These are the must-visit cafés in Helsinki in 2026

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 Mondays.

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 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 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.

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

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? 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? 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 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 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.