10 cafés across the Helsinki region that locals cherish

The secret to Finland’s happiness may just be hidden in our many cafés. Finns are the unofficial world champions in drinking coffee, and visiting a café is one of the best ways to jump into the local culture.

Around the country, coffee is savored throughout the day – often paired with freshly baked treats and shared moments with friends or family. Here's a look at some of the most unforgettable coffee houses and cafés in the Helsinki region that locals cherish.

Article published in November 2025.

Café Ekberg has been part of Helsinki’s daily rhythm since 1852, making it the city’s oldest café, bakery and patisserie. Step inside from Bulevardi and you get that unmistakable Ekberg moment: sunlight on polished mirrors, the scent of fresh pastries, and just enough elegant bustle to feel like you’re somewhere with a story.

Ekberg is the Helsinki version of a grand European café. Charmingly old-school, but never stiff. What truly sets Ekberg apart is its in-house bakery, which has been shaping Helsinki’s pastry traditions for generations. The classic korvapuustis, seasonal layer cakes and expertly crafted breads all come straight from the cafés own ovens, and locals swear by the breakfast and brunch, which showcase Nordic ingredients at their best. Nothing here is reinvented for trends or algorithms; Ekberg simply focuses on doing things properly – a Helsinki tradition worth savouring.

That same elegant European café atmosphere lives on at Café Esplanad, a long-time favourite on Helsinki’s most iconic promenade. Known citywide for its huge cinnamon buns (korvapuustis on a heroic scale!) this airy, light-filled café blends classic Finnish flavours with a cosmopolitan charm.

Esplanad is the kind of place where everything feels a little larger than life: the pastries, the windows, the steady flow of locals and travellers drifting in from the boulevard. The display counters offer cakes, savoury pies and sandwiches throughout the day, making it an easy stop whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee or settling in for something more substantial.

The terrace is pure Helsinki magic – especially in summer, when the Esplanadi park is buzzing. It’s one of the best places in the city for people-watching: musicians tuning their instruments, families strolling past, and locals weaving through on bicycles.

Café Regatta looks almost too charming to be real: a tiny red wooden hut by the sea, a fire crackling outside, and locals lining up for treats in every season. What began as a modest kiosk in the Töölö district has grown into a Helsinki favourite, drawing everyone from dog walkers to design students and visitors who’ve heard rumours of “that little café by the water.”

The menu is simple and very Finnish: strong coffee, fresh cinnamon buns, and sausage you can grill over the open fire. The atmosphere is relaxed and outdoorsy, with views of the bay that make even a quick stop feel special. What makes Regatta truly beloved is how woven it is into everyday life. It’s where locals warm up after skating, gather on bright summer evenings, or watch swans drift past. Small, quirky and full of heart, Café Regatta proves that some of Helsinki’s best moments happen by the sea.

Café Kampela sits on the shore of Vuosaari – the eastern-most stop on the Helsinki metro line – like an old friend: unpretentious, welcoming and wonderfully tied to its surroundings. Housed in a former fisherman’s cabin, it’s the eastern counterpart to Regatta; equally loved by locals, but far less discovered by casual visitors. On a sunny day, the terrace fills with families, sailors, and neighbours who’ve been coming here for years.

The menu leans into Finnish comfort: coffee, delicious baked goods, and the iconic salmon soup, a true local favourite. In winter, it’s a cosy stop after a walk along the frozen shore; in summer, the sea breeze and wide-open views make it an easy place to linger longer than planned. What gives Kampela its charm is its everyday authenticity. There’s no curated seaside chic here, just the atmosphere of a place shaped by its community and coastline. For travellers looking to experience Helsinki beyond the city centre, Café Kampela offers a taste of the relaxed, genuinely local side of the capital.

Kahvisiskot has been a Hakaniemi Market Square institution for 50 years, serving the kind of traditional Finnish flavours that keep people coming back decade after decade. This classic tent café is known for its pannukahvi (old-school filter coffee brewed in pots) and for its much-loved rice porridge, cooked on site and served the traditional way with a pat of butter, sugar and cinnamon. The menu is reassuringly Finnish: fresh home-baked pulla, filled sandwiches, and the legendary Eromanga meat pies and munkkipossu doughnuts. It’s simple, satisfying food meant to be enjoyed without hurry.

