Helsinki has seen a boom in wine bars in recent years. There have of course been individual pioneers and restaurant side desks in the past, but now Helsinki’s wine bars are beginning to resemble European standards. This article is a updating kind. Tips on new places can be added in the comments.
La Bottega 13 – Deli & Wine bar
Tehtaankatu 13, 00140 Helsinki
A small Italian bottega on Tehtaankatu. A concise but high-quality wine list focusing on northern Italian wines. Franciacorta in bottles and Langhe for example. The list and geological focus is alive all year round. Cold cuts, cheeses and pasta are available to accompany the wine glass. Whatever you order the food is superb and the ingredients first class. Food is also available as take-away. A nice little place with a warm atmosphere. Reasonable prices for the location. Keep an eye on the restaurant’s website for wine tastings.
Grape Wine Bar & Tasting Room
Uudenmaankatu 13, 00120 Helsinki
A small but peppery wine bar with excellent tapas-style food. The wine list is superb, although limited to Europe and the surrounding countries. The selection available by the glass is updated on the bar’s website. The bottle selection includes champagne from small producers and wines from countries usually out of reach at these latitudes. Of course, there are also legends from larger wine countries. Opening in spring 2022, the Tasting Room has a lot going on and wine lovers should keep an eye on the events. Prices quite reasonable considering the address.
Restaurant Nolla
Fredrikinkatu 22, 00120 Helsinki
A restaurant dedicated to reducing food waste, a brewery bar and a wine bar with interesting wine selections. The wine list includes Serbian orange wine and products tinted with oxidation from the Jura region. The food is also excellent. The picture shows fried courgette flowers and instead of egg yolk, a vegan lemon mayonnaise made from ‘aquafaba’. This method gives the mayonnaise a wonderfully light texture which was perfect for the fried courgette flowers.
Very friendly service to complete the experience.
Muru Wine Bar
Lönnrotinkatu 14, 00120 Helsinki
The wine satellite of the legendary Muru restaurant around the corner in Lönrotinkatu. The wine list is of course extensive. France is at the top, but there are specialities from all over the world. The champagne tastings include Jacques Selosse. Great atmosphere and knowledgeable staff. There is always a large list of wines available by the glass. Of course, you can buy the whole bottle from whatever you have in the cellar. Murun viinibaari is also associated with the Coravin era. This means that rarer delicacies are also available by the centilitre, without breaking the bank. In summer there are a few terrace tables in front of the bar from where you can watch the hustle and bustle of Lönnrotinkatu.
Wine Bar Apotek
Lapinlahdenkatu 1, 00180 Helsinki
An atmospheric look-a-like trip to a Parisian bistro. As the name suggests, the setting is an old pharmacy. Named by Finnish Wine Magazine’s – Wine Bar of the Year 2020, it’s worth a tasting. Its popularity is skyrocketing and there is a buzz every night. The wine list is Europe-oriented. Burgundy and German Riesling are available from top producers. There’s fine food too, but don’t come terribly hungry. The portions are very small. But the flavors are excellent.
Vin-Vin
Kalevankatu 6, 00100 Helsinki
The first real wine bars in the 21st century in the heart of Helsinki. The selection has also been praised in the international media. The speciality is the Coravin technology, which allows more mature vintages to be available by the glass. A wine freak’s dream place right in the heart of the city, in the squeeze of Kalevankatu beer bars. Vin-Vin got very slick at one point, but the corona years cooled prices down.
Bricco
Annankatu 22 and Kalevankatu 4, 00100 Helsinki
An atmosphere straight out of Italy! Well, at least if you don’t count the weather. After all, Bricco opened its second wine bar 200 metres from the previous one. The belief in the concept is convincing. Especially in the bar on Annankatu with its stunning interior. Bricco has quality Italian wines and antipasti. The wine list is focused on the trendy northern parts of the country. Barolo and Barbaresco well represented. They always come at a price. Of course, there are cheaper options too. Also by good selection by the glass.
Fazer CHAMPAGNE
Fazer 8. kerros, Stockmann, Aleksanterinkatu 52, 00100 Helsinki
Who is not always thirsty when shopping? Upstairs in the department store you can enjoy Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon. The prices are actually surprisingly reasonable. A bottle of Dom Perignon 2008 arrives at the table for 180€. Veuve-tastings for reasonable price as well. There are also decent still wines available. It’s not Berlin’s KaDeWe, but it’s a wine bar worth checking out.
