Savouring Estonia From Fine Dining to Street Food
From Fine Dining to Street Food 2019-2020
Cover Photo: Lauri Laan 180° by Matthias Diether Staapli 4, Port Noblessner 10415 Tallinn Tu-Sa 18 - 23 +372 661 0180 www.180degrees.ee Texts: Heidi Vihma Designer: Aleksander Karu Translator: Juta Ristsoo Photos: Lauri Laan, Marek Metslaid, private collections Publisher: Best Guides OÜ www.bestguides.ee
Enjoy Savouring Estonia! Our small country is filled with large flavours, exciting and unique eateries. Savouring Estonia has selected the best of the best. No matter whether it is a fancy, fine dining restaurant or the vendor of simple street food, they are all places where we eat, where we invite our friends and acquaintances, and that we are always happy to recommend to foreign visitors. Estonia has always been a border country both geographically and gastronomically. Like other Nordic countries, we prefer pure and fresh flavours. However, these have been enriched by both our close neighbours the Russians, as well as the Germans, with whom we shared a cultural space for centuries. Yet today, the local flavour palette includes the entire world – we are curious and open to trying new things. Wishing you flavour journeys filled with new experiences,
Heidi Vihma Restaurant Critic Estonia
Katrin Weiss Best Guides OĂœ Estonia
Content 4
Categories
32
Tuljak
5
Tallinn
34
Carmen Cafe Rotermann
6
180 Degrees
36
Flavore
8
Art Priori
38
Kuldse Notsu Kõrts
10
CRU
40
Goodwin. The Steak House
12
Härg
42
Gourmet Coffee Kadriorg
14
Juur
44
Kalev Yacht Club Restaurant
16
Konrad
46
Korsten
18
Leib
48
La Bottega
20
Mekk
50
Nero
22
NOA
52
NokNok
24
Pull
54
Odessa
26
Ribe
56
Platz
28
Ruhe
58
The Tap Room
30
Stenhus
60
Radio
62
Salt
64
Spot
66
Sume
68
TarTar köök+baar
70
Taste of Tallinn
72
Von Krahli Aed
74
Balti Station Market
76
Depoo
78
Uulits
82
Tartu
84
Joyce
86
Kampus
90
Pärnu
92
Pärnu Rannahotell
94
Mahedik
Categories Fine Dining
Casual Dining
Street Food
Fine dining hasn’t meant classical restaurants with white tablecloths for a long time now. Today, fine dining restaurants can be very unique and special. But basic truths never change and they still value the completeness of the experience, and turn their attention to all aspects thereof. These are places where the food and service are first class, and the menu represents the head chef’s unique creations that are born of commitment. In these places the beverage menu is outstanding, the design supports the whole, and attention is paid to the smallest details.
In some cases, the line between fine dining and casual dining may be paper-thin, but usually casual restaurants do not set goals that are comparable to fine dining. Instead they focus on the atmosphere. The casual style gives chefs the courage to try various flavour combinations and techniques, and provides the guests with a pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy them. Under the heading of casual dining, we have collected those restaurants and cafés that provide a gastronomical experience, pleasant service and relaxing ambience. These are places where you can also stop by for a drink, snack or light meal.
The fact that street food can also be gourmet food is proven by the best street food vendors around the world. During the last few years, local gourmet street food has also developed in Estonia. Initially, indeed based on examples from the rest of the world, since Estonian street food is still developing. A new phenomenon on the Estonian culinary landscape is the chef going and ‘mixing with the people’. Searching for new challenges, internationally experienced top chefs are establishing street food kiosks, and applying their high culinary experience in a new context and raising street food to a totally new level.
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Tallinn, an International Gourmet City Estonia has earned the honour of being the host country of the Bocuse d’Or Europe, the most prestigious competition for top chefs, in 2020. This exceptional event will bring the most talented master chefs of their generation to Tallinn from all over Europe. According to Dimitri Demjanov, the organiser of the event, the title of host country provides an opportunity for Estonia to become the centre of European gastronomy in 2020. This is also acknowledgement of our chefs, food producers, farmers and small farm owners, as well as tourism promoters. There are lots of good and exciting eateries in Tallinn. The greatest concentrations of them are in the city centre and in the Old Town, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition to some of the top restaurants, we will introduce some small local eateries, beloved by the locals, but which are slightly off the tourists’ beaten paths, along with the best places for street food.
