Arctic Tasting 2024
A delightful food event for food enthusiasts of all kinds was held in Oulu from September 2nd to September 7th, 2024. In the Arctic Food Lab’s Tasting, restaurants and cafés compete against each other to create the most delicious tasting dish. The winner is voted by the customers. You can find participating restaurants and cafés as well as their dishes below. The prize of a tasting dish 9 euros.
The winning dish in 2024 is smoked whitefish pâté by Bistro Mesu.
The event is held simultaneously with Oulu Days and the event will be developed, grown and internationalized towards the year 2026.
Restaurants and dishes
Salty and sweet, at lunchtime or in the evening, from Monday to Saturday! During Arctic Tasting, you can enjoy a different treat each day! The diverse, wonderful flavours are available in Oulu and now also in Kuusamo! The dishes are mainly available during restaurant opening hours, see below for more information on each portion. Please note that restaurant kitchens usually close before the restaurant closes.
Smoked Salmon Caesar
Kummeli Bistro & Bar, Kajaaninkatu 17
Kummeli Bistro & Bar serves a delicious salad that includes rainbow trout from Bothnian Bay, romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. The dish is lactose-free, and a gluten-free option is available upon request.
Kummeli Bistro & Bar is accessible.
Opening hours: mon-sat 17-21.30
Sweet Delights of the Forest
ChocoSomnia Oulu Market Hall Pop-up and Chocolate Factory Shop, Hiltusenkaarre 22
ChocoSomnia’s dish features northern lingonberries, forest berries, and mushrooms! The trio of treats includes a Lingonberry & Caramel Delight pastry, which is both lactose-free and gluten-free. The tasty berry truffle is gluten-free and also available as a lactose-free and vegan option. The chanterelle mousse button is lactose-free and can also be made gluten-free.
There are free parking spots in front of the Chocolate Factory Shop, and you can park your car close to the entrance.
Opening hours: Chocolate Factory Shop mon-fri 11–18 and sat 11–15, Market Hall Pop-up wed-fri 12–18 and sat 11–16
Meze Platter
Hagia Sofia, Kirkkokatu 2
The appetizer platter features Juustoportti yogurt, Finnish garlic, eggplant, and flour from Kinnusen Mylly in Utajärvi. This tempting assortment includes tzatziki, hummus, baba ganoush, spicy ezme dip, halloumi cheese, kalamata olives, stuffed grape leaves, and freshly baked lavash bread. Suitable for vegetarians, nut-free, and lactose-free.
The restaurant is located in the historic Franzen House, which unfortunately is not accessible.
Opening hours: mon-thu 14.00–22.00 and fri-sat 14.00–22.30. Hox! The tasting dish is available mon-thu 14.00–21.00 and fri-sat 14.00–18.00.
Sea Buckthorn and Reindeer Temptation
Makukuningas, Oulu Market Hall
Savory and sweet in one dish! Makukuningas’ delicious sea buckthorn and white chocolate cake is made with pure sea buckthorn juice from Marjarannikko in Tupos. The moist muffin in the dish is crafted using cold-smoked reindeer crumbs from Rönkä in Kemi. The dishes are gluten-free but are prepared in a facility that handles wheat.
The venue has six customer seats, and the dishes are also available for takeaway. Unfortunately, the entrance is not wheelchair accessible.
Opening hours: mon-fri 10.00–18.00, sat 10-16
Bothnian Bay Whitefish
Restaurant Roast, Scandic Oulu City, Saaristonkatu 4
The star of Restaurant Roast’s dish is Bothnian Bay whitefish. The raw pickled whitefish is served with a fresh apple salad, sour cream, and archipelago bread. The dish is lactose-free and can also be made gluten-free upon request.
The venue is wheelchair accessible.
Opening hours: mon-sat 17.00–21.30
Pizza Bolognese
Bistoria Patio, Nallikarinranta 10
The pizza dough at Bistoria Patio is made with wheat flour from Meriläinen Bakery in Lumijoki. The tasting portion features a delicious Bolognese sauce made from beef mince from Viskaali Farm. The dish is lactose-free.
The restaurant is accessible.
Opening hours: mon-fri 14.00–21.30 and sat 12.00–21.30
Peppered Beef Tenderloin with Spring Onions and Cheese Cream
Restaurant Lasaretti, Kasarmintie 13 B
The dish at Lasaretti features products from Kuusamo Cheese, Röngä Farm’s finest peppered beef tenderloin from Kemi, and pickled spring onions. The dish is lactose-free and gluten-free.
Restaurant Lasaretti is accessible.
Opening hours: mon-sat 16.00–22.00
Mascarpone Cosmopolitan
Cocktail Company, Hallituskatu 9
Cocktail Company’s tasting drink features distillery products from the Oulu2026 area and northern lingonberries. The tasting drink is lactose-free and an excellent non-alcoholic version is also available.
