• UniCafe Kaivopiha

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  • White Veg-options
Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
International
Buffet
European
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. A student restaurant on Helsinki University campus. Has warm vegan lunch (including salad, bread, spread and soy milk) everyday, salad buffet and tofu sandwich as a cold options. Student discount with Finnish student card. On the web page you can check the option of the day. Open Mon-Fri 10:30-19:00, Sat 11:30-17:00. Closed Sun.


Venue map for UniCafe Kaivopiha
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15 Reviews

First Review by luvs2travel

Anne000

Points +452

Vegan
02 Nov 2022

Excellent

So good when its not too busy or crowded. Always has some vegan options. Awesome location in the centre

Updated from previous review on 2022-11-02

leiremontoya_

Points +644

Vegetarian
09 Feb 2022

Best place ever!!!

Ate a whole vegan menu (rice with vegan sauce, salad, bread with hummus) for only 2,60!! This price is only suitable for the ones with the student card from any college.

Pros: So cheap, Tasty

siderealfire

Points +2353

Vegan
23 Oct 2020

Wide choice and nice place

The place is really nice, they always have more than one vegan choice + all the different sides. Prices are very cheap if you are a student and food quality is pretty good as well

KaisaOrgusaar

Points +467

Non Veg
28 Jul 2020

Fair food

It is a perfect place when you are looking for a budget meal (ca 3-5 €). There were two main vegan options, portion was huge and service friendly. The place has a feeling of scool canteen, which it probably was, but the corner with plants was cozy.

Pros: Very cheap, Large portions, Friendly service

Patatine

Points +2649

Vegan
01 Mar 2020

Good

They always have a vegan option. For cheap student food it’s good food for a good price

Pros: Good, Cheap, Central

Clara893

Points +308

Vegan
26 Oct 2019

Good student Cafeteria

Kaivopiha is part of a chain of UniCafés across Helsinki. There is always at least one vegan and one vegetarian option as far as I have experienced. They also offer meat, however there will no longer be beef on the menu starting from 2020, yay. Usually the quality of the food is satisfying. As a student (with student ID) a meal costs 2,60€ and includes a main dish, potatoes and or rice, as well as different salads, bread and spreads. I quite enjoy their Hummus and the garlic oil. Can recommend it as a cheap place to eat where you won't leave hungry!

Pros: Vegan options , Salad bar , Affordable

Cons: Cafeteria atmosphere, not restaurant

Sakuru

Points +665

Vegan
14 Oct 2019

Basic food for students

Probably the busiest Unicafe in town, Ylioppilasaukio or Kaivopiha as it is nowadays called, manages to be quite functional especially now after renovation. It is good that there is always the salad bar option with tofu or pulled oats, if you don't fancy the warm dishes. The central location and late opening hours take me here from time to time even if I usually prefer a little more peace and quiet.

Pros: Cheap for students, Salad bar option, Location

Cons: Noisy and sometimes a little messy

MargueriteBeattie

Points +134

Vegan
16 May 2017

Student Restaurant but anyone can eat there

There are many unicafes throughout Finland. They always have at least a vegetarian option, and the bigger ones always have a vegan option. The food is cheap especially for students. They also have fair trade coffee, hot chocolate, and teas. They also take nutrition into account when planning the meals.

Updated from previous review on 2017-05-16

Pros: Cheap, Nutritious, Ethical

Cons: Quality could be better

Doro*

Points +507

Vegan
22 Jan 2017

depends on which unicafe you go

when it comes to the quality of food at unicafe, I'd say it really depends on which unicafe you go to.
I'd say at all of them you'll get decent food, usually one vegan dish per day, but don't expect too much. however, there are some that offer an additional salad bar, where you can fill a big bowl with different veggies and take a glass of tofu or seitan with it. those are for instance the main unicafe in the center or then one called "olivia" close to hakaniemi.
in any case there are many different unicafes all over the city and I'd recommend checking the unicafe page to see where what is served (including the opening hours) :)

Pros: at least one vegan option, cheapish, can be actu

Cons: quality and taste experience depends on where you

MarttaKinnunen

Points +63

Vegan
12 Jul 2016

Always vegan option

Very cheap and food is okay if u think price. They also have self made hummus or other paste for bread. Lunch 2,6€ and coffee 0,90€. They also have sometimes cake etc. what is vegan. If I dont have lots a money and Im in hurry I always go hear. Food is very basic, no fast food like many other veggie restaurants.

This is much better than Fazer amica!!!!

Pros: Cheap, Vegan option always, atmosphere is nice

Cons: Too much people

Heike.St

Points +1109

Vegan
20 Apr 2015

Cheap but not that exceptional

If you are a student in Helsinki you can eat at Unicafé quite cheap. Just 2,60€ for main dish, salad, bread and drink.
There are several "restaurants" where you can get the food provided by Unicafé, also in Espoo and Vantaa. Check out the website www.unicafe.fi to get the daily menu in the single locations.
If you like legumes, that this is the right choice for you. But if you expect that the dish called "vegetable temptation" is full of temptation, you will be disappointed. Proper food to stuff yourself, but nothing for gourmets.

VegTim

Points +260

Vegan
28 Oct 2012

Casual food for good price, serves everyone

Not only students but also the big public can go there and eat. You can check the daily menu's online and choose from many locations. Vegan options are clearly marked and available in many of their outlets. You can have a nice peek into Finnish student life and see how they are pampered compared to many other countries. Not junk food but healthy casual food for good price.
You order the portion from the counter and pay for it. After that you can take as much salad and bread as you want. There are also vegan spreads available.
They serve you in English as well.

Pros: daily menu's online , many locations , good prices

Cons: no gourmet options

jarik

Points +67

Vegan
28 Aug 2012

If you like "industrial" food

Cheap price, for students real cheap and for others little cheaper than normal, but not really proper restaurant. If food is just energy go here, if you want to enjoy your food go some other place.

Pros: cheap

Cons: industrial food

Cara Cara

Points +92

Vegetarian
25 Oct 2009

More on unicafe

Note they also label what is vegan and there are many throughout Helsinki.

Good food, easy on the budget.

Cara Cara

25 Oct 2009

OH - and if you are having trouble finding one you can check on this website for locations http://www.unicafe.fi/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=95&Itemid=81 they are near/in the university buildings.

luvs2travel

Points +46

Vegetarian
22 Jul 2009

A good value in an expensive city

We ate lunch only once here. We had the vegan tofu and vegetable casserole, and it was really good. The place has a cafeteria-style set up and appeals to lots of college students. You have to bus your own dishes when done. Even though Helsinki is rather compact, if you have trouble finding Unicafe on a map of the city, ask one of the many tourist helpers for assistance.

Pros: great food, good value

Cons: limited hours, can be hard to find




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