These are the must-visit cafés in Helsinki in 2026

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 Ullanlinna coffee shop for people who take their beans very seriously.

Why we love it: Tucked away on Neitsytpolku, Rams Roasters is run by Romanian founders who also operate their own roastery in Lahti. The first thing to catch your eye is the gleaming Kees van der Westen Spirit behind the counter – a Dutch-built machine that sits somewhere near the top of the espresso-machine food chain.

This is not a café for nursing one flat white over three hours of emails. Little signs on the tables make the rules clear: no laptops. The idea is refreshingly old-fashioned – drink your coffee, talk to someone, stare out of the window, exist.

The coffee itself is bold, sometimes wildly so. Order a cappuccino (€5.40) and you may end up with something intensely fruity and far more interesting than your average milky coffee. A pour-over is a rather heroic €7.90. Ambient techno provides the soundtrack, naturally.

Time Out tip: Rams Roasters’ korvapuusti cinnamon buns have earned a cult following, with some claiming they are the best in Helsinki. We can at least confirm they are among the most lovable. No two look quite the same, and the filling is applied with such enthusiasm that it spills out in the oven, caramelising into a crisp, almost biscuit-like bonus around the edges.

Neitsytpolku 10, Ullanlinna. Open daily.

What is it? A long-time favourite in one of Helsinki’s prime locations on Senate Square, directly opposite the Cathedral.

Why we love it? From Café Engel’s window tables, you get stunning views over Helsinki’s most beautiful and central square, Senate Square, framed by neoclassical buildings and the gleaming white Cathedral. It’s hard to imagine another world capital with a café in such a location that isn’t an overpriced tourist trap. But Helsinki has one. Yes, it draws plenty of visitors, and rightly so, as there’s no better place to take in the Senate Square scenery, but Café Engel is firmly a local favourite too. For most of the year, table service is available, although in summer it’s self-service.

Time Out tip: You can drop by Café Engel just for coffee and cake, but it’s also well worth coming here for a meal. The all-day daily dish costs just €15.20.

Aleksanterinkatu 26, city centre. Open Mon–Fri 8–21, Sat 9–21, Sun 10–19. Expect to pay €18.20 for breakfast, €16.70 for salmon soup and €8.80 for cakes.

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.

Time Out tip: Layers Bakery has opened a second, almost equally tiny bakery-café on Bulevardi.

Cygnaeuksenkatu 6, Etu-Töölö. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

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? Helsinki’s oldest café, where time seems to stand still – in the best possible way.

Why we love it? Modern gimmicks and passing trends are nowhere to be found here. Of all Helsinki’s cafés, Ekberg has the strongest old-world feel, thanks to its classic interior with marble tables and rattan chairs, table service and the waiters’ black-and-white uniforms. Traditions are upheld here, including in the pastry recipes. While breakfast and lunch are also on offer, this is the place to come specifically for the classic pastries – Napoleon, Budapest and mille-feuille – that Helsinki locals were already enjoying more than a century ago. You can taste the history in them, but also a bit of a tourist premium in the price.

Time Out tip: In summer, Ekberg’s terrace is a great spot for people-watching. The benches are even arranged facing the street, like a theatre audience towards the stage.

Bulevardi 9, Kamppi. Open Mon–Fri 7:30–19, Sat and Sun 9–18. Expect to pay €19.90 for a croque madame, €16.90 for quiche and €9.90 for pastries.

What is it? A cosy Vaasankatu spot best known for its excellent empanadas – but the real reason to come is Helsinki's finest cheesecake.

Why we love it? Mama's Basque cheesecake (€8) is impossibly soft, like a cloud you'd happily curl up on and drift across the sky to the sound of gentle bossa nova. Unlike a classic cheesecake, there's no biscuit base. Instead, it's nothing but rich cream cheese filling, baked at a high temperature until the top caramelises into a beautifully dark crust while the centre stays irresistibly silky. The flavour is rich, lightly savoury and perfectly balanced. If you're anywhere near Vaasankatu, this cheesecake is worth the detour. In fact, we'd happily cross Finland for a slice.

Time Out tip: Grab a seat on the terrace, one of the best on lively Vaasankatu. Tucked away on a sunny corner, it's the perfect place to linger over cheesecake and coffee.

Vaasankatu 11, Kallio. Open Tuesday–Saturday, from afternoon until evening.

What is it? A café set in the Tarvaspää villa.

Why we love it? When you’re after a coffee moment close to nature but in beautiful surroundings, Cafe Zoceria is hard to beat. The café sits within the grounds of Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s home museum, the Art Nouveau Tarvaspää villa, but it’s much more than just a museum café. The café building itself is strikingly beautiful: a white-and-yellow wooden structure that radiates a national romantic atmosphere, complete with decorative detailing and scenic views unfolding behind it. The coffee is made from beans roasted by Kaffa Roastery in Punavuori, while the cakes and buns come from the café’s own pastry chefs.

