A Taste of the North
To eat in Lapland is never just to fill the body.
It's smoke rising from open fire, the silence of a wooden cabin, the sudden sweetness of a berry found beneath snow.
Each table holds more than food – it holds the stories of reindeer herders, fishermen and forests that feed both hunger and soul.
As Anthony Bourdain reminded us: do not follow the crowd. Sit where the locals sit. Order what you never thought you would. Step into the kitchen of a land – and let it change you.
Here begins your journey into the kitchens of the North with our personal curated list of gastronomic services we discovered nearby:
1) Tunturiporo, Muonio
“Local food with a northern heart.”
Reindeer dishes, freshly caught fish, seasonal berries – served in a rustic Lapland setting.
Menu highlight: Sautéed reindeer with lingonberries.
Our personal recommendation: The Fishburger and the Cheeseburger (where we haven´t tried the Reindeer Burger, yet).
Business hours: Monday–Friday, 12:00–18:00
🔗 Visit Website
📍 Find on Google Maps
2) OTSO, Äkäslompolo
“Fine dining at the edge of wilderness.”
Nordic cuisine reinterpreted with modern elegance – blending local ingredients with contemporary craft.
Menu highlights: Arctic char with forest herbs.
Our personal recommendation: A distinctive bear meat burger – unusual in taste, yet highly recommended.
Business hours: daily, 12:00 - 22:00
🔗 Visit Website
📍 Find on Google Maps
3) Swiss Café, Muonio
“Where Alpine roots meet Lapland simplicity.”
Freshly baked pastries, artisan coffee, and light meals with a Swiss touch – a cozy stop for both locals and travelers.
Menu highlights: Swiss-style rösti with smoked salmon, homemade cakes, rich hot chocolate.
Our personal recommendation: The salmon pie and the reindeer pie – hearty, warm and deeply satisfying.
Business hours: Daily, 10:00–18:00
🔗 Visit Website
📍 Find on Google Maps
4) Poron Bensis, Levi (Teboil Station)
“Unexpected flavors at an unexpected place.”
Don’t let the gas station fool you – this place has its own cult status. Burgers, pizzas and Lapland specialties make Poron Bensis a favorite for both locals and travelers.
Menu highlights: Reindeer burger, hearty pizzas, daily comfort meals.
Our personal recommendation: The sautéed reindeer and the reindeer burger – simple, filling and surprisingly excellent.
kitchen hours: Daily, 10:00 - 17:00
business hours: Daily, 09:00 - 18:00
🔗 Visit Website
📍 Find on Google Maps
5) Panimo Pub & À la Carte, Levi
“Where craftsmanship meets the table.”
More than a brewery – Panimo offers refined dining with white tablecloths and a sense of occasion. Each dish is prepared with care, balancing local ingredients and international inspiration. Not the cheapest place, but memorable for both taste and atmosphere.
Menu highlights: Slow-cooked lamb with Lapland herbs, Arctic char and freshly brewed house beers.
Business hours: Daily, 15:00 - 22:00 (in summer, Google maps and the website may hold outdated information)