Silja's Guidebook
Food scene in Tallinn city centre
Maiasmokk is believed to be the oldest café in Estonia. Its fascinating history traces back to 1806 when sugar baker Lorenz Cavietzel acquired the land where the current building stands. However, it wasn't until 1864 that the café, as we see it today, was constructed.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Maiasmokk Cafe
16 Pikk
Maiasmokk is believed to be the oldest café in Estonia. Its fascinating history traces back to 1806 when sugar baker Lorenz Cavietzel acquired the land where the current building stands. However, it wasn't until 1864 that the café, as we see it today, was constructed.
Pulla Bakery
The Old Town's Finest Bakery
Experience a superb Asian fusion restaurant just a 4-minute walk away. I highly recommend reserving a table in advance. Find it at 9 Sulevimägi Street.
21 Einheimische empfehlen
Chedi
1 SulevimägiExperience a superb Asian fusion restaurant just a 4-minute walk away. I highly recommend reserving a table in advance. Find it at 9 Sulevimägi Street.
Restaurant Lee at Uus Street 31 in the old town of Tallinn has Nordic and Japanese influences—expect dishes like blood sausage okonomiyaki with pickled mustard seeds and lingonberry and salted plum compote.
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Leib Restoran
31 UusRestaurant Lee at Uus Street 31 in the old town of Tallinn has Nordic and Japanese influences—expect dishes like blood sausage okonomiyaki with pickled mustard seeds and lingonberry and salted plum compote.
One of the finest cocktail bar in Tallinn! Botaanik is an intimate establishment, so reserving a table is highly recommended. Open from Thursday to Saturday.
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Botaanik
2 Suurtüki
One of the finest cocktail bar in Tallinn! Botaanik is an intimate establishment, so reserving a table is highly recommended. Open from Thursday to Saturday.
Fine dining. MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View: Set within a hotel in the heart of the Old Town, this glass-roofed, restaurant has something of a celebratory feel, courtesy of a beautiful chandelier and battleship-grey walls hung with gilt-framed pictures. Cooking has a classical French base with Russian influences and modern overtones.
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Tchaikovsky Restaurant
9 VeneFine dining. MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View: Set within a hotel in the heart of the Old Town, this glass-roofed, restaurant has something of a celebratory feel, courtesy of a beautiful chandelier and battleship-grey walls hung with gilt-framed pictures. Cooking has a classical French base with Russian influences and modern overtones.
Fine dining. MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View: Set in the heart of the Old Town, this is a lovely spot, where the striking room oozes period charm and an eclectic mix of artwork fills the walls. The fiercely French, brasserie-style menu lists all the classics, from escargot to duck confit and crêpes Suzette. Be sure to arrive early for cocktails in the bar.
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Art Priori
7 OlevimägiFine dining. MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View: Set in the heart of the Old Town, this is a lovely spot, where the striking room oozes period charm and an eclectic mix of artwork fills the walls. The fiercely French, brasserie-style menu lists all the classics, from escargot to duck confit and crêpes Suzette. Be sure to arrive early for cocktails in the bar.
An Italian restaurant located on one of Tallinn's oldest streets, Katariina's Walk.
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Restoran Controvento
12 VeneAn Italian restaurant located on one of Tallinn's oldest streets, Katariina's Walk.
Restaurant Pegasus
1 HarjuGood food!
AtBangkok Tallinn
My favourite Thai restaurant in Tallinn!
Guru Restoran
My favourite Indian restaurant in Tallinn!
There is a restaurant upstairs and a cocktail bar downstairs where you can get through a wardrobe - yes, like in the Chronicles of Narnia.
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Parrot MiniBar
7 Vana-PostiThere is a restaurant upstairs and a cocktail bar downstairs where you can get through a wardrobe - yes, like in the Chronicles of Narnia.
MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View: Decorated in bright colours, Cru is spread over three basement floors of a small hotel in the centre of the city. The menu is a rollcall of seasonal produce sourced from the local area and cooked with knowledge and care. The smoked Baltic herring are memorable, as are the classic puddings.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Cru
8 Viru tänavMICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View: Decorated in bright colours, Cru is spread over three basement floors of a small hotel in the centre of the city. The menu is a rollcall of seasonal produce sourced from the local area and cooked with knowledge and care. The smoked Baltic herring are memorable, as are the classic puddings.
Olde Hansa
1 Vana turgMedieval restaurant
PÄRIS Pagar • Deli • Resto
French cuisine in the heart of Tallinn!
Elevant resto
5 VeneIndian food, nice interior.
Vegan Restoran V
12 RataskaevuLITERAAT | Telliskivi Rahva Raamat
Italian-Estonian fusion
The Kurze
Dagestan cuisine
Sightseeing in Tallinn
Dating from the 13th century, the imposing St Nicholas' Church (Niguliste kirik) was badly damaged by Soviet bombers in 1944 and a fire in the 1980s, but today stands restored to its Gothic glory. Although deconsecrated, it's a strikingly apt site for the Art Museum of Estonia to display some of its treasures of sacral art – the late-medieval altarpieces, paintings and sculptures you'll see are drawn from all over Estonia, but much of it originally belonged right here, in St Nicholas'. The most famous work on display is Berndt Notke’s 15th-century masterpiece Dance Macabre. A glass elevator in St. Nicholas’ Church tower offers visitors unprecedented views of medieval Tallinn.
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St. Nikolaus Kirche und Museum
3 NigulisteDating from the 13th century, the imposing St Nicholas' Church (Niguliste kirik) was badly damaged by Soviet bombers in 1944 and a fire in the 1980s, but today stands restored to its Gothic glory. Although deconsecrated, it's a strikingly apt site for the Art Museum of Estonia to display some of its treasures of sacral art – the late-medieval altarpieces, paintings and sculptures you'll see are drawn from all over Estonia, but much of it originally belonged right here, in St Nicholas'. The most famous work on display is Berndt Notke’s 15th-century masterpiece Dance Macabre. A glass elevator in St. Nicholas’ Church tower offers visitors unprecedented views of medieval Tallinn.
The Estonian Museum of Applied Art & Design, located right next to you at 17 Lai Street, is the nearest museum.
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Estnisches Museum für Gewerbekunst und Design
17 LaiThe Estonian Museum of Applied Art & Design, located right next to you at 17 Lai Street, is the nearest museum.
The permanent exhibition here, ‘Freedom Without Borders’, is divided into five sections examining the suffering of Estonians over five decades of occupation by both the Nazis and Soviets, and the processes of recovery and regaining freedom.
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Vabamu – Museum der Besatzungen und Freiheit
8b ToompeaThe permanent exhibition here, ‘Freedom Without Borders’, is divided into five sections examining the suffering of Estonians over five decades of occupation by both the Nazis and Soviets, and the processes of recovery and regaining freedom.
This futuristic seven-storey building is a spectacular structure of limestone, glass and copper that integrates intelligently into the 18th-century landscape. Kumu (the name is short for kunstimuuseum, or art museum) contains the country's largest repository of Estonian art as well as 11 or 12 temporary exhibits per year.
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Estnisches Kunstmuseum
1 ValgeThis futuristic seven-storey building is a spectacular structure of limestone, glass and copper that integrates intelligently into the 18th-century landscape. Kumu (the name is short for kunstimuuseum, or art museum) contains the country's largest repository of Estonian art as well as 11 or 12 temporary exhibits per year.
Completed in 1404, this is the only surviving Gothic town hall in northern Europe.
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Rathaus von Tallinn
1 Raekoja platsCompleted in 1404, this is the only surviving Gothic town hall in northern Europe.
It is located very near to you, on Lai Street 50. From 1549 until 1625, when its 159m steeple was struck by lightning and burnt down, this (now Baptist) church was one of the tallest buildings in the world. The current spire reaches a still-respectable 124m.
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Olaikirche
50 LaiIt is located very near to you, on Lai Street 50. From 1549 until 1625, when its 159m steeple was struck by lightning and burnt down, this (now Baptist) church was one of the tallest buildings in the world. The current spire reaches a still-respectable 124m.
Nobody's too sure of the exact date it opened, but by 1422 this pharmacy was already onto its third owner, making it the oldest continually operating pharmacy in Europe. In 1583 Johann Burchardt took the helm, and a descendant with the same name ran the shop right up until 1913 – 10 generations in all! Inