Here’s your vegan travel guide to Finland.
As a vegan traveller, have you ever considered Finland as your next destination?
If not, you might be surprised!
This stunning Nordic country is famous for its thick forests, clear lakes, and northern lights. Surprisingly, it’s also welcoming to those of us who eat plant-based diets.
Traditional Finnish cuisine has often relied on meat and dairy.
Now, a modern movement focused on sustainability is taking hold across the country.
Major cities like Helsinki, Turku, and Tampere have changed a lot.
They now have great vegan-only restaurants, vegan-friendly cafes, and local product-filled supermarkets.
I easily navigated the food scene. I discovered tasty vegan doughnuts and savoured hearty traditional dishes with a kind twist.
Therefore, I put together this guide to help you plan your own delicious and stress-free trip.
Here are my top tips and favourite spots.
This way, you can dive into Finland’s unique culture without stressing about food.
So, let’s dive into this vegan Finland travel guide!
Navigating the Vegan Scene in Finland
First, before we enjoy the tasty food, let’s discuss how to explore the vegan scene in Finland.
The culture here is very progressive.
Traditional food may seem challenging at first, but finding plant-based options is easy. It’s all about knowing a few key phrases and where to look. In my experience, even a little knowledge goes a long way.
For starters, memorising a few words in Finnish will be a huge help.
For example, “vegaani” means vegan, while “kasvis” means vegetarian.
If you want to make sure there’s no milk, say “ei maitoa,” and for no meat, it’s “ei lihaa.”
Supermarkets for Vegan Foods in Finland
And on that note, let’s talk about supermarkets. The two leading chains are S-ryhmä and Kesko.
Kesko stores, like K-market and K-Supermarket, usually have more vegan options.
Look for popular Finnish brands like Oatly and Härkis. They are staples and perfect for making your own meals.
Apps and Online Communities for Vegan Travel in Finland
Lastly, here’s a quick tip for finding current info: don’t overlook apps and online communities.
This guide is invaluable. Apps like HappyCow are key for finding local spots quickly.
The “Vegaaninen Helsinki” Facebook group is a great place to find hidden gems. You can also get real-time recommendations there.
With these simple tools and tips, navigating the vegan food scene here will be a breeze.
Vegan Helsinki: A Culinary Haven
Let’s dive into the main event: exploring the amazing vegan food scene in Helsinki.
This city is a true culinary paradise for anyone on a plant-based diet.
The food here was excellent in both variety and quality. You don’t have to sacrifice taste to eat vegan.
All Vegan Restaurants
I’ll start with the spots that are 100% vegan.
First on my list is Kahvila Rakastan, a cosy little cafe that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. They focus on traditional Finnish pastries. I felt excited to discover their amazing vegan Karelian pies and other tasty treats.
Next up, you absolutely must visit Yes Yes Yes.
This spot has a lively vibe. Its menu features creative vegetarian and vegan tapas, great for sharing. I highly recommend their halloumi fries and vegan tacos.
For a taste of global cuisine, I was utterly blown away by Thai Vegan Kitchen.
Their dishes are both authentic and flavourful. Since the whole menu is vegan, you can order anything with confidence.
And of course, for those days when you want some delicious comfort food, Junk Y Vegan is your go-to spot. Their indulgent vegan burgers and loaded fries hit the spot every time.
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants & Cafes
There are many great vegan-friendly restaurants to check out beyond the fully vegan spots.
One of my favourites was Zucchini Vegetarian Cafe.
It’s a Helsinki institution, known for its healthy and wholesome lunch buffets. While not entirely vegan, they always have plenty of delicious plant-based options.
Another excellent choice for a casual meal is Daddy Greens Pizzabar. They serve great vegan pizzas topped with their house-made cashew cheese. It’s one of the best I’ve ever tasted.
And you can’t talk about casual dining in Finland without mentioning Fafa’s. This chain is well-known for its falafel and pita sandwiches. You can easily make them fully vegan. The portions are generous and the flavours are spot-on.
Vegan Treats & Desserts
Finally, no trip is complete without trying some delicious sweets and vegan treats.
For the best vegan doughnuts in the city, you have to go to Round.
They have a rotating selection of creative and mouth-watering flavours. I could have eaten them all day!
And for something more sophisticated, I recommend visiting Goodio Cafe.
They are famous for their ethically-made, raw Finnish chocolate. Their café also offers amazing vegan hot chocolate and other delicious desserts.
Helsinki is a top-tier destination for any vegan food lover.
The variety, quality, and creativity of the plant-based options here are unmatched.
Exploring Beyond Helsinki
After enjoying the tasty treats in Helsinki, explore more of this fantastic country.
