The best breakfasts and brunches in Helsinki

What is it? A delightful cafe-pizzeria housed in a timber building over a century old, set right in the heart of the idyllic Helsinki Parish Village.

Why we love it? When it comes to Helsinki’s brunch scene, Kahvitupa Laurentius is in a league of its own. On weekends, they run two sittings, and it’s not a frantic buffet scramble. Instead, guests sit back and relax while the kitchen brings out one delicacy after another. Prosecco is poured freely – it’s included in the price – guaranteeing a properly effervescent atmosphere. Eventually, owner Neal Saponi steps up to the spread to welcome everyone.

‘Buongiorno! Welcome, everyone! Happy Birthday – I won’t sing. I’m from near Bologna. Everything here is handmade; we don’t buy anything from outside. Real lasagne! Even a veggie version. Neapolitan pizza – very soft, very light. Today we have a super salad. Super, super good! Mamma Mia! Our Parma ham is long-matured; this isn’t some supermarket ham.’

The introduction ends in a round of applause, and quite right too. Here, food is truly revered, and everything tastes exactly as magnificent as Saponi promises.

Time Out tip: For dessert, you naturally have to go for the house gelato. It’s made on-site every day, which explains that silky, heavenly texture.

Kirkkotie 47, Vantaa. Brunch sittings at 12:00 and 14:00 (the latter ends at 15:30). Expect to pay €38.

What is it? A sophisticated buffet at Helsinki’s premier luxury hotel.

Why we love it? St. George is the place to go when you want breakfast to feel like an event. The buffet is curated, beautiful, and effortless. There’s a hot station with bacon and pancakes, plus a cold spread of fruit and charcuterie. The hotel’s own bakery ensures the pastries are world-class. Do not skip the overnight-simmered porridge or the house sourdough. Service is polished, with hot drinks and made-to-order omelettes served directly to your table.

Time Out tip: If you need to crack on with some work afterwards, the Scandic Hub Helsinki across the park offers a co-working day pass for just ten euros.

Yrjönkatu 13. Mon–Fri 06:30–10:30, Sat–Sun 07:00–12:00. Price €39.

What is it? Top chef Hans Välimäki’s French powerhouse, perhaps best known for its stellar breakfast.

Why we love it? Brasserie Lionne charms you the moment you step through the door. The French-inspired decor is elegantly classic without being over the top, with grand windows overlooking Northern Esplanade. The menu hits all the right notes: omelettes, eggs benedict, and a mean croque madame. It’s not exactly a budget option, but considering the high-end atmosphere, it’s surprisingly fair.

Time Out tip: Do not skip the croissants. Brasserie Lionne is at its absolute peak when it comes to its own bakery products.

Pohjoisesplanadi 37, city centre. Breakfast served Mon–Fri 8–10am, Sat 9–11am and Sun 10am–1pm. Expect to pay €35 for breakfast.

What is it? Perched on the edge of Kallio’s Bear Park (Karhupuisto), Flät no 14 is one of the trendiest spots in town – a place where you’ll spot actors and models nursing a quiet weekend coffee.

Why we love it? The breakfast is built around small plates – you can order a set of three, five, or seven. The veggie-forward dishes are best shared, creating a fresh parade of flavours. The interior is equally crisp, blending restrained modernism with warm, second-hand furniture. With plants on the walls and a striking blue ceramic tile feature, the vibe is tidy yet lived-in. It avoids the usual cliches and just feels… right.

Time Out tip: For two people sharing, five dishes are plenty, which keeps the price very reasonable (€24 split between two).

What is it? A cosy cafe-slash-bar right in the heart of the city, whose egg drop sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food for those mornings when your head is pounding and you're reconsidering every life choice you made the night before.

Why we love it? Cafe Pacifico proves that you can create a wonderful atmosphere with very simple elements. The decor isn't flashy – simple Artek furniture mixed with vintage tables – but it works perfectly. People come here primarily for the excellent egg drop sandwiches made with high-quality sourdough. The eggs are served as a silky, pillowy scramble, the ultimate breakfast comfort food. However, don’t overlook the eggs benedict, which easily ranks among the best in the city. When we visited, the bearnaise sauce was applied with surgical precision: just enough to be indulgent, but not so much that you're left drowning in it.

Time Out tip: You can pimp your Pacifico brunch. For an extra five euros, swap your juice for a punchy mimosa and your filter coffee for a specialty brew. There’s also a tempting selection of craft beers on tap behind the bar.

