Where to eat in Tallinn
Tallinn eats Estonian: dark rye bread, potato and barley porridge, smoked fish, blood sausage and a lot of dairy and berries. The Old Town has the long-running traditional restaurants and the medieval theme spots, while Kalamaja, Telliskivi and Noblessner have the newer places. Book dinner in the Old Town, and walk in for lunch.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- The Old Town for traditional Estonian, Kalamaja and Telliskivi for newer places and cheaper meals.
- Order this
- Mulgipuder, rye bread and a plate of smoked fish. Try kama or a kohuke for dessert.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 12, dinner from 6pm. Most restaurants are open until 10 or 11pm.
- Book or walk in
- Book Friday and Saturday dinner inside the walls. Cafes and the market take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Round up, or leave about 10 per cent for good service.
What to eat in Tallinn
- MulgipuderA porridge of potato and barley, usually served with bacon and sour milk. It comes from southern Estonia and sits on many traditional menus.
- Rye breadDense, dark and slightly sweet, called leib. Served with butter, smoked fish or cheese, and often the best thing in the bread basket.
- KiluvõileibAn open sandwich of sprats on rye bread with egg and onion. Found in cafes and at the market.
- VerivorstBlood sausage with barley, served with lingonberry jam and sauerkraut. A winter and Christmas dish that also appears year-round in traditional restaurants.
- MulgikapsadSauerkraut stewed with pork and barley, from the same region as mulgipuder. A heavy, warming dish for cold days.
- KamaA fine flour of roasted grains, mixed into yoghurt or curd cream for dessert or breakfast. An Estonian pantry staple.
- KohukeA small curd cheese bar, usually chocolate-glazed, sold in every shop. Sweet and sharp, and a cheap snack.
- MarzipanTallinn has a long marzipan tradition, with shaped sweets and cakes in the Old Town shops. Buy it as a gift.
Where to eat in Tallinn, by neighborhood
Old Town
The traditional restaurants and the medieval theme places, all within the walls. Rataskaevu and Vene streets have the best run of tables. The Town Hall Square terraces are the most expensive.
Rotermann Quarter
Restored warehouses beside the Old Town, with modern restaurants, a food hall and cafes. Good for lunch, and easy after the ferry.
Kalamaja and Telliskivi
The cafes, bakeries, bars and bistros of the creative district and the Balti Jaam market next door. Busy at weekends, calmer on weekdays.
Noblessner
The harbor district west of the Old Town, with restaurants on the water. Dressier and pricier than Telliskivi, and a good place for a long dinner.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Rataskaevu 16
€€Estonian restaurant · Old Town
OrderElk or the chef's fish, with rye bread
A long-running Old Town restaurant on Rataskaevu street that serves modern Estonian cooking in a small stone building. A local favorite for years.
- Book
- Book one to two weeks ahead for dinner
Confirmed open: visitestonia.com
-
Olde Hansa
€€€Medieval restaurant · Old Town
OrderGame dishes and the honey beer
A themed restaurant on Vana turg, lit by candles, with costumed staff and a menu based on medieval recipes. It is touristy and the food is solid. Best as a one-off evening.
- Book
- Book ahead for dinner
Confirmed open: visitestonia.com
-
Kompressor
€Pancake pub · Old Town
OrderA savory pancake with mushrooms or meat
A long-standing pancake pub on Rataskaevu street, with large portions at modest prices. Good for lunch and for families.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: visitestonia.com
-
Lore Bistroo
€€€Bistro · Harbour district
OrderThe daily plates and Baltic fish
A modern harborside bistro with dishes inspired by its owner's travels, and a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide Estonia for 2026.
- Book
- Book ahead for dinner
Confirmed open: guide.michelin.com
-
Vesta
€€Counter restaurant · Outside the Old Town
OrderThe ceviche and the daily counter menu
A new Bib Gourmand in 2026, built around a long counter, with a lively room. Outside the center, so mostly locals.
- Book
- Book ahead for dinner
Confirmed open: guide.michelin.com
Food markets in Tallinn
- Balti Jaama TurgA covered market beside the Baltic Station with stalls of vegetables, fish, meat, bread and smoked produce, plus a street food area and vintage shops upstairs. Eat a kiluvõileib or a hot lunch at the food stalls.Monday to Saturday 9am to 7pm, Sunday 9am to 5pm; the street food area opens longer on weekdaysSource: visitestonia.com
How Tallinn eats
- Meal timesLunch from 12 and dinner from 6pm. Many kitchens close by 10pm outside the Old Town.
- Bread and butterRye bread comes with most meals. Bread and spreads may be charged for, so check the menu.
- TippingTipping is modest. Round up or leave about 10 per cent for good service.
- PayingCards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere. You rarely need cash.
- ReservationsBook weekend dinners in the Old Town. Weekday lunches and cafes are walk-in.
Signs of a place to walk past
A tout in medieval dress outside, pulling people in off the square.
A menu in six languages with photographs of every dish.
Terraces on Town Hall Square with no Estonian dishes on the menu.
Eating in Tallinn: questions people ask
What food is Tallinn known for?
Rye bread, smoked fish, mulgipuder, blood sausage and kama. Marzipan and dairy desserts are the local sweets.
Where should I eat in Tallinn?
The Old Town for traditional Estonian, Rotermann for lunch, and Kalamaja and Telliskivi for newer places and lower prices.
Where should I eat in Tallinn Old Town?
Rataskaevu and Vene streets have the best-known tables. Avoid the Town Hall Square terraces and any place with a tout.
Is Tallinn cheap to eat in?
Cheaper than the Nordic capitals. Cafes, the market and pancake pubs are inexpensive, and Old Town dinners cost more.
Do I need to book in Tallinn?
For weekend dinners in the Old Town, yes. For lunch, cafes and the market, no.
What should I try at the Tallinn Christmas market?
Mulled wine, verivorst with sauerkraut and gingerbread. Dress warmly.
Do you tip in Tallinn?
A little. Round up, or leave about 10 per cent for good service.