Tallinn is a popular destination for many tourists from around the world. The old part of the city looks very beautiful and attracts with its architecture. Of course, the beauty of buildings is good, but you need to eat too. This is what the article tells about, overlooking all the sights and architecture of the city. Next you will find out where to eat in Tallinn. There are plenty of places, but not all of them deserve the attention of tourists.
The nuances of Estonian national cuisine
Before you know where to eat in Tallinn, it would be nice to learn about Estonian cuisine traditions. Usually, various peasant dishes that have been used in a particular area for a long time are attributed to traditional cuisine.
Population migration has also left its mark, as well as the marked development of trade and various tourist relations with countries. The cuisines of countries such as Germany, Sweden, Russia and some other countries complemented Estonian cuisine with various dishes.
In modern Estonia, in restaurants you can order absolutely any dish that will be prepared according to recipes of any country. Here you can try different delicacies of international cuisine.
The main difference between traditional Estonian cuisine is considered to be the simplest, but very satisfying dishes. As a rule, they are prepared strictly from natural products with unobtrusive spices. Most often, the food is steamed or baked in the oven.
Processing products should always be soft, preserving the natural, natural taste of all ingredients. And do not forget that in Estonia, a lunch without bread is considered inferior. It is noteworthy that immediately three Estonian types of bread are delicacies in the country.
Rye brown bread has a special and unique crisp, very often such bread is brought from Tallinn as an edible souvenir for loved ones. It is unrealistically delicious and extremely healthy. It is advisable to purchase such bread in a specialized bakery, where they know a lot about baking and always offer the buyer the freshest products.
A Tallinn sandwich with famous Estonian salted butter is better than many types of pastries. But it is worth considering several popular places to know where to satisfy hunger in Tallinn.
Old Tallinn: where to eat cheaply
In general, you need to understand that in the most exclusive places of the city, where there are always a lot of tourists, it is not always possible to eat cheaply. But Tallinn is not a very expensive tourist city. It is for this reason that budgeting to eat in the historical part of the city is quite real. Before deciding on a place, study the menu of several institutions to choose the best option for you at a price. And now is the time to consider in more detail a few specific places.
Restaurant-bistro LIDO
The institution is located in the center of Tallinn. It is located in a very popular shopping center among tourists. In the institution you can relax, have a nice and tasty lunch between exhausting trips through the halls of the shopping center. If you are looking for food in Tallinn and want something unusual, then you are at the right place. Here you can order an unusual salad with tuna, as well as steam pork with exotic pineapple. And from the exclusive, visitors are offered Estonian black pudding. For dessert, for example, there is a cake with egg liqueur or cherry yogurt of our own production.
The most popular dish in this restaurant is mushroom soup. I must admit that in the institution the list of dishes that I want to try is simply incredibly large. Orders are taken politely and quickly. The food is not prepared for long, the dishes are very tasty. The restaurant has Russian-speaking staff. The volume of dishes is sufficient, it can even be called large or generous.
Tavern III Draakon
If you continue to search for where to eat in Tallinn, then this place can definitely be considered as a worthy option. The line to this restaurant, which is well located on the Town Hall Square, is visible from afar. This is some kind of enchanted place. Maybe because it is decorated in a classic medieval style.
The institution offers a wide selection of dishes that are made in an old inn. Of particular note are the Estonian elk meat soup, the mysterious hand-made linen bags with dried meat of wild hare, wild boar and bear.
We also note meat pies, their aroma is simply incredible appetite. Local residents say that for tourists this smell is often a determining factor in the question of where to eat in Tallinn in the Old Town. All dishes are served with signature black bread with garlic and salted butter.
Donut Sõõrikukohvik
This is the answer to the question of where to eat cheaply in Tallinn. All tourists unanimously say that it’s impossible to find these donuts in the capital. Local Estonian cooks know a special secret. Donuts are sold by weight. For large volumes give a good discount.
