When planning an aurora tour, food might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But, in our experience, Arctic cuisine is one of the unexpected highlights of a journey to the Nordics.
In the wild landscapes of Sweden, Iceland, Norway and Finland, the cuisine is shaped by the seasons — and a deep-rooted respect for the land. It’s slow, locally-sourced food at its finest.
Here, we take a closer look at the Arctic food and local delicacies you can expect on your northern lights adventure.
Northern lights dining: what to expect on your aurora trip
Travel to the Arctic to see the northern lights and you’ll be treated to hearty, warming meals and traditional dishes given a contemporary twist. You can expect foraged berries and wild herbs. Pickled vegetables. Freshly-caught fish. Meats, smoked and salted to last through the long winter.
If you choose half-board or full-board, some or all of the following meals are included in your northern lights package:
- Breakfast: you can usually choose from options like eggs, pastries, breads, cheese, muesli and yoghurt
- Lunch: often cold cuts, open sandwiches and soups
- Mid-afternoon: an afternoon sweet treat is popular in most Nordic countries
- Dinner: hearty meals like stews, roasted meats and pan-fried fish alongside vegetarian options featuring mushrooms, berries and root vegetables
You can enjoy other dining options on your tailor-made aurora holiday, too. The Aurora Nights team can arrange a self-catered stay or a private chef. You can head out into the Arctic wilderness to dine under the stars — or sample the finest Nordic cuisine on board an aurora fjord cruise.
Our team can provide plenty of restaurant recommendations in Tromsø, Reykjavik, Helsinki, Stockholm and beyond. We’ll also ensure that — whatever northern lights dining options you choose — your dietary requirements are catered for.
Now, let’s get those taste buds tingling with a rundown of the best and most popular foodie treats in each of our northern lights destinations.
Northern Swedish cuisine: food in Lapland
The food on a northern lights holiday to Sweden is comforting, nourishing and inspired by Sámi tradition. Northern Swedish cuisine centres on wild, seasonal ingredients — many of which are preserved by smoking, salting, drying or pickling.
Take a look at the dishes you’re likely to see on the menu in Swedish Lapland.
Reindeer
Reindeer is the most popular meat in Swedish Lapland. It’s similar to venison and used in a variety of different ways — in warming soups and stews, roasted and served as a tartare. Souvas, smoked reindeer meat, is a popular dish. And, because the Sámi people are keen to use every part of the animal, you’ll also find dishes like cured reindeer heart and reindeer tongue mousse.
Arctic char
Caught fresh from icy waters, Arctic char (a cousin of the salmon) is another Swedish delicacy. Soft and buttery, it’s often served pan-fried or roasted. On a northern lights break in Abisko, you can even catch the fish yourself, on a guided ice fishing excursion on Torneträsk Lake.
Kalix Roe (Löjrom)
Löjrom is a bright orange caviar harvested from the vendace fish. This fish is found in the Bothnian Bay, an area of the Baltic Sea in northern Sweden. The roe has a delicate flavour and is most often found served on top of toast, with sour cream, red onion and a squeeze of lemon. It’s a must-try dish if you’re planning a holiday to see the northern lights in the coastal region of Luleå.
Cloudberries
Wild berries are a fixture of Arctic cuisine. You’ll find raspberries, blueberries and lingonberries on most menus. Cloudberries are a particular favourite though. These berries, known in Sweden as hjortron, are both sweet and sour — and they thrive in regions above the Arctic Circle. Cloudberries are used in desserts, made into jams and used as a seasoning on savoury dishes.
Fika
A cherished Swedish ritual, fika is a moment in the mid-afternoon when people take a break to share a coffee and something sweet. It’s a time to pause, recharge and connect with others — and to sample some of Sweden’s delicious cakes and pastries, including the country’s iconic cinnamon buns.
Open sandwiches (Smörgås)
Open sandwiches are popular across Scandinavia. And Sweden is no exception. These smörgås, usually made from sturdy rye bread, come with a variety of toppings, including shrimp, boiled egg, cold cuts, pickled herring and cheese. They make the perfect breakfast or lunchtime snack.
