Where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki: review of cafes and restaurants, reviews from tourists. Where to eat in Helsinki: cafes and restaurants Russian bars cafes in Helsinki

World capitals are always a mixture of cultures and traditions. It is in the capital that local flavor combines with exoticism, creating new impressions and tastes. For all curious explorers, here is a list of new interesting cafes in Helsinki.

Mori Cafe

The Mori Café looks like a nice little place among the large shops along Mannerheimintie, and its friendly owners add even more coziness to the atmosphere. Along with classic coffee, this new cafe serves specialty drinks and desserts such as Vietnamese coffee and matcha green tea, not to mention delicious tiramisu and cheesecakes.

Address: Mannerheimintie 8, Helsinki
Official site: Mori Cafe

Bar Bar

Bär Bar believes in the power of Finnish berries. This berry bar serves refreshing drinks and smoothies, as well as fresh cereals and layered yoghurts, all made with Finnish berries, making them not only exceptionally healthy, but also colorful. Try sea buckthorn, carrot and orange juice or the Sweet Bowl O'Mine - a bowl of blueberries, red currants and strawberries!

Address: Fredrikinkatu 30, Helsinki
Official site: Bar Bar

Budar Express

Budar Express is a Venezuelan café in the Kruununhaka area that specializes in crispy arepas and tropical fruit smoothies.

Address: Maneesikatu 3, Helsinki
Official site:Budar Express

Fly Fusion

Fly Fusion, a friendly and stylish café in the Katajanokka district, serves Vietnamese pho soup and fresh spring rolls made with unexpected ingredients like strawberries and radishes. Fly Fusion also offers matcha tea and cream puffs, and in the evenings you can take part in special master classes and learn the Japanese technique of fabric dyeing - shibori.

Address: Luotsikatu 5, Helsinki
Official site:

The Nordic cuisine of the Scandinavian countries attracts the attention of travelers more and more every year. First of all, national Finnish cuisine attracts tourists with an abundance of fish dishes. The chefs of the best restaurants in Helsinki professionally combine fresh fish, vegetables and berries, making all dishes not only tasty, but also healthy. Russian tourists are very close in taste to Finnish cuisine, since the ancient roots of the cuisines of Russia and Finland are related - Finnish-Ugric, northern. An interesting fact is that scientists conducted DNA research and made a sensational report - Russians are “Tatarized” Finns. In other words, the genes of a Russian person contain Finnish and Tatar DNA, judging by their origin and pedigree.

As in Russian cuisine, Finnish cuisine also has a lot of different porridges, fish dishes, sauces and fruit drinks made from blueberries, blueberries, cloudberries, lingonberries, mushrooms, etc. Restaurants in Helsinki are, first of all, about following traditions; every dish contains a hint of nationality. Therefore, do not be surprised if quite familiar dishes are served to you with sauce made from northern forest berries, or if a meat dish is prepared from deer, elk or even bear.

The top best restaurants in Helsinki include the following establishments:

1) Restaurant "Juuri"

This restaurant positions itself in preparing organic dishes, Finnish delicacies "sapas" and serving biodynamic wines.

The restaurant has its own confectionery shop, so for dessert feel free to order sweets, which are always fresh here and distinguished by their original preparation. The most popular dishes of this restaurant are: homemade sausage with cranberry sauce, pike perch with caviar in sour cream sauce, baked cheese with oregano, aromatic jams and gooseberry mousses. The restaurant menu and wine list are constantly updated and supplemented with unusual new items.

2) Restaurant “Kappeli”

No tourist can pass by this restaurant, which is located near the main ferry crossing in Helsinki. The restaurant building is a tall Art Nouveau structure made of glass and concrete. The restaurant's menu includes a delicious strawberry sorbet that everyone should definitely try.

Also, if possible, try the signature dishes - fried salmon with asparagus, reindeer steaks smoked in the sauna, shrimp on black bread, white fish with a spicy sauce and small Karelian pies with various fillings. By the way, all the dishes in this restaurant have names associated with the work of writers, poets, composers, journalists, politicians and other prominent personalities of Finland.

