What to eat Finnish Lapland? culinary specialties and gastronomy

In Lapland, and in Nordic countries in general, we eat early. In most restaurants, service starts at 11am and evening service rarely ends later than 9:30pm, even in summer. Don't be fooled. Except in town at weekends, reservations are not necessary. Most establishments are closed one day a week, usually Sunday or Monday.

It will be difficult to eat for less than 10 euros, even in a fast-food restaurant. Count on 17 euros for lunch in a restaurant, and 20 euros for dinner. If you don't want to stop at a café or restaurant to eat, petrol stations act as fast-food outlets: all kinds of hot dogs, sometimes even burgers and salads. It's often a little cheaper than elsewhere, and the service is ultra-fast. Summer and winter alike, barbecues are very common! There are single-use barbecues available in supermarkets, in the form of a large aluminum tray with charcoal, a grill and charcoal-setting material inside. Make sure you always have some paper with you in case the fire doesn't take, and of course a lighter, or even matches/firestones in winter. In summer, strictly observe the fire bans.

You'll rarely be served water, and even more rarely bread. Water can be free or not. Bread will inevitably have to be paid for. Tipping is not mandatory.

If you're a non-vegetarian, you'll definitely want to try suovas, a reindeer meat speciality most often served in fast-food restaurants or food trucks! Elk and reindeer meat in all their forms are a must-try. Fish, especially in Norway, is also very common. Cod, crab and shrimp are a must, but the choice is very wide.

Cigarettes, even electronic ones, are strictly forbidden inside restaurants and on terraces. The Nordic countries are extremely sensitive to public health, and cigarettes are not popular at all.

Cafés are open during the day until 5 p.m. and café-bars between 11 a.m. and midnight, sometimes longer on weekends. Cafés in Scandinavian countries are renowned for their cosy, subdued atmosphere, but this is not necessarily true in Lapland. There's often not much choice in terms of venues. There are, however, a few unmissable spots in every region. In the Nordic countries, the term "afterwork" is used rather than "happy hour", as it is illegal to offer discounts on alcohol.

Beware: in the Nordic countries, it is often no longer possible to buy beer in supermarkets after a certain hour. In fact, sales are totally forbidden at weekends.

Alcohol can be consumed from the age of 18. However, in Sweden, Finland and Norway, you have to be 20 to buy alcohol in special stores (Systembolaget, Alko and Vinmonopolet respectively). Supermarkets sell only beer and cider (generally less than 3.5% alcohol).

In Sweden, the Fika, a kind of sweet break in the morning or afternoon, is a veritable institution. We drink coffee and treat ourselves to a sweet treat, often cinnamon buns, Semlor if Mardi Gras is approaching, or Lussekatter, delicious saffron buns, in December.

Cigarettes, even electronic ones, are strictly forbidden inside restaurants, bars, cafés and clubs. In bars and clubs, you'll need to find a terrace or designated smoking area. Nordic countries are extremely sensitive to public health, and smoking is not popular. The Nordics prefer snus, chewing tobacco, which is not necessarily healthier...