This post was originally published on August 31, 2022 and was most recently updated on June 21, 2026.
When it comes to international cuisines, Finnish food is a bit under-the-radar—and I say this as a proud Finnish-American who grew up in northern Minnesota, which has one of the greatest concentrations of people of Finnish descent in the United States. Other than leipäjuusto (more on that below) and my great-grandma's cardamom bread recipe, I hadn't tried any Finnish foods before my trip to Finland.
While this is certainly not an exhaustive overview of Finnish cuisine (if you're looking for one I recommend this article), here are the iconic Finnish foods I enjoyed the most.
1. Pulla
Pulla is one of the Finnish foods I was previously familiar with—it's a lightly sweetened yeast bread flavored with cardamom and often topped with pearl sugar. It was available at nearly every bakery and cafe we visited, either as a loaf or single-serving pastry and is typically served with coffee. My favorite version was at Kahvila Oskari in Lahti, which was a bit unusual in that it is made with a sourdough starter and has a caramelized finish.
2. Cinnamon bun (Korvapuusti)
Finnish cinnamon buns, or korvapuusti, are a bakery and cafe staple. They're made with cardamom-spiked pulla dough but are then swirled with cinnamon and topped with pearl sugar. If you're used to U.S. cinnamon rolls, these are similar but a bit less sweet and far more cinnamon forward. Even the mass-produced ones tend to be high quality, but my favorite housemade cinnamon buns were at Cafe Regatta in Helsinki, Cafe Art in Turku, and Cafe Fanny in Porvoo.
3. Karelian pasty (Karjalanpiirakka)
Karelian pasties are ubiquitous throughout Finland—you'll find them at bakeries, cafes, supermarkets, and convenience stores. The oblong, savory pastries consist of a thin, chewy rye crust with a rice filling (there's also a potato variation), and they're traditionally served with a topping of chopped hard-boiled eggs mixed with butter. The supermarket versions are fine, but if you get a chance, try a Karelian pasty from a local bakery. You can really taste the difference.
I've eaten too many Karelian pasties to count, but my favorite was from Pullapuoti Wilenius, a stall in Tampere's Market Hall. The crust was fresh and chewy without being tough, and the rice filling had a pleasant bouncy quality.
4. Salmon soup
Salmon soup is Finnish lunch staple, and you'll find it on the menu at most cafes. The standard version includes pieces of salmon, chunks of potatoes, and fresh dill in a light, creamy broth, and you'll usually get a slice of bread on the side. My favorite version was at Cafe Eliel in Helsinki's Central Railway Station, which included an herb oil garnish.
5. Sauteed reindeer
A staple of the indigenous Sami people, sauteed reindeer is made by thinly slicing the meat, frying it in fat, and then adding liquid and cooking until until it's tender. Today, it's often served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce. The flavor is similar to venison—it's a lean, gamey meat. I enjoyed sauteed reindeer at Helsinki's Konstan Möljä, which serves a dinner buffet of traditional Finnish dishes.
6. Runeberg cake
Johan Ludwig Runeberg is a big deal in Finland—the 19th century priest and poet wrote the lyrics for Finland's de facto national anthem, among many other works. His birthday, February 5, is celebrated as Runeberg Day, and his favorite dessert, Runeberg cake, is typically available from the beginning of January through February 5. The recipe was developed by his wife, Fredrika Runeberg, and it's a breadcrumb-based cake flavored with almonds, rum, and cardamom and topped with icing and raspberry jam.
Runeberg cake is available year-round in Porvoo, where Runeberg spent most of his adult life. I enjoyed the version I ordered at Porvoon Paahtimo.
7. Salty licorice (Salmiakki)
Licorice is popular throughout the Nordic countries, the Netherlands, and Germany, but salty black licorice is especially beloved in Finland. It likely originated as a cough medicine and was adapted into a candy format by the 1930s. In addition to the salty licorice candies available at grocery and convenience stores, you can also find salty licorice ice cream and chocolates. As strange as it sounds, I really enjoy the combination of licorice and salt—it has a bracing, invigorating quality. I am a huge fan of Fazer's salmiakki ice cream bars, which are readily available at grocery and convenience stores.
8. Lemon licorice ice cream
If salty licorice isn't to your taste, try one of the most popular ice cream flavors in Finland: lemon licorice. The lemon adds a bright note and the licorice provides a nice depth. You can find it at most ice cream stands and in grocery stores. For a premium-quality version, try a scoop from Kanavan Helmi, a seasonal ice cream stand in Vääksy.
9. Bread cheese (Leipäjuusto)
Since I live in Minnesota, a state with a large Finnish-American community, I eat a fair amount of leipäjuusto, or bread cheese. It has a firm, bouncy texture and mild flavor, with distinctive char marks. I like to eat it warm as a snack, but in Finland it's often used as a replacement for feta in salads or served with berry preserves. You may spot it on a restaurant's dessert menu, and various brands are readily available in grocery stores.
10. New Nordic cuisine
Although New Nordic cuisine originated in Copenhagen in the early 2000s, Finnish chefs have been deeply involved in the movement, which focuses on using local, seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques to create innovative new dishes. New Nordic-influenced cuisine is available at a variety of price points throughout Finland, but if you want to splurge on a special occasion meal, make a reservation for a New Nordic tasting menu.
We had a delightful meal at Grön, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Helsinki. The thirteen-course meal included sourdough with fresh-churned butter, a tiny tomato tart, crayfish soup, and a spruce sorbet garnished with ants—it was the culinary equivalent of the masterful spectacle a Broadway show.
Further reading:
- 12 delicious things I ate in Finland (2026)
- 17 delicious things I ate in Finland (2022)
- 20 tips for traveling in Finland
- 9 fun things to do in Helsinki
- Guide to Finland's Small Archipelago Trail by Car
- Lillan Hotel: A luxurious stay in Tampere, Finland
- Porvoo, Finland: A picturesque day trip from Helsinki
- Vääsky: A base for exploring Finnish Lakeland
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