Helsinki’s best cafés in 2025

What is it? Tucked away in Kaisaniemi Park, Cajsan Helmi is a French-style café and tearoom that oozes history. Housed in a lovingly restored early 19th-century wooden building, it’s named after Cajsa Wahllund, Helsinki’s first restaurateur, who opened a park restaurant on the same spot back in 1827. The interior has been beautifully preserved, with original plasterwork, tiles and wood-panelling brought back to life.

Why we love it? Cajsan Helmi continues the legacy of its namesake with charm and a touch of theatre. When the maître d’hôtel greets you with a twinkle in his eye and a flourish of old-world hospitality, it feels like stepping into another time. And if he suggests a glass of bubbly to go with your slice of Cointreau cake – why not? This café is an experience you’ll want to linger over all afternoon.

Kaisaniemenranta 6, Kaisaniemi Park. Closed on Sundays.

What is it? Located in Jätkäsaari, 18 grams has introduced Helsinki to the concept of a listening café, where expertly brewed coffee from small Finnish roasters meets top-quality sound. Housed in a quirky, box-shaped building, it’s fitted with superb speakers and a curated vinyl collection, played to match the mood. The name refers to the perfect amount of ground coffee used in a double espresso.

Why we love it? Here, both coffee and music are treated with affection rather than pretension. ‘I’m not a professional musician or a barista,’ says owner Hedon Blakaj, a lecturer at Aalto University who took a break from teaching to try something hands-on – and to experiment with concept design in real life. ‘But I love music and I’ve been collecting records for years,’ he adds, flipping the vinyl to side B. Customers can also choose what to play, as long as it fits the vibe.

Livornonkatu 6, Jätkäsaari. Tue–Fri 9.00–17.30, Sat–Sun 11.30–17.30.

What is it? A tiny bakery in Etu-Töölö competing for the title of Helsinki’s best croissant, with Lauttasaari’s Le Jardin as its main rival. Most customers do takeaway only as there’s just one table inside, and one more outside when the weather’s kind.

Why we love it? Weekend mornings see pastry connoisseurs crossing town just to pick up their croissants here. The name says it all – Layers – and that’s exactly what they master: countless thin, buttery folds baked to perfection. Butter is used generously but never excessively, creating a rich yet refined croissant – crisp on the outside, soft and airy within. Proof that precision and passion often fit best into the smallest of spaces.
Cygnaeuksenkatu 6, Etu-Töölö. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

What is it? Flät no 14 is a bright café overlooking Karhupuisto in Kallio – part of a buzzing cluster of neighbourhood coffee spots. Its breakfast is one of Helsinki’s most talked about, and you might spot actors or models enjoying a leisurely weekend morning.

Why we love it? The interior strikes the perfect balance between modern minimalism and homely charm, mixing contemporary design with vintage furniture. Plants climb the walls, blue ceramic tiles add contrast, and the whole space feels calm and welcoming. Breakfast comes as a selection of small plates – you can pick three, five or seven, ideally to share, for a colourful mix of fresh, mostly vegetarian flavours. Two people can easily share five dishes for around €24 in total.

Viides linja 14, Kallio. Open daily.

What is it? A classic café overlooking Töölöntori Square that serves breakfast all day – and, unusually, has laundry machines you can use for a small fee while you eat. The walls are adorned with tasteful Tintin prints, adding a playful nod to the Belgian comic hero without going overboard.

Why we love it? Sometimes tradition is the ultimate trend. When Café Tin Tin Tango opened 30 years ago, it brought a cosmopolitan touch to Helsinki; today, it stands for timelessness. The washing machines are still there, and so is the charm. Far from being a haunt just for nostalgics, its laid-back, unchanging vibe keeps new generations coming back.

Töölöntorinkatu 7, Taka-Töölö. Open daily. Weekdays from 7.00, weekends from 9.00.

What is it? Arguably the most authentic of Helsinki’s classic cafés, famous for its giant cinnamon buns – also sold at its sister café, Café Esplanad on the main boulevard. They’re so big and heavy you could probably build your biceps just lifting one.

