Helsinki
The Best Local Restaurants in Helsinki
These are the institutions in Helsinki that locals love.
Helsinki, a city connected to the sea and forest on all sides, boasts many great restaurants that offer dishes made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. In this article, we'll highlight some of the best local restaurants in Helsinki – places that are loved by the community and prefer to use local produce. From the historic Savoy, offering classic dishes with a view, to the timeless charm of Kosmos, known for its traditional dishes, and the mouthwatering meat pies of Eromanga, each place has a strong connection with the city.
As always, all picks are based on recommendations from World of Mouth experts like Toni Toivanen and Helena Puolakka. Whether you're searching for a traditional Finnish dinner or looking for places offering local produce, dive in and discover the best local food in Helsinki.
Restaurant Savoy
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Eteläesplanadi 14
Eteläesplanadi 14, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
Savoy is a Helsinki restaurant that has welcomed guests for over 85 years. Overlooking Esplanade Park, it offers a scenic view of the city’s rooftops and features classic Finnish design by Alvar and Aino Aalto. Led by Chef Patron Helena Puolakka, the kitchen highlights seasonal ingredients with both Finnish and French influences.
Recommended by
Sophisticated, high-end dining option executing both French and Finnish cuisine in an iconic locale featuring city views overlooking the Esplanade Park. One of Helsinki’s legendary dining destinations. The wine matches are first class. Chef-patron Helena Puolakka, whose contemporary take on Finnish cuisine was refined during a high-profile career in in London, has lifted the menu offering here to something greater. Expect vorschmack with oven-baked potato, beetroot, pickles and sour cream, while Arctic char, venison, pike and elk are never far away. The highlight is a visit during crayfish season.
Ravintola Vinkkeli
Pieni Roobertinkatu 8
Pieni Roobertinkatu 8, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
Ravintola Vinkkeli is set in a historic spot in Helsinki and serves modern takes on French cooking with a Nordic twist. Led by experienced restaurateurs, it focuses on high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a relaxed yet intimate atmosphere. Friendly staff welcome guests for both quieter meals and special occasions.
Recommended by
Beatiful Classical fine diningOne of my must visit places when visiting Finland. Delicious food, classic wines and warm service. The owners are always there which makes it feel like going back home every time.
Konditoria Hopia
Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 9
Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 9, 00260 Helsinki, Finland
Konditoria Hopia is a long-running bakery in Helsinki, appreciated for its classic Finnish pastries. Many consider it one of the top places in the city for a simple coffee break. The straightforward atmosphere reflects its decades-old baking tradition without any added fuss.
Recommended by
Being a carelian pie -freak (karjalanpiirakka in Finnish) it can be a struggle to find a great one in Helsinki. Konditoria Hopia is probably your best choice in the capital. A place so traditional, that it feels almost trendy and hipsterish. Great spot for afternoon coffee - as long as you don´t expect lattes.
Kosmos
Kalevankatu 3
Kalevankatu 3, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Kosmos has been part of Helsinki’s food scene since the 1920s and still shows off its original interior and old-school charm. This family-run spot sticks to traditional local flavors and a consistent approach that has kept diners coming back for decades. It’s a comfortable place to experience a bit of the city’s classic restaurant culture.
Recommended by
Kosmos has been shining bright on Helsinki’s restaurant scene for almost a hundred years, serving Finnish classics with French, Swedish and Russian influences. From the à la carte menu you’ll find classics such as blinis with roe and sour cream, salted reindeer with cloudberry balsamic, fried herring and Wiener schnitzel. A truly beautiful dining room and one of the highlight restaurants of the city.
Eromanga Oy
Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu 6
Pohjoinen Makasiinikatu 6, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
Eromanga Oy is a long-standing bakery-café in central Helsinki, dating back to 1946. Visitors come here for fresh, handmade pastries and a laid-back, no-frills setting. Popular among locals and workers alike, it continues to be a genuine part of the city’s food culture.
Recommended by
Classic Finnish meat pieEromangan meat pie is an institution for this fatty, hot and just delicious meat pie. Highly recommended to get here early and meet the workers having their morning pie and coffee. This is a part of real Helsinki!
Ekberg 1852
Bulevardi 9
Bulevardi 9, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
Ekberg 1852 is a longstanding café and bakery in the heart of Helsinki, cherished by locals for its warm atmosphere. It’s been run by the same family for generations, with much of its traditional interior still intact. The cozy setting invites people to linger over a drink or a sweet treat in a place that feels part of the city’s heritage.
