Good eating can be had all over Estonia. Modern Estonian chefs are embracing the concept of New Nordic cuisine — combining high-quality, seasonal ingredients that can be grown or harvested locally with innovative cooking techniques. Many of the restaurants listed here offer something special when it comes to ingredients or presentation.
Tallinn
The capital of Estonia is teeming with restaurants. Everyone can find something here to suit their taste. The local restaurant scene has seen a boost recently with the arrival of MICHELIN Guide inspectors. Estonia is the first country in the Baltics to be recognized by this prestigious international guidebook. For MICHELIN recommendations in Estonia's capital, check out our list of the best restaurants in Tallinn.
If fine dining isn't your vibe, then perhaps time travel is. Tallinn eateries can take you back to the Middle Ages, where you can dine by candlelight like a medieval merchant, or you can enjoy the retro feel of cafes that have been open since the mid-1900s.
Tartu
Tartu, the second largest city in Estonia, has caught up in recent years with its exquisite restaurants. Tartu is Estonia's cultural capital and will be the official European Capital of Culture in 2024. Considered the spiritual center of the country, Tartu has one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe and a long student tradition. Nevertheless, here you will find not only wonderful student pubs and hip cafes and bars but also excellent food.
Cafe culture thrives in Tartu, thanks to the students and professors who spend time discussing their studies over coffee and cake. Werner Cafe has been a hot spot for the past 125 years or else you can try blueberry pancakes with bacon and honey in the cozy Café Krempel. If you're looking for a lively pub experience, head to the Gunpowder Cellar Restaurant. Live music, hearty dishes, and a 300-year-old building make for a fun evening out. Or try something more out of the ordinary like chanterelle creme brûlée in the artful and tasteful restaurant Fii.
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Café Krempel
Photo by: Krempel, Visit Estonia
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Art on a plate in Restaurant Fii
Photo by: Silver Gutmann, Visit Estonia
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Island cuisine
Anyone who has already visited one of the Estonian islands knows that everything is a bit more relaxed than on the mainland. But when it comes to the food, you are in for an adventure!
The team at Alexander, Pädaste Manor's gourmet restaurant (and one of the top five restaurants in Estonia according to White Guide Nordic), offers delicious Nordic Island cuisine, inspired by the cooking traditions of Muhu and the surrounding coastal areas. The highlight is the seven-course Islands tasting menu.
The in-house restaurant of the Georg Ots SPA Hotel (GoSPA) on the island of Saaremaa is known for its delicious Estonian cuisine and its lovingly and artfully prepared plates.
Kala ja Võrk (fish and net in English), located on the island of Hiiumaa, is great for real fish freaks. There's a shop where you can buy fish caught fresh by local fishermen along with smoked, dried, salted, and marinated fish. Have you ever tried a chocolate bar with fish? You can here! A small cafe serving light meals is connected to the shop.
Coastal gems
If you love seaside dining, you don't have to go to an island to enjoy the salt air. Estonia has 3,800 km of coastline to explore, and many fine restaurants to enjoy along the way.
Restaurant Wicca is located in the beautiful and idyllic bay of Laulasmaa. Here you should try the daily updated variations of the Baltic herring. The plates here are also real artistic highlights.
Mere 38 is an hour outside of Tallinn in the heart of Lahemaa National Park. The MICHELIN Guide called their dishes "vibrant and full of flavour." They also have apartments available for rent, so you can spend more time exploring nearby.
Dining in the Great Outdoors
In Estonia, delicious meals aren't confined to a space between four walls — outdoor dining takes on a whole new meaning when it's combined with a favorite local pastime, like hiking, canoeing, or bogshoeing! For an immersive experience, try foraged forest products cooked over a camp stove for dinner and then spend the night in a tree tent. Explore Soomaa National Park by canoe and al fresco dining followed by a trip to the sauna for a true Estonian afternoon. Short on time or prefer something more romantic? Then a picnic at the base of Jägala Waterfall may do the trick.
