Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Central Helsinki
Zucchini
VEGETARIAN
One of the city's few vegetarian cafes, this is a top-notch lunchtime spot; queues out the
door are not unusual. Piping-hot soups banish winter chills, and fresh-baked quiche on the
sunny terrace out the back is a summer treat. For lunch, you can choose soup or salad/hot
dish or both.
Café Balzac
CAFE
Tue, 11am-9pm Wed-Fri, noon-9pm Sat; )
A reader put us on to this little cafe hidden in a courtyard off this pedestrian street. It's an at-
mospheric spot with just a handful of crowded tables. There are great daily lunch specials -
pasta, elaborate salads, all colourful and tasty, and a helpful owner.
Karl Fazer Café
CAFE
9am-10pm Sat, 10am-6pm Sun; )
This classic cafe can feel a little cavernous, but it's the flagship for the mighty chocolate
empire of the same name. The cupola famously reflects sound, so locals say it's a bad place
to gossip. It is ideal, however, for buying Fazer confectionery, fresh bread, salmon or
shrimp sandwiches or enjoying the towering sundaes or slabs of cake. Good special-diets
options.
Café Bar 9
CAFE
noon-11pm Sat & Sun; )
It's tough to find low-priced food at dinnertime in Helsinki that's not shaved off a spinning
stick, so this place stands out. It would anyway, with its retro red formica tables and unpre-
tentious artsy air. Plates vary, with some solid Finnish fare backed up by big sandwiches,
