Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland with over 13 000 islands, is a haven with many surprises this summer for adventurous foodies. The beloved summer cottage region, and an up-and-coming destination for prestigious wooden-glass hideaways will offer a variety of new food experiences this summer to celebrate the region of European Gastronomy: from a museum restaurant to a vendace trawling cruise.

In the heart of Eastern Finland lies a hidden gem for international travelers — the enchanting Lake Saimaa, surrounded by pure nature. In 2024, the Saimaa region celebrates the prestigious European Region of Gastronomy Award. The ambassador of the 2024 Gastronomy Award, a former international top model Saimi Hoyer— Saimaa's local “Queen of Mushrooms”, is well-known for hosting late-summer mushrooms cruises and courses.

”Eating locally is an everyday luxury, as our forests and lakes here provide the purest food in the world. Summer and autumn are the best times of the year, as we can roam in the forest and forage wild berries and mushrooms. There are so many great restaurants serving delicious food based on local products, forests' treasures, and fresh fish like vendance catched by fisherman,” says Saimi Hoyer. 

Here is Visit Finland's curated list of Top 10 food experiences in the Saimaa region during the summer:

• Gourmet lunch at the Forest Museum's restaurant Lusto: Museum restaurant Lusto serves lovers of good food in a wonderful setting, in the middle of the most beautiful ridge and lake nature in Eastern Finland along the Punkaharju scenic road, and it will open its doors in May. The restaurant offers lunch and cafe delicacies, dinners, events and everything else delicious! The wine lists have been chosen to suit the environment so that the wines are both good and respect the environment in terms of their carbon footprint. The restaurant employs both local producers and fishermen as well as young summer workers. After you've visited the restaurant, it's worth visiting also in the Finnish Forest Museum Lusto

• Hop-on hop-off gourmet bus trip from Helsinki: The trip starts from Helsinki and takes you to the shores of Lake Saimaa. In Mikkeli, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at Café Restaurant Rauha. From Mikkeli, the journey continues to Puumala and Sahanlahti Resort, where you can enjoy dinner and stay at either the atmospheric Sahanlahti Resort by Lake Saimaa or PihlasResort in Joroinen, in the middle of the enchanting nature. On the second day, you will enjoy lunch at PihlasResort and visit TeaHouse of Wehmais and the awarded, pink dream Tertti Manor. At TeaHouse of Wehmais, in the courtyard of Wehmais Manor House, you will enjoy dessert and at Tertti Manor you will have supper in the lovely manor house before the return trip to Helsinki. 

• Monastry menu in the Karelian heritage village: The inspiration for the à la carte dishes at Bistro Buolu at Break Sokos Hotel Bomba located next to a traditional Karelian village on the shore of Lake Pielinen in Nurmes comes from authentic Karelian flavour memories and the implementation has been done with a modern Karelian twist. The menu highlights local ingredients, such as turnips from the village, berries from the yard, pikeperch from Lake Pielinen and venison from the local forest. The Valamo menu is paired with the magnificent berry wines of the nearby monastery, creating wonderful matchings with everything from Jerusalem artichoke and tournedos to domestic cheeses. The restaurant also offers the Taste Saimaa Menu from May 15th onwards. Break Sokos Hotel Bomba stands to be renewed; a completely new 92-room hotel wing with lake-view rooms and new restaurant will opened June 2024.

• Vendace trawling cruise & fresh fish dinner: Vendace is the most prized catch in Finland's inland waters and a world-class delicacy, a true gourmet treat Widely offered in restaurants and events around the Saimaa region, witnessing vendace fishing is an experience only a few have had. Professional fishermen trawl for vendace in the vast open waters of Saimaa, and now you have a unique opportunity to join them on their trawling vessel. Arto, will serve as your cruise host, entertaining you with fascinating stories about the Saimaa fishing culture and the intricacies of vendace trawling. While you observe the trawling, you'll learn about Saimaa's nature and the Saimaa ringed seal, for whom vendace is also a favorite treat. Arto ensures your comfort throughout the journey, providing entertainment, including playing the accordion for a few tunes, possibly even a vendace-themed waltz. The area is also home to the rare Saimaa ringed seal, and with a bit of luck, you might spot one.

• Karelian buffet & live Kantele music: Restaurant Parppeinpirtti is the crown jewel of Karelian cuisine. Standing on a hill near Ilomantsi, the restaurant is a great place to sample genuine Karelian fare. The restaurant is a part of Parppeinvaara Bardic Village, in which the tradition of poem-singing, Karelian cuisine, and nature in Ilomantsi are brought to life in the exhibitions and the buildings. Marjo Niiranen, the owner of the restaurant and the hostess of Parppei, will welcome you warmly and the fair maidens of the hills will lead you to fest upon the Karelian delicacies. Fill your bellies in the buffet while listening to beautiful kantele-music. The spirit and smells of this Karelian building set the mood and while you gaze out of the window and look at the scenery, you cannot help but thinking: “Karelia, we have found you”.

• Five-star dinner and rest in an adults-only hideaway: Surrounded by the enchanting nature and the pure waters of Lake Saimaa, lies Restaurant Solitary, which was nominated as one of the best restaurants in Finland in 2024. Here, head chef Remi Trémouille's culinary artistry combines flavours in surprising ways, emphasising sustainability and honouring the versatility of local produce. Solitary offers dinner experiences during enchanting nature of Lake Saimaa, in isolation of the rush and urgency of the rest of the world. Everything they do is inspired by a passion towards great food and handwork. Restaurant is in the main building of Kuru Private Resort, where Visit Finland organized 2023's Masterclass of Happiness course. 

• Game meat menu in a 160 year's old building: Wollfkong restaurant and wine & beer cellar can be found in the heart of Lappeenranta town center offering high quality food and drink in the unique and highly atmospheric premises. Wolkoff Restaurant first opened it's doors in 1998 in an original yellow wooden house that is one of the oldest building in Lappeenranta, built over 160 years ago. In the summer, their secluded atrium offers a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle of the town. The Restaurant serves delicious lunches and dinners. Every now and then a special evening menu is set, for example a game meat inspired menu.

• À la carte Sauna and food Tour by bikes: Experience a true sauna escape in the world of Finnish saunas. During the sauna adventure, there are five unique sauna experiences such as smoke and river bank sauna. In addition to feeling the gentle steam on your skin, you can enjoy the outstanding sauna menus and workshops in the sauna adventure. During this tour you get to know more about Finnish cuisine based on local products, such as wild mushrooms and berries. You can transfer from Guesthouse to Guesthouse by your own car, but we recommend you to enjoy a bike ride between the guesthouses.

• Best coffee in Finland by the shores of Lake Saimaa: Finns love their coffee, and they are one of the nations drinking most coffee. In the historical setting in an old brick house by the shores of Lake Saimaa, you'll discover the freshest coffees, sweet and savory delicacies showcased in the vitrines, as well as local brand boutiques. Nowadays, our selection also includes artisanal beers, wines, mocktails, and cocktails. The brunch is served during weekend 10-13. Lehmus Roastery in Lappeenranta, has been voted three times for the best roastery in Finland , but in 2020 it was voted for the best cafeteria.