New original cafes in Helsinki

The Finnish capital, as befits a progressive European city, is a triumph of internationalism, including in matters of gastronomy.

The Finnish capital, as befits a progressive European city, is a triumph of internationalism, including in matters of gastronomy. In Helsinki, tourists can taste dishes from any cuisine in the world. Of course, establishments specializing exclusively in Scandinavian menus stand apart and deserve close attention. Just look at the delicious salmon in different variations, dried venison, desserts with cranberries and lingonberries! Just the sight of these dishes can work up your appetite in earnest.

National cuisine

There are quite a lot of local restaurants in Helsinki. Traditions are still strong in Finnish society; while away the evening with family or friends, enjoying the tastes of your favorite dishes, it’s a nice thing. Although almost half of the clients are still guests of the capital.

You can experience the mysteries of haute cuisine “Finnish style”, taste seafood prepared in the best existing way, and also enjoy the politeness of the staff in the floating restaurant Ravintola Meripaviljonki (Saastopankinranta, 3). But for lunch or dinner you will have to fork out 130-140 EUR for two. As compensation - perfect service and a pleasant view from the window. Prices on the page are for October 2020.

Restaurant Savotta on Aleksanterinkatu, 22 next to the Cathedral is less pretentious. The interior is decorated in the style of a Finno-Ugric home: wooden furniture, cozy rugs, handmade shelves and antique clocks. The names on the menu were approached creatively: fried vendace was dubbed “From Lake Saimaa”, and young deer fillet was dubbed “From the expanses of Lapland”. Prices are average by Finnish standards: 20-40 EUR for a main course and 12-15 for an appetizer/salad.

Cheese bread with cloudberry jam

Where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki: Asian cuisine

Here you can order a buffet lunch from Monday to Friday from 11.00 to 16.00 for 12.5 euros.

Website of the establishment: https://kuwano.fi/buffet.html

How does Buffet work?

First, at the checkout you make a payment, just indicate the number of people and say the code word “Buffet”. Next, you are given the dishes or directed where to get them, and you begin to choose and eat.

Please note that restaurants offer benefits/discounts for children depending on age and other categories of citizens upon presentation of a supporting document, so check the price list before paying the full price for all family members/your company.

Finns are shocked

Friends, some moments that shock Finns!

I understand perfectly well that many are looking for where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki and trying to save money, but let's not lose face and disgrace our country!

Do not do this:

pay for one, but eat for two
take food with you “in reserve”
eat 3 times more than you can eat
leave behind mountains of garbage and uneaten food

Restaurants

One of the favorite places among tourists that has earned excellent reviews is Kolme Kruunua (Liisankatu, 5). Creamy salmon soup costs only 10 EUR, and a juicy steak costs 20. Visitors especially praise the venison dishes. Inexpensive set lunches from 10 EUR can be ordered at Nokka (Kanavaranta, 7F). It also offers tasting sets for 50-60 EUR. The chefs focus on fish, meat and vegetables.

Many restaurants in Helsinki have menus in Russian.

Asian exotica mixed with exquisite presentation is presented in Farang (Ainonkatu, 3), which is mentioned in the Michelin guide. The prices are appropriate: sets of 10 dishes for 70 EUR or dinner for two for 180-200 EUR. It will be cheaper at HOKU (Urho Kekkosen katu, 1), where they know a lot about Japanese cuisine. A hot meal starts from 15 EUR, a glass of wine will cost 7-8 EUR. 1 /

Kolme Kruunua

Where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki: buffet

Rax Buffet chain

The operating system of these restaurant chains is “buffet”. In countries where prices are high, this is the most convenient food system!

How to recognize a buffet abroad

Buffet is the common name for a buffet, meaning you can eat an unlimited number of dishes for a fixed fee.

The menu offers more than 40 dishes. By the way, it is very convenient that the restaurants’ website is available in Russian, in addition, you can view the current menu directly on the website.

Official site

Rax Buffet restaurants on the map

Cafe

Cafe Bar No 9 on Uudenmaankatu, 9 compares favorably with its competitors with affordable prices. They offer seafood, European salads, Scandinavian sandwiches, Italian pasta, and Asian soups. Meal for two persons with alcohol - from 50 EUR. The menu at Cafe Vapiano (Mikonkatu 15) consists mainly of pizza, pasta and risotto. For each dish they charge no more than 6-9 EUR.

You can eat tasty and not burdensome on your pocket at the Russian establishment BLINIt (Sturenkatu, 9), where they serve the familiar fish soup, borscht, dumplings and pancakes. The portions are large and the prices are moderate.