The restaurant is accessible.
Opening hours: tue-sat 16.00–02.00
Reindeer Pie with Coleslaw
Magnolia Coffee & Bakery, Torikatu 15-17 (Pekuri Shopping Center, 2nd Floor)
Magnolia’s tasting dish is a delicious reindeer pie made from cold-smoked reindeer! This nutrient-rich dish is also lactose-free and gluten-free.
The restaurant is accessible.
Opening hours: mon-fri 10.00–20.00 and sat 10.00–18.00
Arancini with Barley and Nettle, Served with Smoked Beetroot Sauce
Restaurant Nallikari, Nallikarinranta 15
Restaurant Nallikari’s crispy arancini ball is made from barley and nettle, accompanied by smoked beetroot sauce and potato purée from Lapin Puikula potatoes. The dish is lactose-free and suitable for vegetarians.
The restaurant is accessible.
Opening hours: mon-fri 11.00–22.00. Saturday: closed
Pork Souvlaki
Restaurant Gaia, Hallituskatu 30
Gaia’s dish features Finnish pork tenderloin, marinated to be juicy and sweet using honey from Harmaala Farm. The dish is lactose-free. Gluten-free pita bread and a dairy-free dipping sauce are also available upon request.
The restaurant is accessible.
Opening hours: mon-thu 11.00–21.00 and fri-sat 11.00–23.00. Hox! The tasting dish is available mon-fri from 14 onwards and sat from 11 onwards.
Smoked Whitefish Pâté :: WINNER 2024
Bistro Mesu, Radisson Blu, Hallituskatu 1
Bistro Mesu offers smoked whitefish pâté with roasted and clarified butter and tar-flavored pearls. It is served with the house’s archipelago bread and pickled fennel and red cabbage. The dish is lactose-free, though the bread contains gluten. A gluten-free option is also available.
The restaurant is accessible.
Opening hours: mon-sat 15.00–23.00
Forest Mushroom Cappuccino, Turnip Flatbread, and Wild Herb Pesto
Teaching Restaurant Hilikku, Kasarmintie 8
OSAO’s Teaching Restaurant Hilikku is participating in the Taste Adventure with a dish featuring forest mushrooms, turnips, and wild herbs! The flavorful soup and wild herb pesto are lactose-free and gluten-free, and the bread can be made gluten-free upon request.
The restaurant is accessible.
Opening hours: mon-fri 11.00–13.00
Royal's Mini Blini with Smoked Salmon or Forest Mushrooms
Royal Ruka, Mestantie 1, Ruka
The blini dish features beer from Tornion Panimo and, in the salmon option, rainbow trout from Kuusamo. The vegetarian option includes forest mushrooms. The blinis are both gluten-free and lactose-free.
The restaurant’s entrance has small thresholds, but they do not impede wheelchair access.
Opening hours: mon-sat 16.00–21.00
Velvety Forest Mushroom Soup
Royal Ruka, Mestantie 1, Ruka
Royal Ruka’s second delicious dish features forest mushrooms, including ceps, chanterelles, and black chanterelles. It is accompanied by juniper berries and the house bread. The dish is lactose-free and also available in a gluten-free version.
The restaurant’s entrance has small thresholds, but they do not impede wheelchair access.
Opening hours: mon-sat 16.00–21.00
Spruce Sprouts Yogurt Panna Cotta
Royal Ruka, Mestantie, 1 Ruka
Royal Ruka’s sweet dish features Pitkänen Maalaisjuustola’s spruce sprout yogurt, white chocolate, and blueberries from Kuusamo. The dish is lactose-free and also available in a gluten-free version.
The restaurant’s entrance has small thresholds, but they do not impede wheelchair access.
Opening hours: mon-sat 16.00–21.00
Arctic Tasting is part of the Arctic Food Lab culture programme
Arctic Food Lab showcases the unique ingredients grown under the sky of Oulu and northern Finland, as well as the culinary traditions that have emerged in arctic conditions. Our aim is to provide unforgettable Arctic Food Lab experiences for both local and international visitors, which cannot be found anywhere else.
Get ready to be delighted by the enchanting tasting dishes crafted from ingerdients grown under the pure and delicious Northern Finnish sky.
Instagram: arcticfoodlab
Facebook: Arctic Food Lab
How can I take part?
Head out on an Arctic Tasting journey with your friends from September 2nd to September 7th and explore your way into the mouthwatering embrace of local tasting dishes.
1. Check out the dishes on this website.
2. Savor the tasting-sized dishes at the participating restaurants. Each restaurant will create one competition dish priced at 9,00 €. You can visit as many restaurants as you like during the event.
3. Vote for your favorite dish. A restaurant gift card is drawn between the participants.
4. The winner will be announced on Monday, September 9th, on Arctic Food Lab’s social media channels. Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
