Helsinki has a wide range of restaurants, most of which are also fully accessible for users of assistive devices. At some restaurants, the accessible entrance may be different than the main entrance, and unfortunately most restaurants don’t provide information about accessibility on their websites. Therefore, it’s worth contacting the restaurant before your visit. Here’s a list of my favourite restaurants and those of my friends with reduced mobility, all of which are easily accessible also for wheelchairs.
Fisken på Disken
Fisken på Disken is a fish restaurant on the fifth floor of the Kamppi Shopping Centre that has excellent food and service. The restaurant is easy to get to using the shopping centre’s spacious elevators. Some of the restaurant’s tables are quite high, so it’s worth making a table reservation in advance and mentioning that you are in a wheelchair, especially on weekends. The Kortteli restaurant complex on the fifth floor of Kamppi has many other great restaurants too, all of which are accessible, plus the views over the city are amazing. The restaurants share WC facilities, including an accessible WC.
Kamppi Shopping Centre, 5th floor, Urho Kekkosen katu 1
Via Tribunali
Via Tribunali serves traditional Neapolitan pizzas, which are widely considered to be the best in the world. The pizzeria has a great location close to Senate Square and the Market Square. To get there, you have to endure a short stretch of cobblestones, but it’s definitely worth it. The restaurant has an accessible entrance through the gateway next to the main entrance, plus there is an accessible WC inside the restaurant.
Torikorttelit, Sofiankatu 4
Baskeri & Basso
One of the most popular restaurants in Helsinki, the small and cosy Baskeri & Basso, affectionately known as BasBas, is also fully accessible. The restaurant is known not only for its great food, but also for its excellent customer service. Customers with special needs are welcomed with open arms, entrance to the restaurant is accessible, and there is an accessible WC. The menu also has lots of vegetarian options. BasBas is only open from Tuesdays to Fridays, and table reservations can be made up to a month in advance. It’s worth doing, as the tables go fast!
Tehtaankatu 27-29 (inner courtyard)
Löyly
Löyly is a beautiful example of contemporary Finnish wooden architecture next to the sea in the Hernesaari district. Its famous saunas were not designed with accessibility in mind, unfortunately, but the restaurant and massive terrace are accessible. Löyly has an accessible WC, and you can access the upper terrace by elevator by asking staff for assistance. Löyly is also perfectly located for cruise visitors to stop by on their way to and from the Hernesaari cruise ship terminal.
Hernesaarenranta 4
Onda & Siltanen
Onda is situated in the Kallio district in connection with the club Siltanen and serves excellent vegan and vegetarian cuisine. When Onda closes for the evening, the action continues in Siltanen with music well into the night. The unique building is accessible, and there is also an accessible WC. You can get there conveniently by riding the metro to the Sörnäinen station, which is half a kilometre from Onda.
Hämeentie 13 B
Bronda
Bronda is where you go for the Mediterranean flavours of Spain, Italy and France. With its great location next to Esplanade Park, Bronda is a gathering spot, bar, restaurant and event space all in one. Bronda is completely accessible, and it also has an accessible WC.
Eteläesplanadi 20
Bangkok 9
Bangkok 9 serves Thai cuisine opposite Helsinki Central Station on the 2nd floor of the City Center mall. The flavourful Bangkok-inspired street food is made from fresh ingredients, and the atmosphere too is authentic. On the same floor you can also find many other good restaurants, all of which are accessible using the mall’s spacious elevators. There is an accessible WC on the 3rd floor. Bangkok 9 can also be found at the Mall of Tripla and in the Kallio district.
City Center, Kaivokatu 8
Sunn
Situated on the corner of Senate Square in the historic Sunn building, Sunn serves Scandinavian cuisine and offers an excellent view to Helsinki Cathedral. There is an accessible entrance from Sofiankatu through the courtyard of Café Engel, where there is an elevator to the upper floor. The restaurant itself has an accessible WC and cabinets for groups of different sizes. The lighting in the restaurant has been praised by people with visual impairments.
Torikorttelit, Aleksanterinkatu 26
Meripaviljonki
Meripaviljonki is a unique panorama restaurant that floats on the sea, offering a stylish setting for lunch or dinner. Situated in the Hakaniemi district, Meripaviljonki is fully accessible and also offers a large, sunny and equally accessible terrace in summertime. The restaurant specialises in seafood dishes, but you can also find meat and vegetarian options on the menu. The restaurant has an accessible WC.
Säästöpankinranta 3
Locanda Scappi
Locanda Scappi is a high-quality Italian restaurant situated in the Katajanokka district, close to the Market Square. The restaurant encourages an Italian sense of community and prepares all its dishes from scratch itself. Its sister restaurant, Angelina, in the Mall of Tripla is also a good choice. Both restaurants have an accessible entrance and accessible WC.
Kanavakatu 1
Boon Nam
Boon Nam serves sophisticated Thai cuisine with excellent service. All the dishes are made to share and prepared from scratch using the finest ingredients. The restaurant is fully accessible through the main entrance of the St. George hotel – just take the spacious elevator down one floor to the restaurant. The hotel also has an accessible WC close to the restaurant.
Lönnrotinkatu 4, St. George hotel
Juttutupa
Juttutupa is one of the oldest restaurants in Helsinki and always has a genuine urban feel to it. A favourite among locals, Juttutupa also welcomes visitors with open arms. The relaxed atmosphere, live music and honest food (try the sautéed reindeer!) and drinks invite you to stay late into the evening. The restaurant has a fully accessible entrance and accessible WC.
Säästöpankinranta 6
Kuusi Palaa
Kuusi Palaa serves contemporary Finnish cuisine and offers lots of space and atmosphere for all kinds of groups. Situated in the city centre, the restaurant promises new perspectives and surprises topped off with great service. Connected to the Marski by Scandic hotel, Kuusi Palaa is fully accessible, and there is a spacious accessible WC in the hotel.
Mannerheimintie 10, Marski by Scandic
Albina
Located in the Vallila Konepaja area, Albina is a cosy and accessible socialising restaurant for everyone who loves great food and wine. The food is made from fresh seasonal ingredients, and the wine list features the best European wines from farmers-producers. Situated on the ground floor of The Folks Hotel Konepaja, Albina is fully accessible and has an accessible WC.
Aleksis Kiven katu 23, The Folks Hotel Konepaja
Kultá Kitchen & Bar
Kultá Kitchen & Bar brings the flavours of Northern Finland to Helsinki. The dining experience combines the genuine and pure flavours of Lapland prepared in a modern way with an interior that exudes the mystical atmosphere of the North. The restaurant is situated in connection with the Lapland Hotel Bulevardi and has a fully accessible entrance, as well as two accessible WCs in the hotel.
Bulevardi 28, Lapland Hotel Bulevardi
Treffi Pub & Bistro
Treffi Pub & Bistro in the Herttoniemi district is a multifaceted and popular meeting place that serves some of the best burgers in town. It also serves a Sunday brunch with a different theme each week. The restaurant is easy to get to by metro, as it is situated just a few hundred metres from the metro station. The entrance is fully accessible, and the restaurant has two accessible WCs, the larger of which can be found on the bar side.
Hiihtomäentie 14