The sweet smell of coffee

Have you been wondering what this sweet smell in the streets of Helsinki during the last days was?

It is the smell of roasted coffee. The Kulta Katriina coffee is roasted pretty close to the center in their roasting facility near Pasila. Depending on the wind the smell is carried pretty far and can even still be smelled a few kilometers away.

That's pretty good advertisement actually for their coffee, I would say.

Long days ahead

The days are getting longer and longer now. Did you notice thought that now for already one week the days are again longer than the night?

And there is a whole spring and summer still ahead of us. Enjoy the sunshine!

A bakery with tradition

Kanniston Leipomo at Lasipalatsi is one of the oldest bakeries in Helsinki. And no doubt also one of the best. This year they celebrate their 100th anniversary. Kannisto has several locations throughout the city. The most central one is the one at Lasipalatsi. It is very easily overlooked since the place is really small. But it's really worth a visit.

Kannisto has lots of good bread. But of course also really delicious pastry. If you are lucky you can catch one of the two small tables at the window and enjoy your sweet treat there together with a cup of really good coffee.

Kanniston Leipomo is a real gem and popular among locals. Give it a try!

Vin Vin's Jazz Hug

You are a fan of Jazz? And of good wine? Then today is your day. The Vin Vin bar in the center of Helsinki has it's monthly Jazz Hug gig tonight.

Manuel Dunkel (sax) and Antti Lötjönen (bass) will be jamming tonight and will get you into the weekend mood. Enjoy a glass of excellent red or white wine and lean back in one of the big arm chairs or sofas while enjoying the music. The entrance is of course for free.

Have a great and relaxed weekend!

Helsinki Music Marathon

The Helsinki Music Marathon starts today. It is one of the first music festivals of the year in Helsinki. And the best thing is that it's absolutely free. On stages in six different bars and pubs around town dozens bands will perform for three days (until Saturday).

The gigs take place at Henry's Pub, Bar Loose, Base Bar, Hard Rock Café, Le Bonk and Pub Adjutantti. To see the whole program and find out who performs where and when check out the timetable from the official website.

Enjoy!

Bus on demand till the night hours

You might have seen them, read about them here or maybe used them yourself already. The KutsuPlus mini buses from HSL get you exactly where you need to go for very reasonable rates. Now the service got even better through extended operating hours.

KutsuPlus is the perfect alternative to taking a taxi. And now they even operate late. Till 23.00 you can use the KutsuPlus service all over Helsinki and the capital area. 

Find out more about the bus on demand service from the KutsuPlus website and subscribe now. It's a really great service.

Find your inner Finn!

What would you be called if you were a Finn? The Finngenerator from VisitFinland.com can tell you.

Finngenerator by visitfinland.com

Just type in your name and let them know if you are male or female and you will find out. The web app that is going viral at the moment also tells you what your Finnish name means.

Try it out and share the result with your friends on Facebook or Twitter. You can also download it as a picture in case you were planning on putting it up on the wall.

Starbucks in Helsinki

Now I also finally made it to the new Starbucks in the center of Helsinki. Many Finns have waited for the opening of this place for a long time. Now Starbucks coffee can be bough right in the center of Helsinki at Akateeminen. And even tough the café already opened several weeks ago you still have to wait in line for quite a while for your coffee. At least during the weekend. The place is especially popular among teenagers.

And no doubt Starbucks Helsinki is a really nice place with lots of seat at the big glass windows in one of the best locations in town. It is cozy with the well known Starbucks style you know from other places around the world. And of course the selection is also pretty much the same as anywhere else. Prices might be slightly higher than what you are used to through.

All together it's a nice place to go to. If you are planning on going try it during the week and avoid the weekends. At least for the next couple of months. Before waiting in line for half an hour or more rather support one of the local businesses such as La Torrefazzione and get an even better coffee with way less of a hustle.

Lantern Men overlooking the city again

After their long absence it's good to see the Lantern Men back on their posts.

During beautiful spring weather their are overlooking the city again.

Have a nice weekend!

Streat Helsinki

Today it's all about street food in Helsinki. During Streat Helsinki you find lots of amazing food stands around the city from all over the world.

Maybe you want to go for some hearty am American burgers or sandwiches, maybe it should rather be some sweet French crêpes and savoury galettes or maybe some street food from Cape Town. All those things and more can be found today at Torikorttelit next to Senate Square and at Teurastamo.

Check it out  and enjoy!