Helsinki, while being a progressive city in Finland, embodies many traditions from the Finnish culture. An essential part of that culture, like all destinations, is most certainly food. The cuisine is centered around fresh-caught seafood, as the Helsinki peninsula is perfectly extended into the ocean. Other local, seasonal ingredients add authenticity to every one of our favorite dishes. With everything mostly being healthy, a foodie trip to the city can be rewarding in more ways that one. We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite Helsinki foods, and where you can get them.
Salmon Soup
Cafe Roasberg has cultivated a delightful version of Finland’s beloved soup, a concoction of slightly creamy broth and tenderly moist cutlets of native salmon, seasoned gently with herbs and leeks. Potatoes add more substance, resulting in an altogether hearty dish for lunch or dinner. Sometimes in Helsinki, you will see the dish referred to as lohikeitto,
Blinis
Blinit Russian Restaurant is famed for, well, really amazing Russian food. These little pancakes, also referred to as Blinis, have become an essential part of the Helsinki food scene, in the same way that Asian food has infiltrated Atlanta’s Buford Highway or Italian food in New York. Thin, and topped with either savory or sweet ingredients, Blinis are often compared to the French crepe. From salmon and veggies to sweet Nutella, it’s a versatile treat.
Fried Herring
Herring joins salmon, as another beloved fish of Helsinki, that is incorporated into a wealth of entrees. Most predominantly, herring is lightly pickled to give it a nice kick, then is paired with vaguely sweet spring potatoes and fresh dill. However, Wellamo restaurant fries herring (similar to restaurants in Sweden) until it is just crisp enough, then accompanies the succulent dish with a hearty side of mashed potatoes, giving it a “fish and chips” vibe.
Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn is a highly nutritious, berry-like plant that grows abundantly in Finland. Its immense amount of vitamin C is just one of the powerhouse benefits of consuming it. The robust and earthy flavors of the oily orange beads can be intense solo, therefore it’s blended into drinks and other tasty dishes. Ravintola Aito adjusts its menu according to the season, so fresh harvested local berries, mushrooms, herbs, and of course, sea buckthorn, make it onto plates when available. Paired with roasted goose and brussels, melded into dreamy panna cotta or used to balance the sweetness of ice cream, the eatery knows how to make the best of this “must try” ingredient.
Reindeer
While in some places reindeer are perceived as magical beings that pull Santa’s sleigh, they are the main dish in Helsinki. So if you’re not vegetarian or vegan, it’s considered to be a delicacy. Restaurant Lappi elegantly incorporates this natural, sustainable game meat into upscale dishes. Subtly spiced sausage is presented with creamy potato fondant and winter veggies. Reindeer is a staple menu item that can be found throughout many restaurants in the city.
Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls are as essential to Finland as the hamburger is to the United States. Made with the same warm flavors in versions found around the globe, Finnish rolls typically look like two cinnamon roll tops smushed together, then are sprinkled with crispy pearl sugar. Roberts Coffee Jugend claims to have the best one in the whole world, along with robust coffee selections and velvety gelato. With a slight crunch on the exterior and a dreamily soft warm center, we can’t find any evidence that this isn’t true.
Rye Bread
In Finland, traditional rye bread can be seen hanging in bakeries, from the little hole that is left in the center of the round loaves. Rye bread has a nice edge to it, thanks to a slight sour hint. Dominating other breads, it’s much healthier and has quite a complex taste, whether paired with pea or salmon soup or topped with fish. Helsinki Old Market Hall has quite a selection, but the small bakery known as Helsinki Homemade is a quaint nook that prepares traditional rye on Thursdays.
Lingonberry Cocktail (or jam, pie, etc)
If you want to taste a little bit of everything that makes Helsinki’s food scene so amazing(smoked reindeer prosciutto, berry ice creams, wild boar tapas, squeaky cheese) give Kaarna a try. Here you can also try a variation of cocktails, featuring another health-boosting fruit of Finland—lingonberries. These tart little baby berries are reminiscent of cranberries, and add vibrancy to sparkling and overall lighter drinks.
Beer
Beer is kind of a big deal in Helsinki—craft breweries are not scarce, and stores stock locally made versions on their shelves. Sincerity and high standards have defined the Helsinki beer culture as superior, and at Bryggeri, folks can eat, drink and watch brewmasters do what they do best. While fresh batches are being whipped up in the copper kettles, guests enjoy not only pints but no fuss pub foods like salmon patties and potatoes.
Squeaky Cheese
Squeaky cheese is a mild baked variation served in a multitude of ways. Particular favored when served along with something sweet, it often is placed in a cup and doused with coffee, or topped with tasty cloudberry jam. You’ll also hear it being referred to as bread cheese, as it does kind of look like a piece of flatbread. Squeaky cheese definitely has reasoning behind its name, a reason that’s discovered once that first bite is taken.
Salmiakki
Even if you hate licorice jellybeans or Twizzlers, there is something about the Finnish version, known as salmiakki, that changes the taste buds. Locals really love their specialized type of licorice, which is in stores, incorporated into ice cream or desserts, and even available in nearly 100 types at a kiosk in Helsinki. Salmiakkikioski is a small little walk-up shop and is THE place to try the zingy candy. The owner is specialized in the stuff and serves up the very best quality available.
