Where to eat in Helsinki on Sundays

What is it? A small, distinctive restaurant on Pikku Roobertinkatu, whose name is nearly impossible for non-Finnish speakers but translates as ‘creativity thrives on chaos’. The visual chaos here is entirely intentional.

Why we love it? The red neon light in the window signals straight away that this isn’t a place for stiffness. The walls are covered in colourful art, old posters and all sorts of curiosities, including surgical teaching charts. Plants hang from the ceiling. The space is intimate, tables are close together and diners sit right by the open kitchen. Food is prepared in full view, and it more than holds its own against the restaurant’s visual flair, equally playful and delicious. The restaurant is the long-held dream of its creators Samu Räsänen and Rico Aaltonen brought to life.

Time Out tip: When the Finnish Gastronomic Society named Luovuus Restaurant of the Year 2026, things really took off. It’s genuinely difficult to book a table at this tiny spot, but with a bit of luck you might snag a seat at the counter without a reservation. And if not, just around the corner on Yrjönkatu you’ll find the excellent The Tart, also open on Sundays, though only until 20.

Pieni Roobertinkatu 13. Open Fri–Mon 17–00. Expect to pay €14–€24 for dishes and €60 for a four-course menu.

What is it? A fine dining restaurant right in the city centre on Kalevankatu, serving only a surprise menu, so you won’t know what you’re getting in advance. French-style technique meets Nordic ingredients.

Why we love it? Chefs Jussi Hukkanen and Jesse Vottonen moved from Savonlinna to Helsinki over a decade ago and quietly opened a restaurant that’s never made a fuss about itself. And yet it has thrived. There’s no à la carte at all, just three- and five-course surprise menus. With only two menus at a time and most guests arriving with reservations, the kitchen can focus entirely on the food. The cod we tried, slow-cooked in milk, was one of the best fish dishes we’ve had in a long time.

Time Out tip: Go for the five-course instead of the three. On our visit, the most delicious and interesting dishes were part of the longer menu.

Kalevankatu 13, Kamppi. Open daily for dinner. Expect to pay €59 for three courses and €79 for five.

What is it? A small, intimate restaurant in Ullanlinna that’s at its best on Sundays.

Why we love it? AOI’s menu is exceptionally short and changes often, so every visit feels a little different. Of the dishes we tried, the yellow beetroot with ricotta and pistachio stood out: simple and beautiful. The experience was taken to another level by the fresh bread baked in-house and served alongside. AOI doesn’t go in for sourdough, focaccia or other breads favoured by many restaurants, instead creating its own version of a classic toast loaf, so perfect we had to buy some to take home. Apparently, this heavenly thick-crusted bread is easiest to pick up on Sundays. For mains we had trout, a solid dish that reminded us it’s almost impossible to make trout truly mind-blowing.

Time Out tip: The highlight of the evening was the pancake, still talked about on the journey home. A wildly indulgent hybrid of cinnamon waffle and pancake, soaked in all things delicious, it was unforgettable. We need to go back for it.

Neitsytpolku 10, Ullanlinna. Open Thu–Sat 17–00 and Sun 14–21. Expect to pay €55 for a four-course menu. Starters €13 and mains €28.

What is it? A high-quality yet homely neighbourhood restaurant open every day of the week.

Why we love it? The atmosphere at Laivakoira is warm, relaxed and inviting, like heading over to a friend’s for dinner. The walls are adorned with distinctive paintings. Dishes aren’t the cheapest in town, but they’re so good the price-quality ratio feels spot on. This is a place for indulgence, and especially on dark autumn evenings it’s a top choice when you’re in the mood to cosy up. The food is classic but bold: comfort food turned up to the max. The broth for the lamb pelmeni is so perfect you’ll want to drink it by the jug, wrapped up under a blanket.

Time Out tip: Order a side of fries. They’re the best in Helsinki.

Tehtaankatu 34, Punavuori. Open daily for dinner.

What is it? An elegant but unpretentious brasserie in a prime city location, suited to just about any occasion.

Why we love it? Disappointingly few high-end restaurants in Helsinki are open for lunch or on Sundays. Alexanderplats is. Its art deco-inspired interior makes it feel like it’s always been on Esplanadi, even though it only opened a little over five years ago. There are white tablecloths, but jazz is playing and the place has a real swing to it. Service is polished yet relaxed. You can dress up here, but you don’t have to. Drop in for a quick bite or settle in for a long dinner, come for a date, a business meeting or a catch-up with friends. The menu doesn’t try to surprise, instead focusing on carefully executed classics that sit somewhere between France and the Nordics. This is a restaurant that felt like a classic from day one.

Time Out tip: Alexanderplats stays open later than many restaurants in Helsinki, until midnight.

Eteläesplanadi 22, city centre. Open daily for lunch and dinner (in summer, dinner only). Expect to pay around €16 for starters and €30 for mains.

What is it? A restaurant by Noora Hautakangas, known for her Relove second-hand shops, on Pohjoisesplanadi, brimming with atmosphere.

Why we love it? When you’re craving unfussy French food, Rue Madame delivers. The theatrically styled restaurant is open every day from morning to evening, except on Sundays when it opens at midday. It draws a wide mix of customers, from trendy Gen Z types to older, more refined regulars. Prices are very reasonable given the stylish setting, and starters are particularly affordable.

Time Out tip: Pop in even just for a small bite, if only to see the bathroom. It’s stunning.

Pohjoisesplanadi 25–27, city centre. Open daily from morning to evening. Expect to pay €10 for starters and €25 for mains.

What is it? A stylish French restaurant on Kluuvikatu right in the heart of the city, from perhaps Finland’s most famous chef, Hans Välimäki.

Why we love it? Bistro Bardot is an elegant spot, perfect for marking a special occasion. The menu is built around carefully executed French classics, and you’ll want to try almost everything on it. Prices, however, are in line with what you’d expect from a Hans Välimäki restaurant, so a full tasting spree might have to wait for the next celebration.

Time Out tip: Order the sole (€24 per 100 grams). It’s excellent here and theatrically filleted at the table. A generous fish dish that feels both celebratory and wonderfully comforting in flavour.

Kluuvikatu 1. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Expect to pay €30–€60 for mains.