Swedish meatballs
Meatballs are another Swedish cuisine favourite. They’re made from minced meat, breadcrumbs and spices. And they’re typically served with a creamy gravy, mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. We can’t think of anything we’d rather eat after a day exploring the icy tundra.
Food in Finland
Northern Finland, like northern Sweden, is part of a region known as Lapland. So the countries share many of the same food traditions. On a northern lights holiday in Finland, you’ll find ingredients like reindeer, freshly-caught fish, and berries and mushrooms foraged from local forests.
You can also sample dishes that are unique to Finland. Here are some of our favourite Finnish delicacies.
Sautéed reindeer
The most popular reindeer dish in Finland is poronkäristys. It’s made from thin slices of reindeer meat, which are sautéed with onions and butter until soft. Traditionally served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries, it’s a Finnish delicacy you can try in restaurants and hotels up and down the country.
Bread cheese (Leipäjuusto)
Bread cheese is also known as squeaky cheese, thanks to the way it squeaks when chewed. It’s a type of mild, soft cheese, made from cow, goat or reindeer milk. The cheese is baked in the oven, then served with cloudberry jam or honey. But, if you want to make like the Sámi people, you can dip it in hot coffee as a mid-afternoon snack.
Blinis
Blinis originate from Russia. But their neighbours, the Finns, have put their own spin on this dish. Blinis in Finland are made with buckwheat flour. You can find savoury versions, topped with roe, smoked fish, chopped onions, dill and sour cream — and sweet versions topped with jam and berries.
Salmon soup (Lohikeitto)
Another favourite of Finnish cuisine, lohikeitto is a creamy salmon soup made with potatoes, carrots, leeks and dill. It’s hearty and comforting, and a wonderful way to warm up after a day exploring the Finnish countryside.
Cinnamon rolls (Korvapuusti)
Like their Nordic neighbours, Finns love a sweet treat. And these cinnamon rolls are so popular that they have a national day dedicated to them. As well as cinnamon, these sweet buns tend to include cardamom, for an extra hit of spice.
Karelian pie
This savoury pastry — called karjalanpiirakka in Finnish — originated from the Karelia region of the country. But it’s now a staple across Finland. Made with a thin rye crust and filled with rice porridge, these pastries are often topped with butter and chopped boiled egg before eating.
Fried vendace (Muikku)
The Swedes love vendace roe but Finns are fans of the fish itself. The vendace, which can be found in abundance in Finland’s lakes, are breaded and fried to make a crispy little snack. They’re often served whole, with mashed potatoes and a slice of lemon — or in paper bags from street stalls. Simple, no-nonsense, but utterly delicious.
Popular Norwegian foods
On a northern lights trip to Norway, you’re never far from water. And it shows in the country’s cuisine. Fish and seafood are specialities — and other northern lights dining options include rustic stews, foraged berries and tasty root vegetables.
Take a look at the popular Norwegian foods you’re likely to come across on your Arctic adventure.
Fresh seafood
Home to hundreds of rivers and lakes and a lengthy stretch of coastline, Norway is seafood heaven. You’ll find Atlantic cod (known as skrei) and herring (known as sild) on nearly every menu, along with sea urchins, clams, mussels, prawns and tasty fish soups. King crab, served simply with melted butter and chives, is another Norwegian delicacy.
Brown cheese (Brunost)
Brown cheese is caramelised whey cheese and it’s popular across the whole of Norway. Known as brunost and made with cow or goat milk, it has a sweet, caramel flavour and a texture similar to fudge. Norwegians often enjoy it atop waffles or freshly baked bread.
Stockfish (Tørrfisk)
Another popular food in Norway, stockfish is a type of dried cod and one of Norway’s oldest exports. Stockfish from Lofoten has been granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. Other varieties of dried cod include clipfish, which is dried and salted, and lutefish, which is soaked in lye, giving it a jelly-like texture.
Game meats
Moose, reindeer and deer are staples of Norwegian cuisine. Whether roasted, pan-fried, smoked, dried, cured or simmered into a rich stew, these meats bring deep, earthy flavours that perfectly reflect the surrounding landscapes.
