On the wrong foot: proper breakfasts and lunches in Helsinki. Where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki: restaurants and cafes Where to eat inexpensively in Helsinki: set lunch

It is often difficult to find a place to have a good breakfast in the morning in Helsinki: most places open their doors only from 11 o'clock. In this case, it is worth stopping at the 24-hour S-market supermarket, which has a culinary section with hot and cold dishes by weight. So, you can buy a mixed salad or a full breakfast in one container, which will cost 5 euros.

Mannerheimintie 9

An excellent cafe, located just two minutes from the central railway station. A set lunch is served for 8 euros. You can take as many salads and side dishes as you want. Quite a cozy and democratic place.

Mannerheimintie 3

If you are a seafood fan, be sure to check out Soppakeittio Tapaste, located in the Hakaniemi indoor market. The place specializes in Spanish soups. Guests are treated to shrimp, salmon and mussels, the cost of dishes is from 8 to 9.5 euros. A nice bonus is hearty portions and free bread and water with your meal.

Hakaniemen kauppahalli

A popular place among Russian tourists, ideal for dinner. This establishment provides a buffet, which you can eat until you've had your fill. Salads, meatballs, pizzas, soups, lasagna and more - a full plate will cost 10 euros.

The ferry company MOBY SPL recommends paying attention to these establishments, which operates regular cruises to the capital of Suomi on the comfortable ferry Princess Anastasia, equipped with all amenities, a children's room, a spa area, large Duty Free and a large number of restaurants and cafes. The next departure is scheduled for May 24, ticket prices start from 19.5 euros per person. In June the ferry will depart on the 1st, 7th, 9th, 15th, 21st, 23rd, 29th. You can read more about Moby SPL promotions.

Of course, the Finnish capital cannot be called the cheapest European city. And eating here is cheap, just as you won’t be able to eat in Riga. Next, I would like to tell you where to eat in the center of Helsinki, since the bulk of the popular shopping centers and attractions, and accordingly there is the largest number of Russian-speaking tourists coming here. Naturally, prices in this area are the highest in the city and yet, nevertheless, there are establishments - several food outlets where you can eat relatively inexpensively and they are worth mentioning in more detail.

The first place is Golden Rax buffet, it is known to many who have ever visited Finland. This is a large network, it is very popular, establishments of this network are located in all major cities, there is also an establishment in the center of Helsinki. His address: Mikonkatu 8, Helsinki. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 11:00 to 21:00, from Friday to Saturday from 11:00 to 22:00, and on Sunday from 12:00 to 21:00. One of the RAX chain restaurants is located right in the center of Helsinki. Previously, these restaurants were called "Golden Rax pizza buffet", but now, after branding, they began to be called "RAX buffet". Buffet (Buffet) - this concept means the same thing all over the world; in our country it is called a buffet, that is, self-service and the opportunity to eat everything that is presented in the restaurant, paying a fixed price for it. RAX restaurants offer traditional European dishes. Pizza, meatballs, salad bar, sausages, lasagne, chicken wings, stewed potatoes and vegetable soups, as well as a lot of all sorts of delicious things.

Prices at the buffet for adults are 9.95 euros, on weekdays from 11 to 14:00 the price is 8.95 euros. For children from one to four years old, meals at the buffet will cost 2.5 euros, and for children from five to ten years old you need to pay 6.95 euros. Dessert buffet where you can enjoy cake, donuts, ice cream and hot drinks plus 2.95 euros on top of the regular buffet. If without a buffet, then a dessert buffet will cost 6.9 euros. You can take food to go: pizza, salad, hot food for 1.95 euros/100 grams. There is a ten percent student discount on everything on the entire menu. In order to receive this discount you must provide an ISIC card. Everything works very simply, go in and go to the cash register, for example at the Buffet, you are given a plate and a glass, then you pay according to the rates given above. Afterwards, feel free to head to the counters where the food is located and choose whatever your heart desires, whatever suits your taste - take utensils such as spoons, forks, knives and eat everything you picked with pleasure. To eat the first course, you will need to take a small deep plate located near the thermos with soups; this is already included in the amount you previously paid for the Buffet. You eat everything else, be it pizza, hot dishes or salads, in any unlimited quantity. It is worth considering that in some establishments the number of approaches to food is limited. That is, you can fill your plate only once. But the RAX chain does not belong to such establishments, and this is very good; it turns out that you can come for food as many times as your heart desires. After you eat the dishes, you need to clean up after yourself. The addresses of the RAX buffet chain of buffets in Helsinki can be found on the official website. It is in this particular establishment that there are always a lot of Russian tourists, sometimes you feel ashamed of ours. Sometimes people pick up so much food and then cannot eat, when they only pay for two buffets, but three and sometimes even four eat, when they try to take food with them, and similar not very beautiful cases are no longer uncommon here.

