The best pizzas in Helsinki: the city's surprisingly brilliant pizza scene

What is it? A stylish pizzeria in Punavuori serving what Italians say are the best pizzas in Helsinki.

Why we love it? With so many excellent pizzerias in town these days, picking a single ‘best’ one feels impossible – so we’ll let the Italians decide. The Italian pizza guide 50 Top Pizza has consistently ranked Forza among the best pizzerias in Europe, most recently placing it at number 22. It’s easy to see why. While most restaurants lose a bit of their magic over time, Forza somehow keeps getting better (or maybe our palates are just catching up). Everything works: the base, the toppings, the sides, the atmosphere, the service. Even our two-year-old dining companion was warmly welcomed with a highchair and little snacks with apple juice on the side. Full marks for pizza and service – just one off for price, which is a little on the high side.

Time Out tip: Choose between soft, wood-fired pizzas and crisp Roman-style pies baked in an electric oven. If you’re in a group, order several starters and different pizzas to share – ideally with a mix of both crust types.

Pursimiehenkatu 29–31, Punavuori. Closed Mon. Expect to pay €15 for starters and €18–€27 for pizzas.

What is it? Big, New York–style pizza slices on Vaasankatu – generous, affordable and seriously tasty.

Why we love it? Everyone loves Blondie. The pizzas are simple but spot-on: thick, saucy and satisfying, with a tomato base that could rival New York’s best. One slice fills you up; two and you’re done for the day. The location adds to the charm – Vaasankatu is one of Helsinki’s liveliest (and grittiest) streets, lined with tiny restaurants, scruffy bars and the occasional adult shop.

Time Out tip:  Previously, Blondie occupied a tiny space before moving to slightly larger premises as its popularity grew. Thankfully, it hasn’t lost any of the atmosphere that made it such a favourite. The owners have also opened a neighbouring restaurant, Bar Blondie.

Vaasankatu 8, Kallio. Closed Mon. Expect to pay €4.50–€6.50 per slice.

What is it? Alfons in Punavuori is unquestionably one of Helsinki's top 10 pizzerias. Its signature is a spelt sourdough base that strikes the perfect balance between crispness and chew.

Why we love it? Alfons' pizza bases are so good that it's rare for even the crusts to be left behind. Prices are reasonable for premium pizzas, with most costing between €18 and €23. I've been meaning to work my way through the whole menu, but somehow I always end up ordering the Tonnarella. Instead of the usual tomato sauce, it's made with a white lemon and dill sauce, then topped with tuna, capers, olives, red onion and semi-dried yellow cherry tomatoes. It's such a masterpiece that choosing anything else feels almost impossible.

Time Out tip: Right next door, the same team has also opened Vigos Trattoria, a pasta bar where fresh pasta is made with the same passion and attention to detail.

Vuorimiehenkatu 35, Ullanlinna. Open daily for dinner. Expect to pay around €20 for a pizza.

What is it? Pontus has been a neighbourhood favourite in the Punavuori and Ullanlinna area for years.

Why we love it? When a friend told me Pontus served a pike pizza, I had to give it a try. It turned out to be genuinely excellent. The base was thin and crisp, with just the right amount of chew and perfectly crunchy edges. The cold-smoked pike was used with a light touch, and it didn't need any more than that. Its flavour is distinctive, but when it's balanced this well, it works beautifully without making the pizza too adventurous. The result is a superb pizza that's approachable even if you're not usually one to experiment with toppings.

Time Out tip Pontus is known for much more than its pizzas. I usually end up ordering the pepper steak (€36) or the restaurant's famous mussels baked under a bread crust. But the pizzas deserve just as much attention, and the cold-smoked pike pizza alone earns Pontus a place on Time Out's list of the best pizzerias in Helsinki.

Kapteeninkatu 26, Ullanlinna. Open daily for dinner. Expect to pay €19 for the cold-smoked pike pizza.

What is it? Uuno Pinza is a refreshing reminder that pizza can feel a little lighter without compromising on flavour. Instead of traditional round pizzas, the Uuno Pinza restaurants in Jätkäsaari, Herttoniemi and Kallio serve pinsa, the Roman cousin of pizza with an airy base that's crisp around the edges and soft in the middle.

Why we love it? The pinsa dough is made with sourdough using a blend of wheat, soya and rice flours. The result is exactly what many people secretly want from a pizza: something that feels just a little lighter without leaving you weighed down by the dough. The menu includes both classic combinations and more adventurous toppings, with the monthly special always worth a look. Pinsa is especially good for sharing, so it's worth ordering a few different ones along with a selection of dips. The atmosphere at Uuno is always relaxed, making it the perfect spot for an easy, casual meal. Prices sit at the lower end of the premium range, although I'd still consider these firmly premium pinsas. They also travel exceptionally well as takeaway and come pre-cut, making them easy to enjoy outdoors.

Time Out tip Don't miss the Jalapeño Caesar. It's incredible. If you're visiting the Herttoniemi or Jätkäsaari branch on a Monday, you'll also spot plenty of young chess players, as the restaurant hosts a weekly chess club for children.

Jätkäsaari, Herttoniemi and Kallio. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Pinsas from €15.

What is it? With its lively, pub-like atmosphere, Puttes is a favourite after-work hangout for many locals. You'd never guess on walking in that it also serves some of Helsinki's best pizzas, especially if you're after classic, no-frills pies.

