Lapland’s Food Culture in Rovaniemi
The pure tastes of Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi’s restaurant scene is full of flavour and variety! From award-winning fine dining to authentic local cuisine, there is something to suit every taste — from cosy cafés in the heart of the city to unique dining experiences at the Arctic Circle. Foodies can enjoy the fresh, pure flavours of Lapland and discover local cuisine inspired by the unique nature and traditions of the north.
Arctic and World Flavours from Nature
Arctic and World Flavours from Nature
Lapland’s food culture is deeply rooted in the surrounding nature. The forests, rivers, lakes and fells provide an abundance of distinctive northern ingredients, from wild berries and mushrooms to fish and game. In Rovaniemi, these flavours of the Arctic are brought to the table in both traditional and contemporary ways, offering visitors a chance to discover the tastes of the North.
Yet Rovaniemi’s food scene reaches far beyond local specialities. As a lively and international city, it brings together the flavours of Lapland and cuisines from around the world. Whether you are looking for a cosy café, a relaxed restaurant or a more private dining experience for a special occasion, there are plenty of ways to enjoy good food in the Arctic Capital.
From Pure Nature to Your Plate
From Pure Nature to Your Plate
Lappish cuisine draws its character from the northern landscape: honest, uncomplicated and deeply rooted in nature. The changing seasons shape what finds its way onto the plate, with fresh local ingredients taking centre stage. Rather than masking their character, Lappish cooking celebrates the natural flavours of each ingredient, allowing them to speak for themselves.
In Rovaniemi, you can experience these flavours in many different ways. The same ingredients that inspire creative fine dining can also be enjoyed in a much more rustic setting — perhaps cooked over an open fire beside a campfire, surrounded by the quiet of the northern wilderness. Whether served in an elegant restaurant or enjoyed outdoors under the Arctic sky, Lappish food is ultimately about bringing the flavours of nature to the table.
Rovaniemi Offers a World of Flavours
Rovaniemi Offers a World of Flavours
While the flavours of Lapland are at the heart of Rovaniemi’s food culture, the city’s culinary scene also reflects its international character. Here, local traditions meet influences from around the world, creating a food scene that is constantly evolving and offering something new to discover.
A meal in Rovaniemi can take you on a journey far beyond the Arctic. You might find familiar flavours from home, discover a cuisine you have never tried before, or encounter a new interpretation of Nordic food. The city’s restaurants and cafés bring together different tastes, ingredients and culinary traditions, making food an easy way to explore the many sides of Rovaniemi.
Food has a way of bringing different cultures closer, and in Rovaniemi, you can experience that diversity around the table. At the same time, the international character of the city does not overshadow its northern roots. Instead, it adds another layer to Rovaniemi’s food culture, creating a place where Arctic ingredients, local traditions and influences from around the world can exist side by side.
So whether your idea of a good meal is a taste of something familiar or an opportunity to discover something new, Rovaniemi offers plenty of flavours to explore.
Read more about Lappish treats
A definite must eat on any trip to Rovaniemi is the dessert known as bread cheese (“leipäjuusto”), a type of soft cheese fried after initial preparation. Served with fresh cloudberries or cloudberry jam, it is a hearty dessert with a distinct, sweet taste. Some call it squeaky cheese due to the sound it makes when chewed.
Finns love their baked goods, and it would be a shame not to have a taste! A local Lappish staple pastry is a soft barley flatbread called “rieska”, usually enjoyed with butter. Several types of sweet pastries are also characteristic to Lapland, one of the most recognizable being the “kampanisu” that directly translates to “comb scone” due to its comb-like shape.
Reindeer husbandry is a form of livelihood that dates back centuries in Lapland, and the animal is an essential part of Lappish cuisine. Sautéed reindeer served with mashed potatoes and fresh lingonberries or lingonberry jam is the most classic dish, but no parts of reindeer go unused: the meat is served as fillets, cold cuts, jerky, mince and sausages, just to name a few examples.
The forests of Lapland are abundant with wildlife, and the natural areas around Rovaniemi are no different. Game birds, waterfowls, and the kings of the forest: elk and bear all make mouth-watering dishes with seasonal wild produce.
Hunting in Finland is regulated and based on respecting nature, and Finnish hunters recognize their responsibility by adhering to the rules.
