Credits: Julia Kivelä
Sauna is a quintessential part of Finnish culture, but here, it’s more than just wellness. In Finland, sauna is a meeting place for people, and food and drink are an essential part of the experience.
Here’s what you should know about sauna and food.
Finns don't typically eat in the sauna but food is a quintessential part of the sauna experience. The best sauna food is casual, tasty, and fuss-free. In the summer, the grill is often fired up alongside the sauna. There’s nothing like spending a summer evening by a lake, relaxing in some heat, swimming, and a freshly prepared barbecue.
You might notice that after sweating in the sauna, you crave something savory. The most popular sauna food in Finland is sausage. Saunamakkara is a real thing here: it’s simple, tasty, and pairs perfectly with beer – another sauna staple. Sausage might even be cooked in the sauna. Some locals wrap their sausage in heavy-duty foil and let it cook on the hot stones of the sauna stove. It's a real Finnish tradition.
The best drink to have in the sauna is, of course, water. Staying hydrated is essential.
In addition to water, Finns love a saunajuoma, a sauna drink of your choice. It might be a soft drink or a low-alcoholic beverage, sipped between sauna sessions or enjoyed as a refreshing treat afterwards. A sauna beer is a classic choice, with or without alcohol. For many Finns, nothing beats a crisp, cold beer in the fresh air after a hot sauna. If you want something truly local, opt for a Finnish long drink, lonkero. The classic version is made with grapefruit and gin, but nowadays there are plenty of other flavours as well.
A friendly remember to all sauna beginners: the alcohol in drinks and the heat of a sauna don’t mix well. If you’re thirsty for more, better get dressed and head out – in fact, Finns often enjoy a sauna evening before a night out.
Sauna restaurants are hot in Finland right now, with new ones opening in cities across the country. These spots combine a public sauna, a bar, and a restaurant, and range from casual to upscale. Many are located by the water, like the ones in the Helsinki region, so guests can enjoy refreshing dips, too.
ALLAS POOL
You can’t miss Allas Pool and their tempting pools and terraces when strolling around Helsinki’s Market Square. After your sauna and a refreshing swim, grab a coffee at Allas Café & Terrace, or head upstairs to the Sea Grill restaurant for casual bites, cocktails, and great views.
LÖYLY
Löyly is famous for its Nordic architecture, cool seaside location, and modern yet authentic saunas. The stylish restaurant serves mouth-watering food, and a special sauna menu is available even in the sauna area.
UUSI SAUNA
For a truly local experience, head to Uusi Sauna in Jätkäsaari. This modern neighbourhood sauna serves small-brewery beers and comfort food in a laid-back, homely atmosphere.
LONNA
In the summer, hop on a ferry from the Market Square to the tiny Lonna Island. Here, you’ll find a charming wooden sauna and a cozy restaurant – perfect for relaxing by the sea.
KYRÖ SAUNA BAR
In the very heart of the city, you’ll find a sleek bar offering hot sauna sessions and cold gin & tonics. Kyrö Sauna Bar is operated by Kyrö Distillery, known for its rye gins and whiskies. The founders came up with the idea for their Finnish rye distillery in a sauna, naturally.
BODOM BAR & SAUNA
Bodom Bar & Sauna in Espoo is a one-of-a-kind hangout for music and sauna lovers alike. Just steps from Niittykumpu metro station, the bar serves a rotating selection of local craft beers and doubles as a mini-museum dedicated to the band Children of Bodom. After exploring the memorabilia, relax in one of the three saunas – women’s, men’s or mixed.
For more details about public saunas in the capital area, go to our article Must-experience saunas in Helsinki region.
Lakeland is truly the heart of Finland – and the heart of Finnish sauna culture. The Lakeland city of Tampere has even named itself the sauna capital of the world.
KUUMA, TAMPERE
Saunaravintola Kuuma is an urban oasis offering traditional Finnish saunas and modern Nordic gastronomy year-round. Relax in a smoke sauna, enjoy a refreshing dip in Lake Pyhäjärvi, and then head to the terrace for a gourmet meal.
