High-quality single-origin coffees from the world’s leading coffee countries, local coffee artisans crafting different roast levels in their micro roasteries, the world’s finest, soft tap water, and friendly baristas skilled in every brewing technique and speciality coffee imaginable. Helsinki’s coffee scene is built on strong expertise, ambition, and vision. Enjoying a good cup of coffee is easy – as long as you know where to find the best baristas and roasters.

The top tier of micro roasteries

Among the most respected roasteries in Finland is Kaffa Roastery, led by Svante Hampf. A visit to its flagship location in Punavuori is a must for any coffee enthusiast, not only for the excellent coffee but also for the expertise of its baristas and the on-site micro roastery. Kaffa’s coffees are also served at La Torrefazione on Aleksanterinkatu, one of the pioneers in Helsinki’s quality coffee scene, where the baristas’ passion for perfect preparation shines through.

Good Life Coffee (GLC), led by local coffee master Lauri Pipinen, no longer operates its own café but supplies coffee to some of Helsinki’s favourite spots. The atmospheric Sävy in Kallio, with its exposed brick walls, vintage furniture, and chandeliers, is a favourite among the creative crowd. Pipinen also co-founded Way Bakery, known for its exceptional baked goods and for transforming into a wine bar and restaurant by night. El Fant, tucked away in the Torikorttelit district near Senate Square, combines a wine bar with a café serving a rotating selection of GLC coffee. GLC coffees can also be enjoyed at Flät no 14 by Karhupuisto, which is famed for its all-day breakfasts.

Barista masters and photogenic cafés

Veteran roaster Benjamin Andberg’s Helsigin kahvipaahtimo runs the stylish Päiväkahvibaari coffee bars at cultural hub Teurastamo and in the Vallila district. These spaces are filled with retro furniture and second-hand treasures, serving a curated coffee selection in a cosy atmosphere.

On Fredrikinkatu, Andante features a rustic carpenter’s bench as a table and a collection of Finnish coffee cups adorning the walls, perfectly in line with the surrounding Design District. Their coffee selection is excellent, featuring beans from local roaster Samples and the Danish La Cabra Coffee. Hailing from Sweden, Johan & Nyström, located in Kanavaranta along the water, creates a welcoming setting for enjoying great coffee where exposed red brick adds to the mood.

At Rams Roasters on Neitsytpolku, whether you choose their house quiche or cinnamon bun to go with your coffee, you’re in for a treat. The roastery itself is in Lahti, and Rams sometimes also features coffees from Berlin’s The Barn. Layers Bakery in Etu-Töölö, though tiny, is a haven for coffee lovers and fresh croissant enthusiasts alike.

The spacious and light-filled Heritage Cafe on Fredrikinkatu not only serves first-class coffee but also provides a comfortable setting with armchairs and sofas. Visitors can also enjoy exhibitions in the attached art gallery.

Homely vibes and international influences

The cosy Cafetoria in Töölö draws neighbourhood coffee lovers, and its Peruvian-Finnish owners bring a heartfelt passion for excellent coffee. At Enchanté, both the coffee and the ambience are distinctly French, with roasting also taking place in France. Latin flair and quality coffee can be found at Cafelito on Hämeentie and Café Pequeno on Vaasankatu.

For fans of Vietnamese coffee, Noah Cafe offers brews from the highlands of Vietnam, prepared in both Western style and in the Vietnamese way with condensed milk. Vietnam is also the origin of the couple behind Yesterday, a Beatles-themed café in Myllypuro’s suburban shopping centre. Their coffee comes from Kahiwa Roasters in Lahti, and their menu features exquisite cakes and pastries from Bakery Manteli and Greenbake.

Maja Coffee Roastery, hidden inside Kulttuurisauna, impresses with its slow-filter Kono-method brews and minimalist Japanese-Nordic aesthetics. A delightful coffee break after sitting in the steam.

One of the most beloved quality coffee spots in Kruununhaka is Papu Cafe, offering coffee from several Finnish roasteries in a bright, inviting space. Kaffecentralen provides Italian-style dark roasts from their micro roastery, Rost & Co., alongside a wide range of beans and coffee-making equipment at their Fredrikinkatu location.

Festivals and professional meet-ups

True coffee enthusiasts should plan their visit for spring, when the Helsinki Coffee Festival, Northern Europe’s largest coffee festival, brings together industry leaders to taste the year’s best brews and crown the finest roasters and baristas. Open to all coffee lovers, the festival offers not only the chance to experience Helsinki’s vibrant coffee culture with DJs playing in the background but also to sample Finland’s finest chocolates and ice creams at the Ice Cream & Chocolate Carnival sharing the Cable Factory premises.

Another excellent time to explore Helsinki’s coffee scene is during Helsinki Coffee Week in autumn. This week is packed with workshops, after-work events, cuppings, and other special activities across the city’s cafés, culminating in the Specialty Coffee Gala, where the top 30 Finnish cafés, as voted by industry professionals, are revealed.