Fine Dining
180° Experience
180° by Matthias Diether
180 Degrees, a fine dining establishment located in historic Port Noblessner, serves a four- and a six-course tasting menu. The flavour experience is completed by the visual enjoyment provided by the sea view and the kitchen in the centre of the dining room, which is open on three sides. The head chef is Matthias Diether, a Michelin-starred chef from Germany, whose ambition is to raise the quality of the local cuisine to a new level. The taste experience providing culinary brilliance is perfected by the relationship between food and drink.
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www.180degrees.ee
Tu-Sa 18 - 23 | Staapli 4, Port Noblessner, Tallinn | +372 661 0180
Fine Dining
Art Priori
Art and restaurant The Art Priori, located in Tallinn Old Town, provides wonderful experiences for all tastes – along with the cuisine, the guests can also enjoy the paintings. On display are original paintings by European old masters from the 15th to 17th centuries – primarily still lifes and scenes of domestic life. In addition to the art, Art Priori also displays its partially open kitchen, where the dishes are prepared that have propelled Art Priori to the top of the Estonian restaurant world. The dishes are inspired by Nordic cuisine and local nature, and although they are based on classics, they are always able to surprise. 10
www.artpriori.ee
Mo-Tu 12-23 Fr-Sa 12-24 Su Closed | Olevimägi 7, Tallinn | +372 600 33 53
Fine Dining
CRU
A head Chef that’s among the best in the world The head chef at Cru, which has been among the best restaurants in Estonia for years, is Dmitri Haljukov, who is known as a successful representative of Estonian cooking culture at the world’s most important competition for professional chefs. In 2015, Dmitri Haljukov placed 14th in the Bocuse d’Or, which is called the world championships of cooking. With his own restaurant, Haljukov has been able to bring a local clientele back to Viru Street, which is the main artery of the tourism area – the Cru’s clientele is comprised almost equally of the local citizenry and tourists.
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www.crurestoran.eu
Mo-Su 12-23 | Viru 8, Tallinn | +372 6140085
Fine Dining
Härg
Modern meat restaurant The founders of the Härg (Ox in English) Restaurant are three Estonian meat specialists and grill masters – Enn Tobreluts, Hanno Kuul and Andres Tuule. The menu favourites include high-quality steaks, slow-cooked meat, and grilled dishes. The menu also features lamb, pork and duck dishes, fish, seafood, vegetarian dishes and healthy salads. The Härg’s modern interior design, which has been deemed worthy of a nomination for the annual prize awarded by the Estonian Association of Interior Architects, makes it special and festive. In the summer the restaurant expands onto the terrace, and the courtyard can accommodate larger groups of guests.
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www.resto.harg.ee
Mo-Th 11-23 Fr-Sa 11-24 Su Closed | Maakri 21, Tallinn | +372 5382 5003
Fine Dining
Juur
Back to our roots Juur (Root in English) is one of Tallinn’s hidden gastronomic treasures and one that you won’t just stumble across. Namely, it is located outside the heart of the city in the modern Ülemiste City neighbourhood. The menu is inspired by the nature-friendly cuisine of the Nordic countries. Great emphasis is placed on the use of organic raw ingredients from small producers and sustainable consumption. The food is prepared using both innovative techniques and time-honoured food preparation methods. The staff grows some of the vegetables themselves on an organic field in South-Estonia, and they make trips together to gather berries and mushrooms. 16
www.restoranjuur.ee
Mo 11:30-16 Tu-Fr 11:30-22 Sa 17-22 | Valukoja 10, Tallinn | +372 60 707 05
Fine Dining
Konrad
Modern and classic
There can be no location closer to the heart of the city – one looks out onto Freedom Square through Konrad’s large windows. Due to its classical milieu, the Konrad is suitable for a working lunch or pleasant dinner. The menu is mostly inspired by European cuisine, which has been approached in a modern way. The tastes and combinations are simple, but not because of their means of preparation, but rather their comprehensibility – the Konrad wants its guests to understand what they are eating. The restaurant was named to honour Konrad Mägi, one of Estonia’s greatest painters.
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www.tallinnhotels.ee/konrad
Mo-Fr 12-22 Sa-Su Closed | Vabaduse väljak 3, Tallinn | +372 680 6650
Fine Dining
Leib
From farm to table Of the restaurants serving new Estonian cuisine, Leib (Bread in English) is the one with the clearest profile. Raw ingredients that are local, mostly from farms and small producers; no unnecessarily whimsical cuisine here, but still inventive and always surprising. The beverage card is a sight to behold. It includes everything: the best local wines, organic and biodynamic wines, as well as a selection of beers and ciders. In the winter, the Leib is filled with a pleasant buzz, but it becomes mysteriously beautiful when it moves outdoors in the summer – into a yard of wonders hidden among the Old Town walls.
