Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia, a Baltic port on the Gulf of Finland whose walled medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gothic spires, Hanseatic merchant houses and the hilltop Toompea sit beside Kadriorg's Baroque palace, the creative Telliskivi quarter, Noblessner's waterfront and one of Europe's most digital cities, a two-hour ferry ride from Helsinki.
Estonian cuisine is built on rye bread, pork, potatoes, fresh and smoked Baltic fish, forest mushrooms and berries, dairy such as curd and sour cream, and game including elk and wild boar. Tallinn adds a strong New Nordic and international restaurant scene around Telliskivi, Noblessner and the Rotermann Quarter, with several Michelin-recognised kitchens, alongside medieval-themed taverns in the Old Town. Local drinks include Saku and craft beer (Põhjala), Vana Tallinn liqueur and kvass.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Tallinn.
Black rye bread (leib)
Dense sour rye bread served with butter or alongside most meals
Where to try: Rataskaevu 16, Cafe Maiasmokk, Balti Jaama Turg
Price: €2-5 (~$2-6 USD)
Verivorst with lingonberry
Blood sausage served with lingonberry jam, potatoes and sauerkraut, traditional at Christmas but found year-round
Where to try: Old Town traditional restaurants
Price: €8-14 (~$9-16 USD)
Kilu (sprats) on rye
Marinated Baltic sprats on rye bread with egg, a classic cold snack
Where to try: Old Town restaurants and Balti Jaama Turg
Price: €3-7 (~$3-8 USD)
Mulgipuder
Barley and potato mash with pork and onion fat, a traditional Estonian dish
Where to try: Traditional Estonian restaurants
Price: €8-14 (~$9-16 USD)
Elk or boar stew
Slow-braised game served with root vegetables and berries
Where to try: Rataskaevu 16, Olde Hansa
Price: €16-28 (~$18-32 USD)
Savoury pancakes
Large filled pancakes, a cheap local favourite
Where to try: Kompressor
Price: €5-10 (~$6-12 USD)
Marzipan
Hand-painted marzipan figures, a Tallinn confectionery tradition
Where to try: Cafe Maiasmokk
Price: €2-10 (~$2-12 USD)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Estonian
Mediterranean
Modern
Modern Asian
Pub Food
Russian
Food tours & tastings in Tallinn
Eat your way through Tallinn with a guide.
Browse food experiences in TallinnWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Market street food
Around 20 counters inside Balti Jaama Turg serving international and Estonian fast food
Find it at: Balti Jaama Turg, Kopli 1
Smoked fish
Fresh and smoked Baltic fish sold by weight at market fish counters
Find it at: Balti Jaama Turg, Kopli 1
Roasted sugared almonds
Cones of cinnamon-sugar roasted nuts sold by stalls in Town Hall Square and at the Christmas market
Find it at: Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats), Old Town
Pirukas (stuffed pastry)
Baked pastries filled with meat, cabbage or cheese, sold in bakeries and cafes
Find it at: Old Town bakeries and cafes
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Balti Jaama Turg (Baltic Station Market)
Covered market at Kopli 1 beside Baltic Station with produce, fish, meat, vintage stalls and a street-food area
Hours: Mon-Sat 9AM-7PM; Sun 9AM-5PM
Tallinn Central Market (Keskturg)
Large traditional market at Keldrimäe 9 for produce, dairy and meat; mornings are busiest
Hours: Hours vary by stall; mornings are busiest
Nõmme Market
Neighbourhood market in the Nõmme district on the south-western edge of the city, with local produce
Hours: Hours vary by stall; mornings are best
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch is roughly 12PM-3PM and dinner from 6PM; Old Town kitchens usually close around 10PM-11PM
Book dinner at popular Old Town restaurants such as Rataskaevu 16 and Vegan Restoran V several days ahead in summer
Tipping of about 5-10% is customary at table-service restaurants; round up at cafes
Restaurants around Town Hall Square are pricier and more tourist-oriented; walk to Telliskivi, Kalamaja or Balti Jaama Turg for local prices
Many restaurants offer a cheaper weekday set lunch (päevapakkumine) compared with dinner menus
Card payment is accepted almost everywhere, including small cafes and market stalls
- Vegetarian
- Widely available; Tallinn has several vegetarian-friendly venues and traditional menus include vegetarian options
- Vegan
- Strong scene; Vegan Restoran V at Rataskaevu 12 is a dedicated vegan restaurant and Telliskivi venues offer plant-based dishes
- Halal
- Limited; a few halal-friendly kebab and Middle Eastern places exist but options are few
- Gluten free
- Increasingly available; ask for gluten-free (gluteenivaba) and note that rye bread contains gluten
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €8-15 per meal (~$9-17 USD) | Pancakes at Kompressor, Balti Jaama Turg street food, daily set lunches |
| Mid-range | €20-40 per meal (~$23-46 USD) | Old Town and Telliskivi restaurants such as Rataskaevu 16 and F-Hoone |
| Upscale | €60+ per meal (~$69+ USD) | Michelin-recognised restaurants in Noblessner and Rotermann; tasting menus at the top end cost several times more |