Finland offers a diverse and high-quality food scene that attracts tourists from around the world. The country is known for its fresh ingredients, traditional Nordic flavors, and modern dining experiences.
Visitors can find a wide variety of restaurants, from fine dining locations to casual eateries serving local and international cuisine. Whether exploring the capital city of Helsinki or traveling to Lapland and other regions, tourists can enjoy meals that reflect Finland’s culture and culinary traditions.
In this article, we will explore some of the best restaurants in Finland for tourists.
Best Restaurants in Finland for Tourists:
There are dozens of restaurants in Finland that are perfect to visit for tourists. Here are the best ones:
Palace – Helsinki
Palace is one of Finland’s most famous fine-dining restaurants and is widely known for its high-quality Nordic cuisine. Located in Helsinki, the restaurant offers beautiful views of the harbor, making it a popular dining spot for tourists.
The menu focuses on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients combined with modern cooking techniques. Palace provides a premium dining experience and is well known for its creative presentation and carefully designed tasting menus.
Why Try It
- Offers a luxury dining experience
- Serves modern Nordic cuisine
- Provides scenic harbor views
Olo – Helsinki
Olo is a Michelin-star restaurant in Helsinki that offers a refined dining experience with a strong focus on Finnish culinary traditions.
The restaurant is known for its carefully prepared tasting menus that highlight seasonal ingredients. Olo combines traditional Nordic flavors with modern cooking techniques, creating unique and flavorful dishes.
The calm and elegant environment makes it a popular choice for tourists looking for a high-quality Finnish dining experience.
Why Try It
- Features seasonal tasting menus
- Blends tradition with modern cooking
- Provides an elegant dining atmosphere
Grön – Helsinki
Grön is a Michelin-starred restaurant that focuses on sustainable dining and fresh ingredients inspired by nature. The restaurant is known for using seasonal produce, wild herbs, and locally sourced ingredients to create creative dishes.
Grön offers a modern Nordic menu with many plant-based options, making it suitable for different dietary preferences. Its cozy and relaxed environment attracts tourists who want to experience innovative and environmentally friendly dining.
Why Try It
- Focuses on sustainable ingredients
- Offers creative plant-forward dishes
- Provides a cozy dining environment
Demo – Helsinki
Demo is a well-known Michelin-star restaurant that offers a unique and creative dining experience in Helsinki. The restaurant is popular for its surprise tasting menus, which change regularly based on available ingredients.
Demo combines international cooking techniques with Finnish flavors, creating balanced and artistic dishes. The restaurant provides a relaxed but stylish atmosphere, making it a great option for tourists who enjoy modern fine dining.
Why Try It
- Offers surprise tasting menus
- Combines global and Finnish flavors
- Provides a relaxed fine-dining experience
Finnjävel Salonki – Helsinki
Finnjävel Salonki is known for serving modern versions of traditional Finnish dishes. The restaurant focuses on preserving historical Finnish recipes while presenting them with modern cooking methods and stylish presentation.
It offers tourists an opportunity to experience authentic Finnish food in a refined setting. The menu highlights local ingredients and traditional cooking styles, making it a great place to learn about Finland’s food heritage.
Why Try It
- Serves modern traditional Finnish dishes
- Showcases Finland’s food heritage
- Uses locally sourced ingredients
Kaskis – Turku
Kaskis is a Michelin-star restaurant located in Turku and is known for its intimate and high-quality dining experience.
The restaurant offers seasonal tasting menus created with locally sourced ingredients. Kaskis focuses on simple yet creative Nordic dishes that highlight natural flavors.
Its small and welcoming environment allows tourists to enjoy a personalized dining experience while exploring one of Finland’s oldest cities.
Why Try It
- Offers seasonal tasting menus
- Provides an intimate dining setting
- Highlights local Nordic ingredients
Smör – Turku
Smör is a popular contemporary Nordic restaurant in Turku known for its creative approach to seasonal cuisine. The restaurant focuses on combining traditional Nordic flavors with modern cooking techniques.
Smör is also recognized for its carefully selected wine pairings that enhance the dining experience. Its stylish and welcoming environment makes it a favorite choice for tourists visiting Turku.
Why Try It
- Serves creative Nordic cuisine
- Offers excellent wine pairings
- Provides a stylish dining environment
Ravintola Aanaar – Inari
Ravintola Aanaar is a well-known restaurant located in northern Finland, offering unique Arctic-inspired dishes. The restaurant focuses on ingredients from the surrounding nature, including local fish, reindeer, and wild herbs.
It reflects Sami culinary traditions and highlights the culture of Lapland. The restaurant’s location near Lake Inari also provides tourists with a scenic and peaceful dining experience.
Why Try It
- Serves authentic Arctic cuisine
- Highlights Sami food traditions
- Offers beautiful natural surroundings
Restaurant Nili – Rovaniemi
Restaurant Nili is a popular tourist restaurant in Rovaniemi that focuses on traditional Lappish cuisine.
The restaurant is known for serving dishes made from reindeer, fresh fish, and local berries. Its interior design reflects traditional Lapland culture, creating a warm and authentic atmosphere. Nili is a great place for tourists to experience local food while visiting the northern part of Finland.
Why Try It
- Offers authentic Lappish cuisine
- Serves local ingredients like reindeer and fish
- Provides a traditional Lapland-style setting
Santa’s Salmon Place – Rovaniemi
Santa’s Salmon Place is a small but highly popular restaurant in Rovaniemi known for its simple and authentic grilled salmon dishes. The restaurant cooks salmon over an open fire, giving it a unique flavor that attracts tourists from around the world.
The cozy and casual setting makes it a comfortable place to enjoy traditional Finnish seafood while visiting Santa Claus Village.
Why Try It
- Famous for open-fire grilled salmon
- Offers authentic Finnish seafood
- Located near Santa Claus Village
Conclusion:
Exploring Finland’s restaurant scene gives tourists a chance to experience the country’s unique food culture and culinary creativity. From award-winning fine dining restaurants in Helsinki to traditional Lappish dining experiences in northern Finland, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of flavors and styles.
Each discussed restaurant highlights local ingredients and cultural traditions. Visiting these dining spots allows tourists to enjoy memorable meals while discovering an important part of Finland’s lifestyle and heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Many restaurants in Finland can be expensive, especially fine dining locations. However, tourists can also find mid-range and casual restaurants that offer affordable meal options.
Yes, many Finnish restaurants offer vegetarian and vegan dishes. Some restaurants even focus mainly on plant-based meals using fresh local ingredients.
Reservations are recommended for popular or fine dining restaurants. Casual restaurants usually accept walk-in customers, but booking in advance is safer during busy seasons.
Yes, many restaurants serve traditional Finnish dishes such as reindeer, salmon, and berry desserts. Some restaurants also offer modern versions of traditional recipes.
Tipping is not mandatory because service charges are usually included in the bill. Tourists can still leave a small tip if they receive excellent service.
