The average bill in Helsinki restaurants makes you refuse to mentally convert euros into rubles. The salvation turns out to be multinational street food, which can be found at almost every turn in the Finnish capital. Trying street food in Finland is safe and interesting - here you can find British fish and chips or Berlin döner. "Electronic Finland" collected best places in the city.
Black Grill & Cafe is a place for those who want to eat a burger at night
This black burger van can easily be found in the square in front of the Helsinki train station. The burger shop not only has an excellent location, but also an ingenious opening hours - right up to 5 am, which is very rare by Helsinki standards.. On the night from Friday to Saturday, crowds of capital party-goers flock here for excellent burgers for ten euros. If you pay three euros extra, you can get fries and a drink in addition.
In addition to burgers, the menu includes Caesar salad and sets of chicken wings (8 pieces for 10 euros, 15 wings for 15 euros). For particularly hungry companies there is a set of 100 chicken wings for 90 euros. They placed a couple of tables in front of the van, so you can eat right there before the burger gets cold.
Quotes from the menu:
- Signature burger – 13 euros
- Spicy chili burger – 10 euros
- Burger with pulled pork – 10 euros
- Vegetarian burger – 10 euros
- Caesar salad – 10 euros
Address: Asema-aukio
Opening hours: Mon-Tue: 10:00 – 5:00
Harju Döner – döner in the best Berlin traditions
This stylish döner shop in the bohemian district of Kallio will transport tourists straight to Berlin. The concept of the establishment is built around döner kebab, in other words, shawarma, but in a German way. At Harju Döner, grilled meat is served with a mix of vegetables and herbs, sauce and bread. The laconic menu includes doners with lamb, chicken, pork and seitan (that is, “meat” made from wheat) for vegetarians.
Experts recommend döner with lamb and assure that it is in no way inferior to the best Berlin samples. Döner is served either on a flatbread or on a plate; the second option is larger and, accordingly, more expensive. Döner itself is quite a substitute for lunch, but if you want something more serious, then come here for lunch. Lunch is served at a special price of €10.30 from 10:30 to 15:00. Lunch includes soup, döner on a plate and your choice of drink, tea or coffee. The establishment is very popular among Helsinki residents, who go to Kallio on weekends for the most delicious and cheap food in the city.
Quotes from the menu:
- Döner with spicy chicken on a plate – 15 euros
- Döner with veal on a plate – 15 euros
- Vegetarian doner with seitan on a plate – 15 euros
- Doner kebab with lamb on flatbread – 9.50 euros
Address: Fleminginkatu 23
Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 10:30 – 22:00; Fri: 10:30 – 23:00; Sat: 12:00 – 23:00; Sun: 13:00 – 20:00
Shopping mall Kauppakeskus Citycenter, Kaivokatu 8
Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 10:30 – 21:00; Fri: 10:30 – 22:00; Sat: 11:00 – 22:00; Sun: 12:00 – 19:00
Kauppatori Grill – fast food with a “fish” twist
Helsinki Market Square seems like a great place to grab a bite to eat. There are always many street food stalls with a national twist here. Mainly they offer the famous Finnish creamy soup with red fish and fried fish in various variations.
In fact, this place is too touristy and the locals themselves rarely eat here. Therefore, the orange and black Kauppatori Gril stall on the square is a real salvation if you find yourself in the port area and want to have lunch for less than 10 euros. The food is not that outstanding, but the portions are fair and the average bill is modest. You can order a hefty portion of fish and chips with salmon fillet or shrimp tempura with fries, or you can get by with a regular hot dog. A nice bonus is a variety of additives such as pickles, peppers or onions. Add to this a great view right across the bay, photogenic seagulls scurrying here and there, and free Internet.
