Tampere Mustamakkara

Mustamakkara, black sausage, is the food most closely tied to Tampere: a mild blood sausage bulked with rye, grilled and eaten warm with a spoonful of tart lingonberry jam and, traditionally, a glass of milk. Locals defend the milk pairing fiercely, and the market hall is its home.

The main sights

• The black sausage - the grilled rye-and-blood sausage, mild and warm.
• Lingonberry jam - the tart red jam that is its essential partner.
• The glass of milk - the traditional and hotly defended drink alongside.
• The Tampere Market Hall - the classic place to buy and eat it.

When to go

Year-round; it is a warm snack, especially welcome on a cold day, bought fresh from the market hall or a stall. Try it once with the jam and milk as tradition demands.

What to expect

Blood sausage is not to every taste, and the lingonberry and milk pairing surprises outsiders, so approach it with an open mind. It is cheap, homely and local rather than a refined dish. The market hall version is the one to try.

Nearby

The Tampere Market Hall is central; Pyynikki ridge and its doughnuts make a sweet counterpart.