Where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki: Turkish cuisine

Pasha's Restaurant

The establishment is open from 10.30 to 19.00

Here you can have lunch for 10 euros buffet style, which is very good!

Pasha's Restaurant on the map

You can have lunch here for 12.9 euros.

Ani on the map

Coffee shops and pastry shops

For sweets, coffee and history, go to Ekberg (Bulevardi, 9), a café-patisserie founded in the mid-19th century. There are as many tourists there as there are cakes, but for a hearty breakfast they charge only 11-18 EUR, which is quite good for Helsinki. Nearby there is a boutique of the same name, where they sell chocolates, jams and other desserts. Another legendary place competes with Ekberg - cafe Fazer (Kluuvikatu, 3).

Robert's coffee is one of the most famous coffee chains in Finland. Its branches are located in the center, residential areas, at the train station and at the ferry terminal.

The University of Helsinki coffee shop Think Corner (Yliopistonkatu, 4) welcomes with open arms not only students, but also guests of the Finnish capital. Desserts - from 2.5 EUR, a cup of aromatic cappuccino - 4 EUR. You can stop by Joe & The Juice on Aleksanterinkatu, 52 and try unusual coffee drinks, smoothies and juices. The original interior attracts creative youth to this place. For 10 EUR they will serve a sandwich and a cup of coffee.

Ekberg

Traveling with $100 in your pocket: Helsinki

Helsinki is one of the safest and most environmentally friendly cities in the world, which you should visit at least once in your life. After all, the Finnish capital is at the same time the cultural, business and transport heart of Scandinavia . And through the city port, which is conveniently located on the Baltic Sea , thousands of tourists from all over the world pass every day to get to Northern Europe.

Although Helsinki is the most convenient city on the Northern Riviera to live in, it is also considered one of the most expensive in all of Europe. But, be that as it may, we are not moving there for permanent residence, but are going to visit friendly Finns. And if we skillfully plan our budget, then we can get to know the Finnish capital with only $100 in our pocket. Today we will talk about the intricacies of tourism in this wonderful city.

HOW TO GET TO HELSINKI

Helsinki both air and land transport. There is also a ferry from the mainland. Many tourists come to Helsinki by their own car. If you are interested in this method of travel, you can use the car route suggested below.

If you are traveling by plane, your first acquaintance will begin with your arrival at Helsinki Vantaa Airport , which is the largest in all of Finland . The easiest way to get to the city is by bus, which goes to the train station and bus station near the Kampri shopping center. Bus number 615 will take you to the center of the capital in just 35-35 minutes for only 4 €. There is another regular bus, Finnair, which will take you there in less than half an hour; the ticket price is 6.2 €.

ACCOMMODATION

Of course, if you decide to spend a budget weekend in Helsinki, then it is best to think about accommodation in advance and book an inexpensive, but very good hostel . True, the concept of “inexpensive” is not entirely Scandinavian. A bed in a hostel will cost you 25 €. A good option would be Stadion Hostel, which is located at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. Eurohostel is located in the city center. This accommodation has another great bonus - a free Finnish sauna! And the room itself is designed for 3 people. This is a great option for a budget holiday!

If the long distance does not bother you, you can safely stay at Suomenlinna Hostel, which is located on the island, on the square of the Suomenlinna Fortress, a 20-minute ferry ride. This place is very popular among visitors and sightseers. There are many people willing to stay here, so book your hostel in advance. In the summer, we advise you to stay in a dormitory at a Helsinki university, for example, Hostel Academica - you will also save on accommodation!

RESTAURANTS AND CAFES

Although this is Finland, the concept of a “buffet” is inherent in this country. At the city buffet Lounas buffett you can save a lot on food and have a hearty lunch (the cost of the set starts from 10 €). You only pay for admission or for drinks, and all other food, plus all kinds of desserts and coffee, is already included in the price. There are many restaurants in the Design District that offer this service. Coffee lovers can enjoy their favorite drink in any establishment in the city. A large cup can be purchased for 3 €. And in the Design District and Kaffecentralen, local coffee costs only 1 € (with your own container - just pennies).

NIGHTLIFE IN THE CAPITAL

You, of course, know that Finns are one of those who like to drink and have a good time. night bars and clubs in Helsinki that will suit everyone, because... The price level and target areas of these establishments are very diverse. The only problem here will be the price of alcohol. Therefore, many people go to Tallinn to buy alcohol.

