Finland, nestled at the edge of the map, is celebrated as the happiest country in the world. Its secret lies in its nature, its people, and its food — a culinary treasure that has largely remained undiscovered by the rest of the world.
This winter, that is set to change. Finland is opening its doors to the world to share its culinary secrets, doing so in the most Finnish way imaginable: over dinner, with the possibility of finding a connection that lasts a lifetime.
In an unprecedented destination dining experience, Finland is inviting international singles to Have Some Finnish — quite literally. Participants will enjoy a candlelit tasting menu inspired by the country’s closely guarded culinary traditions, seated across from fellow singles who share their interests. It’s one meal and two opportunities to fall for Finland: through its food and the people they meet.
Anyone can apply at FinnishDinnerDate.com for the chance to be selected as one of 16 singles participating in two exclusive group dinner experiences in February 2027. The events will take place in Helsinki and Tampere, in Finland’s Lakeland region.
A Chance to Fall in Love with Finland
This romantic new take on Finland’s Official Tasting dinners draws inspiration from the country’s recently viral Sinkkukori (“single basket”) phenomenon. These pink grocery baskets offer a playful way for single shoppers to signal their openness to meeting someone while shopping for groceries.
“Finnish food is a direct expression of our famously happy way of life: a way of connecting to place, to season, and to the people around you,” says Heli Jimenez, Senior Director, International Marketing at Business Finland. “Food brings Finns together, and now we are inviting travelers to join us in a truly one-of-a-kind way.”
In early 2026, Finland introduced official tasting menus designed to define its national cuisine and welcomed travelers on its first Official Tasting trips. Featuring an extraordinary tasting dinner as the highlight of a four-day culinary journey, these experiences go far beyond the food itself. Each trip is thoughtfully designed as a multisensory exploration of a particular Finnish region, bringing together local cuisine, stories, landscapes, and cultural traditions.
Now, 16 selected singles will have the opportunity to embrace the heart of the Northern winter, traveling, tasting, and dating their way through Helsinki and Tampere, a lively city in the heart of the Lakeland region.
The Helsinki region’s tasting menu will be prepared by Chef Adele Kinnunen, Head Chef at Café Savoy, whose career spans prestigious kitchens and an appearance on Finland’s Masterchef Professionals. Meanwhile, the Lakeland tasting menu will be created by Chef Henry Tikkanen, restaurateur of Gösta, who has represented Finland at the Bocuse d’Or and was named Finnish Chef of the Year in 2001.
Europe’s Last Undiscovered Food Destination
While Italian, Chinese, and other Nordic cuisines have earned international recognition, Finnish cuisine remains one of Europe’s most overlooked gastronomic treasures. For travelers seeking authentic culinary adventures and the next emerging food destination, Finland offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be discovered.
Rooted in pristine natural surroundings and shaped by the changing seasons, Finnish cuisine celebrates wild fish, game, berries, mushrooms, and locally sourced ingredients. Its culinary traditions emphasize simplicity, purity, and authenticity, maintaining a close connection to the landscapes and communities where the ingredients originate.
“From sauna food traditions to foraging, Finnish cuisine tells a story that exists nowhere else. We want visitors to experience that story in full,” Jimenez says. “Coming to the world’s happiest country, they may find love – with each other, with Finnish food or with their new favorite travel destination.”
The Finnish Dinner Date: Key Details
- Event dates: The 2027 Finnish Dinner Date experiences will take place between February 9 and 19, 2027.
- Destinations: One dinner event will be held in Helsinki and the other in Tampere. The selected participants will discover their exact dinner destination only after confirming their participation, making it the trip’s first blind match. Each dinner will be a relaxed group gathering where all participants dine together and experience one of Finland’s official tasting menus.
- Application deadline: Applications close on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 11:59 AM Finnish time (EET, UTC+2).
- Number of participants: Eight singles will be selected for each tasting experience, for a total of 16 participants.
- Announcement of selected participants: The winners will be announced publicly on December 1 through Visit Finland’s social media channels on Instagram and TikTok.
- How to apply: Applicants need to answer one question: What would you serve on a dinner date, and why?Applying involves two steps:
- Create and share a video. Record a video in English answering the question and publish it on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. Use #FinnishDinnerDate and tag the appropriate Visit Finland account: @ourfinland on Instagram, @visitfinland.com on TikTok, or @VisitFinland on YouTube.
- Complete the application form. Visit FinnishDinnerDate.com and submit the application form, including a link to your published video.
