Helsinki Restaurants

  1. Café Engel

    With a fine outlook opposite Senaatintori (Senate Square) and the cathedral (and appropriately named after its architect), Engel is popular with uni students and the arty crowd.

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  2. Café Esplanade

    This large, busy space is a perfect spot for a variety of needs and wants. Oversized Danish pastries and excellent Finnish pulla , a traditional wheat bun, are good accompaniments to coffee (bottomless) or espresso; for lunch, there are spectacular salads and a variety of wines served by the glass.

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  3. Porthania

    Helsinki University has several student caféterias around the city, where meals cost under around €5 . They include Porthania and the huge Ylioppilasaukio (260 9491; Mannerheimintie 3B

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  4. Soul Kitchen

    In Kallio, to the north of central Helsinki is Soul Kitchen, a loungey, retro café and bar. The menu is listed on a record sleeve - make your selection while checking out the liner notes. The burgers, salads and steaks are some of the best around.

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  5. Ylioppilasaukio

    Helsinki University has several student caféterias around the city, where meals cost under around €5 . They include Porthania (1311 4298; Hallituskatu 11-13; ; - Mon-Fri) and the huge Ylioppilasaukio , tucked away down an alley next to Zetor.

    Read more about Ylioppilasaukio