Brew festivals and ethical cafes: Why coffee-lovers should head to Helsinki this year

Espresso-loving travellers might need locations like Vienna and Melbourne on their must-visit checklist – however what about Finland? 

The Nordic nation is dwelling to a number of the most prolific caffeine drinkers on this planet, and now Helsinki is positioning itself as a brand new brew capital. 

An more and more numerous espresso tradition has taken root within the Finnish capital metropolis over the past decade, with small roasteries, clear sourcing and modish cafés. 

And this weekend, the Helsinki Espresso Pageant, the main occasion of its variety within the Nordics, celebrates its tenth anniversary. 

Finland is a rustic of espresso fiends

For Finns, espresso is greater than only a warming and energising drink – it’s a social glue and a rising subculture. 

Finland has lengthy held the worldwide report for espresso consumption, with Finns consuming a mean of round 4 cups a day. 

For many years, this devotion centred round light-roasted filter espresso, served black and infrequently brewed by the pot. 

However lately, roasteries and cafés have been rising extra experimental.

The place are the most effective locations to drink espresso in Helsinki?

Guests ought to begin their espresso training on the metropolis’s traditional espresso homes. 

The oldest café, Ekberg (based in 1852), Fazer Café, Strindberg, and Café Engel are nonetheless going robust, beloved for his or her distinctive historical past and ambiance.

Café Engel turned 36 in April and has turn out to be a Helsinki establishment. 

“We’re glad to note that Engel attracts individuals of all ages – typically even 4 generations directly,” says the proprietor, Harri Sjöberg. 

“Our all-time favourites are the all-day breakfasts loved with espresso from the native Kaffa Roastery.”

Inexperienced and clear: Chasing the right brew in Helsinki

In recent times, progressive roasteries and cafés have been popping up across the nation, the place travellers can take pleasure in eco-friendly brews. 

Since opening in 2007, Svante Hampf, founding father of Helsinki-based speciality roaster Kaffa Roastery, has seen the town’s espresso scene evolve. 

“The value tag now not defines the worth of espresso – customers worth transparency and sustainability,” he says. 

“Thankfully, high quality and sustainability typically go hand in hand. When espresso is of top of the range, its manufacturing chain is commonly constructed on a sustainable basis as effectively.”

Kaffa Roastery operates its flagship café and micro roastery within the Punavuori district – with glass partitions for literal and metaphorical transparency. 

Over 50 unbiased roasteries now function throughout Finland, a lot of them within the capital area. 

Cafés like Päiväkahvibaari, La Torrefazione and Rams Roasters have turn out to be go-to locations for Helsinkians and guests alike.

Good Life Espresso, which opened its roastery in 2014 and was named the most effective roaster within the Nordics on the Nordic Espresso Fest in 2024, is one other title on the forefront of the motion. 

It now not operates its personal café however provides espresso to a few of Helsinki’s favorite spots, such because the hip Sävy in Kallio, with its uncovered brick partitions, classic furnishings and chandeliers. 

Co-founder Lauri Pipinen says the roastery’s purpose is to supply an alternative choice to mainstream espresso.

“Our goal is to focus on espresso’s origin extra clearly – the place it comes from and who has grown it. Espresso is rooted deeply in our tradition, however nonetheless, many individuals know little about it,” he says, noting that it’s good to function in a rustic that appreciates its espresso – and is getting an increasing number of interested in it.

Go to the Nordic’s greatest espresso competition

Town’s burgeoning espresso tradition takes centre stage on the Helsinki Espresso Pageant, celebrating its tenth anniversary this yr. 

Held at Kaapelitehdas from 25-27 April 2025, the competition is the biggest of its variety in Northern Europe, bringing collectively espresso lovers, roasters and baristas. 

Guests can style espresso from each small and bigger roasters, take a look at espresso gear, study other ways to brew espresso at dwelling and uncover new flavours.

“The pandemic years had a transparent impression on espresso tradition – individuals started investing extra in making espresso at dwelling and experimenting with new gear and brewing strategies,” says the competition’s co-founder, Maija Kestilä. 

“On the similar time, ecological and moral issues have turn out to be more and more necessary, with an increasing number of individuals desirous to know the origin of their espresso and choosing responsibly produced beans.”