Recommended by
Ekberg is special in the sense that it's a place for local people. There’s really a sense of belonging.Ekberg is wonderful. For me, it’s the place to go for afternoon tea. Or just for fika, with a cup of Café au lait, a cinnamon bun or other nice pastry. It's a really lovely spot. Ekberg is special in the sense that it's a place for local people. You know you have generations of the same families going there. It has all the elements of being in Central Europe when you sit there. The table service is great, and the menu has been the same forever when it comes to pastries and sandwiches, and there’s really a sense of belonging somewhere when you are there.
Restaurant Sea Horse
Kapteeninkatu 11
Kapteeninkatu 11, 00140 Helsinki, Finland
Restaurant Sea Horse is a longtime Finnish neighborhood spot in Ullanlinna that opened in 1934. It’s known for its hearty, straightforward Finnish meals and casual, old-school setting. Being open every day of the week makes it a welcoming choice for both locals and visitors.
Recommended by
Hearty traditional food. Salmon soup, herring, meat and potato hash.A classic. Sea horse is a casual restaurant that's been around since 1934. A very traditional local neighborhood restaurant in the Ullanlinna district. Big platters of hearty traditional food with salmon soup, herring platters, beef Lindström and their legendary ”pyttipannu” meal, potato and sausage hash. You can walk in or make a booking for bigger parties. The portions are huge and people tend to drink schnapps and beer with their food. Very old school, open seven days a week which is a rare thing in Helsinki. Go for Sunday lunch, have a herring platter, fish soup and pancakes with some strawberry jam and cream as dessert. And it's just fantastic.
Restaurant Wellamo
Laivastokatu 18
Laivastokatu 18, 00160 Helsinki, Finland
Restaurant Wellamo has been part of Katajanokka’s peaceful atmosphere since 1975, now guided by Chef Dani Hänninen and his team. They focus on seasonal Nordic ingredients from local producers, striking a balance between familiar comforts and creative touches. The cozy space makes it a welcoming spot for anyone seeking a relaxed meal in Helsinki.
Recommended by
Fresh take on Nordic cooking in an exceptionally cozy setting.Wellamo is a legendary artist restaurant in a quiet corner of Katajanokka area in Helsinki, founded already in 1975. A few years ago, it was taken over by chef Dani Hänninen and the team behind the small cult restaurant Bull & The Firm. The result is a superb combination of the traditional and the fresh. The space is as hygge as it gets, one of the most romantic in the city. The cuisine follows the seasons and is based solely on Nordic ingredients, sourced from small producers. The dishes have a nice balance between comfort and innovation (grilled carrots with frozen sour cream, tartar with fermented rhubarb, canard with asparagus, grilled strawberries, black pepper, and milk). The wine list is well curated for both traditionalists and natural wine lovers. It is difficult to see someone not liking this gem.
Ravintola Maukku
Hämeentie 26, 00530 Helsinki, Finland
Ravintola Maukku in Helsinki offers a playful take on modern French-influenced cooking with a laid-back, welcoming vibe. Guests can pick from ever-changing menus or an à la carte list, and there’s a well-stocked wine cellar to explore downstairs. It’s a relaxed place to share a meal at your own pace and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.
Recommended by
Restaurant Aoi
Neitsytpolku 10, 00140 Helsinki, Finland
Restaurant Aoi is a small, personal spot in Ullanlinna, Helsinki, known for its considered and carefree contemporary cuisine. Run by an experienced trio, it offers a relaxed vibe where global influences mingle with Nordic ingredients. The menu changes often, making each visit feel fresh and exciting.
Recommended by
Restaurant Elite
Eteläinen Hesperiankatu 22, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Restaurant Elite in Helsinki has been welcoming guests since 1932 and showcases a warm, nostalgic atmosphere with art-adorned walls. This cultural spot is known for its relaxed setting, where visitors can enjoy unhurried moments indoors or on the leafy summer terrace. It’s a place that feels genuine, reflecting years of history and a love for good company.
Recommended by
Ravintola Kolme Kruunua
Liisankatu 5, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
Established in 1952, Ravintola Kolme Kruunua has a relaxed, vintage setting in Helsinki’s Kruununhaka neighborhood. Its original interior details have been carefully preserved, giving a glimpse into the city’s dining past. Welcoming a wide range of guests, it remains a familiar spot for anyone looking to experience a piece of local tradition.
Recommended by
Le Ankka
Huvilakatu 28, 00150 Helsinki, Finland
Le Ankka is a small bistro on Huvilakatu in Helsinki that pairs French cooking with locally sourced Finnish ingredients. Its short menu and relaxed atmosphere create an inviting setting for an enjoyable meal.
Recommended by
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