The Ruoholahti shopping center is located right next to the Cable Factory. It provides, among other things, a large supermarket, a pharmacy, and several restaurants. Along the same street, between the metro station and the shopping center, there are also many fast food places and some pricier restaurants. Look around and see what you find.
The Cable Factory also has its own restaurant, Hima&Sali, which provides soup and salad lunches and snacks from the cafe. It also serves alcohol. The Saturday evening party (for those over 18) takes place here.
It is easy to get from the Cable Factory to the city center, which provides a wealth of eating and drinking options. The metro ride to the center takes a few minutes. You can get off either at Kamppi or at the Railway Station. To return, take the line going west. Information on public transport is provided under Getting there. Travelling by tram is more of an experience, but also takes a while longer – and you also have to change trams to get to the city center.
Restaurants for student budgets can be found, for example, at the Forum and Fennia shopping centers. Forum is located right at the city center. To get to Fennia, get off the metro at the Railway Station and cross the Railway Square. The Kamppi shopping center, located above the metro station by the same name, offers plenty of restaurants, also for more expensive tastes.
A must-visit watering hole for every science fiction fan is St. Urho’s pub, where the greater Helsinki fandom meets every other Thursday. St. Urho’s is known for the best pizza in Helsinki, and the classy
Manala restaurant is located right next door. You can find your way by heading towards the National Museum.