Time Out tip: Visit on a frosty day. The frozen Laajalahti looks magical when viewed through the paned windows.

Gallen-Kallelan tie 27, Tarvaspää, Espoo. Winter season Tue–Sun 11–18, summer season daily 11–20.

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 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? Every suburb deserves a café like this.

Why we love it: Set in the ground floor of a red-brick apartment building, this Roihuvuori spot captures the spirit of one of Helsinki’s most bohemian suburbs. It’s long been a magnet for musicians and artists swapping the urban Kallio neighbourhood for something greener and more low-key. Inside, it’s all disarmingly homely. Expect simple soup lunches and seriously good homemade bakes. Roihuvuoren Rio doubles as a laid-back cultural café, with events and a strong sense of community woven into the mix. In summer, things spill outdoors, with a cosy terrace stretching into the park just outside. It’s the kind of place where you come for a coffee and end up staying for hours.

Time Out tip: During the summer season, a small stage pops up out front, with live gigs once a week – often featuring local talent (and there’s plenty of that around here).

Roihuvuorentie 9, Roihuvuori. Opens at 11am (noon on Sundays). Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

What is it? Erika Poussa, known from the Finnish TV show ‘Suomalainen Menestysresepti’, has her own café-bakery, known for its trendy treats, cupcakes, cookies and showstopping cakes.

Why we love it? Bakerika's small bakery on Fredrikinkatu is perfect for popping into as you pass by. Pick up some pastries to take away or grab a seat by the window with a sweet treat and watch the comings and goings on Fredrikinkatu. The charming, pale-blue café has seating for just ten customers, so it fills up quickly. The small counter isn’t piled high with treats, and the focus here is clearly on quality rather than quantity. One thing is pretty much guaranteed, though: classics such as red velvet cupcakes and wonderfully gooey chocolate chip cookies are almost always on offer. Before you leave, remember to peek inside the fridge in the corner of the café, where beautiful cakes and other baked goods await collection.

Time Out tip: The Fredrikinkatu location, among a row of small independent shops, is incredibly handy, and it’s worth popping into at least a couple of the neighbourhood’s boutiques while you’re here. We recommend Papershop across the street, for example, or Lilja the Label’s swimwear shop right next door to Bakerika.

Fredrikinkatu 25, Punavuori. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-17:00.

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.

What is it? A trend-driven, aesthetically focused café on Annankatu, known for pastries that look like fruits and berries.

Why we love it? Beneath arched ceilings, Café Berry’s dining room buzzes with people as its viral-hit pastries draw in visitors of all ages. The coveted creations are found at the back of the café, where you’ll spot pastries resembling mangoes, raspberries and cherries, each hiding a surprise inside. There are also salads, filled sandwiches and traditional Finnish buns on offer. The atmosphere feels like Paris, right down to the small stools set out front.

Time Out tip: The pastries are handmade in front of customers, and if you pick your seat wisely, you can watch the pastry chef at work while enjoying your treat.

Annankatu 27, Kamppi. Mon–Thu 9–21, Fri–Sat 9–23, Sun 10–18.

What is it? A colourful café with its own coffee roastery and its own range of teas.

Why we love it? This cosy and approachable café sources its beans from Lykke’s own responsibly run coffee farms in Uganda, Brazil, El Salvador and Peru. The beans are roasted at their own roastery in Kuopio. You’ll also find specialities like a Turkish pepper latte on the menu. The atmosphere is relaxed, with plenty of regulars whose chats with the barista are a pleasure to follow. It’s an easy place to settle in with a laptop, and there’s also a downstairs area with plenty more seating and the option to sit in peace if you prefer.

Time Out tip: Breakfast is served all day, but if you’re after a quick bite, there are generously filled toasts for just over €10 that will keep you going.

Pohjoinen Rautatienkatu 21, Etu-Töölö. Closed Mon, Tue–Thu 10–17, Fri 10–18, Sat 11–18, Sun 11–16.

What is it? A tiny Viennese café on Eerikinkatu that roasts its own coffee. The roaster takes up a large share of the small interior.

Why we love it? Viennese cafés are usually known for being grand and palatial, but Bernhard Gerlich’s café, run by someone who has lived in Finland for 20 years, is small and homely. Still, it’s unmistakably Viennese, as Gerlich ensures by roasting the beans himself in the Viennese style – beyond medium roast and close to the second crack of a dark roast. The result is the deep aroma and caramel-like aftertaste typical of Viennese coffee. On the menu, you’ll find everything from Wiener Melange to Franziskaner. There’s food, too, including veal Wiener schnitzel and goulash soup.