3) Restaurant “Chef & Sommelier”

Another organic restaurant in the center of Helsinki, which locals and visitors love to visit. The establishment is located in a picturesque area on the Eire coast. The restaurant is open only in the evening, offering visitors delicious dishes prepared from organic farm products. Even the wines in the restaurant are only organic.

For vegetarians, the chef prepares a special set menu of up to nine dishes daily.

4) Restaurant "Olo"

True gourmets are recommended to visit this restaurant, which has deservedly received the prestigious Michelin star. The table setting, service and taste of the food in the restaurant are impeccable. The interior of the establishment is made in a discreet minimalist design so that restaurant guests are not distracted from their food. By the way, the restaurant is located in former naval warehouses, so the rooms are very spacious with high ceilings. The most popular dishes of this restaurant are: smoked Baltic herring, venison with cranberry sauce and fruit desserts.

In this restaurant you can spend unforgettable evening hours admiring the sunset or retire for a private conversation in the dining rooms.

5) Restaurant "Spis"

The establishment positions itself as a restaurant of original cuisine. Two young creative chefs work on preparing dishes every day.

The menu has many light vegetable snacks. The restaurant hall is small, designed for 18 visitors. Every evening all the tables are occupied. People who come here are mainly lovers of vegetarian food and connoisseurs of good beer, which is supplied to the restaurant from local breweries. It is recommended to book a restaurant table a few days before visiting the restaurant.

6) Restaurant “Teurastamo”

In the north-eastern part of Helsinki there is an amazing restaurant establishment, which is located in a former slaughterhouse.

The restaurant owners position their establishment as a “gastronomic center”, as the chefs are constantly experimenting with the menu, adding new dishes. Lovers of meat dishes love to come here, because the menu consists of 90% meat components. The restaurant has a branch of the world's best bar under the A21 brand.

7) Restaurant "Dominika"

This is one of the best restaurants in the city, which are usually called “decent”. The restaurant is among the top 50 best restaurant establishments in the world.

You should immediately warn that the cost of the dishes is high, from 99 euros and above. The most popular dishes are “wood-roasted pork” and “stingray with anchovies.” The restaurant's regulars include wealthy politicians and businessmen, among whom you can often see leading shareholders of Nokia and Gazprom. The restaurant is located at: st. Ludviginkatu, 3–5.

8) Restaurant "Savoy"

This is one of the “greatest” restaurant chains in the world. The restaurant is located in a prestigious location in Helsinki - on the esplanade. The windows offer a wonderful view of the surrounding area. Rich and successful people also like to go here, so the prices on the menu are sky-high.

As some visitors say about this luxurious establishment, “We don’t remember what we ate and drank, but everything was very expensive.” The restaurant's interior was designed in 1937 by designer Alavro Aalto. Since those times, almost nothing has changed here; after another renovation and restoration, everything looks the same.

9) Restaurant "König"

This establishment has a “simpler” crowd, the prices on the menu are quite reasonable, and there are many foreign tourists among the visitors.

The King restaurant is a historical establishment, although its rooms are located in the basement of an old mansion. The restaurant owners tirelessly tell guests that Sibelius and Gallen-Calella loved to dine here. The restaurant's most popular dish is baked venison, served with cranberry or lingonberry sauce. The restaurant is located at: st. Mikonkatu, 4.

10) Restaurant “Ask”

Guests of the city should pay attention to this “young” restaurant, which has not yet earned due attention among gourmets. The restaurant is remarkable because it prepares a small number of dishes (4-8 daily), but all of them are prepared from pure organic products. The wine list is also small, all types of wines are selected with great knowledge. The chef likes to go out to the guests and ask for comments or wishes. The atmosphere of this recently opened restaurant is very cozy, homely and comfortable.

In Helsinki restaurants, guests of the Finnish capital have the opportunity to learn a lot of new and interesting things about the national Scandinavian cuisine. Price options for restaurant establishments are very different, from luxurious “star” ones to quite budget ones. Guests are greeted warmly everywhere; there are no language barriers when communicating with waiters.

By the way, you can watch a video about Helsinki restaurants on YouTube. And if you want to create your own channel about Helsinki, then it makes sense to explore the site https://piar4you.com, which offers promotion in this area.

