Espresso-loving travellers may need locations like Vienna and Melbourne on their must-visit checklist – however what about Finland?
The Nordic nation is house to among the most prolific caffeine drinkers on the earth, 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 sort 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 file for espresso consumption, with Finns ingesting a median 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 in recent times, roasteries and cafés have been rising extra experimental.
The place are the very best locations to drink espresso in Helsinki?
Guests ought to begin their espresso training on the metropolis’s basic espresso homes.
The oldest café, Ekberg (based in 1852), Fazer Café, Strindberg, and Café Engel are nonetheless going sturdy, beloved for his or her distinctive historical past and environment.
Café Engel turned 36 in April and has turn into a Helsinki establishment.
“We’re pleased to note that Engel attracts individuals of all ages – generally even 4 generations without delay,” 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 proper brew in Helsinki
In recent times, progressive roasteries and cafés have been popping up across the nation, the place travellers can bask in eco-friendly brews.
Since opening in 2007, Svante Hampf, founding father of Helsinki-based speciality roaster Kaffa Roastery, has seen town’s espresso scene evolve.
“The value tag now not defines the worth of espresso – customers worth transparency and sustainability,” he says.
“Happily, high quality and sustainability typically go hand in hand. When espresso is of top quality, its manufacturing chain is usually 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 impartial roasteries now function throughout Finland, a lot of them within the capital area.
Cafés like Päiväkahvibaari, La Torrefazione and Rams Roasters have turn into go-to locations for Helsinkians and guests alike.
Good Life Espresso, which opened its roastery in 2014 and was named the very best 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 aim is to supply a substitute for mainstream espresso.
“Our purpose is to spotlight 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
The 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 sort 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, be taught alternative ways to brew espresso at house and uncover new flavours.
“The pandemic years had a transparent impression on espresso tradition – individuals started investing extra in making espresso at house and experimenting with new gear and brewing strategies,” says the competition’s co-founder, Maija Kestilä.
“On the identical time, ecological and moral issues have turn into more and more necessary, with an increasing number of individuals desirous to know the origin of their espresso and choosing responsibly produced beans.”