Tasting Tampere:

Exploring the Dynamic Pub Culture and Vibrant Restaurant Scene of Finland's Hidden Gem

With a thriving pub culture and a diverse restaurant scene, there's something for everyone in Tampere. From local delicacies to international flavors, Tampere offers a unique culinary experience.

Tampere is a city that has something to offer for everyone when it comes to food and drink. Whether you're looking for fine dining, casual eats, or unique drinking experiences, you'll find it all in this Finnish city. – There truly is something for everyone to enjoy in terms of food in Tampere. The restaurant scene is constantly evolving, and we’re seeing a lot of new restaurants pop up, describes local restaurateur Marika Tähtinen-Hakala

Something old and something new

Finnish cuisine is characterized by its use of fresh, local ingredients, particularly fish, berries, and mushrooms. At its core though, everyday Finnish food is hearty and flavorful.

Tampere's restaurants and cafes are known for serving up traditional Finnish dishes with a modern twist. One must-try dish local to Tampere specifically is mustamakkara, a black sausage made from pork, blood, and barley. Tähtinen-Hakala confirms that locals hosting visitors from abroad often request mustamakkara specifically to serve for their guests.

– Occasionally we see some funny faces upon tasting mustamakkara, but it is indeed very popular and most tourists enjoy it as well. There’s a somewhat similar dish in Scottish cuisine, black pudding, but overall it has quite a unique taste, says Tähtinen-Hakala.

In addition to being known for mustamakkara, Tampere is famous nationwide for its love for chicken wings. Chicken wings in Tampere are often coated in a spicy, tangy sauce rather than a crispy crust. For authentic Tampere wings, head to Siipiweikot, Hook or Sticky Wingers.

– No other city in Finland eats chicken wings like we do, let’s be honest, Tähtinen-Hakala comments with a laugh.

Comfort food favorites

Plevna, a brewery restaurant that Tähtinen-Hakala runs, also serves other traditionally Nordic foods such as salmon soup, pyttipannu and meatballs. Pyttipannu is a traditional Finnish dish that roughly translates to "small pieces in a pan". It's a hearty and rustic dish that's typically made by frying together diced potatoes, onions, and meat (usually beef or pork) in a pan until crispy and golden brown. Some variations may also include other ingredients such as carrots, pickles, or even leftover vegetables.

Other classic Finnish dishes include karjalanpaisti, a hearty meat and vegetable stew that is slow-cooked for hours and kalakukko, a fish-filled pastry that is traditionally baked over an open fire. Finnish cuisine also features a range of seafood dishes, including gravlax (cured salmon), smoked fish, and creamy fish soups. Reindeer meat is also a common ingredient in Finnish cuisine, often served with lingonberry sauce. ›

Ultra-local drafts

Tähtinen-Hakala describes Tampere’s pub scene as diverse, with some establishments focusing on high quality products and service, and others choosing to be competitive with tempting pricing.

Pub Oluthuone serves beer brewed at Plevna, and is a great spot for watching sports while you enjoy a pint of local beer. Make sure to taste the lager specifically brewed for this year's ice hockey championship games - the Hockey lager.

– I would also recommend our brewery mead, which is brewed with hops, sugar and honey. If mead isn’t

Top Restaurants in Tampere:

your thing, you could go for our most famous beerthe Siberian stout, Tähtinen-Hakala mentions.

Dessert is served

For those with a sweet tooth, Finnish cuisine offers a variety of treats, including pulla (a sweet cardamom bread), korvapuusti (cinnamon rolls), and karjalanpiirakka (savory rice or potato pastries). Tampere has a strong coffee culture, and you'll find many cafes and bakeries serving up fresh-baked pastries and delicious coffee drinks. Finnish coffee is typically strong and brewed using a drip coffee maker.

For excellent coffee and local foods, stop by Tampere's Kauppahalli, or Market Hall. It has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century, and offers an abundance of fresh and locally sourced produce, meats, cheeses, seafood, and artisanal goods.

Overall, Finnish cuisine is rich and diverse, offering a unique blend of traditional cooking methods and fresh, local ingredients.

Here's a list of some of the top restaurants and bars that you should check out during your stay in Tampere.

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1. Näsinneula Restaurant - This rotating restaurant, located in the Näsinneula observation tower, offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding landscapes. The menu features modern Nordic cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients.

2. Plevna Brewery Restaurant - This historic brewery restaurant is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The menu features classic Finnish dishes, and the beer selection is extensive. Plevna also offers beer flights for tasting.

3. Hella & Huone - This cozy fine dining restaurant is located in the heart of the city and serves up delicious, rustic Finnish cuisine with a modern twist.

4. Ristorante Pizzeria Napoli - This Italian restaurant is known for its authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. The restaurant also offers a range of classic Italian dishes. Napoli is widely regarded as one of the best pizzerias in Tampere - perhaps even in the entire country, if you ask the locals.

5. Bistro C - This restaurant focuses on fresh, local ingredients. The atmosphere is elegant and welcoming.

HOKI LAGER AVAILABLE AT PLEVNA AND OLUTHUONE.

Come To Watch The Game Ome

THE ALL HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 GAMES WILL BE SHOWN IN OLUTHUONE.

ALL FINLAND GAMES WILL BE SHOWN IN PLEVNA.

Top Bars in Tampere:

1. Moro Sky Bar - This rooftop bar, located at the top of Sokos Hotel Torni, offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding landscape. The bar features a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and beers.

2. H5 - This hip bar and restaurant is located in the heart of Tampere and offers a range of craft beers and cocktails. At night, H5 is one of the most popular clubs among locals.

3. Bar Ihku - This trendy bar is located in the heart of the city and is known for being the place to go if you want to try out some karaoke.

4. Oluthuone - This cozy bar is located on Tuomiokirkonkatu, which served as one of the main event streets for the Ice Hockey Championships last year. Oluthuone serves locally brewed, high quality beer and is a great spot for watching ice hockey games.

5. Telakka - This alternative bar is located in an old warehouse building and features live music, DJ sets, and other events. The bar has a relaxed and bohemian vibe and is a popular spot for locals.

Tampere is a charming Finnish city that truly comes alive in the springtime, with an abundance of activities and sights to explore during the month of May. Whether you're a nature lover, a culture enthusiast, or a foodie, Tampere has something to offer for every traveler. In this article, we've rounded up the top things to see and do during your visit to Tampere this May.

May is a wonderful time to visit Tampere, Finland, as the weather starts to warm up and the city comes alive with springtime activities and events. Tampere Region Festivals’ executive director Tiina Kuusisto considers Tampere to be Finland’s unofficial event capital.

– There’s so much going on here.

Tampere as a city is the perfect sizeeverything is very easily accessible either by walking or public transport.

Tampere hosts a diverse array of events, but I would say that events held here are a little more laid back than elsewhere. Another defining feature would have to be our venues - Tampere is full of cultural venues that are repurposed indus- trial or other types of historic buildings, Kuusisto describes.

Great destinations for an afternoon