Lapland is famous for its pure waters and the amount of fish in them, making it a popular destination among fishermen. Rovaniemi is situated at the confluence of two major rivers, and consequently has long fishing traditions.
Salmon, trout, pikeperch, and arctic char among others are the fish commonly found on plates in the north. The iconic fish dish of Lapland is salmon soup, available in several restaurants in Rovaniemi.
From late July until September, quite a few cars are parked on the sides of roads around Rovaniemi and Lapland; that’s locals gone berry picking in the forests and on the bogs. The cloudberry is the crown jewel of Lapland’s berries, but bilberry (northern blueberry), lingonberry and cranberry are all wildly healthy and desired catches.
The most common side dish in Lapland is definitely potato prepared in a number of ways. Surprisingly to some, Lapland has its own potato variety, the oval-shaped almond potato. Other typical root vegetables used as side dishes are carrots and turnips. The herb angelica found in Lapland is used as flavour for pies and ice cream.
Restaurants in Rovaniemi
Combine Food experience with arctic activity
The Best of Lapland : Sauna, ice swimming, Dinner & Northern Lights
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about traditional Finnish adventure? Northern lights hunting, Finnish sauna, or traditional Lappish dinner in a cozy wooden cottage away from the city buzz? Correct! On this tour you will get all of
Summer escape – Private island Lunch & Sauna experience
Island lunch, sauna & Arctic river views in Rovaniemi
Visiting package: Food by the Fire at Kota Restaurant
Great chance of seeing the northern lights in the evening! Visit also Arctic SnowHotel where everything is made of snow and ice
Wilderness Kota Dinner, Rovaniemi
Traditional dinner in a traditional setting – enjoy an evening of Finnish food and culture
Traditional Lappish Evening in the Wilderness with Dinner
Experience the traditional Lappish firewood sauna next to a cozy cottage and take a dip in the private Arctic lake! Blow off some steam and enjoy a peaceful night in the authentic Finnish sauna. End the night with a tasty dinner cooked over an open fire.
Visiting package: Ice sculpting, sauna, jacuzzi and dinner at Kota Restaurant (Autumn)
Create your own ice sculptures, relax in outdoor jacuzzi and have a 3 course dinner by the fire at the Kota restaurant
Magic of the Forest and Log Sauna Winter, 4 hours (Private Tour)
Feel the healing effects of the forest, herbs and log sauna of Fox Cottage with herbal bath for feet or treatment for hands. After the sauna we’ll serve you traditional Finnish dinner.
Visiting package: Chill and Dine at Ice Restaurant (Evening departure)
Dine in a restaurant where tables and benches are made of ice!
Trip to Santa’s Hideaway 24.12, Rovaniemi
Discover Santa’s secret spot and join his helpers on the Christmas fun!
Lappish Lunch Break – Snowmobiling, ice fishing and tasty food
Today we do what the locals do on their day offs: snowmobile to a frozen lake for ice-fishing!
Farm to table in the Arctic
Learn what summer is like in Lapland when the sun barely sets and herbs flourish in the pristine northern wilderness.
Entrance tickets and meal at Snow restaurant in Snowman World
Have lunch surrounded by snow and ice sculptures!
Arctic Berries & Jam Workshop
Pick wild berries in Lapland’s forest and turn them into your own jam. Learn about local plants, enjoy warm drinks and snacks, and take home a sweet taste of the North.
Premium Combo
If you only had the chance to do one tour in Lapland this should be it. The ultimate all-in-one combination of three of the most unforgettable things Lapland has to offer!
Arctic Bee Farm Visit & Honey Tasting
A family friendly Ecotour
A day in old Finnish Life – Traditional countryside home visit
Choose more than an activity — step into the warmth of old Finnish countryside life, where hospitality, stories, and slow living still shape the day.
Luxury Log Sauna and Finnish Dinner, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Experience the gentle heat of a log sauna and its invigorating health effects only with your own family or friends. After the sauna we’ll serve traditional Finnish home made dinner.
Horse riding whole day at wilderness area (Advanced Only)
Full day horseback riding experience in Lapland for experienced riders. Approx. 4 hours of riding, a peaceful outdoor lunch, and a deeper connection with nature.
