Coffee-loving travellers have traditionally flocked to destinations like Vienna and Melbourne, but Helsinki, Finland is emerging as a new brew capital worth exploring. The Nordic nation is home to some of the most prolific caffeine drinkers in the world, with Finns consuming an average of around four cups of coffee per day. In recent years, Helsinki has seen a surge in diverse coffee culture, with small roasteries, transparent sourcing, and trendy cafés becoming the norm. This weekend, the city will host the Helsinki Coffee Festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary and showcasing Finland’s growing coffee scene.
For Finns, coffee is more than just a drink – it’s a social glue and a growing subculture. While the country has long been known for its consumption of light-roasted filter coffee, served black and brewed by the pot, the coffee scene in Helsinki has been evolving. Progressive roasteries and cafés have been experimenting with different brewing methods and eco-friendly practices, appealing to both locals and visitors. Classic coffee houses like Ekberg, Fazer Café, Strindberg, and Café Engel, which turned 36 in April, continue to attract patrons of all ages, offering an opportunity to indulge in the city’s rich coffee history and unique atmosphere.
In recent years, Helsinki has seen a rise in independent roasteries and cafés focusing on sustainability and quality. Speciality roasters like Kaffa Roastery, which opened in 2007, have been at the forefront of this movement, emphasizing transparency and sustainability in their production. With over 50 independent roasteries now in operation across Finland, visitors have plenty of options to explore the city’s coffee scene. Good Life Coffee, named the best roaster in the Nordics in 2024, is another notable player in the movement, offering a unique coffee experience that highlights the origin and quality of each cup.
The Helsinki Coffee Festival, set to take place from 25-27 April 2025, is the largest event of its kind in Northern Europe, attracting coffee lovers, roasters, and baristas from around the region. The festival provides an opportunity for visitors to taste a variety of coffees from small and large roasters, learn different brewing methods, and discover new flavors. Co-founder Maija Kestilä notes that the pandemic has influenced coffee culture, prompting people to invest more in making coffee at home and explore new brewing equipment and methods. Additionally, there is an increasing emphasis on ethical and ecological considerations, with consumers seeking responsibly produced beans and wanting to know the origin of their coffee.
Helsinki’s burgeoning coffee culture is also evident in the city’s trendy cafés and roasteries, where visitors can experience a unique coffee culture that values quality, sustainability, and transparency. Café Engel owner Harri Sjöberg notes that the café attracts people of all ages, reflecting the widespread appreciation for coffee in the Finnish capital. With cafés like Päiväkahvibaari, La Torrefazione, and Rams Roasters becoming popular spots for locals and tourists alike, Helsinki offers a vibrant coffee scene that continues to evolve. Co-founder of Good Life Coffee, Lauri Pipinen, highlights the importance of highlighting coffee’s origin and cultural significance, noting that Finland’s curiosity and appreciation for coffee are on the rise.
As Helsinki positions itself as a new brew capital, visitors have the opportunity to explore the city’s rich coffee history and evolving coffee culture. With classic coffee houses, progressive roasteries, and events like the Helsinki Coffee Festival, the Finnish capital offers a unique coffee experience that combines tradition with innovation. Whether indulging in a cup of coffee at a historic café or sampling the latest brews at a trendy roastery, travellers can immerse themselves in Helsinki’s vibrant coffee scene and discover why Finland is truly a country of coffee fiends.
