Writer: Helena Bergström
Finnish food may not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a trip - but Finland has a lot to offer when it comes to food. In our neighbouring country, you can discover local delicacies, fresh produce from nature and unique drinks and sweets.
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ShareIn this guide, we take a look at what to eat in Finland - and list 20 classic Finnish dishes you won't want to miss. Plus: tips on drinks, local specialities and exciting dining experiences.
Table of contents
What do you eat in Finland? - a quick overview
In short, Finnish food is characterized by:
- Raw materials from nature: fish, game, mushrooms and berries
- Simplicity: clean flavours, few ingredients
- Season: big difference between summer and winter
- Eastern influences: especially from Karelia
We have travelled in Finland many times – partly on short weekends to Helsinki and Turku, but also on a several-month-long motorhome trip along the coast up to Tornio. There is a lot of exciting things to discover – not least when it comes to local delicacies, drinks and sweets. Feel free to add your experiences!
Typical Finnish food - 20 classic dishes
Here we list Finnish dishes that are interesting to try, including appetizers, desserts and sweets.
1. Lohikeitto (salmon soup)
Lohikeitto is a creamy salmon soup with potatoes, dill and carrot. Simple, rustic and simply delicious!
2. Poronkäristys (reindeer hoof)
This is a classic from northern Finland with reindeer meat, mashed potatoes and lingonberries. The dish is reminiscent of its Swedish counterpart, but is not creamy in the same way.
3. turnip greens (lanttulaatikko)
This is a traditional oven dish made from swedes, and is particularly common around Christmas.
4. Carrot box (porkkanalaatikko)
This box is similar to the turnip box but has a slightly sweeter flavour. This one is also common on the Christmas table.
5. liver box (maksalaatikko)
Another traditional ”box” in Finland is the liver box, which is often served with lingonberry jam.
6. pea soup (hernekeitto)
Finnish pea soup is similar to Swedish pea soup. We had a period, during our motorhome holiday in Finland, when we ate ready-made pea soup for lunch every day. And yes, we can attest that it is similar to the Swedish one!
7. Kalakukko
Kalakukko is a traditional dish from Eastern Finland - fish baked in bread. It may sound a bit strange, but this is a true classic.
8. rye bread (ruisleipä)
A dark, dense and sour rye bread - a staple in Finland.
9. Karelian pastries (karjalanpiirakka)
One of the most classic dishes in Finland - available on cruise ships and hotels alike. Thin rye shells filled with rice pudding, and served with egg butter. A real favourite that I always choose when there is an opportunity.
10. Egg butter (munavoi)
Egg butter is a creamy mixture of hard-boiled eggs and butter, usually served with Karelian pies, but also with Finnish rye bread. It's delicious!
11. Herring and gravlax
These delicious delicacies are familiar to us Swedes. On cruise ships travelling between Sweden and Finland, you can often feast on a wide range of herring and gravad/smoked salmon on the buffets.
12. Chanterelles and other mushrooms
Just like in Sweden, chanterelles and other mushrooms are a valued luxury. Many people pick them themselves in the forests, and the mushrooms can be used in many different dishes.
13th Lihapiirakka (meat pirogue)
Lihapiirakka is Finnish fast food - a deep-fried pie filled with meat and rice, often topped with sausages or eggs.
14. barbecue sausages (makkara)
Barbecue sausages are very common in Finland, especially at barbecue sites and in connection with saunas.
15. ”Finnish pigs” (possumunkki)
A kind of deep-fried doughnut that is slightly oblong and filled with apple sauce or other jam. We tried these in Jakobstad, together with Hartwall Jaffa - very tasty!
16. Korvapuusti (cinnamon bun)
A Finnish variant of the cinnamon bun - often with pearl sugar and a distinct cardamom flavour. Characterised by a slightly unusual folded shape.
17. pulla
A sweet wheat bread with cardamom - very common with coffee.
18. blueberry pie (mustikkapiirakka)
A classic Finnish dessert made with delicious blueberries from the forests. Recipes may vary.
19. memma
Memma is a traditional Finnish Easter dessert made from rye. This dessert is also commonly seen in Swedish grocery stores around Easter.
20. Salmiak
Liquorice with ammonium chloride - a flavour that really divides opinion. If you like salty liquorice you'll love it, otherwise... not. Finland is a real salmiak country!
Drinks in Finland
Drinks are an important part of food culture in Finland, of course.
- Lonkero: A classic long drink with gin and grapefruit - very popular.
- Coffee: Finns are among the biggest coffee drinkers in the world.
- Soft drinks: Lingonberry, blueberry and other Nordic flavours.
- Koskenkorva: One of the most famous Finnish spirits.
Local specialities and ingredients
Finland is all about local produce and regional flavours:
- Åland specialities: Known for apples and apple juice, but also Åland pancakes, lemonade and much more.
- Cloudberry: One of the most exclusive berries in the Nordic countries - used in desserts and ice cream.
- Tomatoes in Närpes: Cities Närpes is famous for its tomato orchards - and we've even tasted tomato ice cream here!
READ MORE: Food in Åland - 16 delicacies to try
Restaurants, market halls and other dining experiences in Finland
During our travels in Finland, we have also made some really memorable food stops, which we can highly recommend.
Turku market hall
Turku Market Hall is very popular, both with locals and tourists. Among other things, we can recommend the fish shop Herkkunuotta, where we have tried their speciality smoked pike mousse - very good!
