Helsinki
Best Casual Restaurants in Helsinki
Uncover the best casual restaurants in Helsinki with our curated list of top spots.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
With its blend of modern design and historic charm, as well as the beautiful archipelago surrounding it, Helsinki makes for a great weekend destination. To get the most out of your trip, we've listed the best casual restaurants in Helsinki with the help of local chefs and foodwriters. From quick bites to laid-back dinners, this guide is designed to offer something for everyone. With standout spots like Baskeri & Basso, Kuurna, and Nolla on our list, you're sure to find your new favorite restaurant. As mentioned, all places have been recommended by World of Mouth experts like Tom Hansen, Ina Niiniketo, and Kenneth Nars. Read on and explore the top casual restaurants Helsinki has to offer.
Way Bakery
Way Bakery is a versatile spot that serves as a bakery, cafe, wine bar, and restaurant, known for its cool vibes and natural wines. It's a popular destination for its fantastic sourdough bread, delicious coffee, and a menu that transitions from breakfast and brunch to evenings. The place has a modern, quirky style, offering a great breakfast with their famous sourdough, butter, charcuterie, and cheese, a daily special for lunch, and transforms into a wine bar with snacks and a bistro menu in the evening.
Restaurant Kuurna
Restaurant Kuurna is a modern bistro that offers a changing menu every 2-3 weeks, focusing on simple dishes crafted from high-quality local and seasonal produce. The establishment, which has been operating since 2005, is known for its cozy and welcoming atmosphere, as well as its extensive wine list, featuring both classic and natural wines. With a commitment to sustainable producers, Kuurna is also pet-friendly, promising a pleasant dining experience for all.
Ravintola Nolla
Ravintola Nolla is a casual restaurant that has been serving bistro food for nearly five years, with a focus on simplicity and seasonality. The restaurant's zero-waste ideology is a central part of its operations, and it even brews its own beer on-site. The menu, which is predominantly vegetarian, is crafted from local ingredients that change with the seasons, and the restaurant also offers a selection of natural wines and in-house brewed sour beers.
Canvas Canteen
Canvas Canteen is a cozy establishment located in a 150-year-old building, offering daily changing dishes inspired by global cuisines. The restaurant is known for its simple, flavorful dishes made from high-quality, seasonal ingredients, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available. In addition to its regular lunch service, Canvas Canteen also offers catering services and hosts private events, making it a versatile choice for food lovers.
Restaurant Forza
Restaurant Forza, founded by pizza expert Luca Platania, is known for its excellent pizzas made in a Napoli oven. This eatery, located in the trendy Punavuori district, offers a frequently changing menu that goes beyond pizza, all prepared with meticulous care. The restaurant's industrial decor creates a comfortable ambiance, and the presence of the patron family enhances the warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Restaurant Yes Yes Yes
Restaurant Yes Yes Yes is a vibrant vegetarian eatery that offers a seasonally changing menu, ensuring fresh and diverse dishes throughout the year. The kitchen uses high-quality ingredients from local farms to create food that isn't confined to any specific country or cuisine, offering a broad culinary experience. Whether you're looking for small snacks or larger comfort plates, this bustling bar and restaurant provides a relaxed atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Hills Dumplings
Hills Dumplings is a casual Asian eatery that specializes in crafting delicious dumplings and cocktails. Patrons highly recommend their made-to-order dumplings and fried chicken, and appreciate the cool vibes and good music. With a wide array of drinks, this spot is popular among the younger crowd.
Restaurant BasBas Kulma
Restaurant BasBas Kulma is a lively wine bar that serves small dishes and primarily natural wines, welcoming both reservations and walk-ins. The menu features a range of dishes, from charcuterie and cheese to salmon crudo, beef tartare, fried whitefish, and grilled pork belly. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, with professional service and an excellent, well-priced wine list.
Restaurant Plein
Restaurant Plein is a neighborhood bistro offering small shareable plates and a selection of natural wines. The menu, which changes every few months, features familiar dishes with a unique twist, such as beef tartare with apple and pecan, and poached leeks in a creamy mussel and gorgonzola sauce. The interior of the restaurant is raw yet cozy, making it a comfortable spot for a casual dining experience.
