Finnish Food: 12 Traditional Foods You Have to Try in Finland

When you think about Finland, food might not be the first thing that comes to mind.

Finland is better known for its endless forests and lakes, saunas, snowy landscapes, reindeer and, of course, the Northern Lights. But food is actually a wonderful part of experiencing Finland. During our family trip, we discovered that Finnish cuisine is closely connected to nature and the seasons, with plenty of fish, rye, potatoes, berries and, in Lapland, reindeer.

But eating in Finland isn’t always about sitting down in a restaurant. Some of our favourite food memories happened in a little wilderness hut after an excursion, around a campfire with the kids, or underneath a glass roof while we waited hopefully for the Northern Lights.

So, what should you eat in Finland?

Here are 12 traditional Finnish foods and flavours you shouldn’t miss, followed by some of our favourite food experiences from Finnish Lapland.

1. Lohikeitto – Finnish Salmon Soup

Let’s start with one of the most comforting Finnish dishes: lohikeitto, or Finnish salmon soup.

This creamy soup combines salmon with potatoes, carrots, leek and dill. It’s simple, hearty and exactly the kind of food you want after spending a few hours outside in the cold.

When you’re travelling with children, it’s also one of those Finnish dishes that is relatively easy to introduce to the whole family.

And if you’re heading to Lapland in winter, put lohikeitto on your list. After a day in the snow, a bowl of steaming hot salmon soup tastes even better.

2. Poronkäristys – Sautéed Reindeer

Of course, we can’t talk about Finnish food without talking about reindeer.

Poronkäristys is one of the most traditional dishes associated with Finnish Lapland. Thinly sliced reindeer is sautéed and traditionally served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries.

Yes, reindeer are a much-loved part of the Lapland landscape, but they are also part of the local food culture.

We tried reindeer several times during our trip, in very different forms. And actually, that became one of the fun things about eating in Lapland: discovering just how many ways there are to prepare it.

If you’re travelling to Lapland with kids, you don’t necessarily have to start with a full plate of sautéed reindeer. There are plenty of more approachable ways to give it a try.

We found one of them at a reindeer farm.

Reindeer Sandwiches in a Wilderness Hut

When you’re out on an excursion in Lapland, you’ll often find small huts where you can warm yourself by the fire, have a hot drink and grab something to eat.

After spending hours outside in the cold, these little huts feel like the perfect reward. Whether you’ve been out on a husky safari through the snow, visiting a reindeer farm or simply exploring the Arctic landscape, these cosy stops are part of the experience.

And believe me, knowing what to pack for Lapland makes a huge difference when you’re spending so much time outside. We quickly learned that staying warm is essential, especially when you’re travelling with children. Our complete Lapland packing list covers everything we recommend taking for a winter adventure.

During a visit to one of the reindeer farms, we stopped at one of these cosy huts and found something that felt almost too appropriate for Lapland: reindeer sandwiches.

And yes, you guessed it… the sandwiches were topped with reindeer.

Evelijn went for it without hesitation. Dad and Uncle Peter were also very happy with their choice. Apparently, a day outside in the Arctic makes everyone a little more adventurous when it comes to food!

These simple food stops can also be a smart choice if you’re trying to keep the cost of your trip under control. You don’t have to eat in a restaurant for every meal. If you’re looking for more ways to experience Finnish Lapland on a budget, we’ve put together a complete guide with tips for saving money without missing out on the magic.

3. Karjalanpiirakka – Karelian Pies

Another Finnish classic is karjalanpiirakka, or Karelian pie.

These small savoury pastries have a thin rye crust and are traditionally filled with rice porridge and served with egg butter.

They may look simple, but that’s actually very typical of Finnish cuisine. The emphasis is on a few good ingredients rather than lots of seasoning.

You’ll find Karelian pies in bakeries, cafés and supermarkets throughout Finland, making them an easy snack to try while you’re travelling.

4. Ruisleipä – Finnish Rye Bread

Finnish rye bread, or ruisleipä, is another staple of Finnish cuisine.

Dark, dense and slightly sour, rye bread is an everyday part of Finnish food culture and is often served with butter, cheese, fish or other toppings.

If you’re Dutch, you’re probably no stranger to good bread. But Finnish rye bread has a character all of its own.

