Foodie Heaven: Tallinn’s Top 6 Restaurant Districts

Tallinn’s food scene is bursting with greatness. Hopefully, this post will make you consider Tallinn as your next foodie destination. Estonia offers great local produce, and our chefs are well-traveled and internationally trained. To top it all off, the first Michelin stars have finally fallen into Tallinn’s restaurants. There are more places than we can hope to list where you should eat while in Tallinn, so we have divided them up between districts to make your life easier.

Old Town

Tallinn’s Old Town is at the top of every list of recommendations when visiting Estonia, and you can’t get around it, nor should you, especially when it comes to food. There are some great places to eat. Start out at the medieval-style tavern III Draakon in the Town Hall. It’s more affordable than anything else around and offers a light reenactment as well – this is one touristy place we recommend regardless. Visit Cafe Maiasmokk, another historic venue, for cake and coffee in an art deco atmosphere. Rataskaevu 16 is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Tallinn and well worth the trouble of getting a table booked.

Several of the best restaurants in Estonia are in the Old Town, if by best we mean being named in the Michelin Guide and the local White Guide. For true fine dining, head over to Lee Restaurant, which serves local produce with a modern twist. Rado Restaurant doesn’t have a set menu; they change it daily based on the freshest ingredients, seasonal offerings, and probably the chef’s mood. Restaurant 38 is artsy, inspirational, and a foodie haven – sample their tasting menu for the full experience.

Rotermanni

Rotermanni is within walking distance from the Old Town but usually much less crowded and with a lot of interesting food options. Stop at RØST Bakery for a life-changing cinnamon bun, great coffee, and take a sourdough bread with you as you leave. Sit down in the cozy FLAMM Flammkuchen Bar for a light dinner, great wine, and good service. Chicago 1933 is a bar-restaurant inspired by speakeasies and is popular with locals for dinners and catching some live music.

Fine dining experiences in Rotermanni are plentiful; top among them is R14, a wine bar with no-nonsense Mediterranean food and a mention in the Michelin Guide. Another coveted mention has gone out to Pull Restaurant, famous in Estonia for its steaks. Stalker cocktail bar is another atmospheric spot in Rotermanni where you can go for world-class drinks.

Telliskivi Creative City

Telliskivi is a popular and artsy district not too far from the Old Town. What used to be an old abandoned factory is now a vibrant area filled with street art and bustling activities. Telliskivi is great for meeting up with friends and having a bite to eat or a drink together. For drinks, we recommend Junimperium – a world-class gin bar, Nudist – an Estonian wine bar, or Valmiermuiža Taproom for superb Latvian beer.

Telliskivi has many exciting food places. Start with F-hoone, a local favorite and the original pioneer of Telliskivi. Try the best local ice cream at La Muu ice cream shop. Literaat is a lovely restaurant located in a bookshop; they are great for a casual meet-up or a business lunch with good food. The most unique place in Telliskivi is Fotografiska Restaurant & Rooftop Garden, which has been awarded the Michelin Green Star.

Balti Jaam Market and DEPOO

Balti Jaam Market is right next to the Old Town and the train station, and it has many stalls where you can try fresh local foods. Look out for seasonal berries, fruits, mushrooms, and vegetables. Visit the food court for a quick bite to eat; there is something for everyone, from vegan burgers to authentic Italian pizza. Visit Humalakoda on the second floor of the market for great beer and local pub food.

Near the market, you will find Rohe Cafe, a lovely little vegan place. Close by is Burger Box, very low-key and offering very good burgers. Visit Ülo for amazing vegetarian food. And if these options aren’t enough, there is the whole DEPOO food street, where you can find more awesome choices. Stop over at Pudel for beer or Sveta for cocktails.

Port Noblessner

Port Noblessner area is very trendy in Tallinn right now. Some of the most exciting venues are here, and more are certain to pop up. Leading the charge is Põhjala Taproom – one of the leading craft beer brands in Estonia; along with their excellent beer comes great food as well. KaiF Agaveria is the place to go for sophisticated tequila drinks and lively nightlife.

The food scene is very exciting in Port Noblessner, so start in Lore Bistroo. This Michelin Guide-mentioned place offers a world-class food experience, and everything brought to the table is meant to be shared. 180° by Matthias Diether is the true treasure of Port Noblessner. Locals always knew that this is where it’s at. Now, this world-class restaurant has also been recognized by the Michelin Guide and awarded two stars. Naturally, this is a slow dining experience that truly stays with you.

North Tallinn and Kopli

North Tallinn and Kopli will soon be what Kalamaja and Telliskivi are now. Find Põhjala Factory for the most exciting food in town right now. Start off with Karjase Sai Bakery, which serves fresh bread and pastries that will have locals queuing outside the door (we almost never do this). Visit Botik Garden Bar for a local experience. Reserve a table well in advance at Barbarea Restaurant, which was mentioned in the Michelin Guide for a seasonal and delicious dinner with an amazing wine selection.

Another must-visit bakery is Bekker Bakery, which serves some of the best cakes in town. Kohalik Restaurant is a lovely little local haunt that is always welcoming. Kurze is another exciting place that even for locals is a “if you know, then you know” kind of spot.

* Cover photo: Rasmus Jurkatam / visittallinn.ee