Eating out in Tallinn

A guide to the best restaurants to try in Estonia’s capital

Tallinn’s best restaurants are generally concentrated in the centre of the Old Town, offering Estonia city break tourists a wide variety of cuisine choices, in a range of traditional, romantic and even exotic settings. There are many medieval restaurants offering an authentic dining experience, which are a must-dine whilst on a short break Tallinn. The Old Hansa (1 Vana Turg) is the best medieval restaurant in the Baltic States and has a real air of authenticity. The restaurant is lit by candles, the wooden benches are covered with boar skin and the traditional dishes range from, wild boar with nuts to Nobleman’s smoked fillet mignon. If centuries-old recipes don’t enthrall your palates, then enjoy the plethora of attractive bars & restaurants that serve many types of modern cuisine in the old town. You might not have the taste for medieval banquets but we’re sure that you’ll never forget eating modern food inside a 14th century building.

For centuries, weary travelers welcomed the sight of a country inn, the way its light spilled from the windows making a golden pool on the blue evening snow. On Vene street is a cosy restaurant called Klafira, which fits such a description, serving excellent Russian cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Another respected Russian restaurant is Troika, which serves exceptional cuisine in a wonderful atmosphere. It's in one of the loveliest Medieval-era halls, with high cavernous ceilings and bulky oak staircases sweeping into the main dining area; the brooding, dimly-lit surroundings capture the Russian spirit. Both of these Russian restaurants are excellent top tables for your holidays in Estonia, perfect for romantic breaks occasions and luxury holidays in Tallinn.

There are many delightful oriental and Far East restaurants in the Old town to try on a weekend break. For those guests that are lovers of Japanese cuisine, we would suggest you book a table at the Sushi House. In this 500 year old haunted building, medieval meets modern Japan and the combination is an excellent formula for a great eating experience, to remember your Baltic holiday. The Sushi house was awarded ‘The Best National (Ethnic) Restaurant’ by the Gastronomy Society of Estonia. The other popular Japanese restaurants in Tallinn’s old town are Ami-Ja and Silk. Ami-Ja is a unique restaurant in the fact that the chef and décor is authentically Japanese but all the waiters are Estonian and Russian with blonde hair and blue eyes. Silk takes a more modern approach in regards to décor and the atmosphere it tries to create. It’s particularly busy on the weekends, attracting an affluent younger pre-clubbing crowd and Baltic breaks holiday makers. Contact the Baltic holidays travel specialist about dining out and about our cheap short breaks deals in the Baltic States, Europe and Iceland.

For lovers of Italian cuisine, there is an excellent selection of top quality restaurants to choose from. Bocca, on Olevimägi Street in the Old Town, is one of Tallinn’s finest restaurants and maybe one of the best throughout the Baltic States. Restaurant magazine UK ranked it no.15 of 50 of the world’s prestigious and respected restaurants. The interior has a tasteful fitting with the 500 year old building, showing a subtle mix of Nordic heritage with London chic. Add some genuine class to your getaway and ask Vamos Travel to reserve you a table at Bocca. Along St Catherine’s passage you’ll find Controvento an Italian restaurant with an impeccable reputation amongst the many food critics that visit Tallinn. It’s situated in one of the most tastefully renovated medieval houses, in the Old Town and serves delicious food in a cosy atmosphere. It’s always busy, so we urge you to make a prior booking so not to be disappointed. Definitely a Tallinn breaks recommendation. Another Italian favourite within the old town is Fellini. This restaurant is located above the Town Hall square and offers brilliant views if seated by the windows. The lighting is subtle, there is live piano music 4 nights a week and the food is excellent.

If you want to taste genuine French cuisine then there are plenty of fine places to indulge yourself. Egoist on Vene Street is set in a 1600 Renaissance style building and is an up market restaurant, offering the quality of food to match its high society prices. The interior is lovely and reflects the intended atmosphere and the food is of a very high standard. It’s not recommended for those on a budget break, but for those clients that can spend a little more, we do recommend trying Egoist for your Tallinn holidays. Next is Charital which offers fine Belgian-French cuisine over lovely views of the Pirita River. It’s an up market restaurant designed in an elegant baroque style, with a comprehensive menu and attentive service. We can recommend the fresh lobster and most of the fish dishes. Undoubtedly a citybreak winner. Pika Jala Restoran, is a nice French restaurant located on the long road that winds down from Toompea Hill. Many of our city break guests have stopped here for a wonderful lunch and enjoyed some amazing cuisine.

We always recommend to our Baltic state city break clients to sample some authentic Estonian cuisine whilst visiting Tallinn. In the centre, by the Foreign Ministry is Eesti Maja or Estonian House and has an excellent reputation for traditional Estonian dishes. Vanaema Juures or translates Grandma’s Place is a cosy basement restaurant in the heart of the old-town. The place is full of old antiques and furnishings, even the back ground music is played off an old turntable, playing authentic Estonian music from the 1920s. The restaurant is very popular on the weekends, so reservations would be advised.

Indian cuisine is becoming increasingly popular, as many new restaurants open offering quality food at affordable prices. Elevant is regarded as the best, with excellent interior decoration, efficient service and a large menu. The management doesn’t encourage stagweekends or lad holidays, so don’t expect the Indian restaurants to be the same as in the UK. Tanduur is a traditional Indian restaurant located in Tallinn's old town and is an excellent alternative to Elevant. We like the atmosphere and the prices were reasonable. A good place to spice up your dining city break adventures in Tallinn. China White is in the same building as the McCools pub and will not disappoint Estonia break guests that enjoy real Chinese cuisine. The Golden Dragon is a local favourite, offering a wide selection of dishes and is a very good restaurant. Other restaurants worth a stop are Little China and Peking, both found along Tallinn’s medieval walls. Like all capital cities there are places open around-the-clock to eat out. Although for the majority of city break travellers this is of no importance, it is an essential requirement for those party night revelers that like to drink into the early hours of the morning. Mainly the Tallinn stag weekends. Favourite places iare Avenüü and Oasis Club, both open 24hrs.