Helsinki: 6 Unique Summer Cafes Loved by Locals

26/07/2015 by Piia | Ticket to Adventures 41 Comments

In summertime, people in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, literally live in the outdoors, especially along the beautiful seashores where some of the best summer cafes, bars and restaurants can be found. Some of them are only open during the summer months so make sure you visit at least the following unique summer cafes to feel the real summer atmosphere of Helsinki.

1. Cafe Regatta

This charming red wooden cottage, Cafe Regatta, next to the water in Töölö is the cutest little cafe in town, loved by locals for their freshly baked cinnamon rolls (korvapuusti in Finnish). You can even barbecue sausages in the patio right there and then. Interesting vintage interior and decoration makes every visit a small adventure.

Cafe Regatta | Merikannontie 8, 00260 Helsinki

2. Cafe Birgitta Hernesaari

Located at the southwestern tip of the city peninsula in Hernesaari, Cafe Birgitta is a newcomer to the waterfront pleasures of the city. Opened last summer, this modern seaside cafe is a real beauty. The exceptionally weather resistant outside wooden elements were burnt to its charcoal finish on the premises. If it gets too windy on the outside terrace you can always enjoy your coffee indoors by the fireplace. Burgers at this cafe are by far the best in town!

Cafe Birgitta Hernesaari | Hernesaarenranta 2, 00150 Helsinki

3. Bear Park Cafe (Karhupuiston lippakioski)

This charming little cafe, Bear Park Cafe (Karhupuiston lippakioski), in the bohemian neighbourhood of Kallio is a very popular place to enjoy a coffee. The surrounding Bear Park is named after the statue “Bear on an Anthill”. There is a total of 24 old yellow summer kiosks/cafes like this in Helsinki dating back all the way to the 1940s and 1950s when the kiosks were built in the most popular parks of the city and along the major tram routes.

Bear Park Cafe | Bear Park, Fleminginkatu, 00530 Helsinki

4. Cafe Blue Villa (Sininen Huvila)

On top of a hill in Linnunlaulu (Birdsong) villa area on the eastern side of Töölönlahti Bay, Cafe Sininen Huvila (Blue Villa) has the best views overlooking the shimmering waters of Töölönlahti Bay and some of the city’s most famous landmarks such as the Opera House and the Finlandia Hall. This is a very peaceful, leafy place and definitely worth a stroll up the hill. Very tasty homemade cakes and pastries!

Cafe Sininen Huvila | Linnunlauluntie 11, Helsinki

5. ML/Relandersgrund Boat Cafe

The oldest lightship in Finland, built in 1888, today ML/Relandersgrund functions as a boat cafe overlooking the beautiful red old warehouses of Katajanokka and the Uspenski Cathedral. They also have a small interior decoration shop on the lower deck.

Majakkalaiva ML/Relandersgrund | Meritullintori, 00170 Helsinki

6. Cafe Ihana Kahvila

In rough and urban surroundings at the very far end of the redevelopment area of Kalasatama/Sompasaari by the old seaport, the small container Cafe Ihana Kahvila (Cafe Lovely) offers a completely new way of looking at Helsinki. The unique settings with an 800 meters long graffiti fence, an urban garden and skateboard parks create a distinctive atmosphere. Have a refreshing drink or a cup of coffee and admire the urban culture and magnificent sea views while relaxing in the hammock. The trip here is an adventure itself as you will walk through a construction site. Just follow the signs painted on the pavement and you will find your way.

Ihana Kahvila | Nihtikuja, Kalasatama/Sompasaari