We can also advise you on Piece of Cake and their popular and delicious piisbis doughnuts.
Restaurants in Finland
Of course, there are plenty of great and exciting restaurants around Finland. Here are some personal tips from us:
- Turku: Kaskis - One of Finland's most acclaimed restaurants, with one star in the Michelin Guide.
- Turku: Nooa - Fantastic environment at Aura Å and very delicious food.
- Turku: Tintå - Cosy place with gourmet pizzas and a large selection of wines.
- Åland Islands: 7 nice restaurants in Åland
Fazer visitor centre
Half an hour outside Helsinki, by car, is the Fazer Visitor Centre. Here you can book a guided tour of the exhibition, which is both interesting and enjoyable. On site, you'll find an activating exhibition, engaging stories and tasty Fazer products.
Food in different parts of Finland
The food varies depending on the region:
- Helsinki: Modern restaurants and international influences
- Karelia: Karelian pies and eastern flavours
- Lapland: Wild, clean and rustic food
- The archipelago: Fish and seafood
Our thoughts and tips on Finnish food
- Our favourites: We love Karelian pies with egg butter and cloudberry ice cream from Ingman.
- Consider: Some flavours (such as salmiak and memma) may not be suitable for everyone.
- Tips: Browse the local specialities and delicacies in the market halls!
More about food in other countries
Here you can find more stories about food in different countries:
- Norwegian food – 25 dishes to try
- Danish food – 22 Danish dishes
- Icelandic food - 17 Icelandic specialities
- Swedish food - 25 classic dishes
- Estonian food – 17 Estonian dishes
Frequently asked questions about Finnish food
What is Finland's national dish?
Karelian pies are often mentioned as a symbolic dish.
Is Finnish food similar to Swedish?
Yes, but with distinct traditions and influences from the East.
What do you eat for breakfast in Finland?
Bread, cold cuts, porridge and coffee are common.
English (UK) 
Svenska
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
Oh my god.
My children's father has Finnish ancestry. I learnt to cook various boxes, remember how I stood and howled when cooking liver boxes... Like leavened blood type.
I was heavily pregnant... the husband came home with a surprise, it was two rabbit balls and a box of memmi that I do not eat. I took the bag and threw it out haha,
But my former mother-in-law's pigs were divine.
14 April 2026 - 6:37
Aboro says:
Wow! You got everything!!!
The liver box is a typical watershed - some love it, others can't even stand to hear the name, Most people don't cook their own liver box but buy industrially prepared boxes. In my opinion, it is best fried in butter and with lots of lingonberry jam. I eat it maybe 4 times a year.
Karelian pasties are Finnish ”fast food”, sold in all supermarkets.
Memma is so good! If you like sweet, dark loaf, this is the same thing but in a looser form. Nothing to be afraid of. Eat with unwhipped cold whipped cream poured over and maybe a spoonful of sugar. Yum!!!
14 April 2026 - 14:59
Helena says:
Many thanks for your comment! It means a lot that someone who is ”at home” with the kitchen says so! None of us have Finnish ancestry, but I was involved in the Nordic Association for a long time and we have travelled countless times in Finland and been to many different kinds of Finnish events - love our eastern neighbour! 🙂
14 April 2026 - 19:43
Helena says:
I understand that some of the dishes can evoke different types of memories! 😉
14 April 2026 - 19:40
BP says:
I've actually eaten the turnip box several times, as my local ICA has started to have it, carrot and liver box for Christmas in recent years. I don't like carrots, and I only eat liver in ”liver anglais” format, but the turnip box is really good.
Then I like egg butter which I make myself sometimes.
I'm really curious about fish baked in bread. That dish was completely new to me.
I like your food posts from different countries:-)
14 April 2026 - 20:12
Helena says:
Glad you can find the boxes at your local retailer! I've tried the buffet on some occasion, maybe with the Nordic Association, it was a while ago... Glad you like the food posts! They're fun to write! 🙂
April 24, 2026 - 10:30
Jag says:
Wow, I ended up on the right post. I was born in Finland and grew up in northern Sweden with traditional Finnish food. Karelian pies we have just taught another grandchild to bake to carry on the tradition, the bought ones are not approved, too soft.. With them everyone eats egg butter. I make rutabaga for myself at Christmas and no one else eats it, it is heavenly good. Unfortunately, we have not learnt to bake my mother's rye bread which we ate daily. We didn't have liver pies, but Karjalan paisti, which isn't on your list, is a favourite, baked meat in a casserole with different kinds of meat and carrots... The blueberry pie wasn't a pie but made from wheat dough, my mother made a whole plate. Memma, so good. Fish stew or turnip stew, so good! And the slaps were baked very often, cut into that special shape. Among the drinks, I miss Sima which was drunk with the food or also home-made weak drink, always found in Finnish homes in the past. Now I got hungry! Thanks for the lovely post!
14 April 2026 - 22:28
Helena says:
So fun to read about your experiences and your reflections! I think everything tastes better when it's homemade. I've tried the boxes on some occasion, at a buffet, but it's been quite a while. Sima would have fit into the list too, of course! I might have to add something 🙂 Thanks for your comment!!
April 24, 2026 - 10:33
Jag says:
Missed comment?
April 24, 2026 - 9:56
Helena says:
Hi! Many thanks for your comment, which I read with great interest! But I wasn't home at the time, and so I forgot to reply... Interesting to hear about your experiences with the food in Finland!!
April 24, 2026 - 10:34