Guidebook for Helsinki
Essentials
This is the closest supermarket with all the basics you need for your holiday. Follow the road down and you'll find Alko, the government monopoly shop for wine and spirits.
31 locals recommend
Alepa Ullanlinna
29 VuorimiehenkatuThis is the closest supermarket with all the basics you need for your holiday. Follow the road down and you'll find Alko, the government monopoly shop for wine and spirits.
Kanniston leipomo
6 KankurinkatuAnother superb bakery with a cosy cafe.
Alepa Viiskulma
4 PursimiehenkatuAnother smaller supermarket close by.
The biggest supermarket in Ullanlinna has a fresh fish counter and good local produce.
22 locals recommend
S-Market Kasarmitori
19 KasarmikatuThe biggest supermarket in Ullanlinna has a fresh fish counter and good local produce.
Food Scene
Maxill
4 KorkeavuorenkatuExcellent food only a block away from the flat.
Mmmm...lovely Saturday brunch surrounded by shopping temptations.
40 locals recommend
Moko Market Café & Store Punavuori
10 PerämiehenkatuMmmm...lovely Saturday brunch surrounded by shopping temptations.
Cafe Carusel
10 MerisatamanrantaCoffee with a view right by the seaside.
A trendy yet laid-back place for some casual dining or drinks.
30 locals recommend
LUNGI Kortteliravintola
2 a KorkeavuorenkatuA trendy yet laid-back place for some casual dining or drinks.
A fabulous place by the sea. Try the wonderful salad buffet at lunchtime.
56 locals recommend
Café Ursula
3 EhrenströmintieA fabulous place by the sea. Try the wonderful salad buffet at lunchtime.
This makes a nice trip in the winter and summer alike. Cross the bridge in the winter for hot chocolate and cinnamon buns or get the summer ferry and enjoy a drink on the beachside terrace.
24 locals recommend
Restaurant Uunisaari
2 Pohjoinen UunisaariThis makes a nice trip in the winter and summer alike. Cross the bridge in the winter for hot chocolate and cinnamon buns or get the summer ferry and enjoy a drink on the beachside terrace.
Our grandchildren's favourite cafe, perhaps because it sells the largest buns in Ullanlinna.
31 locals recommend
Café Succès
2 KorkeavuorenkatuOur grandchildren's favourite cafe, perhaps because it sells the largest buns in Ullanlinna.
This is an Ullanlinna institution. Very typical (and very, very rich) Finnish dishes and a sunny terrace in the park during the summer months.
97 locals recommend
Sea Horse
11 KapteeninkatuThis is an Ullanlinna institution. Very typical (and very, very rich) Finnish dishes and a sunny terrace in the park during the summer months.
This is the cafe of Finland's most renowned chocolate company. Try their lovely handmade chocolates or enjoy a sumptious breakfast or coffee and cakes.
26 locals recommend
Karl Fazer Café
3 KluuvikatuThis is the cafe of Finland's most renowned chocolate company. Try their lovely handmade chocolates or enjoy a sumptious breakfast or coffee and cakes.
This bistro style restaurant serves delicious meals and wines in a relaxed environment. Our big favourite comes highly recommended.
16 locals recommend
Restaurant Ask
8 VironkatuThis bistro style restaurant serves delicious meals and wines in a relaxed environment. Our big favourite comes highly recommended.
This Art Nouveau cafe and restaurant is an old cult classic for Helsinki artists. The building itself is worth a visit on its own.
27 locals recommend
Kappeli
1 EteläesplanadiThis Art Nouveau cafe and restaurant is an old cult classic for Helsinki artists. The building itself is worth a visit on its own.
This busy local bar and casual restaurant has been around for a couple of decades. It's remains busy every night for both drinks and reliable, reasonably priced food.
67 locals recommend
Café Bar No 9
9 UudenmaankatuThis busy local bar and casual restaurant has been around for a couple of decades. It's remains busy every night for both drinks and reliable, reasonably priced food.
This pizza and salad place has perhaps the coolest location anywhere in Helsinki: a wooden terrace on the sea. It's only open in summer, but in winter the pizza is just as good at Skiffer Erottaja.
36 locals recommend
Ravintola Skiffer Liuskaluoto
This pizza and salad place has perhaps the coolest location anywhere in Helsinki: a wooden terrace on the sea. It's only open in summer, but in winter the pizza is just as good at Skiffer Erottaja.
The Old Skiffer
10 LaivurinkatuSee the other Skiffer! This is closer to the apartment.
Everything Else
Our top island getaway in Helsinki. 15 mins on a ferry takes you to this forested island with beautiful sandy beaches. There's a nice restaurant or you can make your own BBQ (logs supplied).
49 locals recommend
Pihlajasaari
Our top island getaway in Helsinki. 15 mins on a ferry takes you to this forested island with beautiful sandy beaches. There's a nice restaurant or you can make your own BBQ (logs supplied).
Helsinki's prettiest library with a great British collection on the top floor - just follow the windy staircase all the way up.
11 locals recommend
Rikhardinkatu Library
3 RikhardinkatuHelsinki's prettiest library with a great British collection on the top floor - just follow the windy staircase all the way up.
Only opened to the public a few years ago, Lonna island has a restaurant specialising in local food, a cafe, a superb sauna and a beach. The ferry from the Market Square goes on to the more famous Suomenlinna island, too.
40 locals recommend
Lonnan sauna
Only opened to the public a few years ago, Lonna island has a restaurant specialising in local food, a cafe, a superb sauna and a beach. The ferry from the Market Square goes on to the more famous Suomenlinna island, too.
Sightseeing
Less than five minutes of the flat, the Design Museum gives you a comprehensive overview of Finnish design now and in the past. Great temporary exhibitions, too.
149 locals recommend
Design Museum Helsinki
23 KorkeavuorenkatuLess than five minutes of the flat, the Design Museum gives you a comprehensive overview of Finnish design now and in the past. Great temporary exhibitions, too.
Shopping
Helsinki's most famous department store sells most things you might desire. The food hall downstairs called Herkku is fantastic, the best in town.
256 locals recommend
Stockmann Helsingin keskusta
52 AleksanterinkatuHelsinki's most famous department store sells most things you might desire. The food hall downstairs called Herkku is fantastic, the best in town.
Alko has a monopoly on wine and spirits in Finland. Please note it is not open on Sundays.
39 locals recommend
Alko
33 VuorimiehenkatuAlko has a monopoly on wine and spirits in Finland. Please note it is not open on Sundays.
Drinks & Nightlife
A scenic and lively summer bar with a gorgeous roof terrace by the sea.
70 locals recommend
Kaivopuiston Mattolaituri Oy
3 A EhrenströmintieA scenic and lively summer bar with a gorgeous roof terrace by the sea.
The roof terrace bar of Hotel Torni has a spectacular view all over Helsinki... even from the restroom! The hotel has a high quality restaurant downstairs, too.
40 locals recommend
Ateljee Bar
26 YrjönkatuThe roof terrace bar of Hotel Torni has a spectacular view all over Helsinki... even from the restroom! The hotel has a high quality restaurant downstairs, too.