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www.leibresto.ee
Mo-Su 12-23 | Uus street 31, Tallinn | +372 611 9026
Fine Dining
MEKK
Modern Estonian cuisine For more than ten years, the restaurant called MEKK, an acronym for ‘modern Estonian cuisine’ in Estonian, has been one of the most acknowledged innovators of new Estonian cuisine. And this is the restaurant where official visitors to Estonia are often taken to enjoy Estonian food. Using his masterful skills combined with the possibilities provided by modern technology, head chef Rene Uusmees has been able to refine the traditional cuisine into something individualised, unique and capable of surprising both visitors to our country, as well as Estonians themselves. 22
www.tallinnhotels.ee/mekk
Mo-Fr 12-23 Sa 17-23 Su Closed | Suur-Karja 17, Tallinn | +372 680 6688
Fine Dining
NOA
Breaking traditions The NOA à la carte restaurant and NOA Chef´s Hall, a top restaurant with a tasting menu, get together under the roof of a unique building with perfect sea views. The two sides, with different looks but a single style, comprise a whole that creates a separate gastronomic world. The cuisine at NOA is unparalleled and special, surprising and traditionbreaking. The attentive service and the beverage menu form an equal partnership with the kitchen. The NOA is located directly on the seaside on the border between Tallinn and Viimsi, enabling the guests to enjoy their summertime dinners on the spacious terrace accompanied by Tallinn’s most beautiful view. 24
www.noaresto.ee
Mo-Th 12-23 Fr-Sa 12-00 Su 12-22 | Ranna Tee 3, Tallinn | +372 508 0589
Fine Dining
Pull Outstanding meat dishes The founders of the Pull (Bull in English) Restaurant include Enn Tobreluts, Estonia’s most authoritative meat specialist and grill master. Therefore, one can be sure that the meat dishes served here are outstanding. Most of the dishes are prepared over an open fire. And it is definitely worth trying the ‘dirty steak’, which is cooked in charcoal, and has become one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. The menu also includes fish and vegan dishes, but it is the very plentiful and high-quality meat selection that is so impressive. Fresh salads and a large selection of wines to accompany the meat are also on offer. 26
www.resto.pull.ee
Mo-Th 12 - 23 Fr-Sa 12 - 24 Su 13 - 21 | Rotermanni 2, Tallinn | +372 5382 5000
Fine Dining
Ribe
Classical & trendy
During its more than ten years of operation, Ribe has demonstrated exceptional stability and continued to be included among the top eateries in Estonia. It has built its stellar reputation on classical principles: delicious food, an excellent drink selection, hospitality and a pleasant atmosphere. The menu is based on European classics, although they are being constantly enhanced by trendy raw materials and methods. The beverage menu with its large selection of wines and craft beers takes its cue from the food and combines both the classical and the trendy.
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www.ribe.ee
Mo-Su 12-23 | Vene 7, Tallinn | +372 631 3084
Fine Dining
Ruhe Beach restaurant in a fishing village The Ruhe restaurant is on the northern coast a half-hour’s drive from Tallinn. The modern architecture and interior design have been inspired by the coastal people’s boat sheds. Ruhe is the name of a fishing boat or skiff made of a hollowed-out tree trunk. One is located under the apple tree on the restaurant’s terrace. In German, the world ‘ruhe’ means peace and this appropriately describes the restaurant’s mood. Although fresh fish dominates the menu, meat and vegetarian dishes are also on offer. The beverage card is diverse and reasonably priced. There are also guest rooms on the second floor for a peaceful vacation. 30
www.ruhe.ee
We-Su 13-22 | Sadama tee 10, Neeme küla, Jõelähtme vald | +372 56 279 007
Fine Dining
Stenhus
The new combined with the old The Stenhus, which is located in the small Schlรถssle luxury hotel, provides an opportunity to dine in a building where many crowned heads and uncrowned celebrities have stayed. These include Roman Herzog, the President of Germany, Queen Paola of Belgium, Prince Michael of Kent, Charles, Prince of Wales, and many others. The medieval vaulted cellar and the first-class service worthy of a firstclass hotel make this traditional evening restaurant exceptional. The menu features classic European dishes with a modern twist, which are prepared from raw ingredients sourced from Estonian farms, fishermen and small-scale producers.
