Local cuisine

Finnish cuisine is based on fresh ingredients, which vary according to season. You’ll find berries, mushrooms, vegetables and many types of fish on local menus. In addition to the freshness of its ingredients, the country’s cuisine is characterised by simplicity and pureness of taste. Influences from both Sweden and Russia are evident.

Some of the better restaurants in Helsinki have the country’s finest game on their menus, including grouse, hare, pheasant and reindeer, often accompanied by sauces created from wild mushrooms and compotes made from a selection of wild berries.

Local specialties include interesting items such as hiililla paistetut silakat (grilled herring), lihapullat (meatballs), poronkaristys (sauteed reindeer meat) and ijuusto (crispy baked cheese). A local smorgasbord, known as seisova poyta, consists of both cold and hot buffets, served at any time of the day.

This is particularly popular on the many cruises that are on offer throughout the area. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be able to eat a large enough breakfast at your hotel’s smorgasbord that you’ll likely only need a snack for lunch.