It’s also a good reminder that Finnish food isn’t necessarily complicated. Sometimes the most traditional foods are the simplest ones.

5. Korvapuusti – Finnish Cinnamon Rolls

Now for something the kids are much more likely to get excited about: korvapuusti, the Finnish cinnamon roll.

These soft, spiced pastries are perfect with a cup of coffee and make a lovely treat after a morning of sightseeing.

Finnish coffee culture is an important part of everyday life, and sweet buns are often enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee.

So whenever you see korvapuusti on a café menu, you know what to do.

Order one.

Preferably more than one.

6. Leipäjuusto – Finnish Squeaky Cheese

Another Finnish speciality worth trying is leipäjuusto, sometimes called Finnish squeaky cheese.

And yes, it really does squeak when you chew it.

This mild cheese is often served warm and paired with cloudberry jam, creating a lovely combination of salty, creamy and sweet flavours.

Cloudberries are particularly associated with northern Finland and Lapland, making this a great example of how local ingredients come together in Finnish cuisine.

7. Cloudberries and Lingonberries

Berries are a huge part of Finnish food culture.

You’ll find cloudberries, lingonberries and bilberries in everything from jams and desserts to sauces served alongside savoury dishes.

Lingonberries are particularly good with reindeer. Their sharp, slightly sour flavour balances the richness of the meat perfectly.

Cloudberries, meanwhile, are one of those northern ingredients that immediately make you think of Lapland.

And if you’re travelling with children, berry picking can be a fun part of the trip in its own right.

8. Mustikkapiirakka – Finnish Bilberry Pie

If you have a sweet tooth, don’t leave Finland without trying mustikkapiirakka, the Finnish bilberry pie.

You may see it translated as blueberry pie, but Finnish bilberries are actually different from the large cultivated blueberries you may be used to. They are smaller, darker and very juicy.

The result is a delicious, slightly tart pie that makes the perfect dessert or coffee-time treat.

And let’s be honest: this is another Finnish food that is much easier to sell to children than reindeer!

9. Muikku – Fried Vendace

Finland has more than 180,000 lakes, so it should come as no surprise that fish plays an important role in Finnish cuisine.

Muikku, or vendace, is a small freshwater fish that is often lightly floured and fried until crispy.

If you’re travelling beyond Lapland, keep an eye out for local fish dishes. They are a delicious way to experience Finland’s connection with its lakes and waterways.

10. Salmiakki – Finnish Salty Licorice

And then there is salmiakki.

If you’re Dutch, you might think you already know your way around salty liquorice.

Finland may still manage to surprise you.

Finnish salty liquorice is definitely an acquired taste. Some people absolutely love it. Others take one bite and immediately wonder what just happened.

We think it’s worth trying at least once.

After all, food is part of travelling, and sometimes the most memorable things are the ones you don’t immediately understand!

11. New Potatoes with Butter and Dill

Sometimes Finnish food is at its best when it is incredibly simple.

New potatoes with butter and fresh dill are a classic Finnish combination, particularly during the summer months.

And potatoes actually appear throughout Finnish cuisine.

You’ll find them alongside reindeer, in salmon soup and as part of traditional Lappish buffets.

There is something very Finnish about taking a few good ingredients and letting them speak for themselves.

12. Mämmi – Traditional Finnish Easter Dessert

Finally, something a little more unusual: mämmi.

This traditional Finnish Easter dessert is made from rye flour and malt and has a very dark appearance. It is usually served cold, often with milk or cream and sugar.

It may not look like the most tempting dessert you’ve ever seen, but mämmi has a long history in Finnish food culture.

And when travelling, we always think it’s worth trying something you simply can’t find everywhere else.

Our Favourite Food Experiences in Finnish Lapland

The 12 foods above are a great introduction to Finnish cuisine, but some of our favourite food memories from Finland weren’t traditional dishes at all.

They were the moments when food became part of the adventure.

Dinner in a Traditional Lappish Hut at Restaurant Kammi

One of our most memorable meals in Levi was at Restaurant Kammi.

This is definitely not your average restaurant.

Kammi is a traditional-style Lappish hut, with a cosy interior and an open fire at the centre. As soon as you walk inside, it feels incredibly different from a regular restaurant.

And then there’s the food.

