8 Top Wine Bars In Helsinki: Great Wines And Atmosphere
Are you in the mood for a glass of wine? Here are some of Helsinki’s best wine bars.
Red, white, rose, or bubbles? This article highlights a selection of the top spots where you can enjoy a glass of wine and a range of food options.
Sure, you can enjoy wines at any of the better restaurants in the Finnish capital. Still, there’s something special about a place that focuses on wine.
150 Wine Bars to Visit Before You Die
The book “150 Wine Bars You Need to Visit Before You Die” by Jurgen Lijcops features the top wine bars from around the world.
Two wine bars from Helsinki, Apotek, and Muru are on the list. Read more about them below.
Our Personal Favorites
- We have enjoyed every moment spent in Muru, and it is so relaxing that we are reluctant to leave its welcoming interior.
- We love Grape Wine Bar because it’s small and cozy, and the owners personally ensure every guest feels cared for.
- We really enjoy going to Apotek for its lively atmosphere in the unique historic pharmacy, usually buzzing with people.
Top Wine Bars In Helsinki
Most of the bars we’ve featured are within walking distance of each other in downtown Helsinki. Rolling Cheese and KuuKuu are slightly off to the side, located in the Töölö district, a 15-minute walk from the central railway station.
1. Apotek
Apotek, set in a beautifully restored Art Nouveau-style former pharmacy, combines historical charm with modern hospitality. The stunning interior alone makes it worth a visit.
You can enjoy small plates with your wine or combine them into a larger meal. Each dish is sized like an appetizer, perfect for sampling a variety.
Apotek is a popular spot, especially among young adults. It was bustling during our visit on a Friday night in December. Most guests were there for a full meal, but you can also drop in for a glass of wine without a reservation.
- Website
- Address: Lapinlahdenkatu 1, Helsinki
- Location: Google Maps
2. Muru Wine Bar
Muru Wine Bar is a cozy spot right next to Restaurant Muru, just around the corner.
The wine bar offers a frequently changing selection of wines by the glass and hundreds more on the wine list.
Besides wine, you can enjoy deli meats, cheeses, risotto, and small dishes from Restaurant Muru’s kitchen.
There’s no need to book a table; you can just drop in for a glass and enjoy the comfy atmosphere.
It is the kind of place you want to return, not just for the wine but for the feeling of being in a space that feels intimate.
On Saturday afternoons, they host wine tastings, and they also offer sessions in English.
- Website
- Address: Lönnrotinkatu 14, Helsinki
- Location: Google Maps
3. Grape Wine Bar
Grape Wine Bar is an intimate wine bar close to the the city center. It’s welcoming and unpretentious, with a great selection of wines and knowledgeable recommendations.
The menu includes Finnish and international tapas and classic wine companions like cheeses and cold cuts.
You can visit for a glass of wine without a reservation, and on Sundays, they serve a sit-down brunch.
- Website
- Address: Uudenmaankatu 13, Helsinki
- Location: Google Maps
4. La Taperia
La Taperia is a Spanish wine bar and delicatessen close to Grape Wine Bar.
The bar offers a variety of delicious wines by the glass or bottle, as well as Spanish beers and ciders.
The tapas menu mainly features cold dishes like cheeses and cold cuts.
La Taperia stands out as a wine and socializing spot where you can enjoy more than just peanuts with your drink.
However, like other wine bars in Helsinki, the small tapas portions can be pricier than expected.
- Website
- Address: Uudenmaankatu 7, Helsinki
- Location: Google Maps
5. Bricco
Bricco Kalevankatu sits on one of the busiest bar streets in Helsinki. This location is perfect for those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city while savoring wine.
This laid-back wine bar offers a great selection of Italian wines.
During our visit on a chilly Friday evening, the place was filled with cheerful chatter and a warm atmosphere.
Note that Bricco's second restaurant in Annankatu 22 will be closed for renovation in spring 2024.
- Website
- Address: Kalevankatu 4, Helsinki
- Location: Google Maps
6. Minne Champagne and Wine Bar
Minne Champagne and Wine Bar sits on the edge of Esplanade Park with beautiful views of the park. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday.
The wine selection, curated by Master of Wine and internationally renowned champagne expert Essi Avellan, includes big champagne houses and unique offerings from small producers.
A selection of wines is available by the glass to cater to different tastes. You can satisfy your appetite with tapas-style snacks, charcuterie boards, and more adventurous dishes like snails prepared in the Normandy style.
Minne also hosts wine and champagne tastings.
On weekday mornings, Minne serves as a café, offering specialty coffee from a small roastery, stuffed croissants, bagels, and other treats.
- Website
- Address: Eteläesplanadi 14
- Location: Google Maps
7. Rolling Cheese
Rolling Cheese is a cheese shop that also has a few tables to sit in for a glass of wine. It is located on the atmospheric Museokatu in Helsinki’s Töölö neighborhood.
You can buy cheeses and delicacies to take home or enjoy them on-site if there’s room.
Seating is quite limited, so making a reservation is advisable to ensure a spot.
And if there is no room in the Rolling Cheese, check the next option on our list.
- Website
- Address: Museokatu 22, Helsinki
- Location: Google Maps
8. Restaurant KuuKuu
Just a short walk away, about 100 meters from Rolling Cheese, you’ll find Restaurant KuuKuu.
If Rolling Cheese is full, KuuKuu offers a welcoming alternative with its bar and summer terrace, perfect for a casual drink. The terrace is one of our go-to places for a drink or glass of wine on a sunny day.
KuuKuu isn’t just a great spot for a drink; it’s also an excellent choice for lunch or dinner.
Known as a homey neighborhood restaurant, it prides itself on serving quality Finnish cuisine.
Its family-friendly and down-to-earth atmosphere makes it an ideal dining destination for locals and visitors alike.
- Website
- Address: Museokatu 17, Helsinki
- Location: Google Maps
Can I Have a Glass of Locally Produced Wine From Finland?
You might wonder if you can enjoy a glass of local Finnish wine. The answer is both yes and no.
In Finland, the wineries currently craft wines from local berries and fruits.
Out of the roughly 25 vineyards in Finland, only a small number are currently exploring the production of wine made from grapes.
While climate change is becoming problematic for traditional wine regions in Southern Europe, it makes new experiments with grapes possible in northern areas.
Our neighbor Sweden has begun to develop a modest yet expanding wine industry, particularly in its southern regions, focusing on white, rosé, and sparkling wines.
Currently, grape wine produced in Finland cannot be labeled as “wine” due to EU regulations, which require a country to be recognized as a traditional wine-producing nation or fall within designated wine-growing zones.
Note that domestic berry-based wines don’t fit the bill as traditional dining wines. It’s hard to even compare berry wines to grape wines since they differ so much in primary ingredients.
What Finnish wine might lack in flavor, it compensates with its curiosity value. Some locals joke that Finnish wine has one clearly international component: alcohol.
The Bottom Line
Each of these wine bars offers something unique, making them great destinations in Helsinki.
Whether you’re a wine aficionado or just looking for a cozy spot to relax, these places won’t disappoint.
