Helsinki is a city that truly comes alive in the summer, offering a rich variety of outdoor dining experiences, from iconic seaside saunas to sophisticated international cuisine. Whether you’re seeking a relaxed terrace meal by the sea, a Michelin-recommended culinary journey, or a casual café stop after exploring the city, Helsinki has something for every taste. Here are must-visit restaurants, cafés, and scenic terraces in Helsinki.
Finlandia Hall – A Destination for Dining, Café Moments, and Scenic Views
After a major renovation, the iconic Finlandia Hall, designed by Alvar Aalto, has reopened to the public, offering a fresh blend of history, architecture, and new experiences. Open daily, it now features a diverse range of services, including exhibitions, a design shop, accommodation, and a variety of dining options.
Finlandia Café&Wine provides an elegant and relaxed setting for enjoying high-quality, seasonal fare throughout the day, with a delightful view overlooking Töölönlahti Bay.
The café serves breakfast in the mornings, a rotating lunch menu on weekdays, and an all-day selection of sweet and savoury delicacies. Its newly opened terrace is the perfect spot to take in some of Helsinki’s finest scenery.
Finlandia Bistro is an à la carte dinner restaurant where Finnish ingredients are paired with Mediterranean influences in a menu that evolves with the seasons and is built around locally sourced ingredients. Finlandia Bistro is unique, the restaurant retaining Alvar Aalto’s original interior design, from lighting to furniture. With elegant service and a curated drink selection, Finlandia Bistro is a memorable culinary experience in a setting unlike any other.
Little Finlandia Café & Wine, with its spacious terrace overlooking Töölönlahti, is one of Helsinki’s most charming cafés. It offers a peaceful spot for lunch, brunch, coffee, or a sparkling glass of Alvar, Finlandia Hall’s signature wine. The café’s lively atmosphere is perfect for enjoying sweet and savoury snacks, along with champagne or other refreshing drinks.
Löyly’s Seaside Sauna & Summer Restaurant Experience
Located on the seashore in Hernesaari, Löyly is a one-of-a-kind restaurant and sauna complex by the Baltic Sea. Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Greatest Places in 2018, Löyly offers an exceptional summer dining experience, with indoor seating complemented by a spacious terrace offering stunning sea views.
During summer, Löyly transforms into one of Helsinki’s most popular and vibrant outdoor dining spots. Guests can enjoy a chilled self-service concept, where they can stroll in, order from the bar, and choose their preferred table—whether basking in the sun on the terrace or enjoying the bright, open dining room.
Löyly’s All Day menu features beloved Finnish comfort dishes with a modern twist, including creamy salmon soup, sautéed reindeer, Löyly’s iconic burgers, and seasonal favourites crafted with locally sourced ingredients. Meals can be paired with a selection of wines or refreshing cocktails, making it the perfect spot for a laid-back summer meal by the sea.
Allas Restaurants – Seaside Dining and Summer Vibes in the Heart of Helsinki
Allas Sea Pool has become a favourite destination for both locals and tourists, transforming from a simple swimming pool and sauna complex into one of Helsinki’s finest spots for wining, dining, and live music. Located in the heart of Helsinki next to Market Square, Allas Restaurants offers a vibrant three-level dining experience, providing the perfect setting for every summer moment—from casual coffee breaks to elegant evening dining and drinks.
At the easygoing Allas Café & Terrace visitors can enjoy a selection of fresh bagels, salads, sweet treats, refreshing drinks, or an all-day breakfast, either indoors or on its sun-soaked outdoor terrace with views of the harbour and swimming pools.
The Allas Seagrill, on the second floor of the complex, is a seafood restaurant and beach house offering wonderful views of the Baltic Sea, the harbour islands, and Helsinki’s downtown city lights.
Finally, the Allas Sky Bar is the city’s largest, and most unique, rooftop bar and meeting place, with gorgeous panoramic views from late morning to early night. Serving a range of classy cocktails and refreshing drinks, on sunny summer days and evenings it is one of Helsinki’s best party spots, with music by top artists and DJs.
Quartier – Exceptional Wines and Delicious Food – the Simple Way
Located in Helsinki’s charming, upmarket district of Ullanlinna, Quartier seamlessly combines the timeless favourites of international bistro cuisine with the fresh and innovative flavours of Nordic cooking. Whether you’re popping in for a quick glass of your favourite wine or settling in for a relaxed evening with a full meal, Quartier will make you feel right at home.
Inspired by bistros across Europe, Quartier’s kitchen is inspired by not by one tradition or region, but instead embraces a spirit of curiosity and adventure, its menu formed of individual portions, allowing diners the freedom to choose their own path. From starters that include gratinated escargots and beef tartare, to mains like Quartier’s ratatouille and grilled beef petite tender, there’s something for every taste. Quartier’s wine list is carefully curated to complement the menu, ensuring the perfect pairing for any dish.
Quartier serves a lunch menu offering bistro-style dishes in a cozy setting. In summer, you can enjoy meals on the spacious outdoor terrace.
Indulge in Finnish Cuisine at Ateneum
Situated in the vibrant heart of Helsinki, the Ateneum Art Museum is one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, and the most visited museum in Finland. Visitors who get peckish while exploring the Ateneum’s excellent exhibitions can choose between the Ateneum Bistro on the ground floor and Café Höijer on the third floor.
