Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Small Baltic herring floured and fried, or pickled in countless ways, from mustard to garlic to spiced. The fish at the heart of Helsinki's oldest food market.
Baltic herring, silakka, has fed Helsinki for centuries, sold from boats at the South Harbour and celebrated each October at the Baltic Herring Market held since 1743. Fried whole with rye flour or pickled in endless cures, it is the city's defining everyday fish, served from market stalls and at traditional rooms like Elite.
3 editor picks for Silakka (Baltic herring) in Helsinki, ranked by editorial score. All Helsinki signature dishes · Silakka (Baltic herring) across every city.
The Old Market Hall by the South Harbour opened in 1889 as Helsinki's first indoor hall; stalls sell smoked fish, reindeer, cheeses and salmon soup.
TipSoppakeittiö inside serves the classic lohikeitto salmon soup with unlimited bread. The hall closes by early evening, so come for lunch.
Kauppatori, the open-air market on the South Harbour, is where herring boats tie up each October; summer stalls fry vendace and pile up Finnish berries.
TipBest in summer for fried lake fish and berries, and during the October herring market. Watch for aggressive seagulls.
Elite in Töölö has been the artists' restaurant since 1932, its walls hung with paintings, serving Finnish classics like vorschmack and fried Baltic herring.
OrderVorschmack, the minced-meat hash, or the platter of fried Baltic herring with mash.
TipThe terrace and the artist-portrait walls are the draw as much as the food. A living room for Helsinki's cultural set since 1932.
Silakka (Baltic herring) makes more sense with someone from Helsinki explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Water activity · 3 hours
Enjoy Finnish cuisine and explore Pihlajasaari's beauty, one of Helsinki's best summer islands. This tour includes a scenic ferry ride, a guided nature walk, and a Fin...
Water activity · 3 hours
Explore the winter landscape of the archipelago on this tour from Helsinki. Stop on an island, experience a survival suit swim between ice rafts, and enjoy a campfire lunch.
Guided tour · 4 hours
Experience the snowy woods and the frozen Gulf of Finland on a snowmobile tour from Helsinki. Enjoy a delicious lunch cooked over an open fire on an island in the Gulf...