Coffee & tea

Image by Lilu Nissinen-Turja

Crustum is a German Bakery, Shop and a Cafe at Pursimiehenkatu in Punavuori district, which found their happy clientèle quickly, and not only amongst the homesick Germans. Now there is also a mini-Crustum at Topeliuksenkatu 3 in Töölö. The Mini-Crustum is mainly a bakery shop, but there are two tables and place for 6 people, too.

At Crustom you can buy delicious German specialties such as brötchens, bretzels, wonderful fresh pastries, cakes, muffins, handmade chocolate etc., and you even get newly baked bread on a Sunday, which is not so usual in Finland. No wonder they were welcomed with open arms.

The shop and café open early, 07:00. during weekdays, 08:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. Crustum’s buffet breakfast which is served 09:00 – 15:00 has become very popular, and especially on the weekends you might even have to wait for your table for a while. At lunchtime they serve a soup that varies daily and a quiche with a salad. Remember to try their home made chocolates, they are just to die for!

The café is light and spacious, nothing like the dark, old pawn shop that used to be here. In the afternoons the café has become popular for quick meetings over a cup of coffee and some small treat and they also have free WLAN access. Maybe that’s why you can spot a lot of creative people here with their laptops working and sipping their lattes. The service is very friendly and at least Finnish, Swedish, German and English is spoken.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Crustum | Coffee & tea | Soup,bread & tea € 7
Pursimiehenkatu 7 | South | +358104235752
Tue – Fri 07:00 – 18:00, Sat – Sun 08:00 – 18:00

Image by Lilu Nissinen-Turja

Kaffecentralen started from Kristian von Essens passion for good coffee. He began importing and distributing quality espresso and espresso machines to cafes and restaurants in town. And he’s on a mission! Now even the consumers can buy their products to go, or enjoy a cup in one of his shops.

In the first shop there was just one table and two chairs, where we ‘in the know’ soon learned to go to have the best – and cheapest – coffee in town. Now the business has grown into a big business and and they have moved into bigger premises but a cup of great espresso in the café still costs just €1. And – as Kristian is also passionate about saving the environment, bring along your own cup and you’ll get 50 cents off the price!

The café in Pursimiehenkatu in the Punavuori district is favored by the neighborhood’s creative people. This is where the guys and girls from local ad agencies, artists and graphic designers studios come to have a nice chat and to get their daily fix of great coffee. Either to be consumed on the spot or to go.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kaffecentralen | Coffee & tea | Espresso € 1.00
Pursimiehenkatu 23 | South | +35892600220
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 16:00

Image by Lilu Nissinen-Turja

Tiina Kiilavirta’s tiny little shop at Vuorimiehenkatu is just the place to shop if you want to cook Catalonian. She sells olives, spices, like heavenly saffron, sauces, asparagus, grilled paprika, honey, gourmet salt, summer- and winter truffles, liquorice etc. all from Catalonia, Spain. And all organic and without any food additives.

The famous house of E&A Gispert delivers spices, dried fruits, oil, chocolate and other organic foods and Querida Carmen the fantastic gourmet fast food meals in a can, just what you need in the summer, bolete risotto, arroz negro, bouillabaisse, onion soup, paellas, crab soup etc. . Their delicious coffees and teas and herbal drinks come from Cafés el Magnífico.

You can just pop in for a great espresso, sit down on one of the four (4!) chairs and have a lovely discussion with the owner, Tiina Kiilavirta.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Tostada | Coffee & tea, Shopping | Espresso € 1.50
Vuorimiehenkatu 20 | South | +358407790960
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:00

Image by Nea Barman

Thinking what to do in Helsinki? Well.. There is nothing special about skating, but skating in the very heart of Helsinki is true winter fun for me and for many Helsinkiar! It’s so romantic, it’s so so much fun and silly. Even though I don’t skate very well it’s still fun!

To skate in the ring, to see that everyone is smiling, laughing and enjoying the fun and the great company! It really puts you in a good mood! Skating is something that you can do when you go out on a date. Or if you are traveling to Helsinki with kids – this is must-visit spot for you. Or if you are traveling together with friends – I still recommend to go!

The skating ring is just in the middle of the most beautiful buildings in Helsinki. I would recommend to go skating when it gets dark. Then you can see the beautiful lights of the old buildings surrounding the square.

They rent skates and they are very modern and comfy skates various sizes. Also after the skating comes the best part! Drinking hot chocolate or coffee in the skating ring cafeteria and warm your palms!

If you really don’t feel like skating you can just sit in the cafeteria and drink hot chocolate. Alcoholic beverages are served in the evenings, from 16:00 onwards.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Icepark Helsinki | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks | Ticket + Skate rental € 10
Railwaystation Square | South
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 21:00, Sat 10:00 – 21:00, Sun 10:00 – 21:00

Image by Nea Barman

Every city has a starting point. When you come to Helsinki and you want to follow the steps of history – then this spot is a perfect place to start to explore Helsinki.

Take your Helsinki city guide with you or just get our Helsinki city guide application on your phone. Go to Old student house have and a cup of coffee or beer. The café-Bar itself is modest, but you go there because of the history and the location – it is in the middle of everything and it´s never too crowded in this place.

I bet you did not know that The Student Union of the University of Helsinki was founded in 1868. It currently has 32,000 members and is one of the world’s richest student organizations, with assets of several hundred million euros. And the Union owns several (half of the city we say) remarkable buildings in the city.

Old student house is one of the buildings and it inside they have modest Cafe Bar called Vanhan Kuppila, but since it is a festive house they also held several events, concerts, clubs, seasonal markets and many more.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Old student house | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks | Wine tasting € 10
Mannerheimintie 3 | South | +358913114368
Mon – Thu 14:00 – 00:00, Fri – Sat 14:00 – 02:00