There are several bars in the Kallio area that offer great discounts and all sorts of promotions on alcohol. It can be a lot of fun here: regulars and tourists drink together, and such friendly get-togethers turn into noisy parties. True, the audience here are workers. A more cultural program can be found in the city center, for example at Baker's restaurant, where from Tuesday to Saturday there is a promotion where you can get a glass of wine for 1€. Many bars and restaurants offer live music in the evenings. Owners of entertainment venues invite not only local performers, but also world stars to the stage.

SIGHTS OF HELSINKI

Helsinki is a relatively young capital, only 450 years old. But the influence of the cultures of East and West is reflected in the architecture of the city. Some of the most beautiful buildings in the capital are the Central Railway Station, the Art Nouveau houses in Katajanokka, as well as the works of the famous architect Alvar Aalto - the Academic Bookstore and the Palace of Congresses.

For lovers of modern architecture and design, we can suggest visiting the Design Forum, where admission is free, or the Design Museum, where the entrance ticket costs 8 €. You can also get into many museums in Helsinki , knowing only the days for free visits.

Therefore, when planning a trip here, look through the websites of museums where you will get more accurate information (for example, at the Athenaeum Museum of Art and the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art it is the first Wednesday of the month, and at the National Museum of Finland it is every Tuesday evening). Many galleries and design studios are located in the Design District.

PARKS OF THE CAPITAL

The capital of Finland is a seaside city with many magnificent parks . Therefore, if you decide to take a break from the bustle of the city, go to Esplanadi Park or Alppipuisto Park. Various cultural events or concerts are held here almost every day. You can also take a ferry to the island of Pihlajasaari. If you're traveling in winter, head to Töölönlahti Bay for skiing.

TRAVEL IN THE CITY AND DISCOUNT CARDS

All the beauty of the city can be seen on foot, because... Helsinki is a very compact city. Or take trams No. 2, 4 and 6, whose routes pass along many attractions . Buy a travel card, which is valid for all types of transport for one or two days. It also comes with a city guide. The advantage of such a discount card is visiting some museums, a zoo, discounts in cafes and restaurants, attending various concerts, as well as a discount on the ferry to Estonia to Tallinn. The cost of such a card is 39 € for one day and 51 € for two days.

For 7 € you can also buy a one-day pass, which is valid on public transport, on the ferry to Suomenlinna Fortress. Such cards are advantageous in that you can get off at any time at one of the transport stops, examine what interests you most, and continue your route.

WE WISH YOU A PLEASANT VACATION AND UNFORGETTABLE TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS!

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Bars

With bars and pubs everywhere in Helsinki, Finns party as hard as they work hard. The menu includes dozens of excellent varieties of beer, local vodka with the aroma of wild berries, liqueurs infused with lingonberries, blueberries, cloudberries, sea buckthorn and cranberries - so sweet and aromatic that they even “overpower” the smell of alcohol. Often there are no waiters in establishments, and the list of dishes is very meager, so it is better to have a hearty dinner before your visit.

Bryggeri Helsinki (Sofiankatu, 2) has a large selection of home-brewed foamy drink, which is prepared in cauldrons right in front of customers. For a glass of beer they will ask for 7-8 EUR. Latva Bar (Korkeavuorenkatu, 25) makes interesting alcoholic cocktails and combines incongruous things. All this is seasoned with jokes from the bartenders and a warm, friendly atmosphere. For pleasure you will have to pay 8-10 EUR.

Latva Bar

Where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki: buffet

Rax Buffet chain

The operating system of these restaurant chains is “buffet”. In countries where prices are high, this is the most convenient food system!

How to recognize a buffet abroad

Buffet is the common name for a buffet, meaning you can eat an unlimited number of dishes for a fixed fee.

The menu offers more than 40 dishes. By the way, it is very convenient that the restaurants’ website is available in Russian, in addition, you can view the current menu directly on the website.

Official site

Rax Buffet restaurants on the map

Where to eat inexpensively

You don’t have to part with a hundred or two euros to satisfy your hunger after walking. The city has many inexpensive cafes, snack bars, burger joints and takeaway food outlets. Friends & Brgrs Helsinki (Mikonkatu, and Naughty BRGR (Loennrotinkatu, 13) are well-deservedly popular among locals . For 8-9 EUR you can order juicy burgers, including vegetarian ones, french fries, wings, onion rings and other “ harmful." It is more profitable to take a set lunch for 12-13 EUR.