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www.stenhusrestaurant.ee
Mo-Su 12-23 | Pühavaimu 13/15, Tallinn Old Town | +372 699 7780
Fine Dining
Tuljak
A modern take on history In the summer, the Tuljak terrace is the best place to enjoy the sunset. At the Tuljak, history meets modern design: the building, an Estonian architectural masterpiece that was completed in 1965, has undergone a renovation that is true to that era, but has acquired a contemporary interior. There is also nostalgic feel to the menu. However, a contemporary and exciting spin has been added to all the dishes. One can be absolutely sure that something unique will be served at Tuljak and nothing like it is available anywhere else in Tallinn. The beverage menu is more abundant than average. The cocktails are stylish and flavourful. The service is attentive and professional. 34
www.tuljak.ee
Mo-Th 12-23 Fr-Sa 12-00 Su 12-22 | Pirita Tee 26E, Tallinn | +372 53022020
Casual Dining
Carmen Café Rotermann Cafe in the heart of the city
Everyone knows the Carmen Café in the Rotermann Quarter: its central location makes it one of the most popular cafés in town. It’s wonderful to spend time there alone, enjoying the wide view of one the city’s main arteries, as well as with a larger group of friends. Quiet corners can be found on the second floor for business meetings. Fresh rolls and coffee are already being served in the early morning. Breakfast is served throughout the day, and at midday, soups of the day are added to the menu. Carmen’s cakes, pasties and rolls are known for their goodness. Taste delights are also provided by the selection of coffees and teas.
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facebook.com/CarmenCafeEstonia
Mo-Fr 8-19 Sa-Su 10-21 | Roseni 5, Tallinn | +372 5323 4455
Casual Dining
Flavore
Italian Customs and flavours
Ristorante Flavore is a tribute to Italian customs and flavours. Its menu takes the guests on a culinary journey through Italy. In addition to authentic Italian dishes, Flavore has the authentic atmosphere of a ristorante filled with easy-going sociability, a crossbreeding of flavours and opinions, and the passion of the head chef. The menu includes fresh pastas and pizzas as well as raw and vegan dishes. You can select a beverage to complement your meal from the unique self-service wine bar or lovely cocktail menu.
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www.flavore.ee
Mo-Su 11 - 22 | Tulemaja, Sadama 7, Tallinn | +372 612 8244
Casual Dining
Kuldse Notsu KĂľrts Authentic Estonian cuisine
Kuldse Notsu Kþrts (The Golden Piglet Inn in English) in the vicinity of the Town Hall Square serves authentic and classic Estonian food. The dishes are prepared from recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. The hardy farm cuisine, which includes sausages, pork dishes and sauerkraut, is supplemented by healthy and modern dishes that correspond to contemporary food trends and date back to the 1920s and 1930s, when the food culture became more urban. All the dishes are prepared from local raw ingredients, most of which come from small farms. And don’t miss the exceptionally rich breakfast buffet. 40
www.hotelstpetersbourg.com/restaurant
Mo-Su 12-23 | Dunkri 8, Tallinn | +372 628 6567
Casual Dining
Goodwin. The Steak House The joy of good meat
The Goodwin, which is based on American experience and traditions, can certainly be considered to be one of the best meat restaurants, not only in Tallinn, but in all of Estonia. This is a meateater’s paradise, where only the world’s best marbleised beef – grown in Australia and the US – is served. The menu does not fool around but focuses on what’s most important – the meat. And this is something that the waitstaff is totally familiar with. Meat does not tolerate dilettantism, and therefore, the steaks are prepared in an authentic charcoal oven. Its location near the Viru Gate makes the Goodwin very easy to find.
