Drinking in Helsinki: Cafes

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• Ateljee Baari, Hotel Torni (14th floor), Kalevankatu 5. Despite the name it's more like a cafe, located on top of Hotel Torni, Finland's first high-rise. Excellent views over Helsinki's downtown. You even have a view from the (famous) toilets. Highly recommended. Find the elevator close to the lobby to get there, but be prepared for expensive drinks. If you're on a tight budget, you can just enjoy the view on the elevator level.
• Café & Eepos, Runeberginkatu 29. A hidden gem near Temppeliaukion kirkko. Delicious pastries, pies and buns - and it's full of books you can read. There are even glasses available for those with poor eyesight.
• Café Ekberg, Bulevardi 9, ☎ (09) 6811 860, www.cafeekberg.fi/cafe.asp?lang=en. One of the classic Helsinki cafés.
• Cafe Engel, Aleksanterinkatu 26 (opposite the Lutheran cathedral). Where the locals go for tea and snacks. Very relaxed, lovely courtyard out the back with films projected late into summer evenings.
• Café Kafka, Pohjoisesplanadi 2 (Swedish Theatre). A lovely building with a relaxed atmosphere. Here you can find one of the best espressos in town.
• Cafe Succès, Korkeavuorenkatu 2, tel. +358 9 633414. This traditional cafe serves excellent delicacies. Famous for their enormous cinnamon rolls (korvapuusti), also available in Cafe Esplanad www.esplanad.fi.
• Café Tin Tin Tango, Töölöntorinkatu 7 (tram 3B/3T, 8), ☎ +358-9-27090972, www.tintintango.info. Mon-Fri 7 AM-midnight, Sat-Sun 9 AM-2 AM. A uniquely Helsinki combination of cafe, restaurant, bar, laundromat and sauna, Tin Tin Tango serves up all-day breakfast, soups, salads and sandwiches, but stays open late with wine and occasional live music. Laundry/dryer €4/2. Sauna rental €22-32/hour (1-10 people), reservations required.
• Fazer, Kluuvikatu 3, www.ravintolaopas.net/fazerkluuvi/index.asp?companyId=609&lang=en. Famous for its decor, architecture, ice-creams, pastries and coffees, this 110-year old café, run by Finland's largest chocolate maker, has been an institution since its birth. There's also the Fazer Bakery shop next to the café. If you are visiting, pay attention to the round room topped with a dome. People say that if you tell secrets here, the other customers will hear them across the room due to the acoustics of the dome.
• Kaffecentrallen, Museokatu 9. This little shop concentrates on selling espresso paraphernalia, and also serves excellent capuccino.
• Kakkugalleria, Erottaja 7, www.kakkugalleria.com. French-type cafe in the Design Forum. Try the lovely Sacher cake. Take away is cheaper.
• Kipsari, Hämeentie 135 E, www.kipsari.com. Student cafe at the University of Art and Industrial Design in Arabia. Relaxed atmosphere with live music and DJs at times. Not open during summer when the school's out.
• Sinisen huvilan kahvila, Linnunlauluntie 11 (Töölönlahti, up the hill). 10-22 during summertime. The "Cafe of the Blue Villa" is an outdoors café with fantastic views over the Töölönlahti bay and very few tourists. Small coffee €1.5.
• Strindberg, Pohjoisesplanadi 33, www.royalravintolat.com/strindberg/index_eng.asp. One of the oldest and most historic cafés of Helsinki. Great terrace on the posh Pohjoisesplanadi with views of the Esplanadi park, restaurant on the 2nd floor. Very popular among locals.

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