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The best places to eat in central Helsinki – all under one roof

Citycenter shopping mall is home to a diverse selection of restaurants right in the heart of Helsinki – here are Time Out’s favourites
Sushi valikoima valkoisella lautasella, mukana nigiri susheja ja maki rullia
Antti Helin
Written by Time Out in collaboration with Citycenter
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‘Where should we eat in the city centre?’ It’s a familiar question, and an easy one to answer: in Citycenter, of course!

Opposite Helsinki Central Station, Citycenter is a foodie oasis right in the heart of the city. You’ll find something for almost every taste and craving, from burgers and sushi to kebab, tacos, Thai, Chinese, rice bowls, wings and pizza.

One standout gem is the city’s first café serving Japanese soufflé pancakes – those airy, cloud-like treats made by folding whipped egg whites into the batter for an impossibly light, jiggly texture that’s taken Asia’s cafés by storm.

The most varied array of food spots is on the second-floor restaurant hub, but there are great cafés and eating spots on the ground floor and along the walkway to the metro as well.

Besides its central location, Citycenter’s food offering scores big on opening hours – most places serve both lunch and dinner every day, including Sundays, which can otherwise be surprisingly tricky for finding open restaurants in Helsinki.

After a week of eating around Citycenter, Time Out’s local correspondent has rounded up the must-try restaurants from this excellent in-house lineup.

Eat your way through Helsinki's Citycenter

1. Seksico City Bodega

Seksico City Bodega
Seksico City Bodega
Antti Helin

What’s the deal? In this colour-packed restaurant, everything clicks into place: bold flavours, genuinely warm service and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Why we love it? The vibe shoots through the roof the moment you step into Seksico City Bodega. The walls are plastered with vibrant posters and the staff greet you like old friends. But just wait until the food starts landing on the table. The flavours are more than on point – they’re fresh, layered and confident. The broth that comes with the birria tacos tastes like it’s been ladled straight out of Mexican heaven. And it’s not just the meat dishes that shine: the potato-and-harissa patata roja taco deserves its own fan club. Frankly, you’d be hard pressed to find a better vegetarian taco anywhere in this city. When the server comes over at the end to ask if everything was good, this is one of those places where you genuinely feel like answering with a clear “yes”. Loudly. And then immediately start plotting your next visit.

Time Out tip: Don’t skip the loaded fries. The thinly sliced potatoes have nailed the texture – crisp on the outside, fluffy within – and are lifted by a fresh salsa with just a hint of heat. Chips don’t get much better than this.

2. Sushi Bar + Wine City

Sushi Bar + Wine City
Sushi Bar + Wine City
Antti Helin

What is it? A stylishly designed sushi restaurant that’s a solid choice for both lunch and dinner.

Why we love it? Many rate Sushi Bar + Wine’s salmon salad as the best in town, thanks to its Japanese-style, sesame-based dressing. And yes, it really is excellent. But the restaurant’s true gift to Helsinki’s dining scene is the scallop supreme nigiri. Scallops are having a moment in many of the city’s top restaurants, but here you can indulge at a refreshingly reasonable price. At €7.90, it’s a small sum for a taste of something close to paradise. Lightly grilled on top, the scallop melts in your mouth. It’s pure love on a plate – so good it almost deserves an opera singer by the table, belting out an aria.

Time Out tip: Lunch at Sushi Bar + Wine is, quite rightly, busy, and it can be tricky to get a seat at peak time. If you can, aim to arrive after 1.30pm, once the lunchtime rush has eased.

3. SHIN Café

SHIN Café
SHIN Café
Antti Helin

What is it? A cute café serving some of the best pancakes in Helsinki, along with an excellent bowl of ramen.

Why we love it? SHIN Café’s main draw is its Japanese soufflé pancakes, a global trend that’s found a very happy home here. Tall, airy and beautifully presented, these cloud-like stacks are almost impossible to resist. Thankfully, they don’t just look the part – they taste great too. Before diving into pancakes, it’s well worth sampling the café’s ramen or the affordable banh mi baguette. Both are reliably good and make this a spot that works just as well for a proper meal as it does for something sweet.

Time Out tip: Pair your pancakes with a Vietnamese salt coffee. It’s one of the best iced coffees we’ve tasted: full of flavour, well balanced and not overly sweet.

4. Bangkok9

Bangkok9
Bangkok9
Antti Helin

What is it? A tuk-tuk greets you at the door of this long-standing favourite, widely regarded as one of Helsinki’s best Thai restaurants.

Why we love it? Even a quick glance at Bangkok9’s menu can prompt an excited reaction: they serve khao soi. This northern Thai noodle soup, originally from the Chiang Mai region, is a true symphony of flavours. The base is a rich, aromatic broth made from coconut milk, curry paste and spices, layered and comforting. Sharp notes from shallots and the citrusy aroma of kaffir lime leaves lift the dish, while a topping of crispy noodles adds contrast to the soft ones beneath. Every mouthful brings something slightly different. If there’s one dish that has taken Thailand by storm in recent years, this is it – and there’s no better place in Helsinki to start your own khao soi obsession.

