Just a decade or so ago, Finnish fans of vegan food travelled abroad in search of the restaurant experiences they were longing for: to places like Berlin, Stockholm and Tallinn. When the “vegan boom” finally started here around 2015, the selection increased dramatically. The first hub of vegan food in Helsinki was on Vaasankatu in the Kallio district, but nowadays excellent vegan meals can be found throughout the city.
This article focuses on restaurants and cafés that serve only vegan food. In addition to great lunch places, these places serve excellent fast food, fine dining and café products, including a diversity from “Americana” to traditional Finnish delicacies. In addition to these vegan establishments, Helsinki also has many vegetarian restaurants that serve a varied range of vegan dishes (such as Banu Café, Zucchini and Yes Yes Yes). On top of these, the city offers excellent vegan food across a wide range of international cuisine.
Brindavan & Bhajan Café
Brindavan & Bhajan Café serves a generous buffet that invites you to savour an Indian-inspired lunch. Choose from a light and fresh selection of salads and spreads, or you can enjoy a hearty lunch with baked potatoes and stews – and everything in between! The price is determined by weight. The flavours vary from mild to fiery, so there is something for everyone in the wide selection.
Kumpulantie 1, Vallila
Junk y Vegan
Describing itself unashamedly as a “junk food restaurant”, Junk y Vegan opened near Helsinki Central Station in 2021. It got its inspiration from the unique Finnish phenomenon of “chips and beer vegans”, which encourages people to enjoy good vegan food without worrying about how healthy it is. In addition to burgers, the bar restaurant also serves smaller portions, flatbreads, bowls and a variety of sweets.
Postikuja 2, Kluuvi
Rakastan
Rakastan is an absolute must for visitors in particular, as this café in the heart of the city serves vegan versions of a traditional Finnish delicacy, Karelian pies, filled with potatoes or barley. On top of the pies, you can choose "egg butter", a favourite among Finns, fish roe and onion in the Swedish style, or pickles with syrup in the Slavic style. The café also serves soup lunches and pastries, and on weekend evenings you can enjoy Finnish tapas with wine. The milieu is beautiful and exudes history.
Mannerheimintie 13B, Etu-Töölö
Magu
Favouring seasonal ingredients and local food, Magu is a laid-back fine dining restaurant that invites everyone to try its exquisite cuisine. There is an extensive tasting menu and a smaller set menu, as well as a wine menu paired with both. The vegan dishes combine influences from around the world.
Korkeavuorenkatu 27
Round
These Americana-inspired cafés in the Punavuori and Kallio districts serve delicious vegan donuts with a variety of fillings. The Round café in Punavuori has the feel of a traditional diner, while the Round café in Kallio is more artisanal. In September 2022, Round announced that it was expanding its offerings to include bagels and breakfasts.
Kaivokatu 1, Kluuvi
Iso Roobertinkatu 16, Punavuori
Helsinginkatu 15, Kallio
Thai Vegan Kitchen and Peace Kitchen
Thai Vegan Kitchen, known originally for its legendary street food, has successfully maintained this spirit in its restaurant and positively exudes a desire to promote the cause of vegan food. In addition to the daily specials, you can enjoy a wide and varied selection of traditional Thai delicacies, as well as samples from other East Asian cuisines. Here you can familiarise yourself with a versatile selection of vegetable proteins, and the flavouring of the dishes is really skilful. Its sister restaurant Peace Kitchen in Punavuori specialises in noodles!
Thai Vegan Kitchen, Lapinlahdenkatu 9
Peace Kitchen, Pursimiehenkatu 12
Other vegan restaurants and cafés
In addition to all the above, Helsinki has many others great vegan restaurants and cafés. The selection keeps changing, of course, as newcomers are arriving all the time, while some old favourites that have been temporarily closed are eagerly expected to reopen soon.
One of the newest vegan hotpots is Restaurant Lohtu on the second floor of recently renovated Hakaniemi Market Hall. Encanto is an art café that serves vegan breakfasts, salads and toasts. Plants by us inside the Forum shopping centre specialises in vegan sandwiches. Loving Hut, known from its popular food carts at festivals, serves East Asian vegan lunches. Sen Chay is a lunch restaurant serving East Asian vegan cuisine where you can also enjoy an early dinner. Roots Helsinki is the combination of vegan food, yoga and well-being. You can also hop on the metro to Espoo, where you will find the classic vegetarian restaurant Anne's Vege and the Kipsari student restaurant, café and bar.