Tallinn Restaurants and Dining

(Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia)

Tallinn is a definite food city and its Estonian residents enjoy dining out, hence the large number of restaurants available. Due to its coastal setting, many of the restaurants in Tallinn specialise in seafood, with seasonal crayfish dishes being especially popular.

There are also many different international dining venues spread all over Tallinn, such as Asian, French, Italian, Spanish and Mexican eateries, although the Soviet influence is still quite apparent in many areas. However, for many tourists, the hotel restaurants are more than adequate and cater well for visitors.

What to Eat

Estonian specialities at Tallinn restaurants include smoked and pickled trout, chilled marinated eel (marineeritud angerjas), jellied pork tongue (keel hernestega), and Baltic sprats with bacon and cream (silgusoust).

One of the best ways to wash your meal down is with a glass of 'kvas', a traditional and extremely popular non-alcoholic beer.

Where to Eat

Old Town Tallinn is when many of the city's best dining options are to be found and many of these restaurants are known for their historic, medieval character. Popular areas include Dunkri, Katariina Käik, Lauteri, Liivalaia, Müürivahe and Olevimägi, where a number of good pizzerias are also to be found.

For something quite unique, head to the Neitsitorn (Maiden Tower) on the Lühike Jalg, which is actually Tallinn's former medieval prison for prostitutes and now houses an appealing panorama cafe, with excellent views across the city centre.