorkeavuorenkatuDesign museum on my street, one block away. Nice café.
Nice little old town an hour away from Helsinki. Cheap Onnibus buses run there regularly (buy ticket on their app), or take a normal bus or the Ms J.L.Runeberg ship in the summer.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Old Town Of Porvoo
6 JokikatuNice little old town an hour away from Helsinki. Cheap Onnibus buses run there regularly (buy ticket on their app), or take a normal bus or the Ms J.L.Runeberg ship in the summer.
Hakuna Matata SUP Rental
4 KaramzininrantaSUP rental with a small café at Töölönlahti bay.
Sunday outdoor salsa on Sundays between 6pm and 9pm. Free. Bring your picnic and enjoy the music. Summertime only.
Opera Amphitheatre
Sunday outdoor salsa on Sundays between 6pm and 9pm. Free. Bring your picnic and enjoy the music. Summertime only.
Sepänpuisto playground is the local kids' favourite. In the summer kids get a free soup lunch at noon (Mon-Fri), bring your own tableware.
Football field in the summer, and ice skating rink in the winter.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Tehtaanpuisto
Sepänpuisto playground is the local kids' favourite. In the summer kids get a free soup lunch at noon (Mon-Fri), bring your own tableware.
Football field in the summer, and ice skating rink in the winter.
Kumpula Outdoor Swimming Pool
1 AllastieOld, charming outdoor pool at Kumpula area.
Nuuksio national park has several different treks. There's lakes, bonfires, bbq. They also have camping facilities.
150 abantu bendawo batusa
Nuuksio National Park
84 NuuksiontieNuuksio national park has several different treks. There's lakes, bonfires, bbq. They also have camping facilities.
You can catch the bus no 24 to Seurasaari. I usually pack a picnic and fry sausages in the open fire after walking around the island. City provides the fire wood.
There’s a small kiosk serving hot drinks, bakeries and selling meat sausages for the fire, and a couple of cafés, with pretty unpredictable opening hours 😀
174 abantu bendawo batusa
Seurasaari
15 SeurasaarentieYou can catch the bus no 24 to Seurasaari. I usually pack a picnic and fry sausages in the open fire after walking around the island. City provides the fire wood.
There’s a small kiosk serving hot drinks, bakeries and selling meat sausages for the fire, and a couple of cafés, with pretty unpredictable opening hours 😀
A little island a tiny hop away from the shore. The ferry takes you there in the summer, and there is a bridge during cold months. There’s a small beach, sauna, ice swimming in the winter and a restaurant.
In the winter you can island hop from Uunisaari to Liuskasaari and Sirpalesaari, where there is a spot for making a fire on top of the hill with wonderful views.
Norra Ungsholmen
A little island a tiny hop away from the shore. The ferry takes you there in the summer, and there is a bridge during cold months. There’s a small beach, sauna, ice swimming in the winter and a restaurant.
In the winter you can island hop from Uunisaari to Liuskasaari and Sirpalesaari, where there is a spot for making a fire on top of the hill with wonderful views.
Two floors of art. Contemporary upstairs and in the studio, traditional downstairs main room.
135 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Helsinki Art Museum
8 Eteläinen RautatiekatuTwo floors of art. Contemporary upstairs and in the studio, traditional downstairs main room.
Over 100-year-old fortress island. Great history and hiking, bring your own picnic.
Boat ride takes about half an hour from Kauppatori.
Isosaari
Over 100-year-old fortress island. Great history and hiking, bring your own picnic.
Boat ride takes about half an hour from Kauppatori.
Wild island 20 min boat ride away that has flourished in a natural state for decades. In the summer of 2021 it’s hosting Helsinki Biennial art exhibition. Little cafés so you don’t need to bring a picnic, just make sure they are open. Boats depart from Kauppatori.
39 abantu bendawo batusa
Vallisaari
Wild island 20 min boat ride away that has flourished in a natural state for decades. In the summer of 2021 it’s hosting Helsinki Biennial art exhibition. Little cafés so you don’t need to bring a picnic, just make sure they are open. Boats depart from Kauppatori.
Suomenlinna
Great historical island, excellent for a hike.
Charming independent cinema and bar. You can book a loveseat, get drinks and nibbles, and enjoy the film.
88 abantu bendawo batusa
RIVIERA
2 HarjukatuCharming independent cinema and bar. You can book a loveseat, get drinks and nibbles, and enjoy the film.