Lucky me, I got to visit Tallinn during the city’s Restaurant Week so, needless to say, I definitely got to savour the flavour in some the city’s best restaurants, cafes and bars.
And I’m delighted to bring you my top 11 picks, because who knew Tallinn had so many fab places to dine and drink?
With definite Scandi vibes, I was totally impressed by the sophistication of Tallinn’s scene, which I feared might be a bit stag-do ridden.
But quote the opposite, Tallinn is now trendy, slick and underrated… and its food is no different!
So if you’re looking for the best restaurants in Tallinn, not to mention the top cafes and some great bars, here’s my pick of the bunch.
Oh and if you’re wondering about any other restaurants you might stumble across in Tallinn, or across Estonia, then it pays to look out for the White Guide Nordic mark – it will be displayed on the door of each place and is a good sign you’ve picked a winner!
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My trip to Estonia was sponsored by Visit Estonia but, as always, all views are my own.
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#1 Restaurant Pegasus
It’s probably worth pointing out now, that I’ve not picked these 10 great restaurants, cafes and bars in Tallinn purely because they offer the best fine dining and fancy bucket list ticks.
Instead, I’ve selected them because they all offer a great mix of fantastic food, fabulous atmosphere and all round affordability.
They are all easy to get to, located either in the centre of historic Tallinn or close by.
And so it is we come to the first entry on this list – the fantastic Restaurant Pegasus which is, in fact, located in the heart of Tallinn’s amazing Old Town, just off the Town Hall Square.
This trendy spot, full of young creatives, offers a simple but delicious menu, full of veggie friendly options and alcohol-free drinks, like my top choice of local Kombucha.
The vibe here is casual and cool, but not pretentious or overstated and, as such, it makes the ideal spot to dive in for a lovely lunch if you need a break from the sightseeing.
The delicious vegetarian take on traditional Estonian meatloaf dish I enjoyed, was the perfect fix I needed to get me fuelled up for afternoon round of exploring Tallinn!
#2 Cafe Maiasmokk
Dating back to 1910, this historic coffee house is also right off Old Town Hall square and don’t miss ticking the famous Holy Spirit Church clock-face off your list as you pass.
Reminding me of Coffee Houses in Vienna thanks to its classic charm and feel, Café Maiasmokk is something of an institution here in Tallinn and stopping by to warm up with a coffee, especially on a cold winter day, is pretty much a must if you’re exploring the Old Town.
Make sure you don’t skip the chocolate shop adjoined to the café either before you leave, or the renowned hand-painted marzipan angels they craft here.
Heli, the painter I met when I was there, has been doing this job for 17 years, so she’s quite the pro!
#3 The Babylon Bar
At night, The Babylon Bar is a fantastic Speak Easy drinking hole in the Old Town, you can’t miss.
Hidden behind a secret bookcase, it offers amazing cocktails to a young local crowd, especially on Friday and Saturday nights during winter.
Choose from seats at the bar, or comfy lounge seats scattered around this spacious open plan spot, which is perfect for nestling into with a few friends.
The cocktail menu here might be small, but they certainly are fierce, and if there’s nothing that tickles your fancy, you can definitely order something off menu if you speak to the bar stuff nicely!
The perfect spot for a warm winter drink in Tallinn of an evening, trying to find this bar is half the fun!
#4 Restaurant F Hoone
But now we leave the Old Town in Tallinn and head just outside of it to the trendy Telliskivi area.
Once the railway hub, much of this part of the city has now been transformed into a bustling ecosystem of independent, creative, local and eco-focused businesses.
From tech start-ups to sustainable fashion brands and great places to eat and drink, Telliskivi is definitely worth a visit during your time in Tallinn, and one of the best places to eat here is Restaurant F-Hoone.
Offering lunch and dinner to the arty crowd amidst a lovely exposed brick interior, even stopping in for a drink or a light snack is a treat, especially if you grab one of the elevated tables near the window, where the natural light floods in.
#5 Nudist Winery
And just around the corner from Restaurant F-Hoone, is local favourite Nudist Winery.
The perfect place to grab a glass, don’t worry about whether you need to be clothed or not though, Nudist in the title doesn’t refer to the dress code, but rather the style of wine!
With a strong emphasis on environmental processes, all wines here are organic, largely biodynamic and free from sulphates and other preservatives.
Housed in a grey brick building, very in-keeping with the industrial feel of trendy Telliskivi, this is definitely a hipster fav!
#6 Junimperium
But if it’s gin tasting over wine tasting you’d prefer, then I suggest heading just around the corner from Nudist Winery to Junimperium.
