A snack-sized guide to wild food in Helsinki

A snack-sized food guide to Helsinki - episode 2

The former Helsinki abattoir from 1933, re-opened in 2012 as Teurastamo Helsinki, is a melting pot of food and urban culture. Currently there are a dozen active businesses operating in the Teurastamo area, ranging from restaurants to urban events, from a business college to a coffee roastery and from a distillery to a pasta factory. Together, these businesses form Teurastamo, but the area also serves as the shared living room and backyard of the residents of Helsinki, open all year round and featuring a yard with a grill and a rental sauna.

1. Teurastamo

A beach in Laajasalo with dressing rooms and shower. Closeby is also a weightlifting area, a playground and Laajasalo sports park.

The City of Helsinki supervises the beach during the swimming season.

2. Laajasalo beach

Vartiosaari is an island located in the inner archipelago of Eastern Helsinki, between Laajasalo and Tammisalo. 

3. Vartiosaari

Annala is an idyllic garden area in Vanhakaupunki run by the Hyötykasviyhdistys association. The heart of the area is the oldest wooden villa in Helsinki, Villa Anneberg, built in 1832.

The villa is owned by the Hyötykasviyhdistys association since 2017 and will one day hopefully be a national center of garden culture in Finland.

The association Annalan huvilan ystävät ry runs a cafe on Sundays in the villa, Cafe Anneberg. Also events.

4. Annalan huvila

The idea behind Grön is to create tasty, focused, plant-based and inspiring food that concentrates on high-quality ingredients. The food is based on seasonal, organic and wild ingredients as well as Scandinavian produce. What grows now in nature determinates the menu. 

The restaurant has been nominated one Michelin-star.

5. Grön

Hakaniemi Market Hall is a genuine Finnish market hall.  Designed by architect Karl Hård af Segerstad, the market hall was opened in 1914. The charming 100-year-old building has many shops on two floors. Eg. fresh fish, bread and pastries and other delicious food can be found on the first floor and souvenirs, handicrafts, interior decorations and other design objects on the second floor. 



6. Hakaniemi Market Hall

The Old Market Hall in Helsinki has served its customers since 1889. 

Merchants sell all sorts of cheese, fish, shellfish, vegetable, fruit and cakes to spices, coffee and tea. They are also more than happy to help with any special orders.

Here you can also find the smallest Alko shop for wines and beverages, as well as cafe's and restaurants.

7. Old Market Hall

The over 100 years old Hietalahti Market Hall serves as a cozy café and restaurant hall. International kitchens offer delicious flavor experiences around the world. The hall also offers versatile gifts for all occasions.

8. Hietalahti Market Hall

Located at the South Harbour at one end of the Esplanade Park, the Market Square is Helsinki's most international and famous market. The booths here sell traditional market foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs. There are also heated café tents where you can comfortably have a steaming hot coffee even on the coldest days in winter. The Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, one of the oldest ongoing event traditions in Finland, is arranged here every October. It has been held since 1743.

There's a ferry connection to Suomenlinna Fortress island from the Market Square year round, and in summer it is possible to catch eg. a ferry to Korkeasaari Zoo, hop on one of the archipelago sightseeing cruises or take a boat trip to Porvoo.

The Stone of the Empress', in the middle of the Market Square, is the oldest public memorial in Helsinki. It was erected to commemorate the Empress Alexandra's (the German-born wife of Nicholas I), first visit to Helsinki.

On the west side of the Market Square, close to the Esplanade park, stands the Havis Amanda fountain, by Ville Vallgren (1908), one of  the best known statues in Helsinki.

9. Market Square

Herttoniemi allotment garden, founded in 1934, is an area of 7,5 hectares and 182 small cottages and gardens. Herttoniemi allotment garden is a popular place for strolls in the neighbourhood.

10. Herttoniemi allotment garden

Kumpula allotment garden is the second oldest allotment garden in Helsinki. It was founded in 1927. The Kumpula allotment garden association organizes also events open to public. The best known of these events is the midsummer festivities in the area. One of the original cottages from 1929 (at Ruusutie 141) is today a museum and open on summer Sundays at 12-14.