Quotes from the menu:
- Hot dog – 3.50 euros
- Salmon burger – 6.50 euros
- Double cheeseburger – 6.50 euros
- Deep-fried squid and fries – 9.50 euros
- Fish and chips with salmon – 8.50 euros
Address: Eteläranta
Opening hours: Sun-Mon: 9:00 – 21:00; Tue-Thu: 09:00 – 23:00; Fri-Sat: 09:00 – 00:30
Fisu & Ranet – standard fish and chips in an unexpected location
Fisu & Ranet is a great place to grab a bite to eat while waiting for your bus flight. A classic of British street food, fish and chips can be enjoyed in a rather unexpected place - the bustling Kamppi shopping complex, home to an underground bus station. You can find the establishment at the 6k food market food court. Here, in a small area, perhaps the main players in the capital's street food market were gathered. Six restaurants offer food for every taste, from Vietnamese cuisine to fish and chips and gourmet sandwiches. The owners of Fisu & Ranet sacredly honor British traditions and therefore deep-fried fish and French fries are served in a bag made of newspaper. They vouch for the quality of the fish, the portion is decent, and the price is reasonable by Finnish standards.
Quotes from the menu:
- Fish and chips – 10 euros
- Fish burger with fries – 10 euros
- Seitan with fries – 9.50 euros
Address: Salomonkatu 5, Kamppi shopping center
Working hours:
Street Gastro - a premium sandwich shop with an affordable price tag
A pioneer of Finnish street food and an ambitious project of two Finnish chefs who wanted to prove that even gourmets can appreciate street food. The owners of Street Gastro started with a van in Kallio, and now the company has grown to a chain with three locations in Helsinki and one in Espoo. The main components of success are homemade fresh bread, quality ingredients and sauces perfectly selected for each sandwich..
Interesting flavor combinations are invented here, for example, in a sandwich with “pulled pork” coleslaw Coleslaw is mixed with cucumber and apple and dressed with horseradish mayonnaise as a bright detail. The lamb sandwich adds pickled red onion and zucchini, while the chicken version adds pickled carrots, crispy onions, scallions and chili mayonnaise.
The vegan option is a sandwich with house-made seitan, caramelized onions, vegan smoked cheese and BBQ sauce.
Quotes from the menu:
- Vegetarian sandwich with hummus and curry – 9 euros
- Sandwich with lamb and zucchini – 9.50 euros
- Sandwich with pulled pork – 9 euros
- French fries – 3.90 euros
Address: Vaasankatu 13
Working hours: Mon-Thu: 11:00 – 21:00; Fri: 11:00 – 22:00; Sat: 12:00 – 22:00; Sun: 12:00 – 19:00
Address: Urho Kekkosen Katu 1, Kamppi Shopping Center
Working hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 – 21:00; Sat: 10:00 – 22:00; Sun: 12:00 – 19:00
Soi Soi – the best vegetarian fast food in the city
There are endless odes to the local tofu and goat cheese burger on Tripadvisor. Another hit on the menu is the sweet potato fries, which cost you just five euros for a generous portion. Both office clerks in suits and fashionable young people come to Kallio specifically for these positions. This is not surprising, because Soi Soi is called the place of power for the capital’s vegetarians. Ignore the, to put it mildly, unpretentious interior - this unassuming place offers the best vegetarian street food in the city. Even meat lovers admit that the place to go for burgers is Soi Soi. It's always fresh and tasty food, friendly service and equally friendly prices. Eating for less than 10 euros in Helsinki is an achievement in itself. And another significant plus is that the establishment is open until 23:00.
Quotes from the menu:
- Tofu burger – 6 euros
- Burger with smoked cheese – 6.50 euros
- Kebab with seitan – 9 euros
- Pita with spicy tofu – 9 euros
- Burger with goat cheese – 9.50 euros
- Sweet potato fries – 5 euros
Address: Vaasankatu 9
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 11:00 – 23:00; Sun: 13:00 – 21:00
Helsinki is one of the most popular tourist destinations for residents northern capital our vast Motherland! How many travelers from Russia visit this wonderful city every day, but, unfortunately, prices for many goods in Scandinavian countries ah can slightly shock an unprepared tourist, so the question of where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki becomes extremely relevant.
