Teurastamo is a must visit place for all foodies and lovers of urban city culture while in Helsinki. Teurastamo is located at a 5 minute metro ride from Helsinki’s city center and within walking distance from the metro stop and evolving neighborhood of Kalasatama. Teurastamo and the neighboring Helsinki Wholesale Food Market resonate Helsinki food culture with food producers, wholesalers, restaurants and bars. Some of my favorite local food and beverage companies are located there such as the Helsinki Distilling Company, a very small Italian artisan ice cream factory Jädelino and Vaelsa Pasta Factory. The Helsinki Distilling Company just recently opened up a bar serving also food there as well.

One of my favorite spots though is the yard of Teurastamo. I love hanging out there since there’s so many different things to do, ranging from urban gardening, fixing my bike, having a picnic or barbecuing in the yard. I can easily spend a whole day hanging out in the yard with friends. There’s also all kind of different events happening throughout the year such as concerts, street food events and a Christmas Market.

The name Teurastamo means a slaughterhouse, which the surrounding red brick buildings used to be back in the days. Teurastamo reminds me of the famous Meat Packing District in New York or Kodbyen in Copenhagen. Teurastamo yard and the area is an urban playground open for everyone.