Kalevankatu 17, Kamppi. Opens at 09:00 Tue–Sun. Closed Mondays. Brunch served Wed–Sun 09:00–15:00. Expect to pay €26–32 for a set including a sandwich, breakfast bowl, dessert, coffee, and juice.

What is it? A youthful, buzzing cafe-restaurant that has become one of the city’s most popular morning spots. They have outposts in Kallio, Töölö, and even Tampere. While they champion plant-based food, carnivores aren't left out.

Why we love it? It’s easy, it’s bustling, and it’s spacious. Green Hippo is famous for its ‘all-day breakfast’ and very wallet-friendly prices. Their calling card is the banana pancakes (€8), which are entirely vegan and gluten-free. They’ve developed their own secret recipe, and the result is… interesting. It’s very tasty, though the texture is closer to a chewy mochi ball than a fluffy American pancake.

Time Out tip: Order the eggs benedict. On our visit, it was absolutely excellent.

Punavuorenkatu 2, Fredrikintori, Punavuori. Breakfast from 8am Mon–Fri and from 9am Sat–Sun. Expect to pay €8 for banana pancakes.

What is it? Under the magnificent domed ceiling of the original Fazer Café on Kluuvikatu, a lavish breakfast buffet is laid out every morning.

Why we love it? The price-to-quality ratio here is solid. While the hams and smoked fish feel like standard high-quality retail stock, the real stars are the cakes. There are several varieties, and they are constantly replenished. It is paradise for those with a sweet tooth. The Art Deco surroundings (dating back to 1930) are grand, though the vibe is more ‘efficient cafe’ than ‘Grand Hotel’ – there’s no table service and the staff don’t always have time for small talk.

Time Out tip: A brilliant spot for early risers, as breakfast starts at 07:30 and runs until 10:30.

Kluuvikatu 3, City Centre. Price €19.90. Children pay €1 per year of age; under-threes go free.

What is it? A hotel breakfast on Mannerheimintie that offers excellent value for money.

Why we love it? When you want a ‘proper’ breakfast – porridge, omelettes, waffles, the lot – but don’t want to shell out for the ultra-luxe hotels, Marski is the answer. The selection is vast, featuring fresh-pressed juices (you can even custom-blend your own) and perfectly boiled eggs. The Kuusi Palaa restaurant is beautiful, and the large windows offer a front-row seat to Helsinki waking up. It’s also open early enough for actual breakfast time.

Time Out tip: Finish your meal with a dose of culture; the hotel basement features a space with regularly rotating art exhibitions.

Mannerheimintie 10. Mon–Fri 06:30–10:00, Sat–Sun 07:00–12:00. Price €26.

What is it? This Kallio institution is nearly 90 years old, and its brunch is one of the city’s longest-running traditions, having been served for 13 years.

Why we love it? Oiva’s weekend brunch is a quintessential Finnish affair. You’ll find sausages, Karelian pasties, and everything else you’d expect from a local spread. While the fish selection was a bit lean during our visit, the excellent shrimp Skagen more than made up for it. What sets Oiva apart is the ingredient quality; even the sausages are artisan versions. For dessert, there’s classic blueberry pie and a cheesecake that melts in the mouth.

Time Out tip: No need to be an early bird here. Brunch is served until 15:00 on Saturdays and all the way until 16:00 on Sundays.

Porthaninkatu 5, Kallio. Sat 10:00–15:00, Sun 10:00–16:00. Expect to pay €32.

What is it? One of the few restaurants in Helsinki dedicated almost exclusively to breakfast. You’ll find them in Punavuori and now also on Helsinginkatu in Kallio.

Why we love it? Lazy Fox is wonderfully straightforward and unpretentious. People don't come here to stage Instagram shoots; they come to eat pancakes, bacon, and ‘bennies’ (eggs benedict). The pricing is spot on – a full benedict is €15, and you can even get a half-portion for a tenner. While the pancakes could be a bit more generous with the toppings, the energetic, welcoming atmosphere more than makes up for it.

Time Out tip: They don’t take reservations and the Punavuori spot fills up fast. Arrive early or visit on a weekday to avoid the queue. Pets are more than welcome.

Albertinkatu 36, Kamppi. Mon–Wed 08:00–15:00, Thu 08:00–22:00, Fri 08:00–23:00, Sat 08:00–17:00, Sun 09:00–15:00.