Eat the best of Nordic cuisine in Mariehamn, the Åland Islands

Mariehamn doesn't have many old buildings left, but the former 19th-century warehouse, now Indigo Restaurang & Bar, is quite interesting. The big rooms with rough red brick walls, sturdy beam ceilings, and simple furniture perfectly capture the Scandinavian vibe. People of all ages, from hipsters to families, enjoy coming here to hang out, have fun, and eat good food. There's plenty of space – the main hall, a charming courtyard patio, and the Calypso bar upstairs can fit about 400 people without feeling empty. Instead, it's filled with comfy nooks, and everyone spreads out nicely across the roomy yet cozy areas.

The menu covers all the local delights. Start your dinner with pan-fried shiitake mushrooms paired with beetroot purée, pickled mushroom mayo, salted red cabbage, and grilled sourdough. Don't miss cod croquettes, fried with sweet potato purée, chorizo, and toasted coconut. For the main course, treat yourself to freshly caught fish, for example, pan-seared Arctic char filet with beurre blanc, trout roe, Tjudö apple salad, and potato confit – all sourced from local fishermen and farmers. Wrap up your meal with a classic Åland Islands dessert, either apple pie or crumble with rhubarb jelly, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. We bet you'll absolutely fall in love with this place.

Average bill – €45

While you're in Mariehamn, make sure not to skip the Åland Maritime Museum – a special place that tells the tales of local sailors and maritime history. The building, standing strong for over 70 years, also houses Restaurang Nautical on its second floor, a classy spot with a sea-inspired design. Even with some natural changes in decor, key features like a big fireplace, a staircase leading to the restaurant, and the captain's salon with elegant wood paneling have stayed the same. Back in the day, this was where Åland shipowners and captains met for dinners, and today, it's a spot for smaller group lunches. The main rotunda, offering a relaxed and elegant vibe, treats you to panoramic windows with a stunning view of Västerhamn's entrance and the museum ship Pommern. Tables with crisp white tablecloths are generously spaced, classic parquet floors add charm, and a large terrace with big sun umbrellas completes the picture.

Their à la carte menu puts a spotlight on organic local ingredients, readily available and known for their top-notch quality. Start with something unique like grilled lobsters with cabbage purée – a delight you won't find elsewhere. Dive into rich flavors with dishes like baked char with buttered broth on mussels and white wine, salt and pepper garlic prawns, or chanterelle croquettes with roasted celeriac and cranberries, bringing you the taste of the local forest and sea. Don't miss their signature treats: Nautical's truffle or chocolate bavarois with sea buckthorn sorbet and meringue, guaranteed to leave your taste buds in awe. It becomes clear why in the past, ship captains considered Mariehamn a must-stop during their lengthy journeys.

Average bill – €48

Right in the middle of Mariehamn, between two bays, sits the cozy Hotel Pommern, home to the elegant and roomy restaurant, Kvarter5. This stylish spot, decked out in dark tones with shiny brass details, also features a chic wine bar and a comfy lounge. Every night, it becomes a meeting place for tourists and citizens, all looking to have a lovely evening and try out the best Nordic cuisine made with local products and seasonal flavors.

Their menu offers a variety of dishes with ingredients from the wild landscapes of the Åland Islands. How about starting with chanterelle toast and moose tartar as appetizers? In European restaurants, these dishes would be a big deal, but here, they seem like a natural choice. For the main course, go for another specialty – Arctic char with pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, and other veggies. This cold-water fish has a pink flesh and tastes similar to salmon and trout but comes at a higher cost due to being mostly harvested from the wild. Don't skip chocolate fondant with cognac cloudberries – these juicy delicacies, found only in the remote tundra of the northern latitudes, will add to your list of new gastronomic discoveries. Their extensive wine collection is not only full of surprises but also utterly charming, turning you into a fan of Nordic hospitality traditions.

Average bill – €55

If you're inside Sittkoff Galleria in the heart of downtown, make sure to swing by Boquerian – a tapas restaurant and bar with a lovely glazed terrace and green yard, serving as Mariehamn's main spot for people looking to socialize. Boqueria, meaning a meeting place or market in Spanish, emphasizes the idea of gathering around food. The menu takes inspiration from Southern European traditions, that’s why, inside, you'll find graphic ceramic tiles, Brooklyn metal tins, wooden panels, and lots of greenery, creating a cozy hideaway reminiscent of 1920s Barcelona.

From the tapas menu, definitely try their standouts – grilled Åland trout with wild garlic hollandaise, dill-infused chanterelles, and homemade chips topped with Parma ham. For an even better experience, go for The Boqueria Tray featuring various cheeses, salumi, olives marinated in herbs, and lingonberry marmalade. To complete your culinary journey from north to south Europe, finish with some Italian gelato or sorbet with fresh wildberries, paired perfectly with a cup of just brewed espresso. During lunch, they offer a tapas basket in 3 different variations, with the assortment changing daily. Also, feel free to check out their charcuterie and delicatessen counter, where you can grab your favorites for a cozy tapas evening at home – sausages, cheeses, olives, marmalades, and other high-quality treats.

Saturday brunch for adult – €27 + a glass of house sparkling wine for €6
Saturday brunch for children 3-12 years – from €8
Tapas basket – from €14
Tapas lunch average bill – €25

Located in a historic building in Mariehamn, dating back to 1920, Kallas Stadskrog has been a constant presence since its construction, witnessing nearly a century of events in this unique structure. Over the years, residents, barbershops, tailors, bakeries, watch and goldsmith shops came and went, but Kallas has stood strong, aging like fine wine. Noteworthy is the building's design – the first floor in stone and the second in wood – a rare sight a century ago. Despite the passage of time, the house has maintained its charm and invites you to step inside. The restaurant's rich history echoes in its walls, tiled archways, semi-circular windows, antique wooden floors, and vintage furniture.

If you're not feeling too hungry, explore Kallas’s kitchen through their menu section featuring light dishes. Try a sandwich with hand-peeled prawns on Åland black bread, perfectly paired with a glass of Albali Verdejo 2022. Alternatively, enjoy a snack basket with a mix of deep-fried treats or simply savor incredibly good French fries with dip. Among the main dishes, options like grilled salt-cured Åland wild salmon or the catch of the day with fresh potatoes paired with Rabl Riesling 2021 have consistently left a lasting impression. And you’d better save room for dessert – their strawberry mint cheesecake is a crowd-pleaser that has graced the menu for years, enticing many visitors to return.

Average bill – €35

If you've recently come across the stunning and historically rich Finnish archipelago, the Åland Islands, we genuinely and joyfully envy you. Many people dream of visiting this incredible region, made up of nearly 7,000 tiny islands that can be explored by ferries or kayaks, along with the main island of Fasta Åland, with its charming capital Mariehamn. Discover its 19th-century buildings, artisan souvenir shops, and unique restaurants, and let our little guide assist you on this exciting journey.