Crazy Wine
Kanavaranta 3-7, 00160 Helsinki
Shore districts old charming brick houses have been in short supply recently. A number of restaurants and bars have sprung up. Crazy wine describes itself as a wine and cocktail bar. However, the emphasis seems to be more on the latter. There are some interesting wines, but the staff may not know much more about them.
WINE BARS AT KALLIO DISTRICT
Way Bakery
AGRICOLANKATU 9, 00530 HKI
Next to the legendary beer pub, there is also a place for wine lovers. High selection for fans of natural wines. Fortunately there are also more traditional qualities. Only a few brands are available by the glass, but the bottle prices are not impossible, so gather people round and have a tasting.
Gastro Cafe Kallio
Fleminginkatu 7 , 00530 HKI
An atmospheric bistro on a street level. Neat menu and a snappy EU-focused wine list. The place is regularly on the list of Finland’s 50 best restaurants, so the food is also worth a look. But you can also stop by for a drink. Nice terrace in the summer.
Bar 10
FLEMINGINKATU 10, 00500 Helsinki
A popular place to eat and drink. And play pinball. With a European-inspired wine list there’s a good selection by the glass. Prices, especially for those who buy the whole bottle are quite reasonable. There are a few natural wines too. Big terrace full of people all summer long. The food is not up to the Michelin standards but you dont leave hungry and eat on quite reasonable price.
Restaurant Wino
Fleminginkatu 11, 00500 Helsinki
Named one of the 50 best restaurants in Finland, the Vino is a dimly atmospheric place on Fleminginkatu. Because of the popularity of the food, it’s worth booking a table. But there is a place for a glass of wine. The long, stunning brass bar counter makes sure of that. The restaurant’s emphasis is on natural wines. Quite pricey for a Kallio District, but a stylish experience.
Harju 8
Harjutori 8, 00500 Helsinki
The super-popular Harju 8 hit a milestone in the Kallio restaurant scene. The place is usually always full. Including the gorgeous summer terrace. On a winter Thursday there was room for lunch. The wine list is tight, but of good quality and quite affordable. The food is excellent. The hollandaise is whipped in the kitchen and the salmon is cooked to perfection. The secret of its popularity is not to be wondered at. One of the best value-for-money places in Helsinki.
Wanha apteekki – Gamla apoteket
HELSINGINKATU 17, 00500 Helsinki
Spacious and cosy although the pharmacy atmosphere has been lost over time. In summer the terrace is nice and shady, from where you can watch the colorfull strollers on Helsinginkatu. The wine list is quite extensive but there are no great wine experiences on offer. On the other hand prices are very reasonable – especially for those who buy a whole bottle. Asian snacks are available. The Wanha apteekki is not a bad option for the budget-minded restaurant-goer.
The Bull & The Firm
Kulmavuorenkatu 2, 00500 Helsinki
From the outside, the restaurant is effectively hidden in the stone basement. When you open the door and descend the stairs, the atmosphere is like an updated Speakeasy from 100 years ago. A popular dinner spot, but the bar can also accommodate just for a drink. Very interesting wines from Europe available – several by the glass too. The restaurant calls itself a place for natural wines, but the De fermo, pecorino, chardonnay “L.A 2020” (abruzzo, italy) I tried was perfectly fine and delicious! (little natural wine humor). Pricey for a neiborhood, but there’s something special for the money.
WINE BARS AT VALLILA AND PASILA
Vallilan Varikko Terrace & Bar
Granholmin aukio 3, 00510 Helsinki
It seems that Berlin has dropped directly into Helsinki. This wine bar has that famous urban decadence. The wine list is short but thoughtfully composed. The prices are quite reasonable. According to the staff, the best pizzas in town are also served here. That’s saying a lot in today’s Helsinki. The business seems to be in the starting phase and this is something to follow with interest.
Burgers & wine
Mall of Tripla, Pasila, 00520 Helsinki
The restaurant / wine bar in Pasila’s Mall of Tripla serves what the name says. The interior is an unpretentious grey. A real 2020 design. The wine list includes more than just Zenato and Tommasi. Interesting wineries also available by the glass. Prices quite reasonable, hovering on either side of a tenner per glass (6/2022).
The Tower Wine & Craft Beer
Mall of Tripla, Pasila, 00520 Helsinki
The range per glass is fair. This is made possible by the Hi-Tech bottle cabinet, which allows you to siphon wine oxygen-free, and thus keep several bottles open. Pricing is quite polarized. Great value for money wine can be had for as little as €3-4 a glass. Premium champagnes can explode the bank. But definately something for everyone. A bit surprising and recommended destination for the wine lover.
Last Updated on December 1, 2022 by Flavorado
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