Why we love it? My previous visit to Puttes was more than five years ago, and I have to admit the quality hasn't budged. When I say these are classic pizzas, I mean beautifully simple ones where the lack of unnecessary fuss is exactly what makes them so good. Everything is just as it should be, resulting in a pizza you'll happily come back for again and again. The dips for the crusts are excellent too, with the Cacio e Pepe Mayo standing out as my clear favourite.

Time Out tip: The best pizza is often written on the chalkboard, so don't just stick to the menu. Be sure to check the specials behind the bar as well.

Kalevankatu 6, city centre. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Expect to pay just under €20 for a pizza.

What is it? A tiny pizzeria on Korkeavuorenkatu that feels like it belongs in an Aki Kaurismäki film. Among friends, it's simply known as Koopee.

Why we love it? A pizzeria where you can't order takeaway. Where photography isn't allowed. Where you can't book a table. That's only open on weekdays. And where there are just three pizzas to choose from. Welcome to Kaisan Pitseria, the one-woman operation run by Kaisa Aalto, co-founder of Goose Pastabar and the person behind its unmistakable atmosphere. She's created that same magic in this tiny spot on Korkeavuorenkatu. It's wonderfully welcoming yet somehow still feels exclusive. Getting a table can be genuinely difficult, especially between 17.00 and 19.00. That's why Kaisa even writes on the restaurant's website: "I recommend coming alone or as a pair." It's hard to imagine another restaurant in Helsinki actively encouraging people to dine solo. And the pizzas? They're like little works of art.

Time Out tip: Order a lemonade with your pizza. It's heavenly.

Korkeavuorenkatu 17, Ullanlinna. Open Mon–Thu 15.00–21.00. Expect to pay around €18 for a pizza.

What is it? Belmont comes from the same team behind Daddy Greens, the much-loved pizzeria that first made its name as a pop-up and is good enough to deserve a place on this list in its own right. Located in Hakaniemi, Belmont also serves handmade pasta and an excellent selection of wines, giving it the feel of a proper neighbourhood restaurant rather than just a pizzeria. Its New York-style pizzas are also a welcome addition to Helsinki's pizza scene, where Neapolitan-style pies still dominate.

Why we love it? Belmont gets the neighbourhood restaurant formula exactly right. It's a seamless blend of pizzeria, wine bar and local restaurant, working brilliantly whether you're stopping by for a quick pizza, a leisurely dinner or just a glass of wine. The food is every bit as good as the concept. The New York-style pizzas are packed with flavour, the handmade pasta has the perfect bite, and the wine list offers something for every taste. The cocktails are well worth exploring too.

Time Out tip: The pasta dishes are just as good as the pizzas and perfect for sharing, so bring a group and work your way through the menu.

Hakaniemenkatu 7, Hakaniemi. Open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday. Expect to pay just over €20 for a pizza.

What is it? A long-standing favourite on Helsinki's pizza scene, Skiffer has been serving its signature sailor-style atmosphere and iconic liuskas for years. What started on the small island of Liuskasaari has since expanded to several locations in Helsinki, as well as Espoo and, during the summer, Hanko.

Why we love it? I first discovered Skiffer's oval-shaped pizzas on Liuskaluoto around 15 years ago, and they've been a summer favourite ever since. The ultra-thin, crisp base and flavour-packed, satisfyingly salty toppings are the perfect match for a hot summer's day and a cold beer. Over the years, several liuskas have become true classics. If it's your first visit, you can't go wrong with the Soignon (goat's cheese, strawberries, rocket and pine nuts), the Surf and Turf (chorizo, crayfish, oregano, chilli, coriander and lime) or the KAA 4, a premium take on the classic ham, pineapple and blue cheese combination.

Time Out tip: Skiffer's liuskas are at their very best at their original home on Liuskasaari. In summer, you can reach the island on a shuttle boat from beside the Compass Café for around €6. It's one of those classic Helsinki summer experiences that's well worth adding to your bucket list.

Laivurinkatu 10, Punavuori. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Expect to pay around €20, or slightly less, for a liuska.

What is it? The Three Belly's Pizza Bar began life as a pop-up at Johari's kiosk. Thankfully, those pizzas now have a permanent home. The restaurant is busy and lively without ever feeling chaotic, with the kind of quiet confidence that comes from knowing exactly what you're doing.

Why we love it? Three Belly's proves that even though you can now find excellent Neapolitan pizza on seemingly every corner in Helsinki, the very best still stand out. It's genuinely impressive that pizza of this quality is being made in Finland. The dough, the texture and the bake are all spot on. We ordered the pizza of the week from the chalkboard, a Quattro Formaggi, along with the Salsiccia Napoletana from the menu, topped with spicy salami, roasted garlic and gorgonzola. Both delivered exactly what you'd hope for: bold, well-balanced flavours and, above all, an outstanding base. The whole experience feels effortlessly confident, with no unnecessary gimmicks, just consistently excellent pizza from start to finish. Families are well looked after too. The children's menu doubles as a colouring book and, on our visit, the kids' pizza arrived first. It's a thoughtful touch that makes dining here with children genuinely easy.

Time Out tip Three Belly's feels like much more than a pizzeria. There's a clear wine bar influence, with the menu opening with a tempting selection of small plates, including olives, cured meats, cheeses, seafood and focaccia, all perfect for sharing. The weekend brunch reinforces the feeling that this is a restaurant with a life beyond pizza. Come with friends, order plenty of small plates to share, split a pizza and enjoy it all with a good bottle of wine.

Töölöntullinkatu 4, Töölö. Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch and dinner. Expect to pay around €20 for a pizza.