So, you've planned a trip to the Finnish capital, but now the question of where to eat is tormenting you from the inside? After all, in this country there are so many interesting places for lovers of delicious food, but the average bill there, alas, can exceed as much as 20 euros. Dont be upset! In the article you will get acquainted with the most popular Finnish establishments, where you will be happy to be treated to delicious local cuisine, and very inexpensively in comparison with other places in this region. Well, let's get acquainted!
Where to eat deliciously in Helsinki?
Quite filling and very high in calories, but how could it be otherwise in a harsh climate? Fish dishes are very popular in Finland. For example, when in Helsinki, you should definitely try creamy salmon soup, fish pie or herring cream soup. Interesting?
Many restaurants serve trout in own juice, crayfish or venison dishes, but all this is quite expensive. Don't despair ahead of time! Helsinki is a tourist city, and the local infrastructure is designed in such a way that it can easily satisfy the needs of both wealthy and budget tourists. In this article we will look at the main places where you can have a tasty and inexpensive meal in the capital of Finland.
Old covered market
If you have the wrong idea about markets in your head, throw them out immediately! The Old Indoor Market is a great place to eat inexpensively and deliciously in Helsinki. It is worth noting in general that similar places in all European countries attract visitors with their unusual architecture, a wide range of various types of products, which are neatly laid out on the shelves. Here you can find traditional European or national Finnish cuisine, Asian sets and much more. In the old indoor market, the menu changes every week, so if you are a frequent visitor to Finland, you can try many interesting and different dishes. The average price for a lunch menu starts from 10 euros, which is quite cheap for Scandinavian countries. This is where the famous Roberts Coffee, famous for its affordable prices, is located, as well as the Scandinavian Cafe, where you can have a good snack with sandwiches and similar fast food. In general, when it comes to where to eat inexpensively and tasty in Helsinki, head straight to the indoor market.
The Old Market can be found at: Eteläranta
RaxBuffer
If you find yourself in the capital of Finland and want not just to have a snack, but to eat until you drop, then Rax Buffet is your place! This is an excellent restaurant-type establishment where tourists are offered a choice of both independent individual orders and full meals on an all-inclusive basis. You only need to pay 11 euros, which by European standards is a rather ridiculous amount. At the all-inclusive rate, your choice includes any salads, several types of pizza, lasagna, meatballs, grilled sausages, potatoes with mushrooms, all types of sparkling water, boiled eggs, olives, cabbage, tomatoes and other salad bar - all this and in huge quantities.
The restaurant is located at: Aleksanterinkatu, 11, m. Kaisaniemen Metroasema (next to the city Cathedral).
Cafe MOMOTOKO
This establishment specializes in Japanese cuisine. This is not only a place of attraction for Asian tourists, but also for all those who are not willing to pay over 12 euros for lunch.
The restaurant has an excellent location in the vicinity of the University of Helsinki and the Athenaeum Museum. By the way, this is exactly the place where you can eat inexpensively in the center of Helsinki. The lunch menu at MOMOTOKO is available every weekday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The average bill for business lunches ranges from 10-12 euros, but if you decide to devote most of your time to sightseeing and don’t have time for lunch during busy hours, don’t be upset. This establishment is ready to offer absolutely the same items from 14 to 17 hours at a fixed price of 12 euros.
Location of cafe MOMOTOKO: Yliopistonkatu, 5
If in the previous establishment more attention was paid to Japanese cuisine, then in the VAPIANO cafe exclusively Italian menu. In addition, this establishment belongs to a large international chain, which cannot but influence the corresponding service. If you are an exquisite culinary connoisseur and are looking exclusively for a place where you can eat real Italian pasta, risotto or pizza cheaply in Helsinki, then VAPIANO is for you. The average bill for hot dishes here starts from 9 euros per person, for first courses - 6 euros, and for drinks - from 2.5 euros.