When going on a visit to the Finnish capital, we often carefully plan our time, not wanting to waste it. After all, there is so much to do. You definitely need to visit the sights, spend time shopping, meet friends, and you never know what other interesting things to do! Visiting should always be interesting, fun, and of course delicious!

Restaurants in Helsinki where you can eat tasty and inexpensive food

Therefore, guests often ask: is it time for us to refresh ourselves? So where in Helsinki can you have a tasty treat without spending the lion's share of your budget? No one can give a definite answer here, because there are so many people, so many opinions, and gastronomic tastes vary greatly. Therefore, we will try to present a short overview of the “menu” of Helsinki cuisine.

Rax Buffet

So, the first place where we will refresh ourselves will be the Rax Buffet restaurant, where a simple buffet awaits us. The restaurant's menu offers: soups, salads, pizzas, desserts, drinks. It is worth saying that the soup there is a little thick, but it is served on Finnish crispy buns.

  • Buffet (adults) 9.95 euros.
  • Buffet for children (under 7 years old) 3.95 euros.
  • Buffet for children (up to 12 years old) 6.95 euros.
  • Takeaway food (salad, pizza and hot food) 1.95 euros per 100g.
  • Takeaway pizza (small/large, choice of two toppings) 6.90 / 13.90 euros.
  • Create your own pizza (choice of three toppings) buffet + 3 euros.

Students receive a 10% discount on the regular price, but you must present your student ID.

Addresses:

  • Mikonkatu 8 (opening hours: Mon-Sat from 11.00 - 21.00, Sunday from 12.00 - 21.00)
  • Turunlinnantie 6 (opening hours: Mon-Fri from 11.00 - 21.00, Saturday from 11.00 - 19.00, Sunday from 12.00 - 19.00).

Lappi Ravintola

On Annankatu street there is a nice restaurant called Lappi. Traditional Finnish cuisine is widely represented here (fish soups, venison, homemade Lapland bread....) Be sure to try venison with lingonberry sauce when you are in Lappi. The menu includes roasted venison, homemade wine and coffee served in a wooden mug called a kuksa. Overall, very pleasant cuisine, interior and atmosphere.

Lappi is the oldest Lappish restaurant in Helsinki. This restaurant has a group menu, here are its conditions: the group size must include at least 6 people and everyone must choose the same menu. Order confirmation must be made in advance, no later than 3 days. The invoice is issued according to the pre-agreed number of people. There are four different menus to choose from:

  • Address: Annankatu 22.
  • Opening hours: Mon-Fri from 12.00 - 00.00, on Saturdays from 13.00 - 00.00, Sunday - closed.

Kappeli

And for a special atmosphere you should go to Kappeli. This stylish, glass-walled restaurant has been a landmark of the Esplanadi since 1867. This establishment has been keeping traditions for 147 years, but not so long ago it was closed for a two-month renovation, but today it can be seen in its updated interior. An interesting fact from the past is that tea with vodka was served here in 1919, as prohibition was in effect in Finland at that time.

And today, here you can not only eat delicious food, but also immerse yourself in the atmosphere of old Helsinki. But it is worth warning that immersing yourself in the atmospheric Helsinki will not be so cheap, on average the price per dish reaches 20 euros, but it is still worth coming here, even if only to drink a cup of coffee. The establishment is located at Eteläesplanadi 1, open daily from 09.00-00.00.

Iguana

The next point on our culinary journey is the chain Mexican restaurant Iguana. A pleasant restaurant with a unique atmosphere and good food. If you're passing by, be sure to stop by. The menu has many options for pizzas, pastas and salads. The price for lunch from 12.00 to 16.00 will be 14.90 euros.

Restaurants are located at:

    • Mannerheimintie 12,
    • Keskuskatu 4,
    • Kaisaniemenkatu 3.

Opening hours:

      • Mon-Fri from 11.00 - 00.00,
      • on Saturday from 12.00 - 02.00,
      • on Sunday from 12.00 - 00.00.

Santa Fe

This is a cozy Mexican restaurant where you can truly immerse yourself in the culture of this mysterious country. The restaurant's cuisine is very extensive, representing both Mexican and international cuisine. In the summer, there is live music from Monday to Thursday, performed by various groups. Average. one dish will cost approximately 15 euros. But from 11.00 to 15.00 you can enjoy lunch, which will cost less, about 10 euros.