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www.steak.ee
Open every day 11-24 | Viru 22, Tallinn | +372 661 5518
Casual Dining
Gourmet Coffee Kadriorg A café for coffee lovers Gourmet Coffee Kadriorg continues the age-old traditions of Tallinn’s café culture. The coffee selection is one of the best in the city. And it is brewed from beans roasted in their own roasting house. The menu includes coffees from ten different countries and areas, as well as espresso-based beverages and pour-over coffees using Chemex, Aeropress, and V60 techniques. Pastries and cakes baked on the premises are served with the coffee. And light lunches and dinners, as well as a plentiful breakfast, are also available. The café is located in the vicinity of Kadriorg Park, and is easily accessible by tram. 44
www.gourmetcoffee.ee
Mo-Th 9 - 21 Fr 9 - 22 Sa-Su 10 - 22 | L. Koidula 13A, Tallinn | +372 661 3035
Casual Dining
Kalev Yacht Club Restaurant On the border between water and land The Kalev Yacht Club Restaurant on the edge of the Pirita River borders two worlds. The harbour, yachts and Pirita River make it into an idyllic retreat, while the bustling city is still nearby. On cooler evenings, one can settle in beside the fireplace in the dining room. And in the summer one can enjoy oneself on the spacious outdoor terrace. As befitting a waterside eatery, the menu includes a wide selection of seafoods and fish dishes. And oysters served with Estonian-style horseradish flavoured with vinegar are almost always on the menu. The Yacht Club Restaurant is also open in the winter.
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www.jahtklubiresto.ee
Mo-Su 11-23 | Pirita tee 17 | +372 623 9158
Casual Dining
Korsten
The chimney, love & good food No one else has a landmark like The Korsten (Chimney in English) restaurant. The chimney built by the Tallinn City Power Plant in 1948 towers above the building that the restaurant shares with the Kultuurikatel, also known as the Tallinn Creative Hub. A pleasant environment has been created in the giant hall that seems quite rough and unrefined. The open kitchen is an organic continuation of the industrial style. The role of the giant wine rack seems to be not only to separate the kitchen from the dining room, but also to create a feeling of bacchanalian abundance. The menu is mostly Mediterranean with attributes of Estonian cuisine. 48
www.korstenresto.ee
Th-Sa 12 - 23 | Põhja pst 27a, Tallinn | +372 660 8867
Casual Dining
La Bottega
Traditional Italy La Bottega serves authentic Italy in its most traditional form. This is true of both the food and beverages, the dining room’s atmosphere and friendly service. As is typical of Italian cuisine, great attention is paid to the fresh ingredients. And true to the local cooking traditions, all the sauces and pastas are prepared on site. Along with Italian wines, the drink menu includes beverages from around the world and a plentiful selection of sparkling wines.
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www.labottega.ee
Mo-Th 12 - 23 Fr-Sa 12-24 Su 13 - 22 | Vene 4, Tallinn | +372 62 777 33
Casual Dining
Nero
Classic cuisine at a spa hotel Nero Restaurant at the Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel The à la carte menu at the Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel’s Nero Restaurant features updated classics. Well-known international dishes like salmon-carpaccio, buckwheat blinis with caviar, Caesar salad, borscht, spaghetti, osso bucco, and chicken Kiev are interpreted in a new way by Nero’s head chef, without losing any of the sense of security associated with a classic. A plentiful buffet breakfast is also on offer, as is Sunday brunch. The restaurant features a spacious stage and dance floor, where the guests can enjoy themselves during private events. 52
www.tallinkhotels.com
Mo-Su 8 - 23 | Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel, Sadama 11a, Tallinn | +372 630 1018
Casual Dining
NokNok
As if we were in Thailand The head chef at the NOK NOK provides guests with flavourful food just like in Thailand. No fusion here, the cuisine is traditional. However, Thai traditions are filled with flavours and colours, and therefore, the menu provides surprises even for those who have previously enjoyed this country’s cuisine. The authentic flavours are supported by the exotic atmosphere, which together with the tastes and smells, can easily convince you that you are actually in Bangkok or Chang Mai instead of Tallinn. 54
www.noknok.ee
Mo-Sa 12 - 23 Su 12 - 22 | Vana-Posti 7, Tallinn | +372 5333 1744
Casual Dining
Odessa
True Odessa There is no other city like Odessa, where a food culture has developed in a very special way, so it competes with the national cuisine. It includes a diverse blend of Ukrainian, Russian, Jewish Bessarabian and Belarusian ways of cooking, along with the cuisines of many other current and former neighbours in the region. The Odessa restaurant in Tallinn Old Town is as authentic as it can be: the owners come from Odessa, the menu is comprised of traditional Odessa dishes, the hospitality is typical of Odessa, and the chefs come to work in Tallinn from Odessa in shifts.
