The Best Restaurants in Tallinn

With a strong commitment to sustainability, Fotografiska Restoran offers meals that are both visually stunning and packed with natural flavors. The restaurant is led by Mark Peeter Pihel, a former student of Fäviken, and continues its brilliant culinary tradition of perfect cooking. Notably, Fotografiska operates on a zero-waste principle, composting its own scraps on-site, and focuses on locally sourced produce, offering a unique dining experience.

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Kristjan Peäske

Restaurateur / sommelier – Tallinn, Estonia

Since its opening, Fotografiska's restaurant has been committed to sustainability. Led by Mark Peeter Pihel, an alumnus of Fäviken, the restaurant focuses on enhancing natural flavors and utilizing diverse textures, resulting in meals that are both delicious and visually stunning. Fotografiska sets an example for sustainable dining practices, aiming to inspire other restaurants to follow suit.

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Focused on the freshness of seasonal ingredients, Rado restaurant is led by experienced hunter, fisherman, and forager, Chef Rado Mitro. The restaurant offers simple, well-executed food with a menu that changes often, presented on a chalkboard, ensuring a new experience with every visit. The cooking respects the ingredients and offers deep flavors, accompanied by a medium-sized handpicked wine list.

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Kristjan Peäske

Restaurateur / sommelier – Tallinn, Estonia

Nose to tail, simple and delightful! Triinu Tapper (GM) and Rado Mitro (chef) decided to open up in the middle of the corona crisis and they did with big success. The chef goes to the market every day to craft the menu, ensuring fresh and vibrant dishes. The menu is presented on the blackboard as it is ever-changing. Simple cooking respects the ingredients yet offers deep flavours. Medium-sized handpicked wine list and always great service!

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Barbarea is known for its innovative cuisine, which emphasizes minimally processed ingredients and bold combinations, often incorporating fermentation. The restaurant is committed to using local organic ingredients, positioning it among the few establishments that meet the high quality and sustainability standards of top European dining spots. It's a popular spot, with the demand often outstripping supply, especially for their mouth-watering baked goods in the mornings and pizza in the evenings.

Recommended by

Kristjan Peäske

Restaurateur / sommelier – Tallinn, Estonia

Barbarea is a standout for its bold and creative approach to cuisine. The kitchen focuses on minimally processed and boldly combined ingredients, often incorporating fermentation. This style is reminiscent of the innovative dining scene in Copenhagen. Barbarea also emphasizes the use of local organic ingredients, making it one of the few restaurants in Tallinn that can match the quality and sustainability standards of top European dining spots.

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Located in a converted shipyard building, Põhjala Tap Room offers a unique blend of craft beer and culinary delights. With a menu curated by Chef Michael Jiro Holman, formerly of Sweden's Fäviken, guests can savor Texas BBQ, salads, sandwiches, and homemade sauces and pickles. The Tap Room, which has played a significant role in enriching Estonian beer culture, also offers an extensive selection of draft beers, including fresh Põhjala IPAs, aged imperial stouts, and guest beers.

Recommended by

Kristjan Peäske

Restaurateur / sommelier – Tallinn, Estonia

Located in a converted shipyard building, Põhjala Tap Room offers a unique blend of craft beer and culinary delights. Põhjala Brewery is among the world's top 100, and here, you can even glimpse the brewing process through the dining hall windows. If you're curious, book a tour before or after your meal. Põhjala Tap Room has played a role in enriching Estonian beer culture, and now they're doing the same for food. Head Chef Michael Jiro Holman, formerly of Sweden's Fäviken, brings Texan BBQ to the table daily (except Sundays), alongside other tasty bites, snacks, sandwiches, salads, and mouthwatering desserts. Everything, from the sauces to pickles, is made in-house. Explore an extensive draft beer selection, from fresh Põhjala IPAs to aged imperial stouts and guest beers. You can enjoy a casual and enjoyable beer and food experience in a laid-back setting. It's the perfect place to unwind and savor some great flavors.

