Today I’m sharing an updated version of my Helsinki design guide from 2017. I’ve been to the Finnish capital a couple of times now; first as an enthusiastic architecture student on a personal pilgrimage to visit all of Alvar Aalto’s work, then later on during a press trip to see his famous vase being made in the Iittala factory. If you know me well you’ll know Scandinavia holds a special place in my heart, so after 18 months of limited travel, it felt wonderful to be back in one of my favourite Nordic cities. This time I had my little seven month old daughter with me, but that didn’t stop us from exploring all that the city has to offer. I love being able to take her on these adventures with us and I hope she’ll develop a love for culture and design too.
Helsinki has so much to offer in terms of design, from the awe-inspiring contemporary architecture of its public libraries and churches to the dedicated Design District that groups together a range of independent galleries and small boutiques. There’s plenty of museums to get your culture fix and any number of cool cafes and eateries to fill you up in-between. That’s not forgetting the shops – no visit to Helsinki is complete without a stopover at some of Finland’s biggest design names. You can’t miss Artek, Iittala and Marimekko – if not for the design inspiration, then for a little something to take home with you.
I’ve kept this Helsinki design guide simple, grouping my favourite addresses into: Places to eat and drink, Things to do and Places to shop. A big thank you to all of you lovely lot on Instagram – whenever I do a shout out for tips, I always get so many wonderful recommendations. I hope these finds will inspire you to take a trip to Helsinki and discover a love for Finnish design.
It seems there are lots of new places to eat and drink since I last visited Helsinki. From pizza places and cosy wine bars to zero waste restaurants and Michelin starred restaurants, you’re spoilt for choice. One thing I did notice about Helsinki is that they’re not that crazy for coffee, unlike some other Scandinavian cities. So if you’re looking for a decent flat white, be prepared to compromise with a filter coffee and a delicious pastry.
PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK
Green Hippo Kallio – Fleminginkatu 19 – a relaxed cafe serving healthy bowls and bites
Gateau – various locations – an artisan bakery inspired by French and Finnish traditions
Taito cafe – Korkeavuorenkatu 23 – the Design Museum’s dedicated cafe, serving freshly made pastries and coffee from a local roastery
La Torrefazione – Lasipalatsi – a great cafe serving speciality coffee
St George Bakery – Yrjönkatu 13 – a cosy bakery, go for the pastries rather than the coffee
Ravintola Pamela – Bulevardi 12 – Middle Eastern inspired food served in a laid-back atmosphere
Ravintola Tanner – Hämeentie 11 – Pizza and cocktails, and an excellent all you can eat brunch on a Sunday – make sure to book though
Ravintola Bronda – Eteläesplanadi 20 – a stylish restaurant serving modern European food
Ravintola Nolla – Fredrikinkatu 22 – the Nordic region’s first zero-waste restaurant and micro brewery
Restaurant Grön – Albertinkatu 36 – a one Michelin star restaurant serving contemporary Scandinavian cuisine
Restaurant Yes Yes Yes – Iso Roobertinkatu 1 – a colourful vegetarian restaurant offering seasonal menus
Skiffer Erottaja – Erottajankatu 11 – a rustic pizza restaurant in the centre of town
Savoy – Eteläesplanadi 14 – this stunning rooftop bar and restaurant designed by Alvar Aalto transports you back to 1930s Helsinki
Löyly – Hernesaarenranta 4 – a sauna in an up-and-coming, former industrial area of the city, with a restaurant designed by Joanna Laajisto
Story – Vanha Kauppahalli, Eteläranta – another design by Laajisto, this time housed in the old Market Hall on the harbour
Bier Bier – Erottajankatu 13 – a cosy beer bar, perfect for a quiet drink to escape the cold
Vin Vin – Kalevankatu 6 – a wine bar serving organic wines from small producers
If you like museums, you’re in for a treat. Helsinki has a wealth of art galleries, from Steven Holl’s curved Kiasma to JKMM architects’ Amos Rex gallery with its curious light wells. Don’t forget to book a guided tour of Alvar Aalto’s home and studio – preserved just as they were in his day with his own furniture and lighting, they’re unique architectural gems. The tour guide is so charming and knowledgable, you’ll leave filled with an appreciation for the famous Finnish architect’s mastery of natural light and his humanistic approach to design.
THINGS TO DO
Amos Rex – Mannerheimintie 22-24 – an art museum designed by JKMM architects, with a series of subterranean galleries housed within the 1930s Lasipalatsi building
Oodi Helsinki Central Library – Töölönlahdenkatu 4 – a contemporary library and meeting space designed by Finnish studio ALA Architects in 2019 with a beautiful undulating roof – great for kids too
Helsinki Art Museum – Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8 – this art museum, better known as HAM, looks after the city’s art collection
Ateneum – Kaivokatu 2 – an art museum housing the biggest collection of classical art in Finland
Lokal gallery – Annankatu 9 – a contemporary art gallery and concept store with products from local designers and artisans
Iittala & Arabia Design Centre – Hämeentie 135 – an exhibition space dedicated to two Finland’s best known design brands, Iittala and Arabia
Design Museum – Korkeavuorenkatu 23 – a modern museum dedicated to Finnish design and fashion
Kiasma – Mannerheiminaukio 2 – a contemporary art museum designed by American architect Steven Holl (currently undergoing renovations)
Temppeliaukio church – Lutherinkatu 3 – an iconic church carved directly into the city’s rock
Alvar Aalto’s home and studio – Riihitie 20 – tour Alvar Aalto’s home and studio and learn more about the famous Finnish architect, find ticket information here
One thing I couldn’t help but notice this time round was the plethora of secondhand shops – it seems like something of a trend in Helsinki to swap, thrift and recycle your pre-loved finds. My favourite discoveries were Artek 2nd Cycle and Helsinki Secondhand – two treasure troves for vintage homewares.
PLACES TO SHOP
Salakauppa – Postikatu 1 – a teeny tiny shop that sells beautiful handcrafted objects
Artek – Keskuskatu 1 – the flagship store of the furniture brand Alvar Aalto founded with his wife Aino Aalto, along with Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl
Artek 2nd Cycle – Pieni Roobertinkatu 4 – a hidden treasure trove selling a selection of pre-loved Artek furniture, lighting and accessories
Helsinki Secondhand – Korkeavuorenkatu 5 – a vintage market with an array of vintage design pieces and secondhand homeware
Academic Bookstore – Keskuskatu 1 – go for the book store, stay for the Alvar Aalto architecture
Marimekko – Mikonkatu 1 – no trip to Helsinki is complete without a visit to this Finnish institution, known for its vibrant prints and patterns
My O My – Mannerheimintie 16 – contemporary homeware where you can finds the likes of Hay and Ferm Living
Johanna Gullichsen – Erottajankatu 1 – the flagship store for Finnish textile designer Johanna Gullichsen
Relove Freda – various locations – a secondhand clothes shop with a cosy cafe
Have you been to Helsinki before? Do you have any addresses to add to my Helsinki design guide?
