Helsinki Dining Guide: Finnish Flavors, Historic Restaurants & Market Eats

Rustic stucco building storefront with a bright green neon sign reading 'Sea Horses' and street signs, bicycles parked outside, and a pedestrian crossing sign nearby.

When planning my trip to Helsinki and browsing restaurant lists, I wasn’t sure what to look for or expect, since I wasn’t familiar with Finnish cuisine and Finnish restaurants are uncommon in the United States. After reading a few menus, I quickly learned that Finns love fish, rye bread, reindeer, and berries, with salmon soup being a delicacy served in many eateries. As someone who follows a mainly vegetarian diet and occasionally eats seafood, I found this ideal, since I sometimes have trouble finding suitable meals while traveling abroad. And given its location by the Baltic Sea, the seafood is very fresh!

I was in Helsinki for about two and a half days, as flight delays caused me to miss my first planned day in the city. Despite the short stay, I was able to dine at two of Helsinki’s best restaurants, enjoy a lovely lunch on Suomenlinna Island, discover a delicious meal at Kauppatori Market (an outdoor market), and savor a wonderful Italian meal near the Esplanadi. Of all the places I have visited in Europe, I would say that the food I had in Helsinki was amongst the best.

For my trip to Helsinki and Tallinn, I was accompanied by my parents, which resulted in a different dining experience. When I travel solo, both in the U.S. and abroad, I mainly visit cafes for a low-key meal or explore local markets and grab a few items to enjoy at a park or back at the hotel. My parents, on the other hand, prefer sit-down restaurants, so this guide will have a different feel compared to my other dining guides.

Unlike the United States, tipping is not “strongly suggested” in Helsinki. In many restaurants, when paying with a credit card, there may be no option to leave a tip on the receipt. In these cases, I recommend providing the tip in cash and, if possible, handing it directly to the waitstaff.

Helsinki Market Square (Kauppatori)

Row of bright orange market stalls and a long menu board under a clear blue sky with string lights above the street.

One thing I have grown to love about Europe is the food halls and outdoor markets, and here in Helsinki, travelers can find delicious eats, sweet treats, and fresh produce at the Kauppatori. Located near the Esplanadi and by the ferry pier, this market is easy to access and worth a visit. As I was recovering from almost 40 hours of travel and a serious case of jet lag, I was looking for a quick meal that I could order to go and eat while resting in my hotel room.

Takeout container filled with a mixed salad (greens, cherry tomatoes, feta with herb dressing) next to a bottle of Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar.

While wandering around the market, I discovered a stall that sold baked potatoes with all sorts of toppings, and the image of the vegetarian potato really caught my attention. I did not see a name on the tent, but the receipt was labeled “The Little Fish Shop” (there were seafood options on the menu). The potato I ordered was topped with spinach and a creamy feta dressing and came with a side salad. Baked potatoes tend to be simple meals, but this one was packed with flavor and overall the meal was a great remedy for jet lag.

Fresh, ripe strawberries in a clear plastic container on a crinkled metallic surface.

Now for the strawberries. I was born and raised in the state of Florida, which is very well known for its strawberries. To my surprise, I found these Finnish strawberries to be juicier and absolutely delicious! Walking through the market, I was amazed by the variety of produce available, and it all looked fresh and tasty. The Kauppatori is definitely a great place to stock up on snacks for your trip!

Sea Horse

Sea Horse is a historic Finnish restaurant offering traditional cuisine in Helsinki’s Ullanlinna Art Nouveau district. On this trip, I was traveling with my parents and, wanting to treat them to a special meal, I selected the Sea Horse because it was highly recommended in several Helsinki-related guides and travel blogs. Given the restaurant’s popularity and the fact we would be going on a Sunday evening, I made a reservation via their website to secure a table. After dining at the Sea Horse, I can see why it is a beloved Helsinki culinary treasure – phenomenal food, excellent service, and pleasant atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurant, especially for those looking to mark a special occasion or share a memorable experience with loved ones.

The Sea Horse offers both a standard menu and a three-course, fixed-price menu. Despite enjoying that delicious baked potato earlier in the day, I was absolutely starving by dinner time (jet lag makes me hungrier than usual), so I opted for the three-course meal. I selected the Traditional Finnish shrimp sandwich, Fried pike perch with horseradish, champignon sauce and dill potatoes, and Iced cranberries with hot caramel sauce. The shrimp sandwich is different from what I envisioned, for it was more akin to an Italian bruschetta – a slice of bread topped with sauce, tiny shrimp, and herbs. Regardless, it tasted good and was quite filling for a starter. As for the entree, the fish was well prepared and very flavorful, and the potatoes were melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The dessert was definitely unique; frozen cranberries accompanied by a rich caramel sauce. It was my first time trying cranberries with caramel, and I very much loved the tart-and-sweet combo. My parents weren’t as hungry, so they each ordered an entree and a dessert to share. Judging by the smiles on their faces, they too enjoyed their meal!

