Tallinn is a medieval city and the capital of Estonia. We got to know the city when we did a tour of the Baltic countries. We went from Helsinki to Tallinn by ship and we already told about the experience here. In Tallinn, we took a walking tour through the historic center and during the tour we tasted some typical foods.
We really liked the places we visited and the foods we tried, including exotic meats, such as bear meat, which is typical there. Let's make a list of where to eat in Tallinn, so you can also try everything we know there.
Where to eat in Tallinn
Kochi Aida
As I said, we arrived in Tallinn by ship and upon landing at the port, we had our first gastronomic experience in the city. We met Kochi Aidad, which is very close to the port. It is located in a set of warehouses built in the 1870s, and renovated and transformed into shops and restaurants. In addition to the restaurant, they have a small brewery, Kochi Ait. They have commercial beers on the menu, but it is worth trying the beers produced there, we have tasted them and they are delicious. We had elk meat stew and it was delicious.
Endereço: Pilot 10
Site: Kochi Aidad
III Dragon
This was our favorite restaurant in Tallinn. It has few dishes, like soup, sausage and breads. No full meals. On the other hand, the experience is incredible. When we go in, we place our order at the counter, where a woman dressed in typical Middle Ages clothes serves us, interpreting the role. It's fun and we're getting into the mood back to the past.
We order soup, sausage and bread, and the food comes in clay bowls and plates with no cutlery. Yes, no cutlery and that's part of the experience. The whole environment transports us to a tavern, one of those that we only see in the movies.
The pickles are free, but to eat them you have to “fish” them inside a barrel. Arthur went fishing and had fun.
Beer is also served in an earthenware mug. Some clay utensils are broken, chipped, everything to look even more like medieval taverns.
This is an economical and fast food restaurant, without anything luxurious, but it is really worth it for the experience and the soup was delicious!
Address: Raekoja Plats 1
Site: III Dragon
Olde Hansa
This is another medieval-style restaurant, where the servers are dressed in character and everything inside the restaurant is as close to the medieval period as possible. We went at dinner time and the lighting was all done with candles. It was interesting that in this restaurant they didn't have normal beers, it was just one with honey and one with herbs. I tasted the honey one, which was delicious in the first mug, but the second was nauseating. Arthur tried the herbal one, he liked it, but I thought it tasted like spices (hahaha).
In this restaurant we taste the most different meats we have ever eaten. Arthur took the bear meat dish. It came with a red wine sauce, a boiled chickpea, pickles and a few other side dishes.
My dish had 3 types of meat, elk, wild boar and venison.
The bear meat I thought has a strong and striking flavor, I couldn't eat a whole dish. My dish, even though it had 3 different meats, was lighter, and I thought it was delicious.
This restaurant is already more expensive and more for tourists. But even so, it was worth it for the experience and for tasting the exotic meats.
Address: Vana Turg 1
Site: Olde Hansa
At grandmothers
We took the indication of this place on the map of Tallinn that we found in the tourist center. What caught our attention was the fact that it was homemade Estonian food, as if you were at grandma's house, and that was really how we felt. This restaurant is right on the main square, but its entrance is a bit hidden.
Going down the stairs and entering the restaurant lounge, we really have the feeling of being in a grandmother's house, with antique furniture and objects and even crochet tablecloths on the table, which I loved. We were very well attended by the daughter of the owner of the restaurant.
We ate a mincemeat with a sauce similar to stroganoff, which was delicious. For dessert, the nice lady showed us a cake, and said it was the cake from her childhood.
This restaurant has medium prices, main dishes between 10 and 15 euros.
Address: Rataskaevu 10
Depeche Mode Baar
When we were walking downtown, we accidentally found this bar. We went in out of curiosity, as we love the band Depeche Mode, who were very successful when we were teenagers. And the bar is actually related to the band, and was opened by a fan in 1999. We had a beer and listened to some Depeche Mode music. If you're also a fan, it's worth having a beer there.
Address: Voorimehe 4
Site: Depeche Mode Baar
Now that we've made our list of where to eat in Tallinn, you can choose which one to visit. Regardless of whether you choose one or all of the restaurants on the list, you will certainly have good experiences in Tallinn.