The second place to eat is located nearby at Mannerheimintie 3 B, Helsinki. This is UniCafe Ylioppilasaukio. The establishment is open from Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 19:00, and on Saturday from 11:00 to 18:00. UniCafe is a bistro, the so-called student canteen. Although not only students eat at these establishments, it’s just for them that discounts are offered here. This establishment is called "Ylioppilasaukio". To get here you need to go a little deeper from Manerheim 3, that’s where the entrance to the bistro will be. The entrance is modest, which cannot be said about the establishment; its size is quite impressive. You can sit at one of the tables or at the common bar counter. There is a coffee shop where you can drink coffee and also eat delicious pastries. The main part of the room is still occupied by the dining room. The "Set Meals" system is well used here; it is similar to the Buffet, but there are some differences and limitations. From the hot dishes you can take only one, and in the salad bar you can get as much as you need. Sauces, condiments and ketchups are free. Drink and bread are also free. A set lunch will cost seven euros. With a student card you can eat for only 2.6 euros, and with a postgraduate card from these Finnish universities for 4.5 euros.

The Finnish capital is not the cheapest European city)) And it’s impossible to eat cheaply here, like in Riga, for example.
We will talk more about the very center of Helsinki, where traditionally there are many attractions and popular shopping centers, and accordingly people accumulate here large quantities visiting Russian-speaking tourists. Prices here are the highest in the city.
But nevertheless, there are several food outlets where you can eat relatively inexpensively, and we will now get acquainted with them...

The first such place is known to many who have been to Finland. This is a large and popular chain, whose establishments are located in almost all major cities of Suomi. Naturally, there is one in the center of Helsinki too.

1. Golden Rax buffet
Address: Mikonkatu 8, Helsinki
Opening hours: Mon-Thu – 11:00 – 21:00, Fri – Sat11:00 — 22:00 Sunday 12:00 – 21:00
One of the restaurants of the famous RAX chain is located in the very center of the Finnish capital.
Previously, these restaurants were called “Golden Rax pizza buffet”, now after rebranding they are called “RAX buffet”.
Buffet ( Buffet) - this concept all over the world means what we call a “buffet”, i.e.

my service and the opportunity to eat everything that is presented in the restaurant for a fixed fee.
So remember “Buffet” is a “buffet”!!!
Rex restaurants serve traditional European cuisine. Pizza, salad bar, meatballs, sausages, chicken wings, lasagna, stewed potatoes, vegetable soups...
Prices:
Buffet ( adults) — € 9.95
(on weekdays from 11:00 until 14:00) — 8,95 €
Buffet ( children from 1 to 4 years old) — 2,50 €
Buffet ( children from 5 to 10 years old) — € 6.95
Dessert buffet (ice cream, donuts, pie and hot drinks) - 2,95 € (to the regular buffet).
Dessert buffet - € 6.90 (no buffet)
Takeaway food (salad, pizza and hot food) - € 1.95 / 100g
Takeaway pizza (small/large.
choice of two fillings) - 6,90 € / 13,90 €
Students receive a 10% discount on all menu items. Buffet — 8,55 €
To receive a discount, you must present your international student ISIC card.

How it works.
Come in, go to the cash register, say, for example, “Buffet” (depending on what you choose, see “Prices”), they give you a plate and a glass. You pay. If it is a regular “Buffet” and the time is after 14.00 then 9.95 €. Go to the food counters and help yourself what you like.
We take the utensils and eat everything we picked up))
To taste the first course, you need to take a small deep plate near the thermoses with soup, you do not pay for this, it is included in the “Buffet” you paid for.
You can eat everything else - pizza, salads, hot dishes in any quantity)) In some other establishments, the number of approaches to food is limited. Those. you only get to fill your plate with food once. In RAX chain restaurants, the number of approaches is unlimited. Drinks in a glass (Cola, Fanta, Sprite) are also unlimited.