For travelers who carefully calculate their budget, bistros with a buffet are suitable, where for a fixed fee of 10-13 EUR they offer several dishes or collect food on a plate from trays. As a rule, you have to pay separately for drinks and desserts. For example, they cook well at Ravintola Factory Aleksi (Aleksanterinkatu, 13 | Floor 5) or Suburritos (Yrjoenkatu, 29 | Forum, Kukontori). If you want to save money, but hunger is approaching, then the direct route is to the RAX buffet snack chain (Mikonkatu, 8 or Aleksanterinkatu, 11). After paying at the entrance, you can stay there: the number of approaches is not limited. Unfortunately, many visitors note that the inside is not very clean and the food is mediocre.

Of course, McDonald's and Burger King have not been canceled. More than a dozen points of each network operate in Helsinki. A burger from these “fast food kings” costs 5-6 EUR.

December 7, 2018

Cafes and restaurants

Kaffa Roastery (Pursimiehenkatu 29A). Coffee geeks that all the locals know - come see them for a cup of flat white or buy coffee from Bolivia or Guatemala.

Brooklyn Café (Fredrikinkatu 19). True American spirit: New York bagels, brownies, cookies and cupcakes - all gluten-free, of course. An excellent pairing would be a cup of traditional Italian espresso, which is preferred here to newfangled coffee trends. Be sure to try a milkshake - just like when you were a kid!

Kahvila Sävy (Aleksis Kiven katu 12). A nice place that takes coffee seriously - if you're in the Kallio area, be sure to check it out. You can count on cake, ice cream and a small talk with the barista.

Good Life Coffee (Kolmas linja 17). Kalle Freese and Lauri Pipinen are the most venerable baristas in Finland. And they work in this very soulful establishment.

Andante coffee shop (Fredrikinkatu 20). A nice coffee shop where you can take a breather in the center. They roast the beans themselves, and are also ready to talk with inspiration about the origin of coffee and brewing methods.

Kolo (Pengerkatu 9). A cafe where something is always happening: either they announce an office day and invite you to come work with your snacks, or they organize film screenings, or they play music. The policy is this: you don’t have to order anything, come and hang out and sit with us - which is worth taking advantage of. By the way, if you still want to buy something, breakfast for € 8.50 is served here all day.

Birgitta (Hernesaarenranta 2). A beautiful modern building on the beach, where they also have delicious food. Burgers, desserts, lemonades and a great view from the panoramic windows. If the sun comes out, move straight to the grass nearby!

Ravintola Tori (Punavuorenkatu 2). Excellent burgers and a new menu every day - download the Google Translate extension for your browser and translate what they are serving today.

Café Sininen Huvila (Linnunlauluntie 11). The cutest cafe in a country house, where you can sit on a hill, look at the water and munch on the freshest pies.

Pjazza (Yrjönkatu 18 B). A pizzeria with excellent cuisine, high ceilings and tables for large groups. From time to time there is live jazz, so here you will not just sharpen Pepperoni, but have a cultural relaxation. Spaghetti from €17, get ready for pizza from €12.90.

Putte's Bar and Pizza (Kalevankatu 6). A decent pizzeria, where for €11–14 you can get a margherita or salami pizza on the thinnest dough with a huge amount of toppings. We must take it!

Tenho (Helsinginkatu 15, toinen kerros). Yes, we also thought at first that it was “techno”, but it turned out to be a gastrobar with one of the best pizzas in the city (€ 13–15). Try the burgers, especially the one with tofu, even if you don't consider yourself a vegetarian.

Helkatti (Fredrikinkatu 55). Of course, Helsinki also has its own cat cafe!

Hima&Sali (Kaapelitehdas, Tallberginkatu 1 C). An ideal place for an inexpensive and filling lunch (price tag from € 7) in a beautiful location. View from the windows of the sea, high ceilings - not surprising, because this is part of the cable factory, which you already know about.

Cella (Fleminginkatu 15). Another local place where you won’t meet tourists - but the locals love this place; on Friday and Saturday it’s better to book a table in advance. A huge menu with venison, pancakes with white fish caviar and other classic northern recipes.

Finnjävel (Eteläranta 16). Here you should try real haute cuisine in Finnish style. The aperitifs are great too!

The Cock (Fabianinkatu 17). Excellent food hall, grill bar and bar - 3 in 1. Many options for vegetarians, excellent breakfasts for € 8, oysters and, of course, meat. Everyone will like it! In the evening, of course, do not deny yourself the pleasure of a glass or two.