Budget tip: Lunch restaurants

Finland isn't one of the cheapest countries you can visit. Specifically eating may be expensive if you want to - or have to - eat at restaurants all the time.

Here is one very valuable tip if you want to save there: Work lunch.

A lot of workers eat out at lunch time, which typically is from 10:00 to 14:00 or so. For this reason there is a huge number of restaurants that offer nothing but lunch, and these places are relatively cheap - less than 10€ will get you food, drinks (water or milk mostly, alcoholic drinks aren't typically available at all at lunch-only restaurants) and coffee with some small dessert. Meal selection is typically limited (often two or three different options) but these days there is almost always at least some vegetarian option (there are places suitable for strict vegans too, but they're a bit less common)

The only problem is that most of these places aren't always easy to find. Unlike typical restaurants these places tend to be hidden on some side street, in a non-descript building with maybe just a small, simple sign outside, if even that - some places, especially in larger office buildings may not advertise their existence at all outside the building.

Even as a finn one might have problems spotting these places if you aren't familiar with local selection. I remember one time at Kalajoki where I was looking for a lunch place. I spotted one place that from outside looked like a typical bar. I was about to leave to look from elsewhere but I happened to notice a man in blue coveralls exiting this place. This being noon and drinking in work being frowned upon I had to ask, and his response was that this is just the best lunch place in town. Once again looks can be deceiving, although place did serve as a bar too - on evenings.

And like absolutely everywhere else on earth, you'll want to go to a place where the locals eat. Those places tend to have the best food. So following some hungry-looking group might lead you to some really nice place hidden from the view.

Of course many "normal" restaurants do offer lunch menus too, but for more authentic home cooking-like meal you'll want to find one of these places that serve lunch only. I'm almost certain that you'll be pleasantly surprised.