The best cafe in Helsinki to try Finnish pastries

Last Updated on April 10, 2026 by Ioana

If you’re looking for the best cafe in Helsinki, you’re in the right place, especially if you want to try the famous Finnish pastries.

Helsinki has a strong coffee culture. In fact, Finns are among the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, and cafés are a big part of everyday life here.

When I visited, I made it a point to try as many cafés as possible, especially for cinnamon buns (korvapuusti). Some places were good, but a few really stood out.

In this guide, I’m not going to overwhelm you with a long list. I’ll show you exactly where to go depending on what you’re looking for, whether it’s the best overall café, a historic spot, or a place with amazing pastries.

And if you’re planning your trip, you can also check my Helsinki in 2 days itinerary to see how to fit these stops into your schedule. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

Best cafe in Helsinki (if you only try one): Café Engel

If you only have time for one café in Helsinki, this is the one I recommend.

Café Engel is located right in Senate Square, directly facing Helsinki Cathedral, so the setting alone makes it worth it. Sitting here with a coffee and a pastry while looking at one of the city’s most iconic landmarks just feels like a proper Helsinki experience.

You’ll likely pass by this area anyway if it’s your first time in the city, which makes it an easy and very worthwhile stop.

Location

This café is in the perfect spot, right across from Helsinki Cathedral in the heart of the city center. It’s ideal for taking a break after sightseeing without going out of your way.

Because of the location, it’s definitely popular, but I didn’t find it overwhelming. I visited during summer and was able to get a table inside by the window with no wait, which was honestly the best seat in the house.

Vibe

Despite being in such a central and historic area, the atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed.

Inside, it’s cozy, with wooden tables, big windows, and subtle details like sketches of Helsinki buildings on the walls. It feels calm and inviting rather than touristy.

There’s also outdoor seating if you want to people watch, but I personally chose to sit inside. The view of Helsinki Cathedral from the window is just too good to pass up, especially if you want that perfect coffee and pastry moment.

What to get

The coffee menu is simple but solid. You’ll find all the classics like espresso, cappuccino, and latte, and the quality is excellent across the board.

For pastries, they have around 10 options. I tried the blueberry tart, raspberry tart, and a banana cake with caramel and chocolate, and everything was genuinely delicious.

The blueberry tart especially stood out. I had seen great reviews before going, and it completely lived up to the hype.

Also, quick fun fact. Finland is known for its blueberries, so you’ll see them everywhere, from pastries to juices and even chocolate. Finnair even serves blueberry juice on short flights, which I thought was such a unique detail.

Portions are quite generous, so if you’re not that hungry, you can easily share a slice.

They also serve traditional Finnish dishes at lunch like salmon soup or reindeer meatballs. I didn’t try them myself, but they had great reviews.

Prices

Helsinki is on the more expensive side, so expect to pay around 6 to 7 euros for a slice of cake and about 5 euros for a coffee.

It’s not cheap, but for the location, quality, and overall experience, I think it’s absolutely worth it.

Best historic cafe in Helsinki: Cafe Ekberg

If you want to experience a piece of Helsinki’s history, this is the café I’d recommend.

Café Ekberg opened in 1852 and is the oldest bakery and café in Finland. Even if you’re not a huge pastry person, it’s worth stopping by at least once just for the atmosphere and history.

Location

The café is located on Bulevardi, one of the nicest streets in central Helsinki.

What I really liked here is the setting. The tram passes right in front of the café, which gives it a very local, urban feel. It’s one of those places where you can just sit, slow down, and watch the city go by.

Vibe

This is where Café Ekberg really stands out.

The outdoor seating immediately reminded me of Paris. The chairs and tables are arranged facing the street, so you can people watch while sipping your coffee, exactly that classic European café experience.

They also decorate the space with colorful flowers, which makes it feel lively and a bit more special. On a sunny day, sitting outside here is definitely the move.

Inside, it feels more traditional and classic, but I personally think the terrace is what makes this place memorable.

What to get

I tried a few things here, and I’ll be honest, not everything lived up to the hype.

The cinnamon bun is one of their most famous items, but it didn’t impress me as much as I expected. It wasn’t as soft and moist as I hoped, and I’ve definitely had better ones elsewhere. If you also take a day trip to Tallinn, check out my Tallinn itinerary for where to get the best cardamom buns!

That said, I might have just been unlucky with the batch, because this is a very popular item.

What I did love was the sweet bun with custard and blueberries. The dough was flaky and fresh, the custard wasn’t overly sweet, and the blueberries worked perfectly with it. That’s what I would order again.

I also tried the blueberry tart, but it wasn’t my favorite. The crust had a more whole grain texture and the filling leaned a bit too sour for my taste.

Prices

Like most places in Helsinki, prices are on the higher side.

You can expect to pay around 6 euros for a pastry and about 5 euros for a coffee. It’s not cheap, but you’re also paying for the history and the experience.

Best cafe for a refined experience: St. George Bakery

If you want a café that feels a bit more elevated than the classic spots, this is the one I’d recommend.

St. George Bakery is located inside Hotel St. George, just a short walk from Esplanadi, so it’s still very central but feels noticeably calmer than the busy cafés around Senate Square.

If you’re exploring different neighborhoods while café hopping, you can also check my guide on where to stay in Helsinki to pick the best base.

Vibe

This place has a completely different atmosphere compared to Café Engel or Ekberg.

It feels more modern, minimal, and design-focused, with a quiet, relaxed vibe. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down and actually enjoy your coffee instead of rushing through a quick stop.

Even though it’s centrally located, it doesn’t feel chaotic or overly touristy, which I really appreciated.

What to get

What makes this place stand out is the quality of what they bake.

They focus a lot on freshly baked bread and pastries made daily, and you can really tell everything is prepared with care.

Their selection includes both sweet pastries and more savory options, so it’s a great spot if you want something a bit different from just cake or a cinnamon bun.

If you’re into bread, this is also one of the best places to try it. It’s one of their highlights, and something they’re known for.

Compared to the more traditional cafés, this feels like a more modern and refined take on Finnish baking.

Prices

Prices here are pretty standard for Helsinki.

Expect to pay around 5 to 7 euros for a pastry and about 4 to 5 euros for a coffee. It’s not the cheapest option in the city, but the quality and overall experience make it worth it.