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www.facebook.com/odessaresto
Mo-Su 11 - 23 | Pikk 30, Tallinn | +372 5302 5557
Casual Dining
Platz
Meeting place at the crossroads of pedestrian pathways Platz was one of the first restaurants to establish itself in the newly renovated historical Rotermann industrial district. And it secured the best location at the crossroads of the pedestrian pathways. The minimalist Scandinavian-style interior and diverse menu are ideal for a no-nonsense business meeting, quick lunch or a formal dinner. On several occasions, Platz has been chosen as the restaurant with one of Estonia’s best beverage menus, which is much more diverse than usual. The terrace, which is an integral part of Platz in the summer, is a great place to rest and observe the hustle and bustle of the city.
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www.platz.ee
Mo-Sa 12 - 23 Su 12 - 22 | Roseni 7, Tallinn | +372 664 5086
Casual Dining
The Tap Room
Põhjala Tap Room in the Noblessner Quarter The Põhjala Tap Room, which has made a global name for itself with its craft beer, is located in the Noblessner Quarter, one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in Tallinn. A kind of ‘beer experience centre’ has been established in a building where submarines were assembled a hundred years ago – in addition to the brewery and restaurant, there is also a sauna and store. As befitting a dignified brewery, both the house beer as well as visitors’ beverages are represented. And wine, cider and lemonade drinkers have also been considered. The menu is Texas style and comprised mainly of BBQ dishes. 60
www.pohjalabeer.com/taproom
Mo Closed Tu-Th 12 - 24 Fr-Sa 12 - 2 Su 10 - 17 | Peetri 5, Tallinn | +372 5666 2800
Casual Dining
Radio
Community restaurant Rado Mitro, the Slovak head chef at Radio, has already introduced himself to Tallinners as the head chef at the firstclass restaurant called Ribe. Radio is his newest ’baby’. This is an eatery created for the people who live and work in the neighbourhood and, despite having been recently opened, its fame has already spread afar. The dishes are perfectly prepared and provide surprises when comes to both tastes and ingredients. The work of the sommelier also deserves attention – the wine selection is large and the suggestions for wine and food pairings are excellent. 62
www.restoranradio.ee
Tu-Fr 12 - 14:30/17 - 23 Sa 17 - 23 Su & Mo Closed | Terase 16, Tallinn | +372 550 4499
Casual Dining
Salt A small, but total surprise Most likely, Salt is Tallinn restaurant offering the most surprises. And therefore, it is ideal for those who are open to exploring new flavours. The menu, which changes every week, is inspired by the cuisine of faraway and exotic lands. However, along with the surprises, some things are constant. For instance, the grilled octopus and autumnal cep-carpaccio have been on the menu since the beginning. Unlike the somersaulting flavours, the interior is minimalist, but still cosy and pleasant.
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www.saltrestoran.ee
Tu-Fr 12am-2pm, 5pm-10:30pm | Sa 5pm-10:30pm | Vase 14, Tallinn | +372 518 8510
Casual Dining
Spot
A spot for everyone
Spot is the place for those looking for a snack or glass of wine, a hardy lunch or even a formal dinner. Its location on Vene Street, called the ‘restaurant street’ of Tallinn, makes it easy to find. The menu is modern and European with slight Scandinavian accents and a local touch. There is an abundant wine selection that is also simple and supports the menu. The large and knowledgeably compiled selection of sparkling wines deserves attention.
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www.restoranspot.ee
Mo-Thu 12-23, Fr-Sa 12-24 Su 12-22 | Vene tn 4, Tallinn | +372 600 4977
Casual Dining
Sume
Oasis in the heart of the city Sume, the Tallink City Hotel’s restaurant, provides a peaceful atmosphere and enjoyable flavour experiences in the vicinity of the Viru Centre and Tallinn Department Store. Sume will please everyone – flavours from Scandinavia, Italy, France and elsewhere in the world meet in the kitchen with an international aura. The menu includes both timeless classics and dishes that represent the local cuisine. In addition to the à la carte menu, Sume also serves morning and evening buffets, quick and inexpensive business lunches, and an enjoyable brunch on Sundays. 68
www.tallinkhotels.com
Mo-Su 8 - 23 | Laikmaa 5, Tallinn | +372 630 0818
Casual Dining
TarTar köök+baar Tasty meeting place in the city centre
TARTAR köök+baar (kitchen+bar in English) marks a kind of culinary comeback. Its proprietor, Andrei Šmakov, is one of Estonia’s bestknown chefs, who has been the brand-chef at the Metropol Hotel in Moscow for the last several years. His Savva restaurant at the Metropol is considered to be one of the best in Moscow. The menu at Tartar is like a crisp taste explosion, bringing a breath of fresh air to the local culinary landscape. Surprises are provided by both the content and form of the dishes, as well as the ingredients and the preparation.