Ateneum Bistro is known for its delicious afternoon tea, a popular choice for those seeking a refined break. The restaurant also serves all the traditional café products, with a variety of both sweet and savoury treats available, as well as smoothies and juices, specialty coffees, and a wide selection of teas.
On the third floor, Café Höijer offers a mouthwatering range of beverages and delicacies served to table. In addition to small savoury and sweet items, the café offers a diverse selection of wines, teas, and coffees.
Tallink Silja Line – A Culinary Voyage Across the Baltic Sea
Helsinki’s dining scene doesn’t stop at the city’s shores. For a truly unique culinary experience, step aboard a Tallink Silja Line cruise and embark on a gastronomic journey across the Baltic Sea to either Tallinn or Stockholm. These luxurious cruise ships offer a wide range of dining options, from elegant à la carte restaurants to casual buffets and vibrant seafood bistros.
Indulge in the Grande Buffet, featuring a tempting selection of international dishes, Nordic specialties, and seasonal flavors. For seafood lovers, the Happy Lobster restaurant serves fresh catches, including oysters, shrimp, and grilled fish. If you’re craving Italian cuisine, Tavolàta offers authentic pasta, antipasti, and classic Italian desserts, while Grill House serves perfectly cooked meats and vegetarian dishes in a cozy setting.
Pair your meal with a carefully selected wine or a refreshing cocktail as you take in stunning sea views. Whether you’re enjoying a romantic dinner with a view, a family-friendly meal, or a casual snack, dining aboard Tallink Silja Line is an unforgettable part of your journey.
Krapi Restaurants – A Taste of Finnish Seasonal Cooking
Krapihovi, located by Lake Tuusula around 30 km north of Helsinki (about a 30–40 minute drive), offers a genuine Finnish dining experience shaped by the seasons and pure local ingredients from land, forest, and sea.
With over 50 years of history, Krapihovi’s kitchen is based on craftsmanship, with its own smokehouse, bakery, and butchery. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each reflect Finnish culinary traditions in a relaxed countryside setting.
At Hella at Krapi, guests can enjoy a more interactive experience by preparing their own dinner together with a chef in a cosy private setting. In summer, Mankeli Summer Restaurant serves simple, well-made food in a laid-back atmosphere, with a terrace and garden surrounded by apple trees.
Hotel Krapi completes the experience with accommodation in peaceful surroundings. In addition to hotel rooms, guests can stay in charming lakeside cottages such as Männistö and Elvilä, both offering private saunas and views over Lake Tuusula.
Natural History Museum and Botanical Gardens – Café Stops in Unique Surroundings
Finnish Museum of Natural History is a popular stop for families and anyone interested in nature and science. On the ground floor, the museum café serves tasty soup lunches on weekdays (with the exception of summer), along with light snacks and refreshments. A small gift shop is located next to the café, making it easy to combine a visit with a relaxed break.
Just a short walk away, the Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden offers a completely different atmosphere. In the middle of lush greenery, Café Viola operates in connection with the garden, serving traditional café fare and lunch. It’s a peaceful place to pause for a moment in a unique setting, right in the middle of the city.
Helsinki Outlet – Shopping and Dining in One Place
Located just 20 minutes from Helsinki city centre, Helsinki Outlet is a unique shopping village offering a mix of international and Finnish brands at great discounts. It’s easily accessible by HSL public transport, with direct bus and train connections from the city centre. After a successful shopping trip, guests can relax and refuel at the onsite restaurants, including Villa Severino, which is known for its authentic Neapolitan pizzas and artisan gelato. During the summer months, the outlet also hosts free family-friendly events, making it a great destination for a full day of shopping and dining.
TAHTO – Sports Culture, Architecture and a Relaxed Bistro Stop
TAHTO Center for Finnish Sports Culture is located inside the iconic Helsinki Olympic Stadium, just a short tram ride or an easy walk from the city centre. It offers an engaging look into Finland’s rich sports history, making it a great stop for families, sports enthusiasts, and culture lovers alike.
The exhibitions highlight everything from Olympic achievements to everyday Finnish sports culture, all presented in a modern and interactive way. The setting itself is also worth the visit, as the beautifully renovated Olympic Stadium is one of Helsinki’s most important architectural landmarks.
After exploring the museum, visitors can unwind at Bistro Stadion, located within the stadium. The bistro offers a relaxed atmosphere with menus inspired by Finnish traditions and seasonal ingredients, making it an easy and enjoyable place to pause for lunch or a casual meal.
Plan Your Summer Dining Adventure in Helsinki
With its beautiful seaside views, vibrant terraces, and a wide range of international cuisines, Helsinki is the perfect city for summer dining. Whether you’re in the mood for traditional Finnish comfort food, exotic Thai flavors, or a relaxing drink with a view, you’ll find it here. Explore these exceptional summer dining spots and discover your new favorite place in Helsinki.
To make the most of your summer adventure, plan your route with HSL’s Reittiopas (Journey Planner) to find the easiest ways to reach these dining spots. Whether by tram, bus, ferry, or metro, HSL makes exploring Helsinki’s culinary delights simple and stress-free.
