Tallinn may be compact, but there is a lot happening food-wise. Contemporary restaurants, vegetable-forward cooking and a strong specialty coffee culture sit alongside Scandinavian-inspired bakeries and more traditional cafés. We particularly liked how relaxed eating out felt here — good food without too much formality. These are the restaurants, bakeries and coffee spots that stood out most during our time in the city.
Best Restaurants in Tallinn
Fotografiska
The restaurant on top of Fotografiska is much more than somewhere to eat after visiting the photography museum. Sustainability sits at the heart of the kitchen, with seasonal ingredients, local producers and a strong focus on using as much of each product as possible. Vegetables receive plenty of attention, which made this especially interesting for us. Add the rooftop setting and it becomes one of Tallinn’s more distinctive dining experiences.
Mantel ja Korsten
Mantel ja Korsten sits inside a beautiful green wooden house in Kadriorg, giving the restaurant a character of its own before the food even arrives. The cooking takes inspiration from the Mediterranean while working with seasonal ingredients and a relatively compact menu. We loved how creative the combinations felt without becoming overly complicated. A restaurant with plenty of personality, both on the plate and in the setting.
Vegan Restoran V
Vegan Restoran V showed us how satisfying fully plant-based comfort food can be. The restaurant is small and intimate, with a menu that moves well beyond the predictable vegan staples. What stayed with us most was how generous and familiar the food felt — you really don’t need to be vegan to enjoy eating here. One of the restaurants we remember most fondly from Tallinn.
Clos Resto
Clos Resto has a relaxed, almost living-room feel paired with a much more creative approach to the food than the surroundings might suggest. The menu changes regularly, allowing the kitchen to work with the seasons rather than relying on the same dishes throughout the year. We particularly liked the contrast between ambitious cooking and an atmosphere that never felt overly formal.
Ülo
Ülo is lively, colourful and strongly vegetable-forward, while still offering fish and meat for those who want it. The menu brings together influences from different cuisines in a contemporary format, and the restaurant itself has an energetic, slightly playful character. What we remember most is the warmth of the team — it was one of those places where we immediately felt comfortable.
Bakeries & Coffee in Tallinn
RØST
RØST brings Scandinavian baking influences to Tallinn’s Rotermann Quarter, with naturally fermented bread and beautifully laminated pastries produced in its compact bakery. Sweet and savoury bakes share the counter, while specialty coffee makes it just as appealing for a morning stop. This was one of the bakery addresses that immediately stood out to us — particularly because the quality goes far beyond simply having a beautiful display.
Fika – Leib ja Kohv
Fika combines specialty coffee with freshly baked bread and pastries in a way that makes the name very appropriate. The atmosphere is relaxed and distinctly Nordic, with coffee receiving just as much attention as the baking. We originally came for coffee and something sweet and ended up liking both equally. A very easy address to return to when exploring Telliskivi.
Katharinenthal
Katharinenthal offers a more classic café experience than many of Tallinn’s newer specialty coffee spots. Its location near Kadriorg Park makes it particularly nice to combine with a walk through this part of the city. The display is filled with pastries, cakes and bread, and the atmosphere feels elegant without becoming overly formal. A good contrast to the more modern bakeries elsewhere in Tallinn.
Kiosk Kohvik
Kiosk Kohvik consists of a collection of small, characterful coffee kiosks around Tallinn. We loved how naturally they fit into the city: uncomplicated places to grab a good coffee and something baked without turning it into an entire café visit. The kiosks also serve savoury buns and pastries, making them particularly useful when you want something quick while walking around town.
OA Coffee
OA is a Tallinn-based specialty coffee roaster with a café in the Old Town, making it a useful address when you want good coffee without leaving the historic centre. Alongside drinks, you can pick up their beans and other products to take home. We liked that the focus stays firmly on the coffee itself rather than building an elaborate concept around it.
Breakfast & Lunch in Tallinn
F-Hoone
F-Hoone is one of the best places to experience the creative atmosphere of Telliskivi. Set inside an old industrial building, the restaurant has been part of the neighbourhood’s transformation into one of Tallinn’s cultural hubs. The menu is broad and includes plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, making it an easy choice for lunch while exploring the galleries, shops and street art around the area.
Värav Coffee and Toast
Värav is tiny — genuinely one of the smallest cafés we remember visiting — but that is part of what makes it so charming. The little white building has only a handful of seats and serves coffee alongside breakfast and generously topped toasts. It felt very personal and unpolished in the best way, making it a lovely contrast to some of Tallinn’s larger all-day cafés.
