INDIVUE – travel & art

Helsinki has plenty of excellent cafés that offer visitors beautiful scenery, lively city views, or peaceful seaside spots – a wide range of experiences for coffee or tea lovers. Whether you’re passionate about coffee, tea, or the art of food, Helsinki surely has a café to match your taste. This wasn’t always the case, as I wrote back in 2012, bur Helsinki café scene is coming up strong. In this article, I present some of Helsinki’s best cafés, each with its own unique charm. The cafés are listed in random order, and all the café videos linked here are filmed by me.

(Updated in 11/2025)

1. Café Strindberg
   Café Strindberg is a classic Helsinki café known for its elegant atmosphere and views of Esplanade Park. This long-standing establishment combines refined European café tradition with modern bakery craftsmanship. The selection includes fresh pastries, high-quality coffee and tea, and lunch dishes that can be enjoyed indoors or on the street-side terrace overlooking the city buzz.

Pohjoisesplanadi 33
www.strindberg.fi

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2. Ateneum Bistro and Café Höijer
   Located in the heart of Helsinki, Café Bistro inside the Ateneum Art Museum is a perfect spot for art lovers. The café offers a peaceful and somewhat sophisticated setting where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea before stepping straight into the museum’s inspiring exhibitions. The combination of elegant décor and artistic surroundings makes this café a must-visit for those who want to blend art appreciation with relaxation. Visitors with a museum ticket can also enjoy refreshments in the stylish Café Höijer on the museum’s third floor.
   Watch a video from Café Bistro at Ateneum in Helsinki.

Kaivokatu 2
www.ateneumbistro.fi

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3. Café Kampela in Vuosaari
   Nestled between forest and sea in Vuosaari, Café Kampela provides a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle. Surrounded by nature, it’s the perfect place to enjoy coffee amid greenery and sea views in summertime or snow and frozen sea in winter. Kampela is a popular destination for nature lovers and those seeking calm, though in summer the terrace is often full.
   Watch a video of Café Kampela in Vuosaari.

Uutelantie 1
www.cafekampela.fi

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4. Café Taideterassi
   Café Taideterassi offers stunning city and sea views from high above central Helsinki. The panoramic view over Töölönlahti creates a tranquil atmosphere, turning a coffee break into a delightful experience. Their carrot cake is among the best in Helsinki – if simply not the best.
   Watch a video of Café Taideterassi.

Linnunlauluntie 11 A
www.artcafetaideterassi.fi

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5. La Torrefazione on Aleksanterinkatu
   La Torrefazione is a somewhat hidden gem located on the second floor along Aleksanterinkatu. From the café’s window tables, you get pleasant street views, as seen in the accompanying video. The café also offers delicious gluten-free options, both sweet and savory.

Aleksanterinkatu 50
www.latorre.fi

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6. Cat Café Helkatti
   Cat lovers will adore Cat Café Helkatti in Helsinki. This unique café combines coffee drinking with the company of friendly cats. The cozy interior, where the cats freely roam, creates a relaxing and heartwarming atmosphere. Helkatti is the perfect place for a quiet afternoon with a book and a furry friend. However, visits must be booked in advance – you can’t just drop by when the coffee craving hits.
   Watch a video of Cat Café Helkatti in Kamppi, Helsinki.

Fredrikinkatu 55
www.helkatti.fi

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7. Cajsan Helmi
Opened in 2024 in Helsinki’s Kaisaniemi district, Cajsan Helmi (Cajsa’s pearl) brings a charming touch from Porvoo with its extensive tea selection and superb gluten-free pastries. If you love romantic lace and vintage charm, this café is made for you. But laptop companions are not welcome here – conversation is. With its location, it’s a dream stop for train travel lovers.

Kaisaniemenranta 6
www.teehelmi.fi/cajsan-helmi.fi

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8. Café Engel – View of the Cathedral
   Café Engel, by Senate Square, is a stylish and iconic venue offering one of Helsinki’s most famous views – directly towards the Cathedral. Its historic setting, calm atmosphere, and excellent pastry selection make it a perfect spot for both tourists and locals. The summer terrace, in particular, is unforgettable on sunny days.

Aleksanterinkatu 26
www.cafeengel.fi

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9. Seaside Café Torpanranta in Munkkiniemi
   Café Torpanranta in Munkkiniemi is a true gem for sea lovers. The café offers a peaceful environment by the water, far from the city noise. Its beautiful location makes it a popular place to relax over a cup of coffee.
   Watch a video of Café Torpanranta.