Separately, I would like to note the fact that the service at VAPIANO can surprise even the most experienced travelers. At the entrance to the restaurant, the waiter gives visitors a certain card, on which all the ordered dishes will be recorded in the future, then the visitor simply moves from one culinary station to another, choosing between appetizers, desserts and the main menu.
The restaurant has several different menus - in Finnish, English and even Russian. And since the establishment is very popular not only in Helsinki, but in Baku and even Bonn, the waiting time for an order sometimes reaches 20 minutes.
You can find a restaurant in Helsinki at the following address: Mikonkatu 15.
Cafe Bar No 9
“Cafe-bar No. 9” is famous not only for its humane prices, but also for its large portions. This is a real paradise for a hungry tourist, because after visiting this establishment you will definitely remain full.
For the Finnish capital, the average bill in a restaurant is considered more or less decent and does not exceed 16 euros. About “Cafe-bar No. 9” we can say that this is the place where you can eat inexpensively in Helsinki, but nothing more. The interior of the establishment is not particularly conducive to... romantic dates, is more suitable for a quick lunch or dinner in the vicinity of Vanha Kirka and Eslanda Park. The cafe area is a little cramped, since this place is loved not only by thrifty tourists, but also local residents. The most important feature of the cafe is its opening hours. Cafe-bar No. 9 is open from 11 am to 2 am, which is very atypical for Finland. This is an ideal place for lovers of evening walks and a cup of hot, invigorating coffee.
Address: Undenmaankatu, 9.
Cafe LaTorrefazione
Do you feel those soothing notes characteristic of Italy in the name of the establishment? This Finnish establishment with an Italian accent is perfect for business meeting or a regular coffee break between the train and the road to the airport. Lovers will especially like it here. quality coffee and various spices. It is also worth noting that all the sweets are prepared in the establishment itself. If a coffee break doesn’t seem enough, you can always order the main menu for an average bill of 10-13 euros. Naturally, the dishes will be characteristic Italian cuisine: pasta, risotto or pizza.
Location of the cafe La Torrefazione: Aleksanterinkatu, 50.
Department store Stockmann
If you have ever visited Helsinki and do not know the Stockmann department store, then you have not been to Finland! This is a shopping center famous throughout the country, which is able to please visitors with an abundance of different clothes, shoes, delicacies and much more. On the eighth floor of Stockman there is a real gastronomic paradise. In this place you can find an establishment to suit your taste: from budget fast food to gourmet restaurants. Many establishments also have prime hours, where you can grab a set lunch at an attractive price, but, as a rule, such promotions start from 10-11 am and last until 14-15 pm.
The department store also houses the Moomin Cafe, which is very interesting with its interior, where you can meet various characters from Moomin stories. The child will definitely find it interesting here!
La Familia Restaurant, which is also located inside the department store, boasts hearty lunches at Italian style. Here again there is risotto, spaghetti, real Italian pizza, vegetables to choose from and many more interesting lunches. Between 11:00 and 14:30, any lunch option is offered at a fixed price of 10-20 euros, which is very modest for an establishment of this level.
The Stockmann department store is located in the central part of the city at Aleksanterinkatu, 52.
Cafe Ursula
This establishment is in great demand due to its territorial location. Ursula always has a romantic atmosphere with wonderful views of the bay and the archipelago. As a rule, you have to pay a little extra for everything beautiful, so the prices here may not appeal to thrifty travelers. For a portion of salad and a cup aromatic coffee you'll have to pay about 12 euros per person, but it's definitely worth it. Café Ursula will especially appeal to young couples who want to spend time in a secluded and relaxed atmosphere on the seashore.
Sometimes it happens that just sitting in good company with a glass of strong whiskey is much more interesting than simply spending money on a set lunch. Therefore, information about where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki, but also where to drink something strong, will definitely not hurt a budget-conscious tourist.
