Helsinki is Finland's capital, a seaside city of neoclassical squares, Art Nouveau districts, public saunas and island fortresses, compact enough to explore on foot and by tram.
Helsinki's cooking is Finnish and Nordic, anchored by the Baltic and the market halls. Typical plates include salmon soup (lohikeitto), Karelian pies, herring, vendace, reindeer, game and berries, with a growing fine-dining scene (six Michelin-starred restaurants in Helsinki and one in Porvoo). Rye bread, cinnamon buns and filter coffee are everyday staples.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Helsinki.
Salmon soup (lohikeitto)
Creamy soup with salmon, potato and dill, served at market halls and harbour stalls
Where to try: Old Market Hall / Kauppatori Market Square stalls
Price: EUR 10-14 (about $12-16 USD)
Karelian pie (karjalanpiirakka)
Thin rye crust filled with rice porridge and topped with egg butter
Where to try: Old Market Hall and Hietalahti Market Hall bakeries
Price: EUR 2-4 (about $2-5 USD)
Cinnamon bun (korvapuusti)
Cardamom-scented cinnamon bun baked fresh in cafes
Where to try: Cafe Regatta, Cafe Ekberg
Price: EUR 4-6 (about $5-7 USD)
Onion steak
Beef with fried onions, a Sea Horse signature
Where to try: Sea Horse, Kapteeninkatu 11
Price: EUR 25-35 (about $29-40 USD)
Reindeer (poronkaristys)
Sauteed or braised Lapland reindeer served with lingonberries
Where to try: Ravintola Lappi, Ravintola Savotta
Price: EUR 30-45 (about $35-52 USD)
Sapas
Finnish small plates, Finland's answer to tapas
Where to try: Juuri, Korkeavuorenkatu 27
Price: EUR 7-10 per plate (about $8-12 USD)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Food tours & tastings in Helsinki
Eat your way through Helsinki with a guide.
Browse food experiences in HelsinkiWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Grilled Baltic herring (silakka)
Fried herring fillets served with mashed potato and rye
Find it at: Kauppatori Market Square, Helsinki
Karelian pie
Hand-held rye pie with egg butter
Find it at: Market halls in Helsinki
Hand-made ice cream
Local ice cream sold in Porvoo Old Town
Find it at: Porvoon Vanha Jaatelotehdas stalls, Porvoo
Salmon soup in a bread bowl
Hot soup for cold days
Find it at: Kauppatori Market Square, Helsinki
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli)
Helsinki's historic indoor food hall on Eteläranta by the Market Square with fish, cheese, reindeer and delicatessen stalls
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00-18:00; Sunday opening varies, so check vanhakauppahalli.fi (Saturday 31 October 2026 10:00-17:00)
Hietalahti Market Hall (Hietalahden kauppahalli)
A neighbourhood market hall with food stalls and cafes, open late on some evenings
Hours: Mon-Tue 8:00-18:00; later closing midweek and weekends; listings differ, check before visiting
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch is the cheapest meal: many restaurants offer a weekday lunch with salad, bread and coffee for about EUR 12-16 (about $14-18 USD)
Tipping is not expected; service is included, but rounding up for good service is welcome
Reserve Michelin-level restaurants (Olo, Var, Palace, Nolla) weeks ahead via their websites
Many Helsinki restaurants close Sunday and Monday; check hours on raflaamo.fi or the restaurant website
Tap water is excellent and free in restaurants
Winter (November-March) shortens hours at harbour and terrace venues such as Loyly and Cafe Regatta
- Vegetarian
- Widely available; most restaurants list vegetarian and vegan dishes and Nolla serves vegetable-led courses
- Halal
- Limited in Porvoo; Helsinki has several halal restaurants in Kallio and near the Central Station
- Gluten free
- Common; menus mark G (gluten-free), L (lactose-free) and VL (low lactose) and Zum Beispiel in Porvoo bakes its own gluten-free bread
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | EUR 8-15 (about $9-17 USD) per meal | Market hall pies, salmon soup, weekday lunch buffets |
| Mid-range | EUR 25-45 (about $29-52 USD) per meal | Sea Horse, Juuri, Kappeli, Zum Beispiel |
| Upscale | EUR 120+ (about $138+ USD) per meal | Michelin tasting menus at Olo, Var, Palace |