Kosmos
Kosmos is a classic restaurant serving traditional dishes influenced by Finnish, French, Swedish, and Russian cuisines. With nearly a century of history, the restaurant continues to offer favorites like blinis with roe and sour cream, salted reindeer with cloudberry balsamic, fried herring, and Wiener schnitzel. Maintaining its original interior, Kosmos provides a genuine feel of the old restaurant world, complemented by its selection of cold beer and schnapps.
Luovuus kukkii kaaoksesta
"Luovuus kukkii kaaoksesta" is a bistro that radiates fun and quirkiness, driven by a young and ambitious team. The restaurant offers a variety of small dishes, prepared with simplicity and high-quality ingredients, with the menu constantly changing to reflect the best available produce. The interior mirrors the eccentricity of the menu, creating a relaxed atmosphere, while the team's super friendly service enhances the dining experience.
Restaurant Elm
Restaurant Elm is an all-day neighborhood eatery offering Mediterranean cuisine, nestled in a beautifully renovated wooden villa from the 1860s. The culinary team, hailing from Portugal and Catalonia, infuse their ethnic backgrounds into the food, music, and atmosphere, resulting in a relaxed dining experience with friendly service. A highlight of the restaurant is the quaint veranda-terrace, an ideal spot for outdoor dining during warm days.
No5 coffee
No5 Coffee is a family-run restaurant specializing in authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Their menu features a variety of dishes, but they are particularly known for their Pho soup. This classic Vietnamese noodle soup, made with premium ingredients and a broth that's simmered overnight, is served with a side of mung bean sprouts and various herbs, offering a refreshing and comforting culinary experience.
Boon Nam
Boon Nam is a Thai restaurant that offers innovative dishes with a European twist, created by the productive chef Tomi Björck. While it might not be a destination for haute cuisine or wine enthusiasts, it is a highly recommended spot for Thai and Asian food lovers. Note that prices are a bit higher than most comparable Thai establishments.
Murun Viinibaari
Murun Viinibaari is a cozy spot known for its seasonal menu, including charcuterie and cheese, accompanied by a selection of both big and small classic wines. It's an intimate establishment, offering contemporary Italian trattoria and French bistro-style dishes in small portions. Additionally, Murun Viinibaari features a few excellent wines by the glass every night.
Restaurant Muru
Restaurant Muru is a cozy Italian-French bistro that focuses on using the best available local Nordic ingredients for their dishes. The restaurant's philosophy is simple: prepare straightforward dishes with respect for the wine. Muru offers a popular four-course daily menu highlighting seasonality and has been recognized as a distinguished wine restaurant, receiving the Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence for three consecutive years.
Restaurant Baskeri & Basso
Baskeri & Basso is a popular wine bistro known for its honest cooking and relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including pasta and several starters, with a focus on French-Italian bistro-osteria classics, complemented by a selection of wines from trusted and organic winemakers. Late-night walk-ins are welcome, making it an ideal spot for those seeking a late-night meal in a cozy setting.
Boulevard Bar & Seafood
Boulevard Bar & Seafood offers top-notch seafood dishes in the heart of Helsinki. The restaurant's chef, Sylvester “Syltty” Soisalo, utilizes a blend of modern and traditional French cooking techniques to create a delightful array of seafood dishes such as fish, lobsters, oysters, and herring. It's not only a fantastic place for lunch or dinner but also features a superb summer terrace and a bar with an exquisite cocktail and wine list.
Sake Bar & Izakaya
Sake Bar & Izakaya is a cozy, small bar that offers artisanal sake and casual Japanese izakaya-style food. The menu includes shareable snacks and small plates, designed to pair well with alcoholic drinks, especially sake, and it changes frequently according to the season. Recommended by customers for its authentic izakaya ambiance, the restaurant is also known for its creative dishes like udon noodle carbonara, which use local ingredients to give a twist to traditional Japanese flavors.
