Helsinki is a marvelous city shining brightly between the Baltic’s bays and islands. As soon as you arrive, you’ll be mesmerized by its architecture and landscapes, and you’ll soon notice that if there’s one thing that Helsinki is famous for, it's the innovative design that you can see all over the city. Although we could talk for ages about what makes Helsinki special in terms of urbanity, green spaces or culture, let’s focus on something else today… its gastronomy! Finland’s capital has a great food scene filled with all kinds of restaurants, from Michelin-starred ones to street stalls, where you’ll find the most delicious dishes from all over the world. What kind of food do you like? Italian, Turkish, Mexican? Don’t worry, whatever it is that you’re craving, you’ll most likely find a cozy little restaurant in a pretty boulevard or alleyway with what you’re looking for.
Now, since we’re getting to know Helsinki, perhaps we should first explore its own gastronomy, don’t you think? A very fun way to discover a new city is by eating your way through it, and when you try the local cuisine, you understand more about its history and culture. So, today we’re going to talk about this side of Helsinki’s food scene, emphasizing on its most delicious dishes and some of the best places where you can find the most authentic Finnish food. That way, by the end of this blog, you’ll feel like when you visit Helsinki, you’ll be able to eat like a true local!
What the Locals Eat:
Before we mention some of the places where you can eat in Helsinki, we’re going to talk about what you should eat. Let’s begin with poronkäristys, a traditional Nordic dish of Sámi people with sautéed reindeer as the main ingredient. For those not familiar with this kind of meat, the dish may not sound very appealing, but maybe understanding a little bit more of its preparation will get you interested. The key of the poronkäristys is to sautée thin slices of reindeer meat in butter (you can add onions if you like) and then to simmer it in beer or stock until the slices become tender. Depending on where you eat this dish, your reindeer meat can be accompanied by mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam, pasta, or rice. Bear in mind that science has stated that reindeer meat is a very healthy food, high in B-12 and omega-3, so you probably have enough reasons to at least try poronkäristys while you visit Helsinki!
The main ingredient of poronkäristys is reindeer, a bit unconventional but delicious and pretty healthy!
Let’s continue with something a bit simpler but with all the flavor: Karjalanpiirakka. It is a traditional Finnish pasty made up by different fillings in a thin rye crust. Normally, the top will always be open so as to see the creamy filling waiting for you, such as rice, barley porridge or mashed potatoes. This pasty is traditionally eaten for breakfast or a quick lunch, so one day that you’re wandering around Helsinki, you can stop by at a café and have the typical day-to-day meal of locals. Next on our list is kalakeitto, a fish soup that is one of the most popular traditional meals in Finland, considered a beloved and classic speciality of the country. It consists of fileted fish pieces and diced vegetables with a rich and buttery fish broth, that creates a special flavor that you won’t find in any other soup. Simple ingredients such as carrots, potatoes or onions, as well as salmon, rainbow trout or zander are combined to prepare a true Finnish delicacy.
Finally, we’ll mention salmiakki, one of the most traditional sweets that you’ll find in Finland. Its salted licorice flavor (which comes from the ammonium chloride salt) is pretty unusual, specially for those who aren’t from the Nordic countries, but if you want to feel like a local, you at least have to try it once. Rumor says that salmiakki originated as cough medicine, but now it is enjoyed as a very particular sweet and salty mix. It is so popular in Finland that you can find it in any supermarket, but for a more refined kind of salmiakki, you can try it at a candy shop or even as an ice cream flavor.
If you truly want to eat like a local, you must try salmiakki.
Eating Your Way Through Helsinki:
Well, now that you have an idea of what to eat in Helsinki to feel like a local, it is time to discover where you can find these dishes. For us, an infallible option is the city’s markets, because they always safeguard traditional flavors and preparations, while also innovating with new ingredients or fusions. In this case, we’re going to talk about the Helsinki Market Square, or Kauppatori, a place where you’re going to find all types of food, from grilled food stands to fast food or more elaborate meals. Given that there are various options that are practically bite-sized, you should visit Kauppatori with an empty stomach, so that you can go around trying everything! Smoked fish? Pastries? Pies? All check.
Yes, Helsinki Market Square has become one of the city’s main tourist attractions, so you may be wondering if it is really the place where you can actually feel like a tourist. Our answer is… of course! At the end of the day, aside from the souvenir stalls and the international food that you may find (sandwiches, wraps, or simple meals like that), Kauppatori has been at the center of the city’s trade for hundreds of years, which means that it has an international tradition nonetheless, attracting all of those who want to do something with Helsinki. Today, it is still a very important place for residents, because some of the most essential events of the city are held there, such as the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, which has been held since 1743.
If you’re still not convinced by the Market Square, you might prefer Kappeli, one of the most classic restaurants in Helsinki, established in 1867. It is located at Esplanadi Park, which gives it a fairytale-like charm, and it is great for all kinds of visits: there’s a dining room, a café, terrace and even a basement for the most special occasions. Its menu is way more sophisticated than what you can find at Kauppatori, with options such as caviar or reindeer meat, but they share the love for pure Finnish ingredients. You’ll see that the dishes are inspired by the seasons, so don’t be surprised by changing flavors or colors. For brunch, lunch, dinner or a simple tea, Kappeli is a beloved place in Helsinki that truly showcases the free and vibrant spirit of the city.
Helsinki Market Square is perfect for tourists and locals alike, bringing together souvenirs, fresh food and delicious meals.
Thank you so much for joining us in this journey through Helsinki’s gastronomy. We hope that this brief exploration was enough to awaken your interest in unique Finnish flavors and that you have learned a little bit more about Helsinki through its food. Always impeccable, creative and electric, you won’t get tired of trying out new restaurants, food stalls and markets so as to discover all of the best food that locals enjoy daily in the city.
Enjoyed this article?
