Nordic Magic on a Plate – Wild Herbs in Finland

With some of the cleanest air and water in the world, Finland offers a rare kind of luxury: pure nature, even in the cities, rich with edible treasures. In spring, nature offers a special treat: wild herbs. Delicate, aromatic, and worthy of fine dining – just waiting to be picked.
 

Anna Nyman has spent the past ten years guiding curious locals and visitors through Helsinki’s parks and forests, helping people rediscover the wild herbs growing all around them. 

“Learning about wild herbs felt like discovering a lost secret. They blew my mind,” she says.

“In the old days, every Finnish farmhouse used wild herbs – for cooking and healing. That knowledge has been passed down through generations.”

What makes Finnish herbs truly special is the nature they grow in. “Plants in the north need to survive dark, cold winters. In spring, there’s a sudden burst of light. This is a strange place, and plants need to adapt. They become resilient – just like the people, too. Nyman smiles. That resilience makes northern herbs richer in flavour and nutrients than their southern cousins. 

Foraging season runs from late April to the first snowfall. In spring, early herbs are mild and easy for beginners. Summer brings flowers and bold aromas, and in autumn, it’s time to gather seeds, roots and leaves. 

Plants like nettle, ground elder, chickweed and livelong are among Nyman’s favourites. “Ground elder tastes like carrot or celeriac. It makes so many tastebuds happy,” she says. 

Wild herbs can be enjoyed raw, cooked or dried. Even fine-dining restaurants have discovered them – you might spot spruce, pine, or juniper on the menu in Finland, thanks to their truly unique aromas.
Many herbs also have medicinal properties: chickweed, for instance, is known to reduce swelling and cool the body on hot summer days. They’re used in cosmetics too – and, of course, in the sauna. Birch is the traditional choice for sauna whisks, but Nyman likes to mix in nettle. 

Nyman encourages beginners to join a guided tour, especially since some plants in Finnish nature are toxic. But foraging doesn’t require any equipment or previous experience, nor does it mean hiking deep into the wilderness. In fact, wild herbs are often best found near urban areas.
“In Finland, nature is never far. It’s something people can even do quickly after work – wandering, watching, and tasting.”

In Finland, everyone is free to enjoy nature’s pantry. The law guarantees your right to roam, pick wild herbs, berries, and mushrooms almost anywhere. This is known as Everyman’s Right – or Jokamiehenoikeudet in Finnish – and it allows anyone, including visitors, to enjoy nature freely. You can forage, walk, and even fish with a simple rod and line, all without needing permission. Just remember that with these rights comes the responsibility to respect nature and treat it with care.

You can enjoy wild herbs in restaurants, too. Finnish restaurants craft imaginative dishes of seasonal, natural ingredients that highlight their unique flavours. The chef may have even foraged the herbs on your plate that very morning from a nearby forest – because in Finland, there’s always one close by.

Here are a few restaurants that will take your tastebuds on a culinary trip to the wild side. 

Restaurant Skörd in Helsinki takes their dedication to local ingredients so seriously that they forgo even peppercorns. You won’t miss them – aromatic herbs, meticulous cooking methods, and the pure intensity of Nordic produce pack a punch of flavour. Try the wine list and let Finnish berry wines surprise you.

Local, seasonal ingredients define the menu at the prestigious Turku restaurant Kaskis as well. Chefs Erik and Simo often forage wild herbs from nearby nature, transforming them into creative Nordic fine dining.

Unforgettable dining experiences can be found all around Finland. Restaurant Kielo is a hidden gem in Joensuu, a town surrounded by forests and the beautiful Lake Saimaa. Their 9-course set menu takes you on a delightful taste journey through Finland, celebrating northern flavours. 

For something truly unique, dine deep in the woods. Wild Out hosts three-course wilderness lunches amidst the pristine nature in Kuusamo, Northern Finland. Carefully prepared wild food tastes even more delicious when enjoyed outdoors by the campfire. 

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Visit Finland, a unit of Business Finland, is a national authority on tourism and an active force in promoting international travel to Finland. Its main goal is to develop Finland’s international image as a destination. Visit Finland supports the travel industry through research and helps businesses and groups develop products and services for the international market. For more information, please visit www.visitfinland.com.