In summer, the café’s red chairs fill with regulars, market-goers, musicians and the occasional accordion tune floating through the square. The atmosphere is cheerful, uncurated and authentically local – a snapshot of everyday Helsinki at its most down-to-earth. For travellers wanting to experience a real market-day coffee moment, Kahvisiskot is the place.

Lippakioskit, canopy kiosks, have been a classic part of Helsinki’s summer rhythm for more than 80 years. These kiosks, usually perched by tram stops or tucked into neighbourhood parks, were designed in the 1930s and have since become beloved meeting points, coffee stops and take-away restaurants. Many are protected for their architectural value, and about ten of them still stand and operate across the city.

Originally built to offer quick refreshments to passers-by, today’s kiosks span the spectrum from nostalgic to modern. In Käpylä, one of the earliest kiosks still serves coffee and hosts everything from bingo to small concerts. In the heart of Kallio's Karhupuisto Park, a kiosk has reinvented itself with natural wines and laid-back DJ sets on sunny evenings. Over in Munkkiniemi, the city’s oldest functioning kiosk – dating back to the 1930s – draws loyal crowds with Belgian waffles when spring arrives.

Newer interpretations keep the spirit alive in fresh ways: a fully vegan kiosk in Töölö serves falafel and plant-based burgers year-round, while beachgoers in Mustikkamaa stop at a revived 1930s kiosk for simple summer dishes after a swim.

Just a short public-transport ride from Helsinki, the neighbouring city of Espoo offers its own share of characterful cafés – Bembölen Kahvitupa being one of the most atmospheric. Set inside a beautifully preserved red farmhouse from 1737, it’s among the oldest buildings in the region, with sturdy beams and creaking floors that reveal its long past as part of a historic estate.

Over the centuries, the house has been an inn on the old King’s Road, a shoemaker's workshop, a school, and even a delivery room during the Winter War, before becoming a café in 1939. Today, it’s known for hearty Finnish dishes, seasonal lunches and classic sweet treats served in a cosy, rural-feeling setting. In summer, the terrace attracts walkers and cyclists exploring Espoo’s green routes; in winter, the warm interior and comforting food make it an inviting stop. Bembölen Kahvitupa is a rare chance to enjoy everyday Finnish flavours in a building that has been part of local life for nearly 300 years.

Perched on the shoreline of Espoo’s Matinkylä district, Nokkalan Majakka is a light-filled café and restaurant where the sea does most of the talking. Its modern wooden structure rises above the water like a small lookout tower, offering panoramic views of the Finnish archipelago. It’s easily reached from Helsinki by metro and a short walk, making it a favourite escape for locals and visitors year-round.

Inside, the atmosphere is calm and coastal, with large windows framing the sea from nearly every table. The menu leans toward Nordic freshness: seasonal pastries, soups, salads, and warm dishes that taste especially good after a breezy waterfront stroll. In summer, the terrace becomes a bustling social spot; in winter, visitors settle indoors with hot drinks, watching ice form and break on the bay. What makes Nokkalan Majakka stand out is how it blends modern design with a genuinely local seaside rhythm.

In the north, in Vantaa’s old parish village, a 10-minute drive away from the Helsinki Airport, Kahvitupa Laurentius occupies a restored wooden house that once formed part of the area’s traditional countryside community. The creaking floors and soft light give the café a welcoming, lived-in feel that contrasts nicely with the pace of the capital.

Laurentius is known for its blend of Finnish calm and Italian flavours: good coffee paired with wood-fired pizzas, homemade cakes, hearty pasta dishes and artisan gelato. It’s an unexpected combination, but one that has earned the café a loyal, local following. Set near Vantaa’s medieval stone church, Pyhän Laurin kirkko, it’s a natural stopping point for anyone exploring the area’s heritage trails or simply seeking a quieter moment beyond Helsinki city centre.

Can't get enough of cafés in Finland's capital region? No worries! Keep on exploring at:

• Myhelsinki.fi for cafés in Helsinki
• Visitespoo.fi for cafés in Espoo
• Visit.vantaa.fi for cafés in Vantaa

If this café tour has sparked your curiosity, you’ll find plenty more to explore in Finland’s wider food culture on Visitfinland.com. From traditional dishes and seasonal ingredients to regional specialties, the country’s culinary identity is full of stories. Wander beyond the coffee counter and dive into our guides to Finnish flavours, kitchens and food traditions below.