By now you are probably aware of the Finnish alcohol selling system. Everything that has more than…read more4.7 % of alcohol can't be sold at normal supermarkets but has to be sold at the state owned liquor stores called Alko. Unfortunately that breaks down the variety of things you can buy to what Alko has in their assortment. Still they normally have quite a lot of good products in most Alko stores. If you are searching for something special though and want to have a bigger variety and get some good suggestions what would go best with your food e.g. you should check out Alko at Paasikivenaukio right across from Kiasma. It is the biggest Alko in whole Helsinki and has a really big variety of all kinds of alcoholic drinks. The prices don't differ from any other market since they are regulated through the state. It is expensive anyway. This place like any other Alko in Finland is closed on Sundays.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff that gave us great wine recommendations as well as great…read morevegan/vegetarian restaurant recommendations. Sadly, since we were traveling in August, all of the restauranteurs were on vacation. After grabbing a couple of bottles of vino here we hit the supermarkets instead.

This liquor store is on another level! It's a great size, extremely clean, and so well organized…read more The selection is incredible, with alcohol from all over the world beautifully displayed. There's even a section for non-alcoholic options. The woman working there was absolutely the nicest and sweetest--so helpful and kind. The only downside was that they didn't have blueberry vodka which was a bit of a bummer. But wow--if you're looking for something, you will definitely find it here. I was amazed to see a wine I drink in the United States stocked on their shelves. Truly impressive liquor store. CC accepted.

We were very cold and wet from a nasty weather day and wanted to try something warm. Also wanted…read moresomething local to Helsinki as well and Yelp said this one would satisfy our taste buds. Not a single tourist in site, everyone speaking Finnish so we knew this was the perfect spot. Had only 30 minutes before lunch ended so we ate quick and snapped as many pictures as I could. Very interesting salads with unique dressings, most them couldn't tell what in the world made them taste so good. Helsinki proved to be awesome and to not copy Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Finland borders Russia on the East side which might be why their foods are so different and yet so delectable. Would be better to visit when the weather is warmer with some sunshine. For sure would return to this place as it was superb!

Love the unpretentious lunch hidden in the street corners of Helsinki city centre here. You kind of…read morehave to look for a place as it doesnt have street front...just a sign they put outside to say they are open...and you kind of have to brave yourself to step in a small corner inside the streets to actually get to the restaurant. There are all types of clienteles here and you pay right when you arrive, get your plate, grab your food from the buffet line and seat whereever the table is free. Pretty casual and stress free...and the staff there do run like a well-oiled machine. They clear thr empty plates and clean the tables, and refill the food in tje buffet line as much as they can. The buffet line has a section for vegetarian and regular hot meal food. There's also a separate corner to grab your own tea/coffee as you wish, too. For ~€12 and quality all you can eat lunch...this is a very very good deal! I did try everything from the buffet line and they all tasted fresh! I had 2 full plates and a cup of tea..and didn't feel bloated after eating so much afterwards at all. If I had time to come back to Helsinki again, I would definitely want to have lunch here again. I debated goinf back there again my last day in Helsinki but unfortunately didn't have enough time to go back there...else I would be back there again! Give yourself and your friends a nice casual lunch when you are in Helsinki and you will be happy to stopped by for sure!