Not far from the station, in the very heart of the city, there is a bar called On the Rocks, where you can order a good drink for 6-8 euros. You can also look into Molly Malone's Irish Bar and Rymy-Eetu, but in any case, it is worth keeping in mind that the pricing policy in bars in Helsinki still leaves much to be desired.
Conclusion
Helsinki is not only the business center of Finland, but also a wonderful city for recreation and tourism. Local architecture, museums, Scandinavian climate - all this attracts travelers from all over the world. If you come to this wonderful country on a budget, then you should definitely know where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki!
Food is an important financial factor, and by saving wisely on which you can open additional features in exploring the city itself. We hope that this article was useful not only to beginners in the field of tourism, but also to experienced, seasoned researchers. Have a nice trip and new discoveries! Good luck!
The expression “go to Finka for the weekend” is a purely St. Petersburg meme. Muscovites, hearing this, shudder and accuse us of snobbery, although in the border car queue there are more and more Moscow license plates. Gradually, gastronomic experiences were unexpectedly added to the already familiar pleasures such as seasonal sales, Christmas window displays and designer galleries. Somehow it suddenly turned out that the country of the most delicious salmon, but also the most terrible clear coffee, had quietly turned into a powerful restaurant enclave and quietly recruited a considerable part of picky European stomachs. Most importantly, the modest Suomi is ahead of many European gastronomic giants in terms of general level catering even in simple establishments. Is it any wonder that Victoria Dim and I had our first “weekend gourmet” outing in Helsinki? And since it is impossible to capture the immensity in one review, we decided to divide our impressions into three parts - depending on the goals and budget of the trip. Enjoy!
Tamara Ivanova-Isaeva
PART 1. EAT CHEAP
Let’s make a reservation right away: the food in Helsinki is of high quality, but not cheap, and if the keywords of your trip are “Atheneum”, “Kiasma” and “Alvar Aalto”, then, most likely, you will have to forget about three full meals a day in catering establishments. But this does not mean that you will have to starve or suffer from heartburn - just where you eat may not be entirely ordinary. And sometimes become part of a cultural program.
Breakfasts. Tamara's choice
ABC gas stations
(for example Lahi-ABC Kippari Hamina Satamakatu 2.49400 Hamina)
Don’t be alarmed: no one offers you to refuel your car in Finland; there are no crazy people among us. The gasoline filled between Vyborg and Torfyanovka will be enough for you to get to Helsinki and back. It’s another matter to refuel yourself after the morning queues at the border. For early car birds, Finnish ABC gas stations are a real salvation. The network covers the whole of Finland and is easy to recognize by three letters and a thumbs up. By the time the free coffee and food eaten at your local “gas station with a bear” are digested, you will already be rushing along the smooth Finnish highway and dreaming of a second breakfast. Many of the three-letter stations are open 24 hours a day, and there are many offers - from porridge with jam for 1.15 € to hearty omelette with sausages for 5.90. Almost all options include glass coffee, and many also include juice. There is a children's menu and big choice fragrant baked goods. By the way, lunch offers at affordable prices are also available. The first pit stop could be Hamina, an hour's drive from the border. After breakfast, you will be drawn to take a walk around the pretty fortified town - the main thing is not to accidentally come across the mind-blowing Cupcake Cafe Hamina Avoin Yuhti, where you can immediately ask for Finnish citizenship for the cakes.
Train station in Helsinki
Few people are as susceptible to the charms of Ilfo-Petrov’s “muse of distant wanderings” as the passengers of the universally adored Allegro - although the buffet there differs little from Sapsanov’s, and the prices are comparable. A hearty breakfast with an omelet with country ham, juice and coffee will cost 12 €, a simple pancake with blueberries will cost almost 4, coffee - from 2.60 to 2.90 €. For railway aristocrats there is a champagne breakfast for 18€. In general, before rushing to the dining car, check the current exchange rate. It’s easier to take a thermal mug with coffee from home and save a dozen euros before arriving at the beautiful Art Nouveau train station in Helsinki. Once on the platform you will be knocked off your feet by the illicit aroma of cinnamon rolls and cardamom, then blinded by the selection of the freshest sandwiches-with-anything. Sandwiches are not cheap, but 10 € will be enough for you to buy a sandwich, coffee, and even, if you are a little smart, a sweet bun.
