Ultimate Tallinn Restaurant Guide

[EestiTiger]

I have had the pleasure of travelling to Estonia every year since 2007. It is fair to say it is my favourite country. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it charmed me on my first visit and continues to do so with each visit. I love travelling around Europe each Euro-Summer and I use Estonia as my home away from home so I thought I’d put together a guide of my favourite restaurants.

There are so many fantastic food options! Restaurants come and go with each new Summer offering new restaurants but there are some oldies that I would recommend. Most of my time in Tallinn is spent with friends in restaurants so I think I have some good advice.

Controvento (pictured below) - an old favourite in the heart of the oldtown. Popular with tourists so I recommend not coming at the peak of the lunchtime rush. If you can get a seat out the front you are winning. Seating upstairs is good too. Try the tirumisu - to die for… Pizza 5-10 Euros.



Cafe Noble - out near the port. If it is a nice day come here for lunch. Right on the water and no crowds! Don't be afraid to leave the old town!

Leib - (Estonian for black bread) - service can be hit and miss, but the location is gorgeous. On a sunny day this is a great option to sit in the garden and is not on the tourist trail Mains 15 Euros.

Kohvik Moon - another old favourite. Near the ferry ports just oldside of the old town. Beautiful food and a hidden gem from the tourist hordes. Mains 15 Euros.

Klaus - Not far from Kohvik Moon (above). Another place popular with locals and a nice place to eat or drink on a sunny day. Mains 10 Euros.

Sfaar - Just outside of the old town and a trendy little place in a hipster area. Try the pavlova… Mains 15 Euros.

Noa (pictured below) - Amazing food, amazing service and that view. A bit of an effort to get to and you’ll be the only non-local here. Mains 12 Euros



Al Bastione - close to the Viru Gate. Head outside to the garden area. It is a refuge from the busy tourist street outside.

Kohvik Komeet (pictured below) - outside the old town on top of a shopping centre. Amazing views of the old town and where the beautiful people come to be seen. If you want to escape the crowds and enjoy a drink in the sun, this is your place. Is a busy and happening place at night with the locals. Mains 15 Euros.



Gloria (pictured below) - if you are here in Winter and want a nice warm cellar to drink some wine, you must come here. HUGE variety of wines from around the world and a rabbit warren of connected rooms. Mains 25 Euros. I suggest though, coming here to the wine cellar to share a nice bottle of red.



Kaerajaan - I haven’t been here for a few years but if you want to sample some traditional Estonian food this is still the place to come. Right on the old town square means it is priced a bit more than other places. Mains 15 Euros.

Farm (pictured below) - Hard to miss the stuffed animals in the window. Very popular and deservingly so. Traditional Estonian cuisine. Will probably need to book to get in here. Mains 20 Euros.

 

[EestiTiger]

Part II

Troika - Very touristy yes, and there are probably better Russian restaurants in Tallinn, but the decor and staff make this worth the visit if it is your first time in Tallinn. Go inside and downstairs for a look at the main dining area.



Tchaikovsky - If you want to impress or have a milestone to celebrate, this is the place. Incredible food and service. If the old town bustle gets too much, pop into their walled garden for some peace and solitude. If you are lucky there might be a string quartet playing. Pricey yes, but worth every penny.





Umami (pictured below)- Another effort to get to, but again so worth it. If it is a nice day, sitting here in the garden with good food and drink is just divine. One of my Tallinn happy places.



Pirosmani (pictured below) - Ok this is a bit of an effort to get to but if you like your Georgian food it is worth the effort. Situated on the edge of a forest, no tourists, amazing food and Georgian wines.



Kehrwieder - on the Old Town Square. If you are after coffee and cake pop in here. Make sure you go inside and check out the decor, it reminds me a bit of yoda’s house in Star Wars…

 

[EestiTiger]

Art Priori (pictured below) - Wow - this place is amazing. Another place to take people to impress. All the dishes are presented incredibly and the food is sublime. You will need to book to get in here. Mains 25 Euros.

 

[VPS]

I agree Tallinn is a great spot - love the square - thanks for posting

 

[RB]

Thanks for posting. I will share with a friend who was born in Tallin. We had a great time there in 2005 and caught up with an old friend of hers-sadly don't remember the name of any of the restaurants. I see the Red Group Apartments are still going, we had a very comfortable stay in one of their places

 

[RooFlyer]

Great thread - thanks! We did Tchaikovsky twice while we were there, and only discovered inside the second time .

 

[burmans]

Looks great and Talinn on my to do list, what sort of prices are these restaurants?

 

[drron]

Great timing.We have a couple of days there in August.Have put this thread into favourites.

 

[Isochronous]

Looks great and Talinn on my to do list, what sort of prices are these restaurants?

I ate at Tchaicovsky twice in 2014 Summer. Superb place - most expensive main on the menu was €21 - so actually quite affordable for Australians.

Staying in Hotel Telegraaf looks delightful as wel

 

[EestiTiger]

Looks great and Talinn on my to do list, what sort of prices are these restaurants?

Prices are the best part A lot cheaper than Western Europe. Some are cheaper than the others, I'll add a price guide on each.

 

[burmans]

Prices are the best part A lot cheaper than Western Europe. Some are cheaper than the others, I'll add a price guide on each.

Thanks. I suspected much, looks like a good foodie destination even without the tourism part.

 

[Buzzard]

Thanks for posting ozmatt, it just makes me want to go!

 

[EestiTiger]

I thought it might be best to keep my restaurant reviews in this thread rather than my current trip report.

Today's post is brought to you by the fabulous restaurant Tuljak. I was unable to get in here the only time I tried last Summer, so I was a little bit more organised this time and popped over there for lunch on a quiet day. You will need to get a taxi / uber to get here as it is away from the port and old town. It won't take more than 10 mins unless the traffic is heavy such as afternoon peak or on a sunny day with everyone heading to the beach at Pirita.

Details of the restaurant plus the menu can be found in English here: Tuljak Restaurant

Service in Tallinn restaurants can be a bit hit and miss but this place nailed it. The chef sent out some slow cooked pork as a starter before our mains. All the staff were excellent with great English.

I had the steak (pictured below) and it was divine - melt in your mouth tender and beautifully seasoned. The highlight though for me was the tiramisu also pictured below. It was flat and at first I thought I only had a scoop of vanilla ice-cream! Presentation was unusual but the bottom line is it was superb. I will definitely be re-visiting this place before I head home.

I regret I didn't take better pictures of the cutlery - it was beautiful.

 

[EestiTiger]

Lunch today was in another place I have never been to before. I just love that there are so many great food options in Tallinn

Restaurant details in English are here: Neikid

A bit of a walk again from the Port but just outside the old town in a lovely green part of town. The mayor of Tallinn was dining at another table so I guess that might mean it is pretty good! I had the pork pictured below which again was tender and beautifully presented. My love of pototoes means I will never pass as an Estonian, but when I see the words 'roast potatoes' and 'duck fat' in the same sentence, I must have! They were good but not the best I have had.

Staff and service was also top notch.