We had a traditional buffet with all kinds of Lappish dishes. There was salmon, potatoes and, of course, reindeer prepared in different ways.

And the best part? It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.

That meant everyone could try a little bit of everything and simply go back for more of their favourites.

For us, the setting was just as memorable as the food. Sitting around the fire, trying traditional dishes and eating inside this cosy hut made the evening feel like much more than simply going out for dinner.

It felt like Lapland.

And after all the reindeer we’d already encountered during our trip, it somehow seemed only fitting that we should eat plenty of it too.

Marshmallows by the Fire at Arcandia

Not every food memory from Lapland involved traditional Finnish dishes.

At Arcandia near Levi, we found another very simple way to warm up after being outside in the cold: marshmallows roasted over an open fire.

We stood around the fire, warming our hands while the marshmallows slowly turned golden and gooey.

And of course, the kids were thrilled.

Sometimes it really is the simplest things that become favourite travel memories. After spending hours outside in the freezing Finnish winter, a warm, sticky marshmallow straight from the fire tasted absolutely delicious.

And let’s be honest: you don’t need to convince children to try Finnish food when marshmallows are involved!

This was just one of the many experiences we packed into our trip. If you’re trying to work out how to combine all the different things you want to do in Lapland, our Lapland Itinerary gives you a good starting point.

Christmas Dinner Under a Glass Dome

One of our most memorable food experiences in Finland was actually on Christmas Day.

We had dinner at Restaurant Utsu, near Levi, where we were seated beneath a glass roof surrounded by the snowy Finnish landscape.

The idea was magical: enjoy Christmas dinner while hopefully watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky above us.

That evening, the sky had other plans.

Unfortunately, the Northern Lights never showed up.

But perhaps that’s part of the magic of Lapland. You simply can’t plan the Aurora. You can check the forecast, find the perfect location and wrap yourself in every warm layer you packed — and still end up staring at a completely dark sky.

We’ve had plenty of other opportunities to chase the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland, and the hunt itself became an adventure.

So although we didn’t get our Christmas dinner beneath the Aurora, sitting inside that glass dome on Christmas Day, surrounded by snow and darkness, was still incredibly special.

And who knows? Maybe next time we’ll get lucky.

What Did Our Kids Think of Finnish Food?

One of the things we noticed during our trip is that Finnish food is actually quite family-friendly.

There are plenty of familiar ingredients: potatoes, bread, salmon, berries and sweet treats. But there are also lots of opportunities to try something completely new.

And our family certainly didn’t agree on everything.

Evelijn was surprisingly enthusiastic about the reindeer sandwich. Dad and Uncle Peter were also very happy with it.

At Restaurant Kammi, everyone could choose from the buffet and try different traditional dishes without committing to one particular meal.

And then there were the marshmallows at Arcandia…

Let’s just say those were a unanimous success.

If you’re planning a winter trip with children, don’t feel that every meal needs to be a big traditional Finnish experience. Sometimes the best family food memories are simply about warming up together after being outside.

That was certainly the case for us.

Food Is Part of the Lapland Experience

Looking back at our trip, some of our favourite food memories are also some of our favourite Lapland memories.

A reindeer sandwich in a warm wilderness hut after a morning outside.

A huge traditional buffet around an open fire at Restaurant Kammi.

Sticky marshmallows with the kids at Arcandia.

And Christmas dinner beneath a glass roof, hoping that the Northern Lights would suddenly appear above us.

That’s what makes food in Finland so interesting.

It’s not just about what is on your plate. It’s about the landscape, the seasons, the people and the experience around it.

And that’s something we noticed throughout our time in Lapland. Whether we were skiing, exploring, meeting reindeer or simply warming up after being outside, food always seemed to become part of the adventure.

Planning a Trip to Finland?

Food is just one part of the Finnish experience. From meeting Santa in Rovaniemi and exploring Lapland with kids to skiing, meeting reindeer and chasing the Northern Lights, there is so much to experience.

If you’re planning your own family adventure, start with our [Finland Travel Guide] for inspiration, practical tips and ideas for your itinerary.

And if you’d rather not spend hours figuring out the perfect route, accommodation and activities yourself, let me help you plan your trip.

I’ll help you create a Finland itinerary that fits your family, your travel style and the time you have — so you can spend less time planning and more time looking forward to your adventure.