In addition to donuts, pancakes are served in this establishment. As a filler for pancakes, they offer turkey, chicken and so on. And as a side dish for pancakes, you can order buckwheat porridge. It is worth noting that dozens of dishes are prepared from buckwheat in Estonia. And for a Russian tourist, ordering a side dish for pancakes seems unusual.
Reetri pizza
Where to eat cheap in Tallinn? At Reetri Pizza. As the name implies, they don’t serve traditional dishes, but they feed them inexpensively. Pizza, which was born in Italy, already knows no boundaries. The dish is simple, everyone loves it. Local pizza is always generously filled with tomatoes and cheese.
There are a lot of types of pizza in the establishment, it is difficult to advise here. There are no comrades in this matter, each one chooses to his own preferences. The only thing that needs to be said about this institution is that it simply has an incredible selection of pizzas. You will definitely choose the option for yourself.
Cafe Grenka
This is an institution with simple food, which is incredibly healthy. All dishes are served very nicely. This is where you can eat in Tallinn. Local residents say that here the food resembles homemade food. In the menu of this cafe you can find breakfasts that give energy for the whole day, as well as nutritious and high-calorie lunches and spicy dinners. Well, without the traditional delicious cakes and toasts here also can not do.
Cafe Trattoria Del Gallo Nero
Not quite a traditional place, but it is a place for romantic meetings. Here you can perfectly organize any meal format. The main direction of the restaurant's cuisine: Italy. Enough budget institution, in any case, it looks more expensive than it actually turns out. The atmosphere in the cafe is cozy. Of the traditional Estonian dishes, you should pay attention to the famous soups and local meat dishes. It is worth ordering dishes in advance. Food is not served too fast, especially when the influx of customers.
Tavern Karja Kelder
Inside the establishment, a medieval atmosphere reigns; the pub is located in the basement of the building. Here you can taste coffee according to Estonian recipes, as well as local beer and cider. The establishment has a buffet. In addition, you can order a full dinner, which will consist of original local dishes. And here you can try the world famous liquor “Old Tallinn”. It is an alcoholic drink of dark brown color, there are notes of rum in the taste. The drink first appeared in 1962. You can try the liquor in its pure form, in cocktails, as well as in coffee. Also in the pub you can taste another famous Kannu Kukk liqueur with caraway flavor.
Pancake Kompressor
This is a place where they serve very tasty, but not the cheapest pancakes in the city. But their taste and size will not allow to doubt the quality. If you follow the figure, it is better not to appear here. To refrain from local pancakes called "elephant ears" is simply unrealistic.
In the city you can find pancakes and cheaper. But in this pancake, they are the largest in size. This place is loved not only by tourists, but also by many locals. And Estonians know exactly where to eat delicious food.
Restaurant F-hoone
This establishment boasts some of the lowest prices in the city. The restaurant is located in a centenary factory building in the very center of the city at the local station. There are many young people here, the design of the institution is budgetary, but worthy. Service level and very unobtrusive, drinks do not hit your pocket. The cuisine of the institution is international, suitable even for vegetarians.
Cafe Hotokas
Fans of a quick snack on the go should definitely visit this place. The main ingredients for dishes in the institution are freshly baked rolls and traditional sausages, which are prepared to order. Additives are prepared on the spot, wherever possible Estonian products are used for dishes. In addition to hot dogs, the establishment also has hand-cut french fries, as well as nachos and simple salads. Everything is very tasty.
To summarize
We have compiled a list of the best establishments in the capital of Estonia. Now you know where to eat in Old Tallinn or anywhere else in the city. There are plenty of establishments in the capital, the choice is yours. Each tourist has his favorite place on the city map. Find yours too. You can eat cheaply, while it is very tasty. Many institutions will want to return again.
Tallinn is a city to visit from time to time. One race does not get off. It is necessary to study the culture and traditions of the city in a few visits. To know the cuisine of Tallinn and find the best institution in the city, once will not be enough.