Sea Horse offers vegetarian options in both its standard and fixed-price menus.

Shrimp crostini appetizer with dill, lemon wedge, and greens on a white plate.

Plate of crispy breaded fish with roasted new potatoes, lemon wedge, and dill garnish on a white dish? text implies informativie—note: ensure concise phrasing.

Cafe Piper

Front view of a weathered wooden cafe with pale gray posts, a small circular window, and chalkboard menus on the steps; two people stand near the entrance.

Cafe Piper is a cozy, historic eatery on Suommelinna Island (guide coming soon), next to Piper Park and offering harbor views. Prior to the trip, I had done some research on the best places to eat on the island, and Cafe Piper seemed to be a great spot to relax, enjoy some coffee, and grab a quick bite. Walking back to the ferry pier, we decided to stop here to get some rest (lots of walking on the island) and escape the rain.

A white bowl of creamy potato soup with dill and potato chunks on a wooden table, with a dotted blue mug and napkin nearby.

Stopping at Cafe Piper turned out to be a great idea because the lunch special of the day was Finland’s famous salmon soup along with rye bread and coffee. While the Finns call it soup, I felt it was more like a chowder, as it was heartier and filled with cream, potatoes, and veggies (it reminded me of Boston clam chowder). I could see why this dish is so popular in Finland; it’s perfect for those very long, dreary winter days! As for the bread, I’m usually not a fan of rye, but the slices I was served were tasty and paired well with the soup. My parents skipped the food and went straight to the dessert, enjoying blueberry pie with a cup of coffee.

Cafe Piper operates seasonally, opening between May and September.

Ristorante il Siciliano

Ristorante il Siciliano proves that when traveling, sometimes plan B turns out to be the better option. I had originally planned for us to dine at La Galleria, but when we arrived, there was no availability for the evening. I had not made reservations for La Galleria for two reasons: 1) it was a Monday evening (I assumed it wouldn’t be that crowded on a weeknight), and 2) I wasn’t sure how tired we would be after spending a whole day exploring Suomenlinna Island. The owner of La Galleria kindly suggested Ristorante il Siciliano, another Italian restaurant about a block away, so we decided to head there for dinner, and fortunately, there was no wait.

Ristorante il Siciliano is located by the Esplanadi and offers the standard Italian fare of pasta, risotto, and pizzas. The first thing that caught my attention on the menu was the garlic bread – one of my favorite things to eat, and here it was absolutely heavenly. My parents also loved the garlic bread, and between the three of us, not a crumb was left at the end! As for the entrees, I ordered the cannelloni con spinaci, while they each got the lasagna. Dad is a big fan of lasagna, and he said the one he ordered was amazing and a substantial portion. Mom also had good things to say about the dish. My cannelloni was good, but I felt it was a bit underseasoned. For the dessert, I got the pistaasi tiramisu since I like pistachio and was quite surprised when it arrived. A very interesting interpretation of tiramisu! Aside from the uniqueness, it was very flavorful and worth every calorie.

Overall, the evening’s plan B was a success, thanks to the delicious food, wonderful service, and pleasant atmosphere.

Ramekin with baked pasta (lasagna) covered in melted cheese and parmesan, served on a white plate with a green napkin on a wooden table.

Chocolate tart on a white plate with teal rim, crumbs around it, butterknife and fork resting nearby on a wooden table. Behind are a glass and a dark beverage.

Kappeli

Elegant historic archway entrance with ornate carvings and a statue atop, blue sky overhead, people entering the building.

Serving traditional Finnish cuisine for over 150 years, Kappeli is a beautiful restaurant housed in a glass building by Esplanadi. I chose this restaurant based on the reviews, its history, and the fact that I was looking for a special place to mark our last meal in Helsinki. Kappeli has both a sit-down restaurant with an à la carte menu and a café offering soups, custom-made salads, sandwiches, and bakery items. I had originally planned on going to the café, but Dad preferred the restaurant, and it turned out to be a great decision.

Person in a plaid shirt raises a glass of dark beverage at a dining table, with a plated dish of greens and croquettes in view.

The best way to describe the food at Kappeli is that it’s where flavor meets art, with dishes that are masterpieces of design and color. I chose the vegetarian option, herb and bean croquettes with Romesco puree, and it was a culinary delight. The croquettes were crisp but not overly fried, and the veggies were tender and well-seasoned. Dad ordered the grilled corn-fed chicken breast and lemon-thyme sauce, and he too was very pleased with his meal. My mom was still full from breakfast, so she skipped lunch but ordered one of their delicious coffees.

Kappeli’s sit-down menu can be considered pricey, especially for lunch, but it is worthwhile for those seeking a special meal in Helsinki. For the more budget-conscious traveler, the café is a great alternative that lets you experience Kappeli’s flavors at a more reasonable price.