Homestyle restaurants and cafes

Do you ever wish while travelling that you could have an authentic, home cooked meal with locals? In Estonia, at a 'kodurestoran' (home restaurant) you can do exactly that. Home restaurants and cafes serve handmade food in the most cosy of old wooden houses, cottages and even barns. A limited capacity means an intimate atmosphere that will make you feel like you're in the house of a friend, but reserve in advance to guarantee a seat. Cafes across the country side are the perfect place for a coffee and pastry break while exploring, and regional food festivals offer insider dishes to the public. Summer is prime time to taste Estonia's home cooking.

Homestyle restaurants 

Though not far from Tallinn, you will feel a world away in MerMer, a tiny home restaurant situated in the Kolga-Aabla fishing village. Sit outside during the summer with a view to the sea. Don't let the small size or quaintness of home restaurants fool you, because they some of the top rated restaurants in Estonia. Ööbiku Gastronomy Farm uses local ingredients from farms and the forest to make 5 star dishes that are baked in an underground oven. 

Homestyle cafes

In villages across Estonia, with a little knowledge, you can discover the sweetest of homestyle cafes. Cafe Tillu is near the village Põlva. While offering light lunches, their specialties are cakes, pastries and baked goods: a family-friendly place to stop for a coffee. In Viljandi, Roheline Maja shop and cafe means the 'green house' and gets its name from the charming, green wooden building it is located in. Along with an organic bakery is a natural shop with products for you to take home.

Small food festivals

Kärdla Cafe Days on the island of Hiiumaa cafes open to the pubic in otherwise private spaces around the town of Kärdla.

August Insomnia in Pärnu is an all day festival featuring art, theatre, music and eateries open late into the night in celebration of the white nights of summer. 

Pop-up Cafe Day in Setomaa  is in Southeast Estonia. On Saturday visit local farms and cafes to try traditional regional foods like sõir cheese, suulliim cold soup and tatipiirak mushroom pies. On Sunday, some cafes serve leftovers to lucky guests. 

Onion Road Buffet Day opens the courtyards of farms to serve local dishes to visitors. The special cultural region near Tartu and Lake Peipus is home to Russian Old Believers, famous for farming golden onions. 

Saaremaa Food Festival finishes off the summer season in the town of Kuressaare, on the island of Saaremaa.