The restaurant is located at: Aleksanterinkatu 15, opening hours: Mon-Thu from 11.00 - 00.00, Fri-Sat from 11.00 - 02.00, Sunday from 13.00 - 00.00.

Material on the topic

The best restaurants of Finnish national cuisine

Authentic Finnish cuisine is distinguished by natural ingredients and the use of a wide variety of forest products - berries, mushrooms, lake fish and wild meat. It has absorbed both the culinary traditions of the West and the features of the cuisines of the East.

Bistro Belge

Belgian restaurant. If you consider yourself a gourmet and want to taste something truly special, then you should definitely visit this restaurant, but keep in mind that the prices here are very undemocratic. The only time when you can save money here is from 11.00 to 15.00, but strictly on weekdays, lunch will cost only 10 euros. This establishment is notable for its interior; photographs of Belgian queens and kings are posted on the walls, so you can feel the spirit of Belgian history in Helsinki.

The establishment is located at: Kluuvikatu 5, opening hours: Mon-Tue 11:00-00:00, Wed-Thu 11:00-2:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-4:00, Sun 12:00-00 :00.

Ravintola Karljohan

If, while walking around Helsinki, you suddenly find yourself on Yronkatu Street, then be sure to stop by Karljohan. It's in the very center. Simple but cozy interior, muffled music, menu in Russian. Here you will not only find amazing food, but also excellent service. It is also profitable to eat here between 11.00 and 15.00; lunch will cost only about 10 euros.

The restaurant is located at Yronkatu 21, opening hours: Mon-Fri from 11.00 - 15.00 and from 17.00 - 23.00, Saturday from 14.00 - 23.00, Sunday - closed.

Amarillo

And again, a chain Mexican restaurant. Located very close to the center and train station. Large portions, English menu and Russian speaking waitress. The restaurant offers a variety of lunches, which vary by day of the week, meaning there is a different dish on a specific weekday. The average price for lunch is 10 euros.

Restaurant address: Mikonkatu 9, opening hours: Mon-Tue from 11:00-23:00, Wednesday from 11:00-02:00, Thu-Sat from 11:00 - 04:00, Sunday from 12:00 - 23:00.

Baker's

This restaurant was opened back in 1915, so it has already earned trust among the residents of Helsinki. And it must be said that it is not in vain that the restaurant offers international cuisine, but it is worth noting that the meat is excellently prepared here, and in a wide variety of ways. As always, you can save on lunch; in the café-bar it will cost 8 euros (from 11.00 to 16.00), and in the restaurant 10 euros (from 11.00 to 16.00). The restaurant is located at Mannerheimintie 12, opening hours: Mon- Thu from 11.00 - 22.00, Fri-Sat from 11.00 - 00.00.

Meze

Meze is authentic Turkish cuisine right in Helsinki. Here you will find an abundance of Mediterranean snacks, good Turkish wine and Turkish tea with apple flavor. Lunch will cost 10 euros, from 11.00 to 15.00.

The establishment is located at: Mikonkatu, 8, opening hours: Mon-Thu from 10.30 - 22.00, Friday from 10.30 - 01.00, Saturday from 13.00 - 01.00, Sunday - closed.

Fazer Cafe

You won't regret visiting Fazer Cafe. Pleasant atmosphere, wide selection of snacks, huge assortment of cakes and all kinds of sweets. If you wish, you can take wine or beer. Well, if you are hungry, you can refresh yourself by taking advantage of the buffet offer. The cafe is in the very center and very easy to find.

Located at Kluuvikatu 3, opening hours: Mon-Fri from 07.30 - 22.00, Saturday from 09.00 - 22.00, Sunday from 10.00 - 18.00.

You can wander the streets of Helsinki for a long time and discover wonderful cafes and restaurants. Among the city's restaurants there are first-class gourmet restaurants, restaurants with national cuisine and small bistros. There is always a lot of fresh vegetables, berries, mushrooms and, of course, fish.

