Restaurants in Finland
If you get a chance, you should try some of the delicious berries, traditionally gathered from the forests in autumn by Finnish families!
This Finland restaurant guide gives a brief indication of what the traditional cuisine of Finland is, as well as what you are likely to encounter in everyday life. You could also check out the dining scene in Helsinki. Don't forget to have a look at our Finland shopping guide too, for great ideas on gifts, souvenirs and shopping options in Finland.
Food & Cuisine in Finland
As mentioned previously, the Finnish cuisine is quite healthy, and there is a large reliance on ingredients such as barley, oats and rye, as well as on berries such as blueberries, cloudberries, lingonberries and sea buckthorn. Potatoes are also quite common in Finnish cooking. Visitors will find that the cuisine combines the traditional fare with modern ingredients and cooking methods, creating dishes with various spices from the West and the East. Due to the extreme climate changes in Finland, many dishes are created using seasonal fruits and vegetables, ensuring changing menus throughout the year.
Meat, fish and mushrooms also play a large part in the traditional cuisine of Finland, and will vary depending upon which part of the country you visit. Modern portions are generally not as heavy as the traditional meals, and the influence of European and American cuisine has meant that most dishes will also contain a number of different vegetables as well as the staples. Some examples of traditional Finnish dishes include cabbage rolls, smoked fish, Hernekeitto (peasoup) and Lihapullat (Finnish meatballs).
For the visitor to Finland, however, most meals will resemble those popular throughout most of Europe. Dishes such as hamburgers, pizza, salads and pasta are extremely popular, and foreign cuisines such as Chinese, Thai and Indian are also in plentiful supply. To get more traditional meals, getting outside the major tourist destinations is probably your best option, or else you could try asking at your local accommodation provider for a nearby restaurant that offers some traditional Finnish fare.