The capital is a vegan hotspot, but Finland has much more to offer. You need to know where to look.
Let’s explore some of my favourite destinations beyond the city limits.
Turku
First, let’s head to Turku, Finland’s oldest city.
I was thrilled to find that the vegan scene here is surprisingly strong.
Ravintola Kuori is a true gem. This highly-rated restaurant specialises in local and seasonal dishes. Their menu is very creative. It features unique plant-based dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients. It’s the perfect place for a more elevated dining experience.
For a more casual experience, I enjoyed Kakola Brewing Company. I wanted a tasty vegan pizza and a local craft beer. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed. It was the perfect way to end a day of sightseeing.
Tampere
Next up is Tampere, a vibrant city with a fantastic food scene.
I found Ravintola Muusa to be truly impressive. They had a variety of tasty and creative vegan dishes.
It’s a great example of a place that doesn’t focus on vegan food. Still, it works hard to offer high-quality options.
Another essential stop is the Tampere Market Hall.
I wandered around for a long time. I found many vendors selling fresh, local produce and unique goods. If you want to cook for yourself, it’s a fantastic place to get a quick bite or some materials.
Lapland
Finally, for those adventurers heading north to Lapland, I have a word of advice.
The food scene becomes a lot more challenging as you get into more remote areas.
However, this was an opportunity to connect with nature and the land in a truly special way.
I focused on foraging for vegan Finnish foods.
Wild berries, like bilberries and cloudberries, are easy to find. Mushrooms are also plentiful. Everyone can gather them thanks to “jokamiehenoikeudet” (Everyman’s Rights).
For meals, it’s best to pack your own supplies. You can also visit a supermarket in a bigger town before going into the wilderness.
Must-Try Veganized Finnish Dishes
One of the best parts of my trip was finding out how many traditional Finnish dishes are now tasty and vegan.
It shows the country’s fresh take on food. I was truly experiencing Finnish culture, without compromise. I’m so excited to share some of my favourite vegan-friendly options with you!
You can’t leave Finland without trying Karjalanpiirakka, the classic Karelian pie. This tasty treat has a rye crust and a rice porridge filling.
Now, you can find plant-based versions everywhere. I found them in supermarkets and bakeries, and they were the perfect snack to grab on the go.
Similarly, for those with a sweet tooth, Korvapuusti, or a cinnamon bun, is an absolute must-try. The vegan versions are just as fluffy and fragrant as the originals, and you’ll find them in most cafes.
Next, I found something creative: “Porkkala.” It’s a clever vegan option for smoked fish or pork, made from smoked and marinated carrots.
The flavour and texture are much like the original. This makes it an excellent choice for sandwiches or salads.
I also fell in love with Sieni-risotto. It’s a vegan-friendly mushroom risotto made with lots of wild Finnish mushrooms.
The earthy flavours are vibrant and comforting.
Lastly, a hearty bowl of Hernekeitto, or pea soup, is a typical lunch staple that is often made vegan. It’s the perfect, warming meal on a cold day.
Vegan Finnish foods were a highlight of my trip. They showed me that a kind diet can also be tasty and fun.
Vegan-Friendly Activities & Nature
My vegan lifestyle fits perfectly with Finland’s nature-focused culture. The food was also delicious!
The two go hand in hand. You can easily enjoy the country’s stunning landscapes without thinking twice.
One amazing discovery I made was about “jokamiehenoikeudet,” also known as Everyman’s Rights.
This great law lets anyone explore the forests. You can freely forage for wild berries and mushrooms. It’s a fun plant-based adventure!
I spent an afternoon picking juicy bilberries. It was simple but so rewarding.
Furthermore, a trip to Finland wouldn’t be complete without a Finnish sauna experience. I was delighted to find that even in remote lakeside cottage towns, it was easy to get back to basics.
Many cottages come ready for self-catering. This makes it easy to cook plant-based meals using ingredients from a local market.
For the best outdoor adventure, visit one of Finland’s national parks.
I took a day trip to Nuuksio National Park from Helsinki. The calm hiking trails were a lovely escape from the busy city.
In Finland, a vegan diet isn’t just about food. It’s a way to live in harmony with nature.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my journey, I see that vegan Finland is not just a dream—it’s a rewarding reality.
I expected a challenge. Instead, I found the country’s food scene full of innovation. The many plant-based options made my trip easy.
A little bit of planning, especially when venturing out of the main cities, goes a long way.
Thanks to the fantastic chefs and innovators here, you can have a delicious adventure without missing a thing.
This guide encourages you to start your own unique and caring Finnish adventure!
Grab your Finland Travel Guide for further reading.