Breakfasts. Wiki's Choice
You won’t walk into this sauna-sized café by accident - a leisurely walk through the picturesque cemetery from the center of Helsinki will take about half an hour, but motorists in this area will not have problems with parking. As a reference point - the familiar monument to Sibelius. The red house, permanently decorated with colored light bulbs, stands right on the shore of the bay. The view of the yachts and the long pier is, of course, gorgeous, but it won’t surprise a resident of St. Petersburg. But the hut, built in 1887, fragrant with baked goods, is easy to find even without a map, just using your nose. The surroundings are also unexpected - from children's swings and scattered skins around an eternal-looking fire, to random elements of a downright Soviet happy life. For those who want to fry sausages in the open air, ketchup and mustard are prepared here. But you should still come specifically for the cinnamon rolls, flavored with some kind of rural charm of the place. The spirit of an ethnographic museum, rows of frying pans, tattered books, cracked wood - it seems that the house is about to fall apart, but Moscow will envy its “rubbery” quality. There is a line here every day - from 8 am, in any weather. On Sundays, when other establishments in Helsinki either open at 12.00 or take a break altogether, Regatta continues to serve buns. Less than 5€ with a mug of filter coffee.
Ekberg Bakery and Patisserie
Carbohydrates will certainly be added to the minimum food basket of a Russian visitor “coffee-cheese-salmon”. Ekberg is the oldest bakery in Finland, which, on the one hand, publishes photographs with beautiful “layouts” in the spirit of the times, and on the other hand, has fun with carvings on plates. Here marble and gold, plump angels, an assortment of crispy baguettes, rows of shining cakes and lush pastries fall upon you from the threshold. Behind the shop windows you can see only mountains of bread, but tourists here do not feed on bread rolls alone. If the difficult choice between brioche and berry tart has led you to a dead end, the unlimited breakfast buffet for €11.50 is a universal solution. Tasty and plentiful, “coffee-cheese-salmon” are included, and with them - creamy omelettes, hot cereals, fruits, and desserts, without which it would be a crime. After such a start to the day, you can walk around the design district without stopping for lunch. From 7.30 to 10.30 am on weekdays, from 8.30 to 13.00 on Saturdays, on Sundays from 9.00 to 13.00.
Lunches. Tamara's choice
Market Square
The simplest solution to have an inexpensive lunch is to take a walk along the market square, where among the skins reindeer and home-knitted woolen sweater hats at the price of Parisian boutiques, sizzling and fragrant roasting pans with fish, vegetables and meat, from which cheerful sellers speaking all the languages of the world (and certainly Russian!) will scoop up a generous portion of fresh meat for you. You can eat on the go or sit down at a rickety table and order local cider. Coffee is also poured here, and on the neighboring counters you will probably find something sweet or sweet and floury. Weight watchers can recommend a piece of smoked salmon and a glass of local blueberries the size of a bird's egg. Speaking of birds: the impudent thief-cormorant, the size of an eagle, is not a legend at all, so you need to keep an eye on the salmon in your hand. He was absent for some time (apparently helping his Russian comrades in the construction of the Zenit Arena), but is now back on duty. Open on weekdays from 8.00 to 18.00, on Saturdays from 8.00 to 16.00, from May to September on Sundays from 10.00 to 17.00.
Old Market Vanha Kauppahalli
Eteläranta, 00130 Helsinki; open Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 18.00, Saturday from 8.00 to 16.00.