FLOU, TAMPERE
Flou is a sauna, a bar, and a restaurant – all housed in a floating modern log building. In summer, Flou transforms into a lounge-like terrace serving BBQ and party vibes by the Tammerkoski rapids. In winter, the float moves to Lake Pyhäjärvi and invites guests to chill with drinks by the fireplace after an invigorating ice swim.
SATAMAN VIILU, JYVÄSKYLÄ
In Jyväskylä, the harbour is full of restaurant boats and sauna floats. To experience it all at once, head to Sataman Viilu – a modern sauna restaurant by Lake Jyväsjärvi. The menu features classic and seasonal with Finnish ingredients.
SAANA, KUOPIO and LUOTO, KUOPIO
In Kuopio, just minutes from the city centre, you’ll find Saana, a sauna and spa with gorgeous views over Lake Kallavesi. After relaxing in the saunas and pools, you can choose between three on-site restaurants. Local tip: try the famous, fried small fish of this region, muikut (vendace).
Kuopio is also home to Luoto, the city's newest sauna restaurant, rising like a wooden island on Lake Kallavesi. Its striking Nordic design houses modern saunas, a lakeside terrace and a restaurant celebrating fresh, seasonal Finnish flavours.
In Lapland, several sauna restaurants take the tradition a step further by pairing löyly with local traditions, riverside views, and even snow-carved walls.
KESÄRAFLA SAUNA/WNTR SAUNA, ROVANIEMI
Kesärafla Sauna in Rovaniemi is a summer favourite, perched by the Kemijoki River. Guests can move seamlessly between the wood-heated sauna, refreshing dips in the water, and a relaxed riverside terrace serving charcoal-grilled burgers. When winter arrives, the same spot transforms into WNTR Sauna by Kesärafla.
SNOW SAUNA AT ARCTIC SNOWHOTEL, ROVANIEMI
For something truly extraordinary, head to the Snow Sauna at Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi. Here, the sauna walls are made of snow and ice. After heating up, you can step into an outdoor jacuzzi under the Arctic night sky. The experience continues with dinner in the Ice Restaurant, where courses are served on frozen tables, sometimes even in glasses made of ice.
ISOKENKÄISTEN KLUBI, KUUSAMO
If you’re looking for something rustic and deeply rooted in tradition, travel to Isokenkäisten Klubi near Kuusamo, on the southern edge of Lapland. Here, the star attraction is the Seven Star Smoke Sauna, followed by a dip into the clear wilderness waters. The restaurant serves dishes made from local game, fish, and wild herbs.
KUURAKALTIO, INARI
In Inari's Saariselkä, the Kuurakaltio smoke sauna at Kiilopää is legendary. Nestled in the fell landscape of Urho Kekkonen National Park, it offers a more traditional sauna experience – the gentle, aromatic heat of a savusauna and the coolness of the nearby mountain stream for a swim. After sweating out the day’s adventures, guests can enjoy northern specialities such as sautéed reindeer or freshly caught fish at nearby restaurants.
MALLASSAUNA, OULU and KOIVURANNAN SAUNALAUTTA, OULU
This one is for the beer lovers! In Oulu, head to Pikisaari island and restaurant Mallassauna. This casual hangout serves beer from local brewery Hailuodon Panimo and a carefully curated food menu to match. The best part? The beachside sauna, heated during summertime.
Koivurannan Saunalautta, a floating sauna raft also in Oulu, offers public sauna sessions all year long. When docked, they serve some of the best waffles in town, plus drinks and sauna sausages. If you book a private sauna cruise, you can even enjoy a full meal onboard from nearby restaurant Oskarin Kellari.
KAARNA, TURKU REGION
Imagine relaxing in a stylish sauna while admiring stunning sea views, going for a swim on the sandy beach, and then enjoying a delicious Nordic dinner made with seasonal, local ingredients. The newly opened sauna restaurant Kaarna offers just that. Located in the coastal town of Kaarina, this gem is just a 20-minute drive from Turku and open year-round.