The Finns themselves recommend trying seasonal delicacies when in Helsinki:

      • January - Burbot with caviar and pancakes.
      • February - Runeberg cake, pea soup and Pancake Day buns.
      • March-April - Lamb, mämmi (dessert made from rye flour with malt), paskha (Easter cottage cheese).
      • May - Perch, whitefish, pike perch, Sima honey drink with “brushwood”.

        June-July - New potatoes, salmon, sausage, herring, strawberries, blueberries, cloudberries.

      • August - Vegetables, crayfish, duck, chanterelles, apples.
      • September - Herring, vendace, hare, funnel-headed chanterelles, lingonberries.
      • October-November - Lamb, cabbage, elk, venison, goose.
      • December - Ham, rosolli, pureed vegetables, ginger biscuits, Christmas cakes, gleg.

But wherever you go, you can be sure that everywhere you will find the true philosophy of Finnish cuisine, which is based on the environmental purity and freshness of the products used to prepare dishes.

The bill at a Finnish restaurant may well exceed the budget for your entire weekend trip. So if you don’t want to empty your family budget, it’s better to look into one of the cafes in the Finnish capital, especially since they attract visitors with comfortable chairs, the bitter aroma of freshly brewed coffee, crispy pastries and a mesmerizing view from the windows.

Cafe Helsinki

The most cozy cafes in Helsinki

It’s quite difficult to find “uncomfortable” establishments in the Finnish capital. In any cafe you will be greeted by cleanliness, the smell of fresh baked goods and the smiles of the staff. But there are places where you can really feel at home.

Vanille

Remember Kustodiev’s cozy paintings, where a merchant and his merchant’s wife drink tea from a samovar on a sunny terrace with wooden railings? Surprisingly, today the easiest way to find yourself inside this “picture” is not somewhere in Russia, but in Helsinki. On the territory of the Suomenlinna fortress there is one of the old wooden houses that once belonged to Russian merchants; it was turned into a cozy Vanille cafe. On the menu: all kinds of teas, cinnamon rolls, pies, cakes with fresh berries, as well as soups and sandwiches. And in summer, the open terrace offers stunning views of the ramparts, a wooden church and bushes of blooming jasmine.

Working hours: June, daily from 10:00 to 18:00, July, August, daily from 9:30 to 19:00, September, daily from 10:00 to 17:00

Johan & Nystrom Oy

Lampshades, wooden beams, red brick walls, sofas with colorful pillows, patterned plates that look like they came from grandma’s closet - in this cafe you feel like you’re visiting a good friend. A great place to chat with friends, have a cup of coffee or work on your laptop. In summer there is a terrace with excellent views of the bay, seagulls and ships.

Address: Kanavantara 7 C, Helsinki.

Working hours: Mon-Fri: from 8:30 to 18:00, Sat-Sun: from 10:00 to 18:00.

The most "coffee" cafes in Helsinki

Finns drink more coffee than any other nation in the world. So it’s not at all surprising that there are so many cafes in Helsinki that have become famous throughout Suomi not for their exquisite cuisine or unusual interior, but precisely for their excellent coffee.

Signora Delizia

If you are a little tired of high-quality, but not too strong Finnish coffee, you should definitely look into the cozy Signora Deliza cafe, located literally a stone's throw from the Assumption Cathedral. Here you can try real Italian coffee, black as the polar night, and fresh homemade ice cream.

Address: Satamakatu 5.

Working hours: Mon-Thu: from 8:00 to 18:30, Fri: from 8:00 to 06:00, Sat-Sun: from 10:00 to 06:00.

Freese Coffee Co

Here you can try coffee from different varieties of beans and different degrees of roasting, talk with the barista about the history of this drink, and look through the albums and books about coffee on the shelves (they are in both Finnish and English).

Address: Freesenkatu 5.

Working hours: Tue-Fri: 12:00-18:00, Sat: 10:00-17:00, Sun: 11:00-16:00.

The most beautiful cafes in Helsinki

There is a cafe in Helsinki where you feel like you’re in a museum, and you want to immediately take a photo of everything – from the interior and the view from the window to the dishes served.