Fans of Finnish architecture and design are advised to start their cultural program by tasting delicacies at the Old Market, located next to the Market Square. Built by the famous architect Carl Gustav Nyström in 1889, it is an ideal example of a covered market arcade with preserved lamps and decorative elements. The food here is not at all the same as on the colorful Market Square: the local homemade smoked delicacies, cheeses and fantastically beautiful fish rows can easily be called an Exhibition of the Achievements of Finnish Economy. Between the benches and counters are tiny cafes and pastry shops, where you can fully, although not very cheaply, enjoy home-made Finnish cuisine. And at the same time - buy some with you homemade cheese, which is made on a mini-farm at the University of Helsinki.
Lunches. Vika's choice (and Tamara's)
Tehtaankatu 34 D
WITH full meals By affordable price Everything is also not bad - and without sandwiches and other fast food. Let's start in the same design district, where a five-minute walk from Russian Embassy For just €12.90, get access to an insane buffet lunch at Moroccan Sandro. It's southern hot here from the smiles of the non-Finnish staff and the manager Alejandro, who arrived from Latin America. Latin American motifs are also felt in the interior. On the big common table Colorful vegetarian salads, couscous, soups and two types of spiced bread - one even gluten-free - are being resumed non-stop. You can paint the walls of the entire establishment with a list of spices, and free mint tea flood the coastal area. The hot dish changes from day to day: sometimes chicken tagine, sometimes fish. But there are always huge falafels with herbs. There is nothing for meat eaters to catch here during the day; ribeyes and lamb are served only for dinner. Therefore, those who want to bite into the meat can go to the old shipyard building nearby.
Konepajahalli Space
The place is called R24 Konepajahalli (Telakkakatu 6) and is essentially what we call a “creative space” located in an old dry dock building. There are shops selling antique furniture here. famous brands(it’s better for particularly enthusiastic people to pass by, otherwise there is a chance of staying forever) and a few simple food items. The Vietnamese Pho Cafe offers two or three types of soup, noodles and a couple of rice dishes. Prices are up to 10€. The Asian vibe is also served at Coconut Street - with a serving of pork. It is cooked here either in Korean or in Filipino, stewed and steamed, but only on weekdays. A buffet of several types of curry, tom yum, Vietnamese soup and other aromatic hodgepodge will be added to lunch - all for 12 €.
By the way, about soups. On the other side of the Esplanade next to Senate Square the signature establishment Qulma’s specializes in them. When some people just start breakfast, from 10:45 (!) to 14:00, for 10.50 € they offer three daily changing soups with home-baked bread and hummus. Eat as much as you want, tea and coffee will be poured too.
Dinners. Wiki's Choice
Kebabs and falafels have taken Europe by storm. Even conservative (but thrifty) Finns have succumbed to the charms of Middle Eastern cuisine. The average cost of a dish at Fafa’s is €10.90. For this money they give you a rather large plate of food. Falafel with halloumi, halloumi with hummus, hummus with kebab, feta kebab and so on. In case of emergency, it is convenient to take it with you. Good fast food with several locations in the city. Most are open until 22.00 on weekdays and until 5 am on Friday-Saturday, but it is better to check the specific address in advance, there are many nuances.
Dinners. Tamara's choice
Sports Academy Helsinki
Keskuskatu, 6. Open: Mon.-Thu.11.00-24.00, Fri.11.00-01.00, Sat.12.00-01.00, Sun.12.00-22.00
It is difficult to find an analogue for a long-lived sports restaurant. To put it aphoristically, “they don’t live that long.” However, what other establishment will be popular regardless of fashion, if it is not a sports bar-restaurant with a huge selection of beer and snacks, 66 plasma panels, its own playground and sauna? We accidentally stumbled upon the “sports academy” about 20 years ago, when it occupied a modest half-floor in a shopping center opposite the station, and immediately fell in love with it for its quality and generosity at human prices, for its special “closeness to the people,” where you literally immerse yourself in the world of the indigenous people Helsinki. Since then, the restaurant has expanded deeper into the neighborhood and acquired its own sports ground and sauna. The portions here are huge, you can choose from a choice of fillings for pizzas and tacos, and you can (and should!) buy grilled meat for two. The bar, as befits fans of a healthy lifestyle, follows fashion - many dishes for vegans have appeared here, and fashionable fresh bowls (for example, chicken) may include black quinoa, red rice, guacamole, edamame beans, pickled carrots, salads, paprika Peppadew, pumpkin seeds, cherry tomatoes, coriander and passion fruit vinaigrette. Despite hundreds of “seatings”, it is better to book a table in advance - on the weekend there is nowhere for a fish bone to fall.
