When I first planned my trip to Turku, Finland’s oldest city and former capital, I expected cobblestone streets, medieval castles, and peaceful views of the Aura River winding through the heart of the city. I imagined long walks through historic neighborhoods, visits to centuries-old cathedrals, and maybe a quiet museum or two. What I didn’t expect — not even a little — was to fall head over heels in love with Turku’s food scene.
From the very first meal, it was clear this city takes its cuisine seriously. Whether it was a rustic bowl of salmon soup in a bustling market hall or a carefully plated reindeer tartare in a Michelin-starred dining room, every bite told a story — one rooted in nature, seasonality, and a proud local identity. Turku’s culinary culture feels refreshingly honest yet full of surprises, combining Finnish heritage with creative new Nordic techniques and global inspiration.
In a city where chefs forage for ingredients and bakers still hand-roll traditional pastries, food feels personal — and incredibly satisfying.
So let me take you on a flavorful journey through my personal discoveries in Turku — the dishes that made me pause mid-bite, the restaurants that made me want to extend my stay, and the unforgettable tastes that still linger in memory.
🐟 1. Traditional Finnish Starter: Kalakeitto (Salmon Soup)
Let’s start with a comforting classic — kalakeitto, a creamy salmon soup that quickly became one of my favorite warmers in the brisk Finnish air. This dish is rich without being heavy, with chunks of tender salmon, soft potatoes, and fresh dill floating in a velvety cream broth.
Where I had it:
📍 Restaurant Smör – Located at Läntinen Rantakatu 3, right beside the Aura River.
💶 Average price: €45–60 per person for a full meal.
🍽️ Signature: Their version of salmon soup is elevated with smoked butter and trout roe — elegant and deeply flavorful.
📞 Reservation: Strongly recommended via phone, especially on weekends.
Smör is an excellent introduction to Finnish fine dining. The service is friendly, the interior is warm and modern, and the chefs clearly know how to honor local ingredients. This was the first restaurant where I felt the balance between tradition and modernity in Turku’s cuisine.
🧂 2. Black Sausage & Mustard – Local Street Food with History
This one may not sound glamorous, but mustamakkara (black sausage) is a beloved local specialty that surprised me. Made from blood, barley, and pork, it’s dark, dense, and packed with umami. Served with a dollop of sweet lingonberry jam or sharp mustard — it’s an absolute must-try.
Where I had it:
📍 Turku Market Hall (Kauppahalli) – Eerikinkatu 16, a covered 19th-century food market.
💶 Price: Around €6–8 for a plate with mustard and bread.
🍽️ Best enjoyed from Tapola’s stall, a well-known local supplier.
📞 No reservation needed — grab a stool and eat like a local.
Turku’s Market Hall is a destination in itself. Not only did I find delicious sausage here, but also locally baked rye breads, smoked fish, pastries, and cheeses. It’s perfect for a casual lunch or picnic shopping.
🧀 3. Aged Cheese & Rye Bread Pairing at a Riverside Wine Bar
One evening, I stumbled upon Tintå, a cozy wine bar that quickly became my favorite spot for relaxed evenings. I ordered a cheese board with local Finnish cheeses — aged leipäjuusto, creamy blue, and sharp goat cheese — served with slices of sour rye bread and berry jam.
Where I had it:
📍 Tintå Wine Bar, Läntinen Rantakatu 9.
💶 Average price: €20–35 per person for a casual meal with wine.
🍽️ Signature: The cheese board and their sourdough pizzas are top picks.
📞 Reservation recommended by phone after 17:00.
Sitting outside under a blanket, sipping a glass of wine while the Aura River shimmered beside me, this was one of those perfectly serene travel moments.
🥕 4. New Nordic Tasting Menu at Kaskis
If you ask any local where to experience the best of modern Nordic cuisine in Turku, the answer is almost always the same: Kaskis.
This Michelin-starred restaurant redefines Finnish flavors with seasonal menus. I had a seven-course tasting menu here that included dishes like reindeer tartare with juniper oil, spruce-smoked egg yolk, and a beetroot sorbet that nearly made me cry with joy.
Where I had it:
📍 Kaskis, Kaskenkatu 6a.
💶 Tasting menu around €110–135 per person, wine pairing additional.
🍽️ Signature: Menu changes with the season, but the reindeer and wild mushroom dishes are divine.
📞 Book well in advance via phone — this place fills up fast.