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www.tartar.ee
Mo-Th 12 - 22 Fr-Sa 12 - 01 | Narva mnt.7, Tallinn | +372 610 9230
Casual Dining
Taste of Tallinn T1 Mall of Tallinn
The collection of eateries in the brand new T1 Mall of Tallinn in the Ăœlemiste neighbourhood is called Taste of Tallinn or TOT. The collection includes 36 restaurants, of which 13 are located on the fourth floor, away from all the shopping noise. The restaurants located on the side that faces the city centre are connected by a spacious glass gallery and terrace, with a million-dollar view of the city and the sea. Fine restaurants, street food and the coffee culture all meet up at the TOT. And the range of flavours extends from Asia to the Nordic countries, from Italy to India. After dinner, one can enjoy the city panorama from the Ferris wheel or the T1 Roof Bar.
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www.t1tallinn.com/en/taste-of-tallinn-restoranid
Su-Th 11 - 21 Fr-Sa 11 - 23 | Peterburi tee 2, Tallinn | +372 6005540
Casual Dining
Von Krahli Aed
The embassy of pure food The main characters in the dishes at the Von Krahli Aed restaurant are the vegetables. And you can choose meat, fish or cheese to accompany them. Or you can also forgo the latter and focus on the vegetables. The vegetables and herbs have also given birth to many innovative supplements, like hops syrup, balsamic vinegar made from bird cherry berries, and various types of noodles. Local organic products play an important role. All the wines on offer, as well as most of the other beverages, are produced organically. The restaurant also caters to the needs of people with various nutritional preferences. 74
www.restoranaed.ee
Su-Th 12 - 23 Fr-Sa 12 - 00 | Rataskaevu 8, Tallinn | +372 585 93 839
Street Food
Baltic Station Market & Food Street A market for gourmets
The totally renovated Baltic Station Market or Balta Market opened in the spring of 2017. The market building, which was inspired by Tsarist-era warehouses, functions as a general marketplace; whereas the international Food Street is a gourmet’s dream, which despite its short history, has been able to enliven the food culture of the entire city. The Food Street features dishes from Georgia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Japan and China, as well as contemporary high-quality meat dishes, vegan dishes, raw food and cream cakes. There are also rolls of black bread, and everything from nostalgic wafers to bao buns, from pizzas to wraps. Rolls made of black bread, from nostalgic wafers to bao buns, pizzas and wraps. 76
www.astri.ee/bjt/
Mo-Sa 9 - 19 Su 9 - 17 | Kopli 1, Tallinn | +372 51 57 211
Street Food
Depoo
Train depot’s new life The Depoo Food Street has opened up in the area behind the Baltic Station Market. Here, the tsarist-era engine depot and workshop, as well as the Soviet-era buildings, have almost survived in original form. Some years ago, small colourful eateries and design stores established themselves in these buildings. Some eateries even moved into shipping containers. The Peatus restaurant has set itself up in old Soviet-era railway cars. The terraces and an open market that operates in the warm weather on the south side of the market building create an appealing whole.
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www.astri.ee/bjt/
Mo-Sa 9 - 20 Su 9 - 18 | Kopli 1, Tallinn | +372 51 57 211
Street Food
Uulits
Street gourmet Uulits – Estonia’s pioneer of gourmet street food – serves traditional street food with a contemporary, healthy and Estonian-style twist. On offer are beef burgers, burger wraps, salads, sauces and French fries prepared on site. After operating for almost five years, Uulits has earned the trust and love of burger lovers. This is confirmed by that fact that, after starting as a modest kiosk in Mustamäe four years ago, Uulits is now serving street food in Mustamäe, Kalamaja, and the Baltic Station in Tallinn, as well as in Tartu.