We thank the friendly residents of the village of Koskenkorva for their help in organizing the trip.
Special thanks to Eilina Gusatinskaya, Kirill Reznik and Anneli Kovanen.
To be continued.
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The food industry in Helsinki has come a long way in recent years, and many establishments have increased their menu prices. However, the choice of restaurants and eateries in this city is so rich that finding a good one inexpensive option won't be difficult.
Cuisine features in Helsinki
Helsinki is without a doubt the hub of the best restaurants in all of Finland. Many of them specialize in Russian and Scandinavian-style cuisine; Asian restaurants are increasingly appearing and are in demand.
If we talk about delicious Finnish dishes, then you should pay attention to meat - venison and pheasant. The meat is usually served with fruit sauces. Despite the variety of offerings, local dishes are actively promoted on the menu.
And the geographical location of Helsinki has become the reason for the abundance of seafood - scallops, crayfish, lobsters and salmon. Forshmak is something completely unique. The dish resembles a mixture of herring, pickles and minced lamb. The appetizer is served hot.
Since Finnish and Russian cuisine have many things in common, people in Helsinki also love berries (lingonberries, currants). Small cafes always offer delicious hot berry pies, which you can have for breakfast without overpaying.
Where can I try all this?
There are several restaurants right opposite Helsinki train station where you can sample Italian, Finnish or steak cuisine.
Nearby is Kamppi Square, famous for its many bars and budget restaurants. There is a large selection of eateries operating according to the “ Buffet”, which will not only allow you to have an inexpensive lunch, but also save time.
Some suitable options:
- Rax Pizza (less than 10 euros per person) is a restaurant for those who like simple food in the form of soups and potatoes baked in sour cream. This establishment is perhaps the cheapest in Helsinki. It is very popular among residents of the Finnish capital.
- Unicafe works on the same principle as the previous establishment. The customer pays a few euros, then gets unlimited access to the menu.
- Golden Rax is a network of buffets that charge a fixed amount, while the client can eat everything in any quantity. The menu includes soups, pizzas, salads. This is an excellent option for tourists with children and those traveling in a large group.
- Fazer Cafe is a cafe with a lot of sweets and a large selection of dishes.
- Silvoplee is an establishment for tourists who want to eat something light, since the menu is designed for vegetarians. During lunch, payment here is made according to the weight of the plate.
Walking the streets of Helsinki will reveal many more cafes, but if you want to eat like the locals, you should give preference to seasonal dishes. But in kebab and oriental cafes with suspicious low prices, despite their availability, it is better not to go: very often they use low-quality products and harmful additives.
The Sea Horse restaurant is considered a budget option. It is notable for its long history and the fact that locals eat here. The decor is very simple, the food is always fresh and interesting, and there are quite a few vegetarian options. The portions in the restaurant are large, and the menu includes pancakes, meatballs, desserts and fish.
Tourists in Helsinki call the restaurant “Pelmeni” truly unique, where Russian guests of the city will certainly be happy to visit. Here you can try dumplings with sour cream, hot sauce and cranberries.
It's worth checking out the Kauppatori market. Its spacious covered area not only sells various delicacies. Here you can eat inexpensively and deliciously in a cafe. On average it works out to less than 10 euros.
Fast food lovers and those who want to eat inexpensively and quickly can go to one of the cafes of the Picnic chain. In some ways it resembles the usual fast food restaurants, but everything is fresher and tasty. Special dishes are offered every day, and there are set offers. This good option for a snack or lunch.