Aschan Cafe Jugend

Here you can feel like a passenger in a time machine. Vaulted high ceilings, wooden furniture and exquisite melancholic landscapes on the walls will instantly transport you to 1904, the Art Nouveau era, when the building in which the cafe is located was built. Here you should try handmade chocolates, drink a few cups of excellent coffee, and then don’t forget to buy one of the signature curved mugs from Tonfiskin keramiikkaa, in which drinks are served here, as a souvenir - you will not find this anywhere else.

Address: Pohjoisesplanadi 19.

Working hours: Mon-Fri: from 09:00 to 19:00, Sat: from 10:00 to 18:00, Sun: from 11:00 to 18:00.

Cafe Regatta

Most of all, the Regatta café looks like a fairy-tale junk shop; every free centimeter of the walls is occupied by shelves, cabinets, on which there is a brass candlestick and an antique mirror, a reproduction of Rembrandt and someone’s faded photograph. Near the entrance there is an old red Moskvich, decorated with an advertisement for a cafe, and from the small terrace there is a breathtaking view of the bay. In the summer, heavy bunches of lilacs hang over the tables, and in the fall, deer skins are spread on the chairs to keep visitors warm. There are only two drawbacks to Cafe Regatta. Firstly, getting here from the center is not very convenient. Secondly, the menu only includes coffee, tea, pastries and traditional Finnish salmon sandwiches.

Address: Merikannontie 10.

Working hours: Sat-Sun: from 10:00 to 23:00.

The most delicious cafes in Helsinki

If you are seriously hungry after walking around Helsinki, and you want something more substantial than coffee and cake, many cafes in the Finnish capital are ready to offer you this.

Hakaniemen hall

Pies, salmon and ham sandwiches, fresh fish soup, fried chicken, crispy smelt - you definitely won’t leave hungry. The only problem: the place is so popular that on weekends it is almost impossible to find a free table. However, you can always buy freshly prepared takeaway food and have a picnic somewhere in the park.

Working hours: Mon-Fri: from 8:00 to 18:00, Sat: from 8:00 to 16:00.

Ravintola Teatteri

Soft armchairs, a fireplace, quiet music and a huge selection of fresh salads. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat after a long walk around Helsinki. It is especially good here in the summer, when you can sit on the open terrace with a glass of cool white wine, admiring the elegant alley of the Esplanade Park.

Address: Pohjoisespa 2.

Working hours: Mon-Tue: from 09:00 to 01:00, Wed-Fri: from 09:00 to 04:00, Sat: from 11:00 to 04:00.

How much will a visit to a Finnish cafe cost?

The average bill in a Finnish cafe is usually 20-30 euros per person.

Approximate prices:

  • A cup of coffee – 2-3 euros.
  • Cake – 3-5 euros.
  • Salad – 7-10 euros.
  • Soup – 4-7 euros.
  • Hot dish – 8-13 euros.

Be prepared for the fact that in many Finnish cafes:

    They don't sell alcohol. Finns believe that cafes are a great place to spend time with children or to have a cup of coffee in peace and quiet while walking. But in order to meet friends over a glass of beer, according to Finns, bars and pubs are much more suitable.

    A cafe is not a restaurant. If Russian catering establishments often offer visitors a huge selection of dozens of dishes: from appetizers to desserts, then in Finland the menu in a cafe is usually very tiny. Usually this is a couple of salads, “soup of the day,” a maximum of three hot dishes and, of course, a huge selection of fresh pastries, delicious coffee and soft drinks.

    There are no cafes in Suomi that are open 24 hours a day. Most of these establishments close at six in the evening. Cafes open for visitors as early as seven or eight o'clock in the morning.

Material on the topic

Helsinki bars: relaxing in Finnish style

Do the Finns seem to you to be a purely pragmatic nation, spending their lives following the “home-work-home” pattern? To break this stereotype, it is enough to devote a few evenings to a stroll through the most interesting bars in Helsinki.

Helsinki is one of the most popular tourist destinations for residents of the northern capital of our vast Motherland! How many travelers from Russia visit this wonderful city every day, but, unfortunately, prices for many goods in Scandinavian countries can slightly shock an unprepared tourist, so the question of where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki becomes extremely relevant.