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www.uulits.ee
Kadaka 135A, Soo 1B/6, Kopli 1, Tallinn | Rüütli 7, Tartu
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mi n>
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Tallinn 6
180 Degrees
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Korsten
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Art Priori
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La Bottega
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CRU
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Nero
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Härg
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NokNok
14
Juur
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Odessa
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Konrad
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Platz
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Leib
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The Tap Room
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Mekk
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Radio
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NOA
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Salt
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Pull
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Spot
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Ribe
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Sume
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Stenhus
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TarTar köök+baar
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Tuljak
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Taste of Tallinn
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Carmen Cafe Rotermann
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Von Krahli Aed
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Flavore
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Balti Station Market
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Kuldse Notsu Kõrts
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Depoo
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Goodwin. The Steak House 78
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Gourmet Coffee Kadriorg
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Kalev Yacht Club Restaurant
Uulits
Tartu
The city of good flavours Tartu is not only a university city, but also a city of good flavours. Its numerous restaurants serve exciting flavour experiences, whereas many of the raw ingredients came from local small producers and farms in South-Estonia. During the summer, pop-up cocktail and wine bars, for taking time out in Tartu style, appear on the Emajõgi River promenade. The year’s greatest food event is the Food and Wine Festival in August, when good food and drink occupy the entire city for three days. Other contributions are made by the Tasty Tartu Restaurant Month and the Home Café Days in May, August and September.
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Casual Dining
Joyce
Joy of flavours The excellent choice of flavours at the Joyce restaurant is a delight. The proprietors have discovered that elusive something that makes a good restaurant into an excellent one. The menu creates unexpected harmonies, by passionately combining continents and lands. These result in some of the city’s most exciting flavour games, which are played with youthful fervour. Joyce is focused on two values that are understood around the world: ‘joy’, which results from time spent in good company; and the ‘choice’ of impressive flavours that will please any guest.
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www.vspahotel.ee/joyce-restoran
Su-Th 12 - 23 Fr-Sa 12 - 24 | Riia 2, Tartu | +372 53 217 500
Street Food
Kampus
Kampus is for everyone The best street corner in Tartu near the university in the heart of the Old Town has awakened. The Kampus is more than just an eatery, it is a unique food street. During the day, Uulits, the classic of Estonian street food, gets together with KAUSS, which serves healthy food with a Hawaiian feeling. At night, they are joined by a bar and a playful à la carte restaurant. The restaurant’s menu is comprehensive and starts with oysters, includes the street food classics, and travels through countries and nations. The head chef seems to be daring, but luckily, he also knows what tastes good.
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www.facebook.com/KampusTartu
Mo-Th 11:30 - 23 Fr-Sa 11:30 - 02 Su 11:30 - 21 | Rüütli 7, Tartu | +372 529 7567
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Tartu 84
Joyce
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Kampus
Pärnu
Estonia’s summer capital In the winter, Pärnu is like a sleeping beauty, but in the summer, it becomes Estonia’s summer capital. As is typical of every capital, Pärnu’s food and restaurant life is very lively in the summer, full of unexpected discoveries and new flavours. There are cosy eateries in every part of town, but most of them are in the beach area and the city centre. Every year, one is surprised by the appearance of some totally new eatery, and the well-established restaurants and cafés also come out with new summer menus, designed just for the current year. The careers of quite a few gastronomic superstars who have made a name for themselves have started in Pärnu. Who will be this year’s star? 92
Fine Dining
Pärnu Rannahotell Glamourous and functionalist hotel restaurant The striking functionalist-style Pärnu Rannahotell with its light-filled restaurant has been one of the city’s calling cards for years. During the summer it offers wonderful sea views and a spacious terrace. The Rannahotell restaurant honours the glamour of the 1930s and the delicious traditions of Scandinavian cuisine. Despite its long history, the restaurant menu is modern, offering contemporary flavours from both Estonia and the nearby countries. The preparation of the dishes is casual and impactful, but never overshadows the flavours. Special excitement and drama are provided by the range of flavours that permeate the various textures. 94
www.rannahotell.ee
We & Th 13-22 Fr & Sa 13-23 Su Closed | Ranna Pst 5, Pärnu | +372 4444 444
Casual Dining
Mahedik
Organic and tasty Mahedik is one of the first eateries in Estonia that started valuing organic ingredients. The menu includes the best that the farmers and the small producers in the area have to offer. The fish comes from Pärnu Bay. The day starts with breakfast and continues with lighter and more serious dishes. Every day the bakers make fresh rolls, pasties and cakes. The interior design with its soft colours and forms adds a gentle touch to the worth of the old wooden building, while still remaining contemporary. As befitting a resort city, the entire cafe is joyous and summery – in the winter as well.
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www.mahedik.ee
Mo-Th 9-18 Fr 9-23 Sa 10 - 23 Su 10 - 20 | Pühavaimu 20, Pärnu | +372 442 5393
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Pärnu 92
Rannahotell
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Mahedik
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