Time Out tip: You can also pop into Good Coffee Company for a beer. The café serves excellent Austrian Stiegl – in a can – when it hasn’t sold out.

Eerikinkatu 33, Kamppi. Open Tue–Fri 10–17. Expect to pay around €4 for a cup of coffee.

What is it? Tucked in the heart of Helsinki’s Design District, this café charms with its eclectic, mix-and-match interiors.

Why we love it? The name means ‘walking pace’ in Italian – in musical terms, a relaxed, mid-tempo rhythm. That’s exactly the vibe at Andante: easy-going yet quietly dynamic. There’s enough space to crack open your laptop and get some work done, but the atmosphere still feels intimate. Coffee is crafted with care, using beans from a curated mix of Finnish and international roasteries. The matcha is excellent. And the cinnamon buns? Among the best in the city. They don’t rely on size but on balance: crisp meets soft, with just the right hint of buttery richness. The basics are more than covered – and when you add Andante’s delightfully mismatched interior, where each table feels like it belongs to a different café entirely, the result is irresistibly charming. Don’t be surprised if this becomes your new regular.

Time Out tip Locals swear by the carrot cake (€7.50). Breakfast (€20) is served all day and includes avocado or banana toast, yoghurt, apple juice and coffee.

Fredrikinkatu 20, Punavuori. Open Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 11am–6pm. Closed Sundays.

What is it? A stylish chocolate boutique in Kruununhaka that also works beautifully as a café, where you can pair a cappuccino with pralines and seasonal pastries.

Why we love it? Who could resist chocolate lips smiling up from a small plate? Chjoko, which has been delighting Helsinki locals with its artisan chocolates for 20 years, is worth a visit at any time of year, but it truly shines during the seasons, when you can pick up unique Easter eggs or stunning laskiaispulla buns.

Time Out tip: Chjoko is a foolproof answer when you’re not sure what to bring as a gift or souvenir. Handmade pralines, of course!

Liisankatu 9, Kruununhaka. Open Mon–Fri 12–18, Sat 12–16.

What is it? A bakery café located on the ground floor of a much-loved hotel.

Why we love it? Step down a few stairs from the street and the atmosphere shifts instantly. At St. George Bakery, soft background music plays, the crowd is international and the scent of freshly baked bread fills the air. The counters are piled high with filled sandwiches and pastries, and choosing becomes a challenge at the latest when you reach the buns. In summer, the best spot is the terrace opening onto Yrjönkatu, while on rainy days and during the winter months it’s lovely to curl up in the back room’s cosy corners. You can also sit at a long communal table, a small intimate table or sink into an armchair. In the mornings, there’s not only excellent overnight porridge but also the Bakery’s own breakfast buffet.

Time Out tip: You can come here for lunch, too. The menu includes salads, soup and burgers.

Yrjökatu 13, Kamppi. Mon–Fri 8–18, Sat 9–19, Sun 9–18.

What is it? A bakery-café opposite Ruoholahti metro station serving gluten-free and vegan cookies. The same duo also runs the Ne Keksit online shop.

Why we love it? Who doesn’t love cookies fresh from the oven? The smell of freshly baked cookies hits you as soon as you step inside this tiny café, as they’re baked on site right behind the counter. They’re laid out on baking trays, with six different cookies available at any one time. There are 13 flavours in total, so which ones you’ll find at the counter is always a bit of a surprise. All the cookies are gluten-free, but they’re so good in both flavour and texture that they easily hold their own against traditional cookies. The small space makes for an intimate atmosphere, while the warm service (along with those freshly baked cookies) makes sure you leave with a smile on your face.

Time Out tip: If the weather’s good, get your cookies to go and take a seat by the Ruoholahti canal a couple of blocks away to tuck into them while taking in the view.

Itämerenkuja 1, Ruoholahti. Open Tue-Fri 09:30-18:00, Sat 11:00-17:00 and Sun 12:00-17:00.

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? In Munkkiniemi, you’ll find one of Helsinki’s best spots for cake.

Why we love it? The counter at Café Tarina overflows with one irresistible cake after another, all made in the café’s own bakery. The most popular is the salted caramel cheesecake, a reliably excellent choice, but alongside it you should at least try the lingonberry and caramel cake topped with a lovely meringue. And once you get a taste for it, this is a place worth returning to again and again so you can work your way through the full selection. They really are that good. At the same time, you can admire an iconic Helsinki scene through the café’s large windows, from trams to a classic kiosk. Café Tarina can also be found at the Ainoa shopping centre in Tapiola.

Time Out tip: Combine your visit with some second-hand shopping at nearby Butik 33, set atmospherically in a residential building’s basement. Stepping inside feels like entering a rabbit hole where you might find just about anything pre-loved.

Laajalahdentie 20, Munkkiniemi. Mon–Fri 8–20, Sat 9–19, Sun 10–18.