Looking for more restaurant recommendations to
Helsinki
? Download the World of Mouth app for free and discover expert recommendations to over 2,000 destinations, curated by top chefs, food writers and sommeliers. From street food to fine dining and well known institutions to hidden gems, World of Mouth is your ultimate insider's guide to the world's best restaurants.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
With its blend of modern design and historic charm, as well as the beautiful archipelago surrounding it, Helsinki makes for a great weekend destination. To get the most out of your trip, we've listed the best casual restaurants in Helsinki with the help of local chefs and foodwriters. From quick bites to laid-back dinners, this guide is designed to offer something for everyone. With standout spots like Baskeri & Basso, Kuurna, and Nolla on our list, you're sure to find your new favorite restaurant. As mentioned, all places have been recommended by World of Mouth experts like Tom Hansen, Ina Niiniketo, and Kenneth Nars. Read on and explore the top casual restaurants Helsinki has to offer.
Way Bakery
Way Bakery is a versatile spot that serves as a bakery, cafe, wine bar, and restaurant, known for its cool vibes and natural wines. It's a popular destination for its fantastic sourdough bread, delicious coffee, and a menu that transitions from breakfast and brunch to evenings. The place has a modern, quirky style, offering a great breakfast with their famous sourdough, butter, charcuterie, and cheese, a daily special for lunch, and transforms into a wine bar with snacks and a bistro menu in the evening.
Restaurant Kuurna
Restaurant Kuurna is a modern bistro that offers a changing menu every 2-3 weeks, focusing on simple dishes crafted from high-quality local and seasonal produce. The establishment, which has been operating since 2005, is known for its cozy and welcoming atmosphere, as well as its extensive wine list, featuring both classic and natural wines. With a commitment to sustainable producers, Kuurna is also pet-friendly, promising a pleasant dining experience for all.
Ravintola Nolla
Ravintola Nolla is a casual restaurant that has been serving bistro food for nearly five years, with a focus on simplicity and seasonality. The restaurant's zero-waste ideology is a central part of its operations, and it even brews its own beer on-site. The menu, which is predominantly vegetarian, is crafted from local ingredients that change with the seasons, and the restaurant also offers a selection of natural wines and in-house brewed sour beers.
Canvas Canteen
Canvas Canteen is a cozy establishment located in a 150-year-old building, offering daily changing dishes inspired by global cuisines. The restaurant is known for its simple, flavorful dishes made from high-quality, seasonal ingredients, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available. In addition to its regular lunch service, Canvas Canteen also offers catering services and hosts private events, making it a versatile choice for food lovers.
Restaurant Forza
Restaurant Forza, founded by pizza expert Luca Platania, is known for its excellent pizzas made in a Napoli oven. This eatery, located in the trendy Punavuori district, offers a frequently changing menu that goes beyond pizza, all prepared with meticulous care. The restaurant's industrial decor creates a comfortable ambiance, and the presence of the patron family enhances the warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Restaurant Yes Yes Yes
Restaurant Yes Yes Yes is a vibrant vegetarian eatery that offers a seasonally changing menu, ensuring fresh and diverse dishes throughout the year. The kitchen uses high-quality ingredients from local farms to create food that isn't confined to any specific country or cuisine, offering a broad culinary experience. Whether you're looking for small snacks or larger comfort plates, this bustling bar and restaurant provides a relaxed atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Hills Dumplings
Hills Dumplings is a casual Asian eatery that specializes in crafting delicious dumplings and cocktails. Patrons highly recommend their made-to-order dumplings and fried chicken, and appreciate the cool vibes and good music. With a wide array of drinks, this spot is popular among the younger crowd.
Restaurant BasBas Kulma
Restaurant BasBas Kulma is a lively wine bar that serves small dishes and primarily natural wines, welcoming both reservations and walk-ins. The menu features a range of dishes, from charcuterie and cheese to salmon crudo, beef tartare, fried whitefish, and grilled pork belly. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, with professional service and an excellent, well-priced wine list.
Restaurant Plein
Restaurant Plein is a neighborhood bistro offering small shareable plates and a selection of natural wines. The menu, which changes every few months, features familiar dishes with a unique twist, such as beef tartare with apple and pecan, and poached leeks in a creamy mussel and gorgonzola sauce. The interior of the restaurant is raw yet cozy, making it a comfortable spot for a casual dining experience.
