Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Helsinki

Located in Etu-Töölö behind the National Museum and next to Parliament, St. Urho's Pub was opened over 20 years ago, making it one of the most popular of traditions with locals. A wide selection of bottled ale and beers on tap are available and the menu has everything from small to huge meals. There is never a cover charge, even during live music performances.

Its location, close to the sea in Kauppatori, is advantageous for bringing in the catch of the day. Competitors have challenged this restaurant as the seafood spot in town, but Havis Amanda has kept its ranking, enjoying immense popularity with tourists. The menu has more seafood and fish dishes than most restaurants of this sort and the quality is impressive. Popular choices include the grilled perch and lobster in lemon sauce. It's decor has an older, vintage feel.

Kappeli has been a pioneer in Finnish dining since 1837, offering beautiful views of the seafront. The café part has gorgeous (though expensive) desserts, perfect for any time of day. The restaurant serves traditional Finnish dishes, often sporting sauces made from the beer brewed in the restaurant's own brewery. The same building also contains a bar and a cellar restaurant. In the summer, guests can make use of their large, busy terrace and watch passersby and the acts on the next-door Espa stage. Hours vary with each section.

This is an interesting place to dine, even for the citizens of Helsinki. All tables, chairs, and other bits of furniture are made of wood and the dim lighting intensifies the feeling of being somewhere completely different. The menu is user-friendly with fair prices. Their specialty is the reindeer sirloin, or you could try the grilled vendace, which is considerably less expensive. Finnish your meal with the Lapp farm cheese selection, flavored with cinnamon cream. The waiters are always on the ball with good service even on busy nights.

The best-known jazz club in Helsinki, Storyville resides in a basement where the red brick walls scream New Orleans. This is a place for those who like to sit down, enjoy drinks and listen to a band playing light, easy jazz; you can always pop in and expect a live performance. Guest musicians are often from abroad. Storyville is especially popular on weekends, but you can wait in the upstairs pub if the club is full.