Kokkola's restaurant scene reflects its bilingual character — you find Finnish and Swedish-influenced cooking side by side, with fish from the Gulf of Bothnia prominent on most menus. Vendace (muikku), a small freshwater fish found in Finnish coastal waters, is a local speciality worth seeking out; fried and served with mashed potato and lingonberry, it is a straightforward and very good Finnish dish. The market square has a lively outdoor market in summer with traditional food stalls.