Where to Eat & Drink: Helsinki, Finland šŸ‡«šŸ‡®

Where to Eat & Drink: Helsinki, Finland šŸ‡«šŸ‡®

The best part about revisiting cities is that you can hit up your favorite spots—restaurants and bars you already know you love, but thought you probably wouldn't get to visit again.

I have been to Finland four times in the last eight years, and have spent a handful of days in Helsinki each time. I’ve accumulated some go-tos that I love revisiting alongside new-to-me spots.

Breakfast at Levain

A classic for a reason! This place is huge, with a bright and minimal design, and they offer a full breakfast menu in addition to the usual coffee and pastries.

It’s also the kind of place you can linger over a chat with friends, or even pull out your laptop if you need to get a few things done.

Bonus: If you're staying northeast of the city, Sƶrkan Rinkula is a small, retro diner with great bagels.

Lunch at the Old Market Hall

I love a good food hall no matter what, but this one is in a historical building with a wide variety of options. It’s more than a place to grab a quick bite, it’s kind of a little food tour in and of itself.

There are places where you can sit down and have a real meal, but my suggestion is to just nibble your way through the whole building.

Pro Tip: Visit the Nordic Caviar House stall for a mini tasting!

Coffee at El Fant

El Fant is a cute little coffee bar in the center of the city that serves a typical Finnish lunch, along with specialty coffee and a limited happy hour menu.

It’s a great place to take a break while exploring, or even get a little work done. (Their wi-fi is top notch, and the tables all have plugs.)

Dinner at Big Bowl Noodle

We stumbled into this place last year simply because it was close to our hotel and, hot damn, I’m so glad we did! We ended up going back the next day... and I went another two times on this year’s trip. It hits the spot every time.

Their speciality is hand-pulled noodles, which you can watch the chef make through the kitchen window.

Keep in mind this is a quick and casual spot, not a linger-over-drinks spot. I don't even think they serve alcohol.

Cocktails at Bob’s Laundry

There are a few notable cocktail bars in Helsinki, but Bob’s Laundry is my favorite.

A newer speakeasy in the Punavuori neighborhood (my preferred area to stay in), it’s modeled after a laundromat but also has 80s and Japanese influences.

The space is stylized but comfy, with large booths you can sink into accented by practical tables. And the cocktails are simple, but well executed and damn tasty.

They specialize in highballs, but have a handful of classics, as well as mocktails on the menu. I also enjoyed their bar snacks, including gyoza and bao.

šŸ’”
Bonus: Kyro Sauna Bar is a pop-up in the city center that’s exactly what it sounds like. A sauna bar serving Kyro gin, whiskey, and vodka in simple but delicious highballs. Saunas are a big thing in Finland so it’s an authentic experience—and only open through the end of 2024!

Lapland Bonus

If you’re venturing to the Lapland during your trip (and you should!), make sure to stop at one of my all-time favorite cocktail bars.

Loft Cocktail Lounge is a small, cozy bar at Santa’s Village. (Yes, you heard me right.) I ended up there last year because it was cold and the sign said kid-free. šŸ˜† I was fully expecting to order a Rum & Coke and call it a day, but their cocktails sounded interesting...

Fast forward to me and two friends making our way through their whole cocktail menu before our train out that same night.

I highly recommend!

Looking for more recs?

I've included my annotated Google Map below.

This has all the deets for the bars above, plus a few more. And a handful of things to eat and do between drinks!

šŸ—ŗļø Helsinki Google Map