Options for inexpensive and tasty food in Helsinki: cafes and restaurants, as well as city bars. Addresses, opening hours and prices in establishments.
The Finnish capital is not a cheap city, but here you can also find good establishments with affordable prices. Usually the densest tourist flow is in the center, where a large number of attractions are concentrated, and prices in restaurants and cafes are traditionally high. A full meal in a good establishment will cost at least 40-50 euros. If you order Finnish delicacies - dishes from Lapland venison, fried whitefish and other delights - it will be even more expensive.
In this article, we will tell you where to eat in Helsinki inexpensively and tasty - we will list the most budgetary establishments and indicate prices, addresses and opening hours, as well as advise what to eat in the Finnish capital.
Look for interesting excursions on the Sputnik and Tripster websites. Individual and group, no crowds of tourists and in Russian.
What you must try in Helsinki?
Finnish cuisine is hearty and quite high in calories, the harsh climate makes its demands. When in Helsinki, be sure to try creamy salmon soup (lohikeitto), fish pie (kalakukko), morel soup, herring snacks. Trout in their own juice, partridge in sour cream, crayfish, reindeer and elk dishes (Lapland cuisine) are cooked deliciously here. In winter, pancakes are especially good to eat: in Finland they are eaten with caviar, goat cheese, even pickled cucumbers and pickled onions. Pancakes are different from Russians, here it is a thick yeast cake with different fillings.
As for alcoholic drinks, it is interesting to try local beer, wonderful liqueurs from wild berries and Finnish Kavel champagne from yellow currants and gooseberries.
Where to have an inexpensive breakfast in Helsinki
The best way to have breakfast with a cup of coffee and a sandwich is to go to a cafe. A cup of coffee and an airy donut with jam in a roadside cafe can cost as little as 1.5 euros, while the average price of a cup of Americano in the country is 2.5-3.5 euros. But if you want to visit an atmospheric place, admire wonderful views, then such a coffee break in the city center will cost at least 6-10 euros.
Robert's coffee
You can have an inexpensive breakfast in Helsinki at Robert's Coffee. In this chain restaurant, a cup of coffee with a croissant costs 5 euros. Cafe address: Kaisaniemenkatu 3. Open: Sat - Sun 10:00 - 00:00, Mon - Fri 08:00 - 00:00.
Ciao! Caffe
Considering the location of the cafe - near the Cathedral and Senate Square, prices are very affordable: espresso costs only 1.70 euros, American - 2.30 euros. In addition to coffee and dessert, there are light snacks: salad bar - 8.5 euros, ciabatta and focaccia for 4.90 euros. Address: Aleksanterinkatu 28. Open: Sun 12:00 - 19:00, Mon - Sat 10:00 - 19:00.
Café Ekberg
The oldest café-bakery in the city, operating since 1852. Here you can taste the best Napoleon (€ 3.30) in the city. Breakfast is a standard buffet: eggs, scrambled eggs, cereals, muesli, yogurt, cold cuts, vegetables, fruits, pastries, coffee and tea. Cafe address: Bulevardi 9. Open: Sat 08:30 - 17:00, Sun 09:00 - 17:00, Mon - Fri 07:30 - 19:00. You can have an inexpensive breakfast on weekdays - for 11.5 euros (until 10:30), on weekends - for 17.90 euros (until 13:30).
Ursula
A very romantic place by the sea with wonderful views of the bay and the archipelago. And although the prices here are somewhat high - a portion of the salad is 12.5 euros, the cafe is popular in the city. Address: Ehrenstromsvagen 3. Open: Sun - Sat 09:00 - 22:00.
Where to have an inexpensive lunch in Helsinki
Unicafe Ylioppilasaukio
You can eat inexpensively in Helsinki in the UniCafe bistro chain, one of the establishments is located in the center of the capital near the railway station. A set lunch costs 8 euros, for students - huge discounts, for holders of an international student card, lunch will cost only 2.60 euros. Address: Mannerheimintie 3 B. Opening hours: Mon - Fri 11:00 - 17:00.
Golden Rax Pizzabuffet
Popular chain of establishments with a buffet, any number of approaches is allowed. Soups, pizza, meatballs, salads, sausages, chicken, lasagna, vegetables - everything is delicious. The cost of the buffet for an adult is 9.95 euros (cheaper on weekdays). Discounts for students. Address: Mikonkatu 8. Opening hours: Mon - Sat - 11:00 - 21:00, Sunday 12:00 - 21:00.