One of the leading gin producers in Estonia, here in their headquarters, you can enjoy tasting and drinking their home-crafted selection.
Tasting tours, which can be booked online here, usually last 2 hours and include tastings of 7 gins, as well as a fascinating trip around the production unit here.
Many of the gins here at Junimperium are award-winning and my advice is not to plan too much after your visit!
Their fiery Navy Gin weighs in at an impressive 59.26%.
#7 Mekk Restaurant
Now leaving Telliskivi behind us, we come to the New Town of Tallinn, which stands just outside the historic city walls.
Here Mekk Restaurant, which is joined the Radisson Collection Hotel, comes highly recommended for its modern cuisine, contemporary setting and fine flavours.
I actually stayed in this Radisson Hotel (I actually named it one of the best places to stay in Tallinn) and couldn’t miss the chance to eat in the restaurant attached, which is hugely popular with locals, not to mention, very convenient!
#8 Kolm Sibulat
And just across the road from Mekk Restaurant, Kolm Sibulat is another modern eatery, this time with delicious middle eastern and Mediterranean flavours.
And extensive wine list (I opted for a mid-range bottle of Chenin Blanc) and a smart, stripped back interior, create a fantastic ambience for dinner.
As a vegetarian I was well catered for, with a delicious selection of plant-based small plates (the carrot hummus and barrata were stand out) and my colleague enjoyed a delicious white fish with the classic Estonian beetroot, pureed below.
I didn’t have time to stop for dessert here, because I was rushing off to the opening of the Estonian Film Festival, but would have loved to stay longer and savour this place.
#9 PÄRIS Pagar
And the day after the Black Nights Film Festival and the after party, I was delighted to have reserved a brunch spot at PÄRIS Pagar.
An amazing deli and eatery in the New Town, with distinct brasserie feels, décor and onsite patisserie fully lean into this and bring a little slice of Parisian style to Tallinn.
French feels rule here, with cheeseboards, French salads and classic fish dishes gracing the small, select menu.
Opening at midday, this is the perfect place for a brunch or lunch, accompanied by a top glass of French wine.
#10 Lore Bistroo
In at number 10 on the best restaurants in Tallinn list, we come to Lore Bistroo, which is located in the old docklands area of the city – Noblessner.
With the Baltic Sea lapping at its heels, this now regenerated industrial area is the perfect setting for Lore Bistroo’s striped-back warehouse aesthetic.
The open kitchen and exposed, high ceilings are complimented by heritage fireplaces and wooden coat stands, which bring a charming blend of old and new, warm and industrial.
Trendy small plates dominate again here and are served among a casual atmosphere where the arty crowds gather for lunch.
#11 Fotografiska
And lastly, we come to Fotografiska.
Probably the most acclaimed restaurant on this list, and renowned for its zero waste philosophy, all food here is locally sourced – much from the restaurant’s own garden.
Needless to say the menu here is a little different, but it’s an experience to be savoured, not least because the view from the restaurant’s elevated position is stand out too!
I enjoyed the perfectly balanced kohlrabi wontons with kimchi and mushroom stock, while my colleague’s pike perch dish with Jerusalem artichoke was another big hit.
Spacious and contemporary, Fotografiska are whipping the food scene into shape wherever they go, and Tallinn appears to be no exception!
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Mini Travel Guide to Tallinn
How to Get There?
Fly to Tallinn from across Europe with easyJet and AirBaltic.
As always I use Skyscanner to get the best deals.
When to Visit?
Head to Tallinn in the summer months of June, July and August for long, sunny sightseeing days.
Alternatively, opt for the winter months of December through February for cosy saunas and snowy views.
How Long to Stay?
I recommend a stay of 2-4 nights in Tallinn.
How to Get Around?
Use local trains or buses to get around the country from Tallinn, or else hire a car – I recommend Discover Cars for the job.
What to Pack?
Check out my complete Estonia packing list (for both summer or winter trips to Tallinn) here.
Travel Insurance
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.
Travel Money
The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky transaction fees, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card in Tallinn… and it links easily with Google and Apple pay – sold! Grab yours here.
PIN IT TO PINTEREST!
And there you have it, my list of the 11 best restaurants, cafes and bars in Tallinn to discover on your next trip.
Mixing good locations with delicious food and top drinking experiences, I strongly recommend earmarking and bookmarking a few of these ahead of your adventures there.
Have any more top Tallinn eating and drinking spots to add to the list?
Please do let me know your favs by dropping them into the comments box below…