After eating, you need to put away dirty dishes.

The addresses of other restaurants of the RAX buffet chain in Finland can be found on their official website.

There are always a lot of Russian tourists in this particular establishment. And sometimes I feel ashamed that these are my compatriots. The picture is when people take a lot of food and cannot eat it, when they pay for two buffets and try to eat with three or four people, when they try to take food with them, etc. not uncommon here.
I hope that there are no such people among the readers of The Thrifty Traveler and that when they come to the establishments of this chain, they will behave appropriately, showing the Finnish staff that Russians are a deeply intelligent and cultural nation and everything that is said about them is not true))

Next place where you can eat on a budget is nearby.

2. UniCafe Ylioppilasaukio
Address: Mannerheimintie 3 B, Helsinki.
Opening hours: Mon - Fri from 11.00 to 19.00 Sat. from 11.00 to 18.00

In the very center of Helsinki, close to the main train station main street Helsinki, Manerheima 3 B, the bistro of the UniCafe chain is located. UniCafe is the so-called student (university) canteen, although not only students eat there. There are just big discounts for students, more on them later.
This particular establishment is called "Ylioppilasaukio". To get into it you need to go a little deeper from Manerheim 3
and there will be an entrance to this bistro.
The entrance is quite modest, but the bistro is quite large.

You can sit at tables or at a common counter
The bistro has a coffee shop where you can drink coffee and eat some delicious pastries.
But the main part of the room is occupied by the dining room

So how much does it cost to eat at UniCafe?
The network of these bistros uses the “Set Lunch” system. This is similar to the Buffet system, but there are a number of restrictions. Choose one hot dish,

and in the salad bar you can put as much as you can on your plate, whatever is in stock.
Condiments, sauces and ketchups are free.
Bread and drink are also included in the free set.
In the bistro there is self-service everywhere and therefore after eating, dirty dishes must be taken to the sink.

Prices:
Set lunch - 7.00 € ,
with SYL student card (The National Union of University Students in Finland) and SAMOK (Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences.) — 2.60 € ,
with a card of graduate students of the same universities - 4.50 € .

The menu changes every day and can be found on the Unicafe canteen website.
There you can also find the addresses of other canteens of this chain.
In the Unicafe Ylioppilasaukio canteen you can also buy ice cream, cold
and hot drinks to take away at reasonable prices.

3.SFC(Southern fried chicken)
Address: Mannerheimintie 18, Helsinki.
Opening hours: Mon – Sun from 11.00 to 21.00

Another place on Manerheim Street close to the station and main shopping centers where you can eat cheaply.
The famous English chain SFC, a kind of English take on the famous American chain KFC. Fast food consisting of dishes based on fried chicken.
All these dishes can be tasted on the 1st floor of the establishment.
But the prices there are high and it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to eat a hearty meal within 8-9 €. For this money you will be offered a set like - hamburger + fries + cola.
So we are more interested in the ground floor

where the pizzeria is located and offers a buffet at a price 7.90 € .
For this money you can eat a full lunch consisting of soup, salad and several types of pizza to choose from.
The establishment's website is here

Well, the last place in the very heart of Helsinki where you can eat inexpensively.

4. Habibi Deli
Address: Mannerheimintie 20, Helsinki. (In the Forum shopping center building, entrance from Simonkatu street)
Working hours:Mon-Thu - 10:00 to 21:00, Fri - Sat11:00 to 05:00,Sunday from 11:00 to 20:00
This establishment is located in the famous FORUM shopping center.
This is an ordinary kebab shop which is now plentiful all over Europe.
The prices are certainly not particularly “sweet”,
but the portions are large.
And in order to eat cheaply and heartily, you need to take one soup and one main course for two (meat or kebab or chop + salad and side dish). Soups by 7.50 €, main courses from 8.90 € . It works out 16.40 € for two. Quite budget-friendly.
If you are not spoiled by expensive restaurants, then this option is quite suitable for a quick snack in the center of Helsinki.
Website of the establishment habibideli.fi

Well, that’s all with budget cafes in the center. Now let me remind you of one more place at Vantaa Airport in Helsinki. I wrote about him before. I hope it will be useful for those who fly in or fly out from Vantaa.