Lamb stew (Fårikål)
You can’t travel to Norway without sampling the country’s national dish — fårikål — lamb stew with cabbage. Lamb is a popular ingredient in Norway, with lamb raised in Lofoten and the Lyngen Alps seen as some of the best in the world. Fenalår — salted and dried lamb meat — is another must-try dish.
Waffles
Typically thinner and crispier than Belgian or American waffles, Norwegian waffles are served as a sweet snack, often with a cup of hot coffee. Common toppings include brown cheese or sour cream and jam.
Rakfish
Another fish dish, enjoyed particularly during winter months, is rakfish. This is fermented fish (usually trout or char) with a strong flavour and something of an acquired taste. Norwegians tend to eat it wrapped in a lefse (a kind of potato flatbread) along with red onion and sour cream.
Food in Iceland
Wondering what you’ll eat on a northern lights tour of Iceland? This is a country famed for its lamb, its seafood and (perhaps surprisingly) its hot dogs. Here are some of the Icelandic delicacies you might like to try on your trip to the Land of Ice and Fire.
Lamb
Icelandic lamb owes its mouth-watering taste to the way sheep are raised — they roam freely across the countryside, grazing on grass, berries and even seaweed. The result is a lean, succulent meat that is used in many local dishes.
Hangikjot, smoked lamb, is a particular favourite. You can find it layered into sandwiches made with flatkaka rye bread. We also love how they serve lamb at Hotel Ranga — roasted and served with buttery potatoes, parsnip puree, red cabbage, dried blueberries and a rich Madeira sauce.
Skyr
Skyr is a traditional dairy product and this creamy, tangy staple has been part of life in Iceland for over a thousand years. Skyr looks like yoghurt but it’s classed as a cheese — and it’s a really healthy Icelandic breakfast option. For something more indulgent, you’ll also find skyr cake (the Icelandic version of a cheesecake) served across the island.
Fresh fish
Fresh fish and seafood feature on many menus in Iceland. You can sample salmon, shrimp, lobster, langoustines and Arctic char. A particular favourite is plokkfiskur, a traditional and comforting fish stew made from cooked cod, mashed potatoes, béchamel sauce, onions and black pepper.
Tomatoes
An unexpected feature of the food scene in Iceland is tomatoes. Greenhouses are heated using natural geothermal vents from the volcanic landscape. So tomatoes thrive here despite the cold climate. They’re used in salads and as a garnish, bringing a burst of freshness to hearty Icelandic dishes.
Kleinur doughnuts
Golden, gently spiced and twisted into their signature shape, Icelandic kleinur doughnuts are fried until crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. These sweet treats make a wonderful snack at any time of day, and they’re a favourite alongside a steaming cup of coffee.
Fermented shark (Hákarl)
Iceland’s most infamous dish, hákarl, takes four to five months to prepare. A shark is placed in a hole in the ground where it ferments for 6 to 12 weeks. It’s then dug up, cut into strips and hung to dry for several months. When it’s ready to eat, the hákarl has an incredibly strong smell and a distinctive taste. Not for the faint-hearted.
Icelandic hot dogs (Pylsur)
Back on more familiar territory, hot dogs are another popular food in Iceland. Traditional pylsur are made from local lamb but nowadays, they’re often made from a mixture of lamb, beef and pork. Ask for one with everything and you’ll get a hot dog topped with raw white onions, crispy fried onions, pylsusinnep (a sweet mustard), remoulade and ketchup. Delicious!
What Arctic food will you try on your aurora adventure?
Food in the Arctic revolves around locally-sourced ingredients and age-old food traditions. On an aurora holiday, you’ll find the region’s staple ingredients — reindeer, fish, berries, root vegetables and wild herbs — served with creativity and passion.
Still got questions about the dining options on your northern lights holiday? Then get in touch with the Aurora Nights team. We’ll be happy to talk you through half-board, full-board and self-catering options — and offer our restaurant recommendations for destinations along your itinerary.
Want more tips for Arctic travel? Take a look at our other articles:
- What to wear in the Arctic
- How to photograph the northern lights
- Tips for an Arctic road trip
- Northern lights flights from the UK
- Northern lights flights from America
