The taste of North Karelia

Karelian food tradition has strong roots in the nature of North Karelia. Karelia à la carte combines the best aspects of traditional cuisine with more modern tastes, laying stress on individuality in preparation and taking the fullest possible advantage of seasonal ingredients.

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Saimaa is the European Region of Gastronomy 2024

The Saimaa region has been nominated as the European Region of Gastronomy. North Karelia is one part of the region providing pure Karelian flavours and unique culture. The year 2024 will be full of various events combining the cultural heritage, local flavours and people in different ways.

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Food from nature

Variety, abundance, nuance – three key words in the Karelian kitchen, typically based on local products such as fish and game, forest mushrooms and berries. Favorites include a bewildering variety of pies and pastries with names such as sultsina, tsupukka, pyörö, piirakka, kukkonen and vatruska.

Food and culture along the Via Karelia route

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Karelian pastries

Karelian pastries (karjalanpiirakat) are traditional pastries originating from the Karelia region. This rye crust, rice filled pasty is loved by Finns all around the country. It is a perfect salty snack, breakfast, evening snack or side dish. Spread egg butter on top of your oven fresh pasty and your perfect snack is ready.

The Karelian Pastry Workshop in Nurmes

Bomba Karelian Pie Workshop

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Karelia à la Carte

Throughout Karelia you will spot restaurants and country inns bearing the ’Karelia à la Carte’ signs, a guarantee of genuine Karelian cuisine, an unique combination of western kitchen with influences from Russian kitchen and Orthodox traditions. Karelia à la Carte is a sign of high quality and local flavours.

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A bier of Koli Brewery

Local drinks

The Valamo Monastery produces tasty berry wines. The tasting experience in Bomba House, Nurmes includes an aperatif, three wines and a tasting plate. Available around the year for groups.

Valamo Wine Tasting in Bomba

Hermanni Winery is the oldest vineyard in Finland and produces sparkling wines, wines, liqueurs and spirits. They are all made of natural and pure Finnish berries. In summertime you can taste the wines at the Winetower in Ilomantsi.

Hermanni Winery

The beer tasting in restaurant Kolin Ryynänen introduce products of the local brewery Kolin Panimo. The beers and ciders will be tasted during the session.

Beer Tasting in Koli