Cesar´sDaily Buffet
Address: In the building of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, in Terminal 2.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 6.00-19.00 (pizza Mon-Fri from 9.30 to 20, Sat-Sun from 11 to 20)

This cafe is located in Terminal 2 of Vantaa Airport - Helsinki. If you enter the central entrance of the terminal, you need to go down the escalator.
A small cafe with different buffet options
We choose a buffet option, take a tray and put on the plates what corresponds to this chosen buffet.
After that, we move to the end of the hall to the cashier and pay for what we took.
Prices:

Breakfast
1. Economy Cold breakfast - 5.60 €
(snacks, cold cuts, cereals, tea/coffee)
2. Economy plus Warm breakfast - 5.60 €
(cuts, cereal, porridge, tea/coffee)
3. Business - Cold + hot breakfast. — 8.40 € .

Buffet - Lunch buffet.
1. Cesar's Buffet - 9.70 €
(1 soup + 1 second course + salad bar without limitation)
2. Cesar's Salad Bar - 2.00 €/ 100g
(separate seafood salad bar)
3. Cesar's Soup (smal/large) - 5.90 €
(1 soup small or large plate + salad bar, unlimited) —
4. Cesar´s Menu everything from the menu without restrictions
(soup, main courses, both salad bars unlimited)
All buffets require only one approach, and the girl will serve you the second dish; you just need to choose it from what is available.

Now that's it for sure with budget cafes in popular places Helsinki. Now you know exactly where you can eat inexpensively in the Finnish capital.
Bon appetit!

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Of course, the Finnish capital cannot be called the cheapest European city. And eating here is cheap, just as you won’t be able to eat in Riga. Next, I would like to tell you where to eat in the center of Helsinki, since the bulk of the popular shopping centers and attractions are concentrated here, and accordingly, the largest number of Russian-speaking tourists who come here are located here. Naturally, prices in this area are the highest in the city and yet, nevertheless, there are establishments - several food outlets where you can eat relatively inexpensively and it is them that are worth mentioning in more detail.

The first place is Golden Rax buffet, it is known to many who have ever visited Finland. This is a large chain, it is very popular, establishments of this chain are located in all major cities, and there is also an establishment in the center of Helsinki. His address: Mikonkatu 8, Helsinki. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 11:00 to 21:00, from Friday to Saturday from 11:00 to 22:00, and on Sunday from 12:00 to 21:00. One of the RAX chain restaurants is located right in the center of Helsinki. Previously, these restaurants were called “Golden Rax pizza buffet”, but now, after branding, they began to be called “RAX buffet”. Buffet (Buffet) - this concept means the same thing all over the world; in our country it is called a buffet, that is, self-service and the opportunity to eat everything that is presented in the restaurant, paying a fixed price for it. RAX restaurants offer traditional European dishes. Pizza, meatballs, salad bar, sausages, lasagne, chicken wings, stewed potatoes and vegetable soups, as well as a lot of all sorts of delicious things.

Prices at the buffet for adults are 9.95 euros, on weekdays from 11 to 14:00 the price is 8.95 euros. For children from one to four years old, meals at the buffet will cost 2.5 euros, and for children from five to ten years old you need to pay 6.95 euros.

fet-dessert, where you can taste cake, donuts, ice cream and hot drinks plus 2.95 euros on top of the regular buffet. If without a buffet, then a dessert buffet will cost 6.9 euros. You can take food to go: pizza, salad, hot food for 1.95 euros/100 grams. There is a ten percent student discount on everything on the entire menu. In order to receive this discount you must provide an ISIC card. Everything works very simply, go in and go to the cash register, for example at the Buffet, you are given a plate and a glass, then you pay according to the rates given above. Afterwards, feel free to head to the counters where the food is located and choose whatever your heart desires, whatever suits your taste - take utensils such as spoons, forks, knives and eat everything you picked with pleasure. To eat the first course, you will need to take a small deep plate located near the thermos with soups; this is already included in the amount you previously paid for the Buffet. You eat everything else, be it pizza, hot dishes or salads, in any unlimited quantity. It is worth considering that in some establishments the number of approaches to food is limited. That is, you can fill your plate only once. But the RAX chain does not belong to such establishments, and this is very good; it turns out that you can come for food as many times as your heart desires. After you eat the dishes, you need to clean up after yourself. The addresses of the RAX buffet chain of buffets in Helsinki can be found on the official website. It is in this particular establishment that there are always a lot of Russian tourists, sometimes you feel ashamed of ours. Sometimes people pick up so much food and then cannot eat, when they only pay for two buffets, but three and sometimes even four eat, when they try to take food with them, and similar not very beautiful cases are no longer uncommon here.