Kosmos
Kosmos is a classic restaurant serving traditional dishes influenced by Finnish, French, Swedish, and Russian cuisines. With nearly a century of history, the restaurant continues to offer favorites like blinis with roe and sour cream, salted reindeer with cloudberry balsamic, fried herring, and Wiener schnitzel. Maintaining its original interior, Kosmos provides a genuine feel of the old restaurant world, complemented by its selection of cold beer and schnapps.
Luovuus kukkii kaaoksesta
"Luovuus kukkii kaaoksesta" is a bistro that radiates fun and quirkiness, driven by a young and ambitious team. The restaurant offers a variety of small dishes, prepared with simplicity and high-quality ingredients, with the menu constantly changing to reflect the best available produce. The interior mirrors the eccentricity of the menu, creating a relaxed atmosphere, while the team's super friendly service enhances the dining experience.
Restaurant Elm
Restaurant Elm is an all-day neighborhood eatery offering Mediterranean cuisine, nestled in a beautifully renovated wooden villa from the 1860s. The culinary team, hailing from Portugal and Catalonia, infuse their ethnic backgrounds into the food, music, and atmosphere, resulting in a relaxed dining experience with friendly service. A highlight of the restaurant is the quaint veranda-terrace, an ideal spot for outdoor dining during warm days.
No5 coffee
No5 Coffee is a family-run restaurant specializing in authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Their menu features a variety of dishes, but they are particularly known for their Pho soup. This classic Vietnamese noodle soup, made with premium ingredients and a broth that's simmered overnight, is served with a side of mung bean sprouts and various herbs, offering a refreshing and comforting culinary experience.
Boon Nam
Boon Nam is a Thai restaurant that offers innovative dishes with a European twist, created by the productive chef Tomi Björck. While it might not be a destination for haute cuisine or wine enthusiasts, it is a highly recommended spot for Thai and Asian food lovers. Note that prices are a bit higher than most comparable Thai establishments.
Murun Viinibaari
Murun Viinibaari is a cozy spot known for its seasonal menu, including charcuterie and cheese, accompanied by a selection of both big and small classic wines. It's an intimate establishment, offering contemporary Italian trattoria and French bistro-style dishes in small portions. Additionally, Murun Viinibaari features a few excellent wines by the glass every night.
Restaurant Muru
Restaurant Muru is a cozy Italian-French bistro that focuses on using the best available local Nordic ingredients for their dishes. The restaurant's philosophy is simple: prepare straightforward dishes with respect for the wine. Muru offers a popular four-course daily menu highlighting seasonality and has been recognized as a distinguished wine restaurant, receiving the Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence for three consecutive years.
Restaurant Baskeri & Basso
Baskeri & Basso is a popular wine bistro known for its honest cooking and relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including pasta and several starters, with a focus on French-Italian bistro-osteria classics, complemented by a selection of wines from trusted and organic winemakers. Late-night walk-ins are welcome, making it an ideal spot for those seeking a late-night meal in a cozy setting.
Boulevard Bar & Seafood
Boulevard Bar & Seafood offers top-notch seafood dishes in the heart of Helsinki. The restaurant's chef, Sylvester “Syltty” Soisalo, utilizes a blend of modern and traditional French cooking techniques to create a delightful array of seafood dishes such as fish, lobsters, oysters, and herring. It's not only a fantastic place for lunch or dinner but also features a superb summer terrace and a bar with an exquisite cocktail and wine list.
Sake Bar & Izakaya
Sake Bar & Izakaya is a cozy, small bar that offers artisanal sake and casual Japanese izakaya-style food. The menu includes shareable snacks and small plates, designed to pair well with alcoholic drinks, especially sake, and it changes frequently according to the season. Recommended by customers for its authentic izakaya ambiance, the restaurant is also known for its creative dishes like udon noodle carbonara, which use local ingredients to give a twist to traditional Japanese flavors.
Looking for more restaurant recommendations to
Helsinki
? Download the World of Mouth app for free and discover expert recommendations to over
2,200
destinations, curated by top chefs, food writers and sommeliers. From street food to fine dining and well known institutions to hidden gems, World of Mouth is your ultimate insider's guide to the world's best restaurants.
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