So, you've planned a trip to the Finnish capital, but now the question of where to eat is tormenting you from the inside? After all, there are so many interesting places in this country for those who love delicious food, but the average bill in them, alas, can exceed as much as 20 euros. Dont be upset! In the article you will get acquainted with the most popular Finnish establishments, where you will be happy to be treated to delicious local cuisine, and very inexpensively in comparison with other places in this region. Well, let's get acquainted!

Where to eat deliciously in Helsinki?

Quite filling and very high in calories, but how could it be otherwise in a harsh climate? Fish dishes are very popular in Finland. For example, when in Helsinki, you should definitely try creamy salmon soup, fish pie or herring cream soup. Interesting?

Many restaurants serve trout in its own juice, crayfish or venison dishes, but all this is quite expensive. Don't despair ahead of time! Helsinki is a tourist city, and the local infrastructure is designed in such a way that it can easily satisfy the needs of both wealthy and budget tourists. In this article we will look at the main places where you can have a tasty and inexpensive meal in the capital of Finland.

Old covered market

If you have the wrong idea about markets in your head, throw them out immediately! The Old Indoor Market is a great place to eat inexpensively and deliciously in Helsinki. It is worth noting in general that similar places in all European countries attract visitors with their unusual architecture, a wide range of various types of products, which are neatly laid out on the shelves. Here you can find traditional European or national Finnish cuisine, Asian sets and much more. In the old indoor market, the menu changes every week, so if you are a frequent visitor to Finland, you can try many interesting and different dishes. The average price for a lunch menu starts from 10 euros, which is quite cheap for Scandinavian countries. This is where the famous Roberts Coffee, famous for its affordable prices, is located, as well as the Scandinavian Cafe, where you can have a good snack with sandwiches and similar fast food. In general, when it comes to where to eat inexpensively and tasty in Helsinki, head straight to the indoor market.

The Old Market can be found at: Eteläranta

RaxBuffer

If you find yourself in the capital of Finland and want not just to have a snack, but to eat until you drop, then Rax Buffet is your place! This is an excellent restaurant-type establishment where tourists are offered a choice of both independent individual orders and full meals on an all-inclusive basis. You only need to pay 11 euros, which by European standards is a rather ridiculous amount. At the all-inclusive rate, your choice includes any salads, several types of pizza, lasagna, meatballs, grilled sausages, potatoes with mushrooms, all types of sparkling water, boiled eggs, olives, cabbage, tomatoes and other salad bar - all this and in huge quantities.

The restaurant is located at: Aleksanterinkatu, 11, m. Kaisaniemen Metroasema (next to the city Cathedral).

Cafe MOMOTOKO

This establishment specializes in Japanese cuisine. This is not only a place of attraction for Asian tourists, but also for all those who are not willing to pay over 12 euros for lunch.

The restaurant has an excellent location in the vicinity of the University of Helsinki and the Athenaeum Museum. By the way, this is exactly the place where you can eat inexpensively in the center of Helsinki. The lunch menu at MOMOTOKO is available every weekday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The average bill for business lunches ranges from 10-12 euros, but if you decide to devote most of your time to sightseeing and don’t have time for lunch during busy hours, don’t be upset. This establishment is ready to offer absolutely the same items from 14 to 17 hours at a fixed price of 12 euros.

Location of cafe MOMOTOKO: Yliopistonkatu, 5

If in the previous establishment more attention was paid to Japanese cuisine, then in the VAPIANO cafe there is an exclusively Italian menu. In addition, this establishment belongs to a large international chain, which cannot but influence the corresponding service. If you are an exquisite culinary connoisseur and are looking exclusively for a place where you can eat real Italian pasta, risotto or pizza cheaply in Helsinki, then VAPIANO is for you. The average bill for hot dishes here starts from 9 euros per person, for first courses - 6 euros, and for drinks - from 2.5 euros.

Separately, I would like to note the fact that the service at VAPIANO can surprise even the most experienced travelers. At the entrance to the restaurant, the waiter gives visitors a certain card, on which all the ordered dishes will be recorded in the future, then the visitor simply moves from one culinary station to another, choosing between appetizers, desserts and the main menu.

The restaurant has several different menus - in Finnish, English and even Russian. And since the establishment is very popular not only in Helsinki, but in Baku and even Bonn, the waiting time for an order sometimes reaches 20 minutes.

