Cafe Regatta In Helsinki - A Complete Guide

If you’re looking for a traditional Finnish experience and to visit one of the worlds cosiest cafes, here’s all the info on Cafe Regatta Helsinki.

Table of Contents

How To Get To Cafe Regatta

The pretty and atmospheric Cafe Regatta in Helsinki is located on the banks of the baltic and just beside Sibelius Park in the Töölö suburb of the capital.

It is around a 30 minute walk from Helsinki Central Railway Station.

Totally worth the walk though, with it’s outdoor seating and fire pit, it brings a small piece of the Finnish countryside to the middle of Helsinki.

If you don’t fancy walking, the closest tram stop is Töölön halli, although it’s still a 800m walk to the entrance of the traditional red cottage doors.

If you plan on using public transport you can buy a Helsinki City Card, which allows unlimited use of Helsinki public transport for 24, 48 or 72 hours.

For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.

Cafe Regatta Opening Hours

Daily: 8am – 9pm

Cafe Regatta is open every day of the year!

Cafe Regatta Helsinki Instagram Spots In Helsinki — The iconic red cottage stands out amongst the white scenery.

Cafe Regatta Helsinki History

Visiting Cafe Regatta is one of our fondest memories of our trip to Finland.

Located by the sea, the traditional red cottage cafe has brought a part of the Finnish countryside to the middle of Helsinki.

The cottage was originally owned by the famous coffee family, Paulig. It was built in 1887 as a shed for their fishnets to be stored, next to the family’s villa.

From 1952 – 2002 there had been various summer cafes running in the building. That was until Cafe Regatta came along.

Cafe Regatta was established in 2002 and this lovely setting is now popular for locals and tourists.

What To Expect At Cafe Regatta In Helsinki

The cosy cafe is now famous for its fresh cinnamon buns, blueberry pie and other delicacies. Served in a charismatic and relaxed atmosphere, you will never experience anything like it.

There are also delicious sausages available to buy that you can cook yourself on the fire pit outside.

There’s not a lot of space inside, however it is beautifully decorated.

The outdoor space on the other hand is much larger. With room to accommodate a lot more visitors and those that want to enjoy the fresh Finnish air.

It’s pretty hard to miss if you’re passing by thanks to its red cabin feel that became a popular Helsinki Instagram spot.

The fire pit gives you the opportunity to toast/warm your food, once purchased, and is a lovely cosy spot to sit and drink hot chocolate, relax and a warm-up in the colder weather.

Every seat on the terrace has views of the sea and there are some rocking chairs available for you to relax in and enjoy the views. The sunsets from here can reportedly be amazing.

We sat down amongst the locals one afternoon to enjoy a hot chocolate and escape the cold for half an hour and it was so refreshing.

The quirky old decorations and rustic vibe really gave us a feel of traditional Finland.

You can also hire canoes and kayaks and enjoy the water in the warmer weather.

Overall the beautiful location is matched by the friendly staff and low priced food.

This cafe can get very busy as it is recommended in most of the Helsinki tour guides and watch out for the seagulls that can pester you if they see you have food.

Where To Stay In Helsinki

Luxury – Hotel Kämp

Established in 1887 as Finland’s grand hôtel, Hotel Kämp is located in the heart of Helsinki opposite the beautiful Esplanade park.

The hotel features 179 spacious rooms, 15 of which are luxurious suites.

The spacious rooms combine historical elegance with high-quality facilities. All rooms feature comfortable beds, marble bathrooms and Chromecast-streaming systems.

Guests can also order in-room dining and enjoy the lovely view over the park, the city or the inner courtyard.

The Brasserie Kämp a la carte menu boasts a wide range of European dishes and an extensive list of beverages.

Mid-Budget – Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel

Featuring the Plaza Restaurant, this historical hotel from 1917 is next to Kaisaniemi Park, 150 yards from Helsinki Central Station.

All rooms come with a flat-screen TV, tea/coffee maker and Magic Dream beds with a pillow menu. All rooms also come with Finnish design items. Some rooms offer city views.

Free fitness centre access and modern air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi are all available.

Plaza Restaurant also serves drinks, while snacks and light dishes are available at the 24-hour lobby bar. Room service is also available all day long.