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Known for its great pastries and solid coffee, RØST Bakery is a convenient spot for those coming from the Helsinki ferry. The bakery offers a variety of unique items, including giant dill gougères, Jamon-goat cheese pasteis de natas, and sticky cardamom buns. They also feature rotating guest coffee roasters, adding an element of surprise to their coffee menu.

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Kal Freese

Nordic Barista Champion – San Francisco, United States

Great pastries and solid coffee. Quick walk from the Helsinki ferry.

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NOA Restaurant offers a unique dining experience, where you can forget about everyday life and embark on a mysterious culinary journey. The menu is inspired by the owners' travels around the world, with dishes that are prepared using natural ingredients. The restaurant's interior is cozy yet eclectic, offering an atmosphere that complements the food perfectly.

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Kristjan Peäske

Restaurateur / sommelier – Tallinn, Estonia

True fine dining gem in Tallinn. Going to Noa Chef's Hall is always an experience as they work hard to be out of their comfort zone and bring in the element of surprise. Owners travel a lot and this can be experienced through food, service and attention to detail. Amazing experience topped with amazing views of Tallinn over the sea.

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Immerse yourself in a unique dining experience at Lee Restoran, where traditional Estonian cuisine is given a contemporary twist with Japanese influences. The restaurant is renowned for its use of local ingredients, which are transformed into innovative dishes that reflect a modern interpretation of Estonian food. The kitchen is led by a Canadian-born Japanese chef who brings a wealth of international culinary skills and a playful curiosity to the menu, ensuring a memorable gastronomic journey for every visitor.

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Simon Bajada

Author & Photographer – Stockholm, Sweden

Great representation of modern Baltic food. Professional service in a great location.

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Specializing in Dagestani cuisine, The Kurze offers a unique dining experience in a converted sea container setting. The restaurant is known for its kurze, a Dagestani version of dumplings, and its traditional Georgian cheese bread, khachapuri. With a menu that reflects the diverse culinary traditions of Dagestan, the restaurant also provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere, led by chef Nuriyan Navruzova.

Recommended by

Kristjan Peäske

Restaurateur / sommelier – Tallinn, Estonia

One hidden gem in Tallinn that I highly recommend is The Kurze. This unique restaurant specializes in Dagestani cuisine, authentically prepared by native Dagestani people. Located in a rather dodgy area of town, visiting The Kurze adds an element of adventure to your dining experience. The restaurant’s name, "Kurze," refers to the Dagestani version of pelmeni (dumplings), but with a playful twist: if you call them pelmeni, you might end up paying double. This fun rule reflects the lively and welcoming character of the place. Besides their delicious kurze, The Kurze also incorporates some classic dishes from Georgian cuisine. Their khachapuri, a traditional Georgian cheese bread, is a must-try and perfectly complements their menu. The eclectic interior and unique menu make The Kurze a real standout spot.

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Featuring a menu inspired by international flavors and prepared with locally sourced ingredients, Peet Ruut is a vibrant restaurant nestled in the old town. The establishment is known for its creative and comforting food, with the savoy cabbage roll filled with barley and wild mushrooms being a crowd favorite. The restaurant also boasts a solid wine list, primarily composed of organic or natural style wines.

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Kal Freese

Nordic Barista Champion – San Francisco, United States

The staff were so kind and welcoming. The food is creative and comforting. Our favorite was a savoy cabbage roll filled with barley and wild mushrooms. Solid wine list with mostly natural and/or biodynamic producers. The space is beautiful and worth lingering in. Overall, a very enjoyable dinner spot in the old city and great value.

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Focused on a share concept, Radio offers a constantly changing menu, ensuring there's always something new to try. The food, prepared in an open kitchen, is known for its intense flavors without any fuss. It's a comfortable gathering spot where you can enjoy a pleasant dinner, a glass of wine, or a good coffee.

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Hiro Takeda

Chef – Tallinn, Estonia

Share concept and neighbourhood joint by Rado Mitro and Cat de Leon. It’s smashable affordable food. I love that the flavours are focused and intense with no fuss, and the menu changes constantly, so theres always something new to try.

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