Directory

Helsinki Distilling Company was founded in 2014 by friends and whiskey enthusiasts Kai Kilpinen and Mikko Mykkänen. It became the city’s first distillery in over a century, based in Teurastamo, Helsinki’s old abattoir district. Their range includes gin, local aquavit, applejack from Finnish apples, “lonkero,” and rye and single malt whiskey. The team works with circular-economy projects, turning spent mash into biogas, while their Tahko distillery focuses on organic production and local ingredients.

Tukkutorin Kala, in Helsinki, is a fishmonger, café-restaurant, and wholesale seller founded in 2016 by fish expert Karl “Kala-Kalle” Huttunen. Most of their products come from local Finnish fishermen, with a few carefully selected items from overseas. They offer a wide range of fresh fish, shellfish, roe, and cured or smoked products, with their own smoker fed with alder. The café is open to anyone for a coffee, lunch, or a blini.

Vakka-Taimi is a specialist seedling grower run by Vesa Muurinen. What began as a small hobby nursery has grown into a wide-ranging collection of trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials. Alongside their core nursery work, Vakka-Taimi is actively trialling nut-producing species to see how they perform in the Finnish climate. Testing and observation are a central part of their work. The Muurila gardens, first planted in the early 1990s, now host more than 80 species and are open to visitors. Throughout the year, the garden holds seasonal events such as magnolia, rose and peony days, sharing knowledge and encouraging curiosity around plants that might shape future growing in Finland.

Vihreän Oksan Verstas is a horticulture and farming education programme for young people aged 16–29, based at the Kumpula Education Garden. Working in partnership with the City of Helsinki, they offer rehabilitative work opportunities for those interested in gardening or looking for a next step. Alongside the programme, they grow and sell vegetables, herbs, and flowers, as well as plants, jams, and other house-made products.