Where to eat with kids in Estonia

You don't have to sacrifice food quality with kids in tow. 

Some of Estonia's top family-friendly restaurants have also been featured in the MICHELIN Guide and the White Guide Nordic, two prestigious restaurant guides. 

Many restaurants offer high chairs, play corners, and children's menus. Plus, typical Estonian food focuses on local ingredients, simple flavors, and straightforward preparations — perfect for tiny taste buds!

Family-friendly restaurants in Tallinn

In the trendy Noblessner district, you'll find Lore Bistro, one of the restaurants recommended in the Estonian MICHELIN Guide. They have a children's menu and a great toy shelf. The kitchen also makes puree for the smallest ones in the family. In the city center, try Sunday brunches at City Grill House — they have LED drawing boards for children.

Close to the ferry terminals, you'll find a good family spot: Restaurant Nero. It has its own menu and pictures for children to color. On Sundays, they offer family brunches where you can get ice cream, pancakes, and mocktails for kids, cartoons, and more. 

If you're in the Kadriorg area, perhaps after a visit to Miiamilla Children's Museum, grab a bite at local favorite NOP. The shady outdoor terrace is a relaxing spot in the summer, and the little store has delicious local and/or organic foods to take away. 

It's easy to combine a bog hike or a trip to Nõmme Market with a visit to MuSu Restaurant, as it's located just a short walk from the Pääskula train stop. This eatery also happens to be listed in the White Guide Nordic, so both kids and their parents are guaranteed to eat well.

Viimsi

Viimsi is a great place to spend a day with kids, and it's only about 20 minutes from central Tallinn. Learn more about history at the Viimsi Open Air Museum. Next door, you'll find Paat, a family-friendly seaside restaurant that looks like an upside-down boat and has outdoor and indoor play areas.

For nature lovers, hike through the forest on the Tädu Nature Trail, then head to the sea, where you can dine at OKO on the sandy Haabneeme Beach.

Where to eat with kids in Tartu and South Estonia

In Tartu, Café Spargel and Restaurant Aparaat are praised for their large play corners. Both offer menus that really appeal to kids. Outside of Tartu, head to the Local Heritage Cafe of Juulamõis. This unique eatery lets you try the real flavors of nature, such as fir shoots, berries, and birch sap, and it welcomes families with open arms.

Novell in Viljandi made the list put out by the Estonian Association of Families with Children for their family-friendly atmosphere; their glassed-in terrace is like eating in a magical greenhouse. On the other side of Lake Võrtsjärv (Estonia's largest inland body of water), Ugandi Resto awaits in lovely Otepää.

Culture lovers will want to take their little ones to Seto Tsäimaja in Setomaa. This restaurant is part of the Värska Farm Museum, making it a perfect stop for those wanting to experience true Seto culture.

Top picks for a family night out in Pärnu

Need to stop before getting to the hotel? Then, definitely check out Alexela Täkupoiss. Like its sister restaurant, Tikupoiss, on the road between Tallinn and Tartu, Täkupoiss has exceptional food for a roadside eatery. 

Once in the city, families with children will want to make a beeline for the Hestia Strand Hotel. The location means you can enjoy the kiddie pool, sauna center, and great meal, all under the same roof. Rannahotell Restaurant, in the historic beachfront Rannahotell, has a bit of glamor for the adults while also catering to the tastes of even the smallest diners. The historic Villa Wesset also has a family-friendly vibe; it's location across from Pärnu's Beach Park means there's a place kids can go to stretch their legs right before sitting down to eat.

For a sweet treat that you can grab and go, head to one of the best bakeries in town, Leivakas. Kids and adults will swoon at the smell of cinnamon buns!