Beyond the Center: 5 Café Gems Just Outside Downtown Helsinki

Helsinki’s compact city center overflows with renowned cafés, but some of the city’s most memorable coffee moments happen just a few tram stops or a leisurely stroll beyond the busiest blocks.

As local partners (and coffee lovers), we’ve searched for perfect pulla, next-level vegan doughnuts, or an ocean-view cinnamon roll.

Below are our five favorite café escapes on the city center’s edge, each with its own distinct style, flavors, and a warm, local welcome.

If you prefer to stay right in the heart of Helsinki, check our guide to the best cafés in the city center.

Step Off the Main Grid: Helsinki’s Near-Center Café Gems

1. Ekberg – Grande-Dame on Bulevardi Street

Why go: Ekberg’s (est. 1852) elegant, mirror-lined dining room, white-aproned waiters, and rare-for-Helsinki table service channel a living slice of history. It’s the place locals recommend, sometimes even before they’ve actually been there.

Must-try: Conquer the sweet Napoleon cake, baked from an 1865 recipe, or a slice of their iconic, cardamom-laced pulla.

How to get there: A 10-minute stroll from the Central Railway Station or trams 1, 3, and 6 to “Bulevardi.”

Local tip: Weekday lunch buffet (11 am–2 pm) blends homey Finnish salads and French classics. Reserve a table online to skip the perennial queue. On sunny days, the petite terrace fills up fast!

Atmosphere: Watch Helsinki’s old guard and young creatives mingle under crystal chandeliers.

Address: Bulevardi 9

2. Kahvila Rakastan – Grandma-Chic & 100% Vegan

Why go: Tucked into the courtyard of Hakasalmi Villa (just steps from the National Museum), Rakastan feels like a secret garden party in the heart of the city. Vintage armchairs, floral prints, and mismatched china create the magic of your Finnish grandmother’s kitchen.

Must-try: Grab a Karelian pie with vegan “egg-butter,” or warm up with the soup-and-potato lunch combo. And their cinnamon buns are enormous.

How to get there: Walk 7 minutes north from the railway station or take trams 4 or 10 to “Kansallismuseo.”

Local tip: The café itself is tiny inside, but in spring and summer, the garden tables open for a near-countryside vibe in the heart of Helsinki. The warm, personal service may have you feeling like a long-lost cousin.

Atmosphere: Run by a mother-and-daughters team who believe you can “love the world better, one pie at a time,” Rakastan is cheery, cozy, and quietly revolutionary.

Address: Mannerheimintie 13 B

3. Café Regatta – Bonfire Sausages & Baltic Sea Views

Why go: For years this bright red log cabin by the sea in Töölö has been where locals and visitors huddle for cinnamon buns, coffee, and DIY sausage grilling over an open fire. It’s pure Helsinki nostalgia with a dash of mini-adventure.

Must-try: Order hot chocolate topped with mountains of whipped cream and a giant cinnamon bun to match the scenery.

How to get there: Take bus 24 or 25 from Kamppi to “Sibeliuspuisto,” then a quick 3-minute walk; or combine with a visit to the Sibelius Monument just 250 m away, a frequent stop for Hop-on-Hop-off-busses.

Local tip: Seating is mostly outdoors; layer up and brace for the Baltic breeze. And watch out for ambitious seagulls hoping to share your pastry or ice-cream!

Atmosphere: Whether there’s bright summer sun or winter snow, Regatta’s outdoor tables create that unique “seaside campfire in the city” mood.

Address: Merikannontie 8

4. Kahvila Sävy – Hipster Espresso HQ in Kallio

Why go: In the heart of creative, free-spirited Kallio district, Sävy has earned a cult following for seriously good third-wave coffee, all kind smiles, and an affordable all-day breakfast. With indie background music and an industrial-cozy design, laptops are welcome, but the atmosphere stays social.

Must-try: Treat yourself to an unmissable almond croissant and a flat white, or try their budget-friendly breakfast set (coffee, juice, sandwich).

How to get there: Metro to Sörnäinen station, then a 5-minute stroll up Aleksis Kiven katu.

Local tip: Fridays fill up fast; snag a corner seat before 2 pm if you need to plug in your laptop. Gender-neutral restrooms and a welcoming vibe reflect the neighborhood’s progressive energy.

Atmosphere: Sävy is where tattooed baristas, students, artists, and remote workers converge in a friendly buzz.

Address: Aleksis Kiven katu 12

5. Cajsan Helmi – Victorian Style in the Park

Why go: Reopened in 2024 after painstaking restoration, Cajsan Helmi occupies one of Finland’s oldest restaurant buildings (1839) inside Kaisaniemi Park. The centerpiece rotunda feels like a tiny palace, just the spot for afternoon tea or a peaceful pastry with a park view.

Must-try: Splurge on the three-tier afternoon tea (reserve online) or pick a seasonal berry tart from the pastry counter that’s as dazzling as the setting.

How to get there: 10 minutes’ walk northeast from Senate Square; tram 6T to “Kaisaniemi” drops you by the park.

Local tip: Summer 2025 park renovations may muddle the usual paths, so follow the detour signs. Beautiful at any season, the rotunda’s windows frame city greenery or winter snow.

Atmosphere: It feels both historic and refreshingly new.

Address: Kaisaniemenranta 6

Quick Planning Cheatsheet

*Double-check social media for irregular hours. Finns love extended summer holidays and pop-up hours.

Final Sips

Whether you’re chasing nostalgia-rich pastries, vegan comfort food, campfire hot chocolate by the sea, laptop-friendly espresso, or fairy tale afternoon tea under glass, these five cafés prove that some of Helsinki’s best moments are just beyond the obvious.

Let your caffeine cravings lead you a little off-center. Happy exploring!