Munkkiniemenranta 2
www.torpanranta.fi

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10. Café Ursula in Kaivopuisto
    Café Ursula, located in Kaivopuisto, is known for its wonderful sea views and cozy atmosphere. From the terrace, you can see the sea and Suomenlinna island. Friendly service and delicious offerings have made it a favorite among both locals and tourists. The café will close for renovation in autumn 2026 for about six months.
    Watch a video of Café Ursula in Kaivopuisto, Helsinki.

Ehrenströmintie 3
www.ursula.fi

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11. Café Succès in Ullanlinna
    In the beautiful Art Nouveau district of Ullanlinna, Café Succès combines historic charm with modern comfort. Its tasty treats and lovely surroundings make the terrace an ideal place for a peaceful coffee break during summer.
    Watch a video of Café Succès in Ullanlinna.

Korkeavuorenkatu 2
www.succes.fi

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12. Patisserie Teemu Aura in Hakaniemi
Located in Hakaniemi, Patisserie Teemu Aura brings a touch of Parisian elegance to Helsinki. This patisserie offers high-quality products, including excellent gluten-free options, and is a perfect stop after a stroll around the Hakaniemi Market.
Watch a video of Patisserie Teemu Aura in Hakaniemi.

Siltasaarenkatu 12, Helsinki
www.patisserieteemuaura.fi

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13. Café Kiasma
    Located inside the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in central Helsinki, this café has always charmed visitors with its location, outdoor terrace, and fine tea and gluten-free selections. After your coffee, you can check out an art exhibition or browse art magazines in the museum library – simply wonderful.
    Watch a video of a rainy afternoon at Kiasma Café.

Mannerheiminaukio 2, Helsinki
www.kiasma.fi

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14. Café Esplanad
Situated along Esplanade Boulevard, Café Esplanad offers a prime location with a spacious terrace. It’s an ideal place to people-watch and enjoy the lively city atmosphere in central Helsinki. The terrace provides a pleasant space for coffee or a light meal while observing the vibrant street life. Note: The café was closed in 2024 but reopened in summer 2025 after renovation – now featuring an inner courtyard terrace as well.
Watch a video of Café Esplanad in the center of Helsinki.

Pohjoisesplanadi 37
www.cafeesplanad.fi

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15. Café Berry
    Located on Annankatu in the heart of Helsinki, Café Berry is a new and stylish café-bakery that opened in summer 2025. It combines craftsmanship, aesthetics, and high-quality ingredients in a surprisingly delightful way. With its French-inspired atmosphere, Café Berry brings a touch of southern light and Parisian café culture to Helsinki. Its inviting outdoor terrace is the perfect spot for breakfast, a lunch break, or an afternoon glass of wine.

Annankatu 27
www.cafeberryhelsinki.com

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Pubbling under:

Café Kasarmi in central Helsinki
Pikku Finlandia summer terrace
Seaside café in Lauttasaari
Café Ekberg summer terrace

I will keep adding great cafés to this list as time and new discoveries allow – so stay tuned and subscribe to my blog! You can also suggest cafés for me to try.

– Café Biitsi in Vuosaari

For those who enjoy a beachside ambiance, Café Biitsi in Vuosaari is an excellent choice. Situated by the beach, this café offers a laid-back atmosphere with stunning views of the sea. It’s an ideal spot to unwind with a refreshing drink after a day of sunbathing or a leisurely stroll along the shore. The casual vibe and scenic location make Café Biitsi a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Watch the video of Café Biitsi in Aurinkoranta Beach, Helsinki

– Café Lasipalatsi

Located near the Amos Rex Art Museum, Café Lasipalatsi offers a blend of contemporary design and historical charm. The café’s modern interior and proximity to the museum make it a great place for art enthusiasts to relax before or after exploring the exhibitions. The vibrant atmosphere and artistic vibe in the terrace add to the café’s appeal.

Watch the video of Café Lasipalatsi in Helsinki center

More cafeterias will be added on this list, so stay tuned and bookmark this post!

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Get more travel ideas from my online guides:

Trip to Finland – Visual travel guide

Trip to Europe – Visual travel guide

Read this post also in Finnish at indivue.fi

This article is part of my
→ Trip to Helsinki – Visual Travel Guide.

TRIP TO HELSINKI – Visual Travel Guide to Finland’s coastal capital

You can find all my Helsinki travel videos
→ here.

Helsinki Travel Videos