This was not just a meal; it was a story told in textures, colors, and flavors. The chefs came out and explained each course personally. Easily one of my top 5 dining experiences ever.
🥣 5. Classic Finnish Reindeer Stew (Poronkäristys)
I was a bit hesitant at first, but poronkäristys — sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam — turned out to be rich, savory, and surprisingly delicate.
Where I had it:
📍 Ravintola Koulu, Eerikinkatu 18 – a former school turned into a brewpub and restaurant.
💶 Around €20–25 per main dish.
🍽️ Signature: Reindeer stew, Finnish craft beer from their microbrewery.
📞 No reservation needed during lunch hours; evening tables are better booked by phone.
The building is worth a visit in itself, with chalkboards, old school benches, and cozy wooden interiors. The food is hearty and soul-warming — perfect after a day exploring Turku Castle.
🐟 6. Smoked Baltic Herring & Sea Buckthorn Sauce
This dish encapsulates the Finnish coastline — fresh, tangy, and rustic. The fish is lightly smoked and served with earthy potatoes and a sharp, citrusy sea buckthorn sauce.
Where I had it:
📍 Nooa Restaurant & Wine, Läntinen Rantakatu 57.
💶 Average price: €40–50 per person.
🍽️ Signature: Herring, charred vegetables, and Nordic desserts like spruce panna cotta.
📞 Call to reserve window seats — views are stunning.
Nooa is modern yet unpretentious. The location, right on the river with big windows, gave me the best sunset view during my stay.
🥗 7. Vegan Nordic Cuisine at Kuori Food and Wine
Not every Nordic dish has to include fish or meat. I discovered Kuori by accident while looking for a lighter dinner, and I’m glad I did. This vegan restaurant delivers creative plates with Nordic flair.
Where I had it:
📍 Kuori Food and Wine, Humalistonkatu 13.
💶 €25–40 per person.
🍽️ Signature: Beetroot carpaccio, celeriac steak, and house-fermented ingredients.
📞 Reservation via phone suggested for evenings.
Everything is made in-house, including the sourdough and kombucha. A gem for plant-based travelers.
🍰 8. Traditional Finnish Dessert: Runeberg Torte & Pullas
On my last morning in Turku, I visited a tiny café called Café Art, situated right on the riverbank. I ordered a Runeberg torte — an almond-spiced cake topped with raspberry jam — and a cup of strong Finnish coffee. It was pure bliss.
Where I had it:
📍 Café Art, Läntinen Rantakatu 5.
💶 €8–12 for dessert and coffee.
🍽️ Signature: Runeberg torte, cinnamon rolls (korvapuusti), and local coffee.
📞 Walk-in only; seats fill up quickly.
It was a sweet farewell — and a reminder that in Turku, even the simplest treats are rooted in tradition and heart.
Turku surprised me not just as a cultural or historical stop, but as a genuine food lover’s destination. While many travelers head to Helsinki or Lapland in search of Finnish flavors, I found that Turku offers something more intimate, more rooted in the everyday life of locals, yet no less inspiring. The city embraces its Finnish culinary heritage with pride — dishes like creamy salmon soup, reindeer stew, and dark rye bread are served not just for nostalgia but with a deep understanding of flavor and tradition. These are not museum pieces of food; they’re living, evolving staples that reflect Finland’s seasonal rhythms and natural abundance.
At the same time, Turku’s chefs are fearless when it comes to innovation. I was consistently impressed by how seamlessly global techniques and influences were woven into local menus without overshadowing the ingredients themselves. New Nordic cuisine here isn’t just a trend — it feels deeply personal. The food tells stories: of forests and coastlines, of seasonal harvests, of old recipes reimagined with a modern twist. Whether it was a spruce-smoked egg yolk on a handmade rye cracker or a sea buckthorn sorbet paired with roasted root vegetables, each dish invited curiosity and conversation.
Beyond the plates, it’s the settings that truly elevate the experience — riverside terraces bathed in golden summer light, cozy wood-paneled dining rooms in former schoolhouses, historic market halls buzzing with locals. Dining in Turku is not just about satisfying hunger; it’s about connection — to place, to people, to history, and to innovation.
Whether you’re a culinary explorer chasing Michelin stars, a casual café-hopper looking for the best cinnamon bun, or someone who simply loves authentic food experiences that feel grounded and meaningful, Turku is a city that delivers. It’s a place that nourishes not just your stomach, but your sense of wonder — one bite at a time.