You can find a restaurant in Helsinki at the following address: Mikonkatu 15.

Cafe Bar No 9

“Cafe-bar No. 9” is famous not only for its humane prices, but also for its large portions. This is a real paradise for a hungry tourist, because after visiting this establishment you will definitely remain full.

For the Finnish capital, the average bill in a restaurant is considered more or less decent and does not exceed 16 euros. About “Cafe-bar No. 9” we can say that this is the place where you can eat inexpensively in Helsinki, but nothing more. The interior of the establishment is not particularly conducive to romantic dates; rather, it is more suitable for a quick lunch or dinner in the vicinity of Vanha Kirka and Eslanda Park. The cafe area is a little cramped, since this place is loved not only by budget tourists, but also by local residents. The most important feature of the cafe is its opening hours. Cafe-bar No. 9 is open from 11 am to 2 am, which is very atypical for Finland. This is an ideal place for lovers of evening walks and a cup of hot, invigorating coffee.

Address: Undenmaankatu, 9.

Cafe LaTorrefazione

Do you feel those soothing notes characteristic of Italy in the name of the establishment? This Finnish establishment with an Italian accent is perfect for a business meeting or a regular coffee break between the train and the way to the airport. Lovers of quality coffee and various spices will especially enjoy this place. It is also worth noting that all the sweets are prepared in the establishment itself. If a coffee break doesn’t seem enough, you can always order the main menu for an average bill of 10-13 euros. Naturally, the dishes will be typical of Italian cuisine: pasta, risotto or pizza.

Location of the cafe La Torrefazione: Aleksanterinkatu, 50.

Department store Stockmann

If you have ever visited Helsinki and do not know the Stockmann department store, then you have not been to Finland! This is a shopping center famous throughout the country, which is able to please visitors with an abundance of different clothes, shoes, delicacies and much more. On the eighth floor of Stockman there is a real gastronomic paradise. In this place you can find an establishment to suit your taste: from budget fast food to gourmet restaurants. Many establishments also have prime hours, where you can grab a set lunch at an attractive price, but, as a rule, such promotions start from 10-11 am and last until 14-15 pm.

The department store also houses the Moomin Cafe, which is very interesting with its interior, where you can meet various characters from Moomin stories. The child will definitely find it interesting here!

La Familia Restaurant, also located inside the department store, boasts its hearty Italian-style dining experience. Here again there is risotto, spaghetti, real Italian pizza, vegetables to choose from and many more interesting lunches. Between 11:00 and 14:30, any lunch option is offered at a fixed price of 10-20 euros, which is very modest for an establishment of this level.

The Stockmann department store is located in the central part of the city at Aleksanterinkatu, 52.

Cafe Ursula

This establishment is in great demand due to its territorial location. Ursula always has a romantic atmosphere with wonderful views of the bay and the archipelago. As a rule, you have to pay a little extra for everything beautiful, so the prices here may not appeal to thrifty travelers. For a portion of salad and a cup of aromatic coffee you will have to pay about 12 euros per person, but it is definitely worth it. Café Ursula will especially appeal to young couples who want to spend time in a secluded and relaxed atmosphere on the seashore.

Sometimes it happens that just sitting in good company with a glass of strong whiskey is much more interesting than simply spending money on a set lunch. Therefore, information about where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki, but also where to drink something strong, will definitely not hurt a budget-conscious tourist.

Not far from the station, in the very heart of the city, there is a bar called On the Rocks, where you can order a good drink for 6-8 euros. You can also look into Molly Malone's Irish Bar and Rymy-Eetu, but in any case, it is worth keeping in mind that the pricing policy in bars in Helsinki still leaves much to be desired.

Conclusion

Helsinki is not only the business center of Finland, but also a wonderful city for recreation and tourism. Local architecture, museums, Scandinavian climate - all this attracts travelers from all over the world. If you come to this wonderful country on a budget, then you should definitely know where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki!

Food is an important financial factor, and by wisely saving on it, you can open up additional opportunities in exploring the city itself. We hope that this article was useful not only to beginners in the field of tourism, but also to experienced, seasoned researchers. Have a nice trip and new discoveries! Good luck!