Why we love it? When Gunvor Backman opened Café Succès on Korkeavuorenkatu in 1957, locals were bemused by the French name – complete with two accents going in different directions. The café lived up to its name (‘success’ in French), even if nobody could pronounce it, and it’s still affectionately known as Café Sukkes. The Parisian-style decor isn’t what makes it special; it’s the atmosphere. The morning buzz is intoxicating as Ullanlinna locals gather for coffee and conversation, often accompanied by a hearty bowl of porridge (€4.50).

Korkeavuorenkatu 2, Ullanlinna. Open daily. Weekdays from 8.00.

What is it? A tiny coffee haven in Ullanlinna run by two Romanian founders who also operate their own roastery in the city of Lahti – affectionately nicknamed the Chicago of Finland for its tongue-in-cheek ‘gangster’ reputation. Behind the counter gleams a Kees van der Westen Spirit espresso machine, the Rolls-Royce of coffee makers. Rams Roasters’ cinnamon buns are almost as famous as the coffee, each one charmingly unique in shape thanks to their homespun, hand-twisted look.

Why we love it? Tucked away on the quiet Neitsytpolku, Rams Roasters remains a small-scale secret, even many locals haven’t discovered yet. This isn’t a spot for laptops but for being present – small signs on the tables declare it a computer-free zone. The coffee is bold and full-flavoured: order a cappuccino (€5.40) and you might get a bright, fruity roast; a pour-over costs a punchy €7.90. Ambient techno hums in the background, completing the vibe. 

Neitsytpolku 10, Ullanlinna. Open daily.

What is it? The original Way Bakery in Kallio’s Karhupuisto has become so popular that squeezing in is nearly impossible – and the occasionally aloof staff don’t make it any easier. Luckily, the calmer, more spacious Way Café in old Herttoniemi now offers some breathing room.

Why we love it? Way Café instantly raised the bar for Herttoniemi’s café scene when it opened beside the old shopping centre – quite literally, on an uphill slope opposite the Bolle bakery. Together they make a perfect pairing: enjoy a relaxed coffee or lunch at Way, then pop across the street for a loaf of Bolle’s superb sourdough. The 1960s shopping centre adds a nostalgic charm – here’s hoping other old suburban malls get such stylish new life. And for cinnamon bun fans: don’t miss Way’s version.
Kettutie 3, Herttoniemi. Open daily.

What is it? A cosmopolitan café where locals and travellers mingle; baristas from Latin America, chatter in multiple languages and the smell of freshly roasted beans. Neighbouring Temppeliaukio Church brings a steady flow of visitors.

Why we love it? It’s like a sweet shop for coffee lovers, a stylish one at that. The space is bright and airy, with Portuguese-style tiles and light streaming in through huge windows. One wall is lined with Cafetoria’s own roasts, each label sounding more tempting than the last. The coffee is serious business here: even the cup feels weighty, as if to say this is not to be taken lightly. And though prices run a little high (cappuccino €4.90, café au lait €5.90), it’s money well spent on coffee this good.

Runeberginkatu 31, Etu-Töölö. Closed Sundays.

What is it? A tiny café in a former horse stable in Vallila. Helsinki Coffee Roastery started here just roasting beans until curious passers-by, lured by the aroma, began asking for a cup – and the rest is history. Business boomed, and roasting later moved to Teurastamo, where a larger summer café now operates.

Why we love it? The snug space makes for intimate coffee moments. With only three tables, you might well find yourself chatting with strangers. The walls are dotted with quirky curiosities, and the clientele is just as mixed; bohemian Vallila types sit alongside corporate folks from the nearby bank HQ. Even the reading material reflects it: financial magazines next to the art comic Kuti. The cappuccino here is smooth and velvety, the kind you linger over; yesterday’s pastries go for just €1.

Päijänteentie 29, Vallila. Weekdays only 7.30–16.00.