Time Out tip: Do as the Thais do and come with a group. Ordering several dishes to share lets the different flavours and textures complement each other, which is exactly how Thai food is meant to be enjoyed.

5. Gateau

Gateau
Gateau
Antti Helin

What is it? A café on the street level of Citycenter, ideal for a quick coffee stop or for picking up bread and pastries to go.

Why we love it? This tiny café’s location, right by the main entrances at street level, is so central it’s almost impossible to walk past. It acts like a magnet, pulling people in. Most pop by to grab bread or pastries on the move, but it’s worth slowing down and taking a seat. Thanks to its prime spot, Gateau is a great place for people-watching – if you can tear your eyes away from the display of baked goods. The recipes are French, with inspiration drawn from the legendary Parisian bakery Poilâne. Real butter and cream are used in the cakes and pastries, and the results are hard to resist. Et voilà – c’est magnifique.

Time Out tip: Many of Gateau’s breads keep well for several days, and the flavour often improves as it develops. Store your loaf in a paper bag with a plastic bag over it to keep the crust crisp and the inside soft.

6. Aito Fresh

Aito Fresh
Aito Fresh
Antti Helin

What is it? A restaurant serving fresh, Asian-style poke bowls, with an AI-powered menu that can even crack a joke if you ask nicely.

Why we love it? The name Aito Fresh is a playful pun. The ingredients in its generous rice bowls are, of course, genuinely fresh, but the name also comes from AI to Fresh – from artificial intelligence to freshness. The restaurant was founded by friends with backgrounds in IT, and technology is very much part of the experience. The AI-driven menu doesn’t just explain the dishes; it can also tell jokes on request. Orders can be placed at the counter or directly from your phone at the table. Aito Fresh is especially popular at lunchtime, when poke bowls are joined by a varied salad bar and a soup of the day, but it’s also well worth visiting in the evening for a filling and affordable dinner.

Time Out tip: Right now, Aito Fresh is offering a Chinese-style chicken bowl with just the right amount of heat for €12.90, available in the evening too (normally €15.80).

7. Döner Harju City

Döner Harju City
Döner Harju City
Antti Helin

What is it? Döner Harju was born when two fine-dining chefs decided that Finland, too, deserves truly good kebab.

Why we love it? You probably know the feeling: a craving for kebab hits, that comforting, meaty thing drenched in sauce. Your brain might suggest a salad, but your body knows better. Thankfully, there’s Döner Harju. It answers the call with high-quality herb-marinated lamb, an excellent tomato and harissa sauce, and a generous spread of sides. Take the meze plate, for example: alongside the kebab you’ll find sumac salad, lemony bulgur, hummus, yoghurt, crumbled feta, fresh herbs, chilli and toasted focaccia. This is the kind of kebab that puts you in a good mood without trying too hard.

Time Out tip: Döner Harju’s dishes also work brilliantly as vegetarian versions. The house-made veggie kebab easily outshines shop-bought seitan, so it’s well worth a try.

8. Social Burger Joint

Social Burger Joint
Social Burger Joint
Antti Helin

What is it? A burger restaurant run by MasterChef winner Mika Tuomonen, where you can order your burger with a classic beef patty or as a smash version.

Why we love it? Picture your ideal burger: a golden brioche bun with a thick, juicy patty tucked inside. Or better yet, don’t picture it at all – just head up to the second floor of Citycenter and let Social Burger Joint handle the details. The menu covers plenty of ground, with burgers that are spicy, smoky, topped with bacon or sharpened with air-dried ham, plus solid options for vegetarians and those following a keto diet. Order the classic version and you’ll get a generously sized beef patty grilled over charcoal and left nicely pink inside. Go for a smash burger and the patty is pressed thin, creating a deep, evenly browned crust and a rich, roasted umami flavour that really delivers.

Time Out tip: The loaded fries are genuinely loaded. Expect chopped chorizo, rosemary and garlic mayo, plus a fresh hit of lime mayo and coriander alongside the potatoes.

9. Pretty Boy Citycenter

Pretty Boy Citycenter
Pretty Boy Citycenter
Antti Helin

What is it? Pretty Boy specialises in chicken wings and treats its sauces like an art form.

Why we love it? The idea behind Pretty Boy is straightforward: cook chicken in a relaxed but high-quality way. The clever twist lies in the sauces – there are nine of them. That means the same wings can taste entirely different each time, taking you on a flavour journey from Argentina to Seoul, and from Tokyo to Texas. It’s hard to ever get bored. Vegetarians aren’t left out either: Pretty Boy’s sauces also work brilliantly with soy-based no-chicken options, which have a satisfying texture of their own. And the name? Pretty Boy is the proud, handsome rooster, strutting around the chicken yard. With sauces like these, it’s earned the right.

Time Out tip: Can’t decide between the sauces? Bring friends and order the All Them Chicks platter. It comes with 48 wings, all the sauces and a range of dips – easily enough for four people to share.

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