The second place to eat is located nearby at Mannerheimintie 3 B, Helsinki. This is UniCafe Ylioppilasaukio. The establishment is open from Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 19:00, and on Saturday from 11:00 to 18:00. UniCafe is a bistro, the so-called student canteen. Although not only students eat at these establishments, it’s just for them that discounts are offered here. This establishment is called “Ylioppilasaukio”. To get here you need to go a little deeper from Manerheim 3, that’s where the entrance to the bistro will be. The entrance is modest, which cannot be said about the establishment; its size is quite impressive. You can sit at one of the tables or at the common bar counter. There is a coffee shop where you can drink coffee and also eat delicious pastries. The main part of the room is still occupied by the dining room. The “Set Meals” system is well used here; it is similar to the Buffet, but there are some differences and limitations. From the hot dishes you can take only one, and in the salad bar you can get as much as you need. Sauces, condiments and ketchups are free. Drink and bread are also free. A set lunch will cost seven euros. With a student card you can eat for only 2.6 euros, and with a postgraduate card from these Finnish universities for 4.5 euros.

Long walks and visiting many attractions during the day help increase your appetite. Well, in order to eat well without spending most of your budget, you need to know trusted places. We offer you a small list of places where to eat cheaply in Helsinki. Note that the list contains the most restaurants and cafes in Helsinki different directions, which serves both national Finnish cuisine and dishes from other countries of the world. After all, there is no arguing about tastes, especially in food, and everyone chooses something different.

Rax Buffet

This is an economy class establishment that offers a buffet at affordable prices. The menu includes: salads and appetizers, soups, drinks and desserts, you can also order pizza. The main clients are students, young people, as well as tourists who prefer inexpensive but satisfying food. The cost of a buffet for adults is about 10 euros, for children 4-7 euros (depending on age). You can also order food (2 euros) and pizza (7-14 euros depending on size) to take away. Students, upon presentation of documents, receive a 10% discount.

Location: Mikonkatu 8

Lappi Ravintola (Lappi)

This restaurant is designed for a more solvent audience and offers its customers a wide selection of dishes of national Finnish cuisine. So, here you can try venison and fish soups, which are considered one of the main dishes in Finland, and in addition you will be offered homemade Lapland bread. Drinks include, among other things, homemade wine and excellent coffee served in a special wooden mug - kuksa. We especially recommend ordering venison with lingonberry sauce. There is a cozy, almost homely atmosphere in the hall. Which is not surprising, since Lappi is the oldest restaurant in Helsinki national cuisine. The average bill of the establishment is 50-70 euros, but it is worth it.

Location: Annankatu 22

Kappeli

This restaurant is an excellent example of the expression “loyalty to tradition.” It has existed for almost 150 years and is already perceived as one with the Esplanadi Park, next to which it is located. Here you can plunge into the atmosphere of Helsinki at the beginning of the 20th century, when Prohibition reigned in Finland, and tea and vodka were served in Kapelli. However, it should be noted that you won’t be able to eat inexpensively here, since the price of one dish can be about 20 euros.

Location: Eteläesplanadi 1

Mexican restaurants in Helsinki

If you are looking for an inexpensive place to eat in Helsinki, but you don’t like Finnish cuisine, we recommend paying attention to chain restaurants serving Mexican cuisine. These include the establishments Iguana (Mannerheimintie 12), Amarillo (Mikonkatu 9) and Santa Fe (Aleksanterinkatu 15). Naturally, each of them has its own characteristics. However, all three establishments share several common qualities: good cuisine (including international), affordable prices for lunch (10-15 euros) and a high level of service.

Belge

At the end of our tour of Helsinki establishments, we should tell you about one more thing: wonderful place– Bistro Belge. Belgian cuisine is presented here, which will please the taste of any gourmet. At the same time, the atmosphere is matched to the dishes served in the establishment: the walls are decorated with portraits of the rulers of Belgium, as well as historical sketches. Prices in the bistro itself are relatively high, however, if you go there on a weekday from 11.00 to 15.00, you can order lunch for just 10 euros.

