Click here Helsinki Coffee Map for a larger map
Visit or regret afterwards - usually very good coffee, definitely a must for any coffee aficionado (Red pin on the map)
Kahvila Sävy (Kinaporinkatu 1, metro: Sörnäinen, trams: 6,8, 7A, 7B)
Coffee bar Sävy is a fresh breeze in Helsinki’s coffee scene. Sävy is the first one in Helsinki to serve excellent coffees from Turun Kahvipaahtimo as well as other micro-roasteries around the world – and serve them well. The cafe is run by a couple, Kaisa and Mikko, who have uncompromised strive for quality products. They were planning to serve ice cream this summer but have given up since they didn’t find one good enough. In my opinion without a doubt the right thing to do – but quite a brave decision for a small cafe with only a few products other than coffee.
Sävy serves consistently very good coffee, both espresso and brew. Actually, I would say that you are most likely to get a stellar cup of coffee here anywhere in Helsinki. House coffee is a Brazilian from Daterra brewed on a Fetco but I have to say, definitely the best Fetco brew I’ve tasted. If it’s not too busy you can also get AeroPress, V60 or anything else more exciting, just ask. If your companion is more into tea there’s a nice selection of them, too, brewed the right way.
Check out the Up with Kallio -map about the up-and-coming area of Kallio where Sävy is also located – some of the most interesting restaurants, clubs and shops are in there. Kallio is a little shady but trendy without the arrogant hipsterism1 you can come across in Punavuori.
La Torrefazione (Aleksanterinkatu 50B, second floor, just next to Stockmann)
Located in the heart of Helsinki, La Torrefazione (meaning “roastery” in Italian) has earned its reputation within the inner city’s caffeine dependent workers. La Torre was originally planned to be an Italian-style drink-and-go espresso bar and ended up being popular cafe to meet friends and clients over a great cup of coffee.
La Torre’s owner Jens Hampf is brother of Svante, Kaffa Roastery’s founder, so they naturally serves Kaffa’s coffee – some of it is even roasted in the cafe (hence the name). There are always two espressos pulled through a La Marzocco FB/80, the filter coffee is brewed on a Fetco and coffees are changed on a daily basis. There’s some room for improvement in consistency, though – not all the employees take the coffee that seriously. Fortunatelly there are a couple really good ones and the filter coffee is almost always good if not great. Also great spot for lunch.
Kaffa Roastery (Pursimiehenkatu 29A, just behind Moko Market. Busses 14, 14B, tram 3B)
(Disclaimer: I currently work as a barista at Kaffa Roastery but this is my personal opinion. If it wasn’t good why would I work there?)
Kaffa was born when two friends, Svante Hampf and Benjamin Andberg, decided to establish a coffee shop chain. When they realized that there wasn’t good enough coffee around they figured out that they might as well roast is themselves. They first started roasting coffee outside of Helsinki four years ago and moved to another location in the Punavuori area in January 2010. That’s when the coffee bar was also set up.
Serving coffee roasted just behind the glass walls the barista at least knows how it’s done if not roasted the coffee himself. There are rotating coffees served as espresso and a daily changing filter coffees brewed through V60′s. When there’s not too many customers you can also ask for a syphon or AeroPress or a cold brew.
Flipping a coin – sometimes really good coffee, sometimes I refuse to pay. Depends a lot on barista, not very consistent but still worth trying. (Yellow pin on the map)
Caneli (Iso Roobertinkatu 46)
In my eyes Caneli is more of a super-food smoothie bar than a place to get a coffee. The owner, Nima, is convinced about super-food and his coffee (roasted by Johan & Nyström in Stockholm) but I’m not. As the coffee is roasted in Sweden there are also some problems with the freshness. Still, the coffee is better than in your average cafe. I might still opt for a smoothie to help with the over-caffenation.
Kaffecentralen (several locations, check the map)
To put it short: Kaffecentralen serves well brewed coffee roasted some time ago in Italy from unknown beans. Good spot for a cappuccino but don’t expect anything mind-blowing – well executed espresso can be only so good when it’s not fresh anymore. No filter coffee at all.
Gran Delicato (Kalevankatu 34, bus 14, 14B)
This genuine Greek cafe and deli used to be an underground spot for the ones looking for decent espresso. Now the situation is the same as with Kaffecentralen (where they mostly get their coffee from) – Gran Delicato offers usually good coffee from unexciting beans. Great ciabattas and atmosphere, worth visit if you’re nearby.
- Not that it all would be arrogant. [↩]