SFC
Fast food lovers can eat cheaply in Helsinki at the SFC, one of the establishments is located near the train station. On the 1st floor, a set of hamburger, French fries and cola will cost 8-9 euros, on the ground floor - a pizzeria and a buffet - for 7.90 euros. Address: Mannerheimintie 18. Open: daily from 11:00 to 21:00.
Eerikin pippuri
Kebab chain in the city. Russian speaking staff, large portions. The average bill is 10 euros. Address: Eerikinkatu 17, in the shopping center "Forum". In general, there are quite a few kebabs in Helsinki, as in other large cities in Europe. Their prices are approximately the same, but the quality of cooking may differ slightly.
Veggie
Vegetarians will surely love the new lunch cafe that opened last year. Cozy eco-style interior, simple menu - vegetable salads, zucchini pies, feta and spinach, rolls, pastries, juice and tea / coffee. The average cost of a salad is 10 euros, a sandwich is 4.50, a latte is 3.50, a cappuccino is 3.30, a juice is 2.50 euros. Address: Munkkiniemen Puistotie 22.
Gran Delicato
Mediterranean restaurant. A portion of salad - 9.5-10.5 euros, ciabatta - 7.50 euros, tea-coffee - 3 euros. A cozy place for a light bite, the interior is somewhat reminiscent of a Greek tavern on the seashore. Address: Kalevankatu 34. Open: Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Mon - Fri 08:00 - 20:00.
Soppakeittio Tapaste oy
Soup restaurant in the Hakaniemi covered market, specializing in Spanish cuisine, excellent seafood soups (shrimp, salmon, mussels). A good alternative to pizzas and sandwiches. Usually there are 3 soups on the menu, every day they are different. Huge portions cost from 8 to 9.5 euros, bread and water are included in the price of the meal. Address: Hakaniemen kauppahalli. Open: Sat-Sun 11:00 - 15:00, Mon - Fri 11:00 - 16:00.
Where else can you eat delicious food in Helsinki?
Walking near the presidential palace and Esplanadi park, it is a good idea to visit the old market square Kauppatori... Here you can buy souvenirs, groceries and a budget snack in small street cafes in the market. A portion of creamy salmon soup - 7 euros. There are also sandwiches, meatballs, fish, venison and elk dishes, kebabs and sweet rolls. The market closes at 5 pm and is closed on Sunday winter. It hosts an annual herring festival in October and a Christmas market in December. Address: Etelasatama.
And if you want to try fine Finnish cuisine, you should look into Ravintola Lasipalatsi, a very popular place among our compatriots, although not cheap. There is a Russian menu. The interior is somewhat reminiscent of the Soviet style of the 80s: red curtains and armchairs, white tablecloths. Be sure to try the signature baked venison potatoes. The average cost of a hot one is 28 euros, a dessert is 9-12 euros, but on weekdays there is a buffet for 12 euros. Address: Mannerheimintie 22. Open: Sat 14:00 - 23:00, weekdays 11:00 - 23:00.
Bars in Helsinki
In the evening, after a busy day, it would be nice to walk around the city, have a couple of beers or a glass of wine, and see the nightlife in the Finnish capital. There are several places in Helsinki where you can have a good rest for little money. In general, the pricing policy of the city's drinking establishments leaves much to be desired. Even Europeans who come from neighboring countries recognize the high cost, but for the sake of a good mood, you can sometimes afford small expenses.
On the rocks
A rock bar in the center of the capital near the train station, a good place for heavy music lovers, there is a live performance of bands. Drinks - 6 - 10 euros, are allowed only for those who have reached 23 years of age. Address: Mikonkatu 15. Open: 16:00 - 04:00.
Molly Malone's Irish Bar
Irish bar in the center of the capital, not far from the train station. Good selection of beer, ale and cider, prices are lower than other places. Interesting interior, lots of space and live music. Address: Kaisaniemenkatu 1 C. Open: Sun - Thu 12:00 - 03:30, Fri - Sat 10:00 - 03:30.
Rymy-Eetu
An original bar with German, Belgian and Finnish beer, Irish ale and hot snacks. The place has an extremely fun atmosphere with dancing on the tables. Often the program includes live concerts of Finnish and German music. Snacks from 8.5 euros, draft beer (0.5 l) from 7.5 euros. Address: Erottaja 15. Opening hours: Tuesday 15-03, Wed - Sat 15-04.
Be sure to read a similar review of cafes, restaurants and bars in St. Petersburg.
