Just around the corner from the Tampere city centre lies Tammelantori market square. During summer, the place is lively and full of people and local farmers or shop keepers selling products from the fields and forests: e.g. strawberries, carrots and birch whisks used in saunas. There is a flea market where locals sell their old books, vintage clothes and handicrafts and there are kiosks selling fish hamburgers, black sausauges and ice cream. But during winter time, from October to April, the place is quiet and mainly for devoted locals.

There are two things that make me go there even when it’s grey and foggy and -2 degrees outside. Kahvikeidas which we call Hanna’s Café is the first reason to head to the square around noon to meet my mom and enjoy some cups of warm Finnish light roasted filter coffee with an open sandwich (with freshly salted salmon) and ”pulla” – sweet bun of the season (my favourite one is just a simple one with a hint of butter on top). These treats cost only a few euros, but remember to bring cash!

The other reason I love Tammelantori is the potato booth of Janne Jaakkola who comes to sell his own products every morning from his farm 100 km from Tampere! His potatoes are better than any market ones. The best way to eat them is just to boil them in hot water with the peel son and serve with salted herring and real butter.