Location: Kluuvikatu 5

In fact, this is just a small list of nice places to eat inexpensively in Helsinki. In fact, there are much more of them and, of course, among the many cafes and restaurants there will be cheaper or more attractive from a tourist point of view. However, the list of restaurants in Helsinki is so long that it is simply impossible to list them all. Finally, let's give one more helpful advice: try to try seasonal dishes and delicacies in restaurants - believe me, it’s worth it.

In winter, it is best to order: ham, rossol, ginger and Christmas sweets (in December), burbot (in January) and Runeberg cake (in February). Spring is the time for lamb, Easter (in March and April) and a variety of freshwater fish in May. In the summer months, a variety of vegetables, berries, herring (in June and July), salmon, crayfish and mushroom dishes, and game (in August) are offered. In September you should order dishes from chanterelles, lingonberries, herring and hare, and lamb, venison and elk are best tried in October-November.

The average bill in Helsinki restaurants makes you refuse to mentally convert euros into rubles. The salvation turns out to be multinational street food, which can be found at almost every turn in the Finnish capital. Trying street food in Finland is safe and interesting - here you can find British fish and chips or Berlin döner. "Electronic Finland" collected best places in the city.

Black Grill & Cafe is a place for those who want to eat a burger at night

This black burger van can be easily found in the square in front of train station Helsinki. The burger shop not only has an excellent location, but also an ingenious opening hours - right up to 5 am, which is very rare by Helsinki standards.. On the night from Friday to Saturday, crowds of capital party-goers flock here for excellent burgers for ten euros. If you pay three euros extra, you can get fries and a drink in addition.

In addition to burgers, the menu includes Caesar salad and sets of chicken wings (8 pieces for 10 euros, 15 wings for 15 euros). For particularly hungry groups, there is a set of 100 chicken wings for 90 euros. They placed a couple of tables in front of the van, so you can eat right there before the burger gets cold.

Quotes from the menu:

• Signature burger – 13 euros
• Spicy chili burger – 10 euros
• Burger with pulled pork – 10 euros
• Vegetarian burger – 10 euros
• Caesar salad – 10 euros

Address: Asema-aukio
Opening hours: Mon-Tue: 10:00 – 5:00

Harju Döner – döner in the best Berlin traditions

This stylish döner shop in the bohemian district of Kallio will transport tourists straight to Berlin. The concept of the establishment is built around döner kebab, in other words, shawarma, but in a German way. At Harju Döner, grilled meat is served with a mix of vegetables and herbs, sauce and bread. The laconic menu includes doners with lamb, chicken, pork and seitan (that is, “meat” made from wheat) for vegetarians.

Experts recommend döner with lamb and assure that it is in no way inferior to the best Berlin samples. Döner is served either on a flatbread or on a plate; the second option is larger and, accordingly, more expensive. Döner itself is quite a substitute for lunch, but if you want something more serious, then come here for lunch. Lunch at special price at 10.30 euros served from 10:30 to 15:00. Lunch includes soup, döner on a plate and your choice of drink, tea or coffee. The establishment is very popular among Helsinki residents, who go to Kallio on weekends for the most delicious and cheap food in the city.

Quotes from the menu:

• Döner with spicy chicken on a plate – 15 euros
• Döner with veal on a plate – 15 euros
• Vegetarian doner with seitan on a plate – 15 euros
• Doner kebab with lamb on flatbread – 9.50 euros

Address: Fleminginkatu 23
Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 10:30 – 22:00; Fri: 10:30 – 23:00; Sat: 12:00 – 23:00; Sun: 13:00 – 20:00

Shopping mall Kauppakeskus Citycenter, Kaivokatu 8
Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 10:30 – 21:00; Fri: 10:30 – 22:00; Sat: 11:00 – 22:00; Sun: 12:00 – 19:00

Kauppatori Grill – fast food with a “fish” twist

Helsinki Market Square seems like a great place to grab a bite to eat. There are always many street food stalls with a national twist here. They mainly offer the famous Finnish cream soup with red fish and fried fish in various variations.

