Whether it is comforting bowl food you crave, when every spoonful is the same or protein-packed omelets and smoked salmon after a spinning lesson, you’ll find it all in Helsinki. Yet if it’s a pick-me-up you require there are plenty of places that offer indulgent pancakes, French toast and waffles, seeking to offer protection from life solely through the means of sugar, carbs and butter.
Levain
Bakery-Eatery Levain in the urban neighbourhood of Töölö as well as Merikortteli is a restaurant with a bakery that is dedicated to the cause of carbs. Their selection of breads is on par with French bakeries. True to name their real wheat sourdough loaves levain, is what they pride themselves on. Levain offers local residents a casual and warm living room serving breakfast and lunch which you can also order as take away. A light dinner is also available at their Töölö branch. It's an easy going place where you can just pop in to enjoy delicious food, fresh hand-made cocktails or a glass of wine with friends and colleagues, whilst you watch the world go by through their high ceiling windows.
Runeberginkatu 29, Etu-Töölö
Pursimiehenkatu 29-31, Merikortteli
Way Bakery
Way bakery is a charming little café is located in the heart of Kallio. This neighbourhood café, bakery and eatery by the Karhupuisto park specializes in sourdough bread, natural wines, all day breakfast, and lunch on weekdays. The establishment makes ample use of seasonal produce and offers newly revised desserts and pastries almost on a weekly basis.
Agricolankatu 9, Kallio
Relove
In Helsinki, right on the corner of Töölöntori square, you will find the wonderful café, Relove. The name of the café conveys its business idea as the place is much more than a café. Relove combines a café, a flea market and a lifestyle store. The atmosphere of Relove is rather unique, as the retail space is beautifully decorated with an attractive display of goods. The café side focuses on organic and local products in its offerings. Breakfast includes smoothie bowls and other wholesome options whilst the displayed offerings feature homemade raw cakes and smoothies, as well as moreish pies and salads. Relove at Stockmann's department store has an ever expanding breakfast selection, and the branch at Punavuori has its own charming atmosphere.
Sandelsinkatu 6, Taka-Töölö
Stockmann, Aleksanterinkatu 52, Kluuvi
Fredrikinkatu 25, Punavuori
Story Old Market Hall
What could be better than a hearty breakfast, made of fresh produce that you haven’t had to lift a finger to prepare? Well a fresh, hearty breakfast that you get to enjoy in an old market hall, admiring the old world charm. Story's portions are prepared on the location in the in-house kitchen. Breakfast omelets, eggs benedict, porridge, pancakes and house granola are daily treats. Story's bread and patisserie products are prepared in their own bakery. On weekends all three of the branches offer a filling brunch option.
Vanha kauppahalli, Eteläranta, Kaartinkaupunki
Urho Kekkosenkatu 1, Kamppi shopping centre 5th fl
Mall of Tripla, Firdonkatu 2 B, Pasila
Green Hippo Cafe
We all appreciate a spot of indulgence but at the same time there is that nagging struggle to hit the balance right between health and indulgence. Well Green Hippo strikes the balance perfectly. The place serves healthy, satisfying, competitively priced and beautiful breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as brunch on Sundays. Whilst they strive to offer healthier options, for them health is not defined by diminished calories but based on good ingredients. The café offers an array of vegan options, as well as indulgent breakfast options such as Nutella pancakes!
Punavuorenkatu 2 , Punavuori
Fleminginkatu 10, Kallio
Sandelsinkatu 2, Töölö
Bär Bar
If it is a health kick you want then how about a Scandinavian style berry bar. Bär Bar makes healthy smoothies, smoothie bowls, health shots and overnight oats using Nordic superfood; berries and oats. Grab a berrylicious snack to go or enjoy them in the cute bar. They also offer coffees provided by a small local roastery. All the goodness, none of the guilt!
Fredrikinkatu 30, Punavuori
If it is specifically brunch you are after then you cannot go wrong with these suggestions!
Fazer
A carefree weekend is at its best with Fazer Café’s Mix & Match brunch. You can choose from a wide selection of displayed offerings, four products + coffee / tea for a fixed price. The options include freshly squeezed orange juice, yogurt, fresh porridge, chia porridge, open sandwiches, mouth-watering cakes, and scrambled eggs as well as vegan-friendly pulled oats. On weekdays they serve the breakfast buffet and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays for extended hours.
Kluuvikatu 3, Kluuvi
Ekberg
There is hardly a homier place to have brunch in Helsinki than in Finland's oldest patisserie-café on the beautiful Bulevard: the Ekberg Café. Their long traditions and products made with skill and emotion, combined with an excellent location in the center of Helsinki, offer the best setting for a relaxed Sunday or Saturday brunch. The flavoursome breakfast gets your day going and provides an opportunity for enjoying the morning, perhaps with a newspaper in hand. The diverse buffet breakfast is served every weekday which easily turns into brunch on Saturdays and Sundays as the buffet is set out for extended hours. The breakfast table boasts a plentiful and broad selection of breakfast classics, good coffee and tea as well as an unparalleled atmosphere.
Bulevardi 9, Bulevardi
St. George Bakery
The five-star Hotel St. George has a street-front bakery that caters both to hotel guests at breakfast time and anyone else looking for an enjoyable café with freshly baked goods. The bakery’s own sourdough bread is baked fresh every day, also on Sundays. To enjoy on the spot, recommended fare includes sandwiches, green smoothies, a variety of coffees, or for instance a matcha latte or glass of wine. In summer months, the parklet terrace offers a view to the Old Church Park and basks in the afternoon sun. You can even pick up a picnic bag to take to the park.
Yrjönkatu 13, Kamppi