The companies that have registered for the taste adventure have planned tasting dishes that they hope will showcase northern ingredients and flavors. Both sweet and savory dishes and drinks will be on offer, a total of 35 dishes in 23 restaurants and cafes. This is a record for both the number of participating restaurants and the number of dishes.

Customers can rate the dishes they taste. The dishes with the highest scores will be awarded in four categories: savory dishes, sweet dishes, drinks and the best dish of the entire competition. Restaurant gift cards and Arctic Food Lab and Oulu2026 products will be raffled among the customers who gave points. The winning dishes will be announced and the raffles will be held on Tuesday, September 29.

The event showcases the food culture and ingredients of the Oulu2026 area and lowers the threshold for customers to enter new restaurants and cafés. The restaurants and cafés have chosen themselves in which categories they will participate in the competition for the most delicious dish: some are involved in one, some in two and some even in all three categories.

From nettles to smoked reindeer and berries
The menu includes a variety of bread delicacies, fish dishes, burgers, cakes and desserts. The drink selection includes mocktails, for example.

Participating in the Taste Adventure are 1bar, Bistoria Patio, Chez Flo, Cocktail Company, Kallen Pizzat X 45 Special, Kahvila Kiikku, Restaurant Kummeli, Restaurant Lasaretti, Magnolia Coffee & Bakery, Restaurant Nallikari, Oula Kitchen & Bar, Restaurant Pekuri, Restaurant Ule, Restaurant Roast, Stadionravintola Heinäpää, Teerenpeli, Tuba, UP Bar & Lounge and Varikko Panimo. J&S Burger and Terwa Foodtruck are also participating with food trucks at Oulu Market Square.

In the local area, J&S Burger in Ii, Kujalan Burgeri in Hailuoto, Smokehouse 299 in Tyrnävä and Terwa Foodtruck in Kempele are participating. The portions are available for purchase during the restaurants' opening hours; some serve lunch, some in the evening, and some have longer opening hours. More information about the portions and opening hours can be found on the Arctic Food Lab website.

Event producer Katri Jämsä says that food culture has already been strongly involved in Oulu's bid to become the European Capital of Culture.

"It's great that food events clearly attract both industry players and the general public. The Oulu2026 area's wonderful offering in this area is made possible by a diverse, active group of players who develop products and services to put the best on the table for locals and visitors," says Jämsä happily.

Last year, 16 restaurants and cafés participated in the Taste Adventure and around 3,300 visitors. The winner was J&S Burger's The Miniburger. The event is now being held for the fifth time. It is organized by the Oulu Cultural Foundation, which is responsible for Oulu2026 activities. Arctic Food Lab is the Oulu2026 region's own brand, highlighting the uniqueness of raw materials grown under the skies of northern Finland and the culinary tradition born in Arctic conditions. Here, food is not just nutrition – it is a story that travels from forests and waterways to the plate.

Arctic Food Lab is one of the longest-running and most extensive programmes of the European Capital of Culture. Food culture has played a significant role in the Oulu2026 cultural programme from the very beginning.