Sini's Guidebook
Food scene
The steaks are arguably the best in Helsinki if you are after a meaty feast! The restaurant has been operating since 1971 and it is much loved by locals. Make a reservation especially for Friday’s and Saturdays, because it gets very busy.
40 locals recommend
Ravintola Amigo
15 AleksanterinkatuThe steaks are arguably the best in Helsinki if you are after a meaty feast! The restaurant has been operating since 1971 and it is much loved by locals. Make a reservation especially for Friday’s and Saturdays, because it gets very busy.
If you feel like eating a Russian feast, this is the place to go! They have live traditional music every night. Make a reservation if planning to go on the weekend. It is a popular spot to dine for groups as you can book cabinets of different sizes! You will not leave hungry.
17 locals recommend
Saslik
12 NeitsytpolkuIf you feel like eating a Russian feast, this is the place to go! They have live traditional music every night. Make a reservation if planning to go on the weekend. It is a popular spot to dine for groups as you can book cabinets of different sizes! You will not leave hungry.
A easygoing local place just across the street! Pizzas, local food and great Finnish style pancakes for desert. Good for families as everyone will find something from the menu.
14 locals recommend
Ravintola Central
15 PietarinkatuA easygoing local place just across the street! Pizzas, local food and great Finnish style pancakes for desert. Good for families as everyone will find something from the menu.
Historic place with very traditional casual/home style Finnish food. If you have a hangover and need a plate full of oily salty relief, then go for the “pyttipannu”. Legend says that the mural was painted by art students in dept to the restaurant, in truth the students were actually paid for the job.
97 locals recommend
Sea Horse
11 KapteeninkatuHistoric place with very traditional casual/home style Finnish food. If you have a hangover and need a plate full of oily salty relief, then go for the “pyttipannu”. Legend says that the mural was painted by art students in dept to the restaurant, in truth the students were actually paid for the job.
If you are tired of Macdonald’s style burgers this is the place to go. One of our favorites for burgers!
26 locals recommend
NAUGHTY BRGR
13 LönnrotinkatuIf you are tired of Macdonald’s style burgers this is the place to go. One of our favorites for burgers!
A market hall full of nice cafes and restaurants. Iconic art nouveau building and interior. Worth stopping by for lunch!
105 locals recommend
Hietalahti Market Hall
34 LönnrotinkatuA market hall full of nice cafes and restaurants. Iconic art nouveau building and interior. Worth stopping by for lunch!
Summertime restaurant with fun and tasty pizza’s. Good weather brings a long que, but it is worth the wait.
36 locals recommend
Ravintola Skiffer Liuskaluoto
Summertime restaurant with fun and tasty pizza’s. Good weather brings a long que, but it is worth the wait.
Olo
5 PohjoisesplanadiA fine dining experience not to be missed! One Michelin star.
Sightseeing
If you are interested in design, this museum is a must! A short walk from our place.
149 locals recommend
Design Museum Helsinki
23 KorkeavuorenkatuIf you are interested in design, this museum is a must! A short walk from our place.
A historic park just a few minutes away. There is a telescope tower at the top of the hill and lovely seaside views!
189 locals recommend
Kaivopuisto
A historic park just a few minutes away. There is a telescope tower at the top of the hill and lovely seaside views!
The historic sea fortress built to protect Helsinki. Take the HSL ferry (cost around 3 € and ticket valid in other public transport). A great place to enjoy good weather and views. Nice restaurants and a brewery on the island too. Fun for a day out especially for the active and adventurous. Take at least 3 hours to see.
430 locals recommend
Suomenlinna
The historic sea fortress built to protect Helsinki. Take the HSL ferry (cost around 3 € and ticket valid in other public transport). A great place to enjoy good weather and views. Nice restaurants and a brewery on the island too. Fun for a day out especially for the active and adventurous. Take at least 3 hours to see.
A busy outdoor marketplace. If you are on your way to Suomenlinna with the ferry you will walk through this market.
125 locals recommend
Market Square
EtelärantaA busy outdoor marketplace. If you are on your way to Suomenlinna with the ferry you will walk through this market.
A fun place to visit especially in the summer. There is a restaurant and sauna on the island.
40 locals recommend
Lonnan sauna
A fun place to visit especially in the summer. There is a restaurant and sauna on the island.
Bars and Pubs
The Old Skiffer
10 LaivurinkatuA nice nearby pub where you can also order some nice pizza’s.
BrewDog Helsinki
20 Tarkk'ampujankatuNeed beer? They have a great many varieties to choose from!
Hands down the best place for drinks in Helsinki. The trick is to press the doorbell to ask for a table. The drinks cost around 14.50 but are well worth it. If you want a sophisticated and charming ambiance while enjoying wonderful creations this is the place to go.
8 locals recommend
Chihuahua Julep
9 ErottajankatuHands down the best place for drinks in Helsinki. The trick is to press the doorbell to ask for a table. The drinks cost around 14.50 but are well worth it. If you want a sophisticated and charming ambiance while enjoying wonderful creations this is the place to go.
Saunas
The sauna is a must when traveling in Finland!
A stylish place to experience the sauna and take a dip in the sea. Make a reservation and take your swimsuit. This is a good option if you don’t want to go completely without clothes. There is a bar and restaurant on the premises as well.
322 locals recommend
Löyly Helsinki
4 HernesaarenrantaA stylish place to experience the sauna and take a dip in the sea. Make a reservation and take your swimsuit. This is a good option if you don’t want to go completely without clothes. There is a bar and restaurant on the premises as well.
If you are adventurous this is the choice sauna for you. No swimsuit needed. Not owned by anyone and free spirited.
69 locals recommend
Sompasauna
6 VerkkosaarenkujaIf you are adventurous this is the choice sauna for you. No swimsuit needed. Not owned by anyone and free spirited.
Neighbourhoods
Historic and prestigious neighborhood in Helsinki. Lovely architecture, parks, restaurants and boutiques.
12 locals recommend
Ullanlinna
Historic and prestigious neighborhood in Helsinki. Lovely architecture, parks, restaurants and boutiques.
The Creme de la creme live here! Nice and very nearby for a short walk. Beautiful buildings and green surroundings. Recommended for a nice walk in the summer.
29 locals recommend
Eira
The Creme de la creme live here! Nice and very nearby for a short walk. Beautiful buildings and green surroundings. Recommended for a nice walk in the summer.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Public transport
Use the Helsingin seudun liikenne website and app to find the best public transport connections for you. You can easily buy a ticket from the app. The best way from the airport is to take the train to the central station and taking a tram from there (be sure to check that the tram is going in the right direction :) )
Useful phrases
Hei!
Greet your neighbors in the stairway and lobby with a friendly “Hei!” Or “Moi!”. To say thank you say “Kiitos”. If you are asking someone to make way say “anteeksi” this doubles as “sorry”. Most people in Helsinki speak good English so don’t be too worried about a language barrier.
Book before you go
Löyly
Book a time at Löyly. They usually can’t take walk ins.