In fact, this place is too touristy and the locals themselves rarely eat here. Therefore, the orange and black Kauppatori Gril stall on the square is a real salvation if you find yourself in the port area and want to have lunch for less than 10 euros. The food is not that outstanding, but there are fair portions and a modest average bill. You can order a hefty portion of fish and chips with salmon fillet or shrimp tempura with fries, or you can get by with a regular hot dog. A nice bonus is a variety of additives such as pickles, peppers or onions. Add to this a great view right over the bay, photogenic seagulls scurrying here and there, and free Internet.

Quotes from the menu:

• Hot dog – 3.50 euros
• Salmon burger – 6.50 euros
• Double cheeseburger – 6.50 euros
• Deep-fried squid and fries – 9.50 euros
• Fish and chips with salmon – 8.50 euros

Address: Eteläranta
Opening hours: Sun-Mon: 9:00 – 21:00; Tue-Thu: 09:00 – 23:00; Fri-Sat: 09:00 – 00:30

Fisu & Ranet – standard fish and chips in an unexpected location

Fisu & Ranet is a great place to grab a bite to eat while waiting for your bus flight. A classic of British street food, fish and chips can be enjoyed unexpected place– fussy shopping complex Kamppi, where the underground bus station is located. You can find the establishment at the 6k food market food court. Here, in a small area, perhaps the main players in the capital's street food market were gathered. Six restaurants offer food for every taste, from Vietnamese cuisine to fish and chips and gourmet sandwiches. The owners of Fisu & Ranet sacredly honor British traditions and therefore deep-fried fish and French fries are served in a bag made of newspaper. They vouch for the quality of the fish, the portion is decent, and the price is reasonable by Finnish standards.

  Quotes from the menu:

• Fish and chips – 10 euros
• Fish burger with fries – 10 euros
• Seitan with fries – 9.50 euros

Address: Salomonkatu 5, Kamppi shopping center
Working hours:

Street Gastro - a premium sandwich shop with an affordable price tag

A pioneer of Finnish street food and an ambitious project of two Finnish chefs who wanted to prove that even gourmets can appreciate street food. The owners of Street Gastro started with a van in Kallio, and now the company has grown to a network with three locations in Helsinki and one in Espoo. The main components of success are homemade fresh bread, quality ingredients and sauces perfectly selected for each sandwich..

Interesting flavor combinations are invented here, for example, in a “pulled pork” sandwich, coleslaw is mixed with cucumber and apple and dressed with horseradish mayonnaise as a bright detail. The lamb sandwich adds pickled red onion and zucchini, while the chicken version adds pickled carrots, crispy onions, lettuce and chili mayo.

The vegan option is a sandwich with house-made seitan, caramelized onions, vegan smoked cheese and BBQ sauce.

Quotes from the menu:

• Vegetarian sandwich with hummus and curry – 9 euros
• Sandwich with lamb and zucchini – 9.50 euros
• Sandwich with pulled pork – 9 euros
• French fries – 3.90 euros

Address: Vaasankatu 13 
Working hours: Mon-Thu: 11:00 – 21:00; Fri: 11:00 – 22:00; Sat: 12:00 – 22:00; Sun: 12:00 – 19:00

Address: Urho Kekkosen Katu 1, Kamppi Shopping Center
Working hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 – 21:00; Sat: 10:00 – 22:00; Sun: 12:00 – 19:00

Soi Soi – the best vegetarian fast food in the city

There are endless odes to the local tofu and goat cheese burger on Tripadvisor. Another hit on the menu is the sweet potato fries, which cost you just five euros for a generous portion. Both office clerks in suits and fashionable young people come to Kallio specifically for these positions. This is not surprising, since Soi Soi is called the place of power for the capital’s vegetarians. Ignore the, to put it mildly, unpretentious interior - this unassuming place offers the best vegetarian street food in the city. Even meat lovers admit that the place to go for burgers is Soi Soi. The food here is always fresh and tasty, the service is friendly and the prices are equally friendly. Eating for less than 10 euros in Helsinki is an achievement in itself. And another significant plus is that the establishment is open until 23:00.

Quotes from the menu:

• Tofu burger – 6 euros
• Burger with smoked cheese – 6.50 euros
• Kebab with seitan – 9 euros
• Pita with spicy tofu – 9 euros
• Burger with goat cheese – 9.50 euros
• Sweet potato fries – 5 euros

Address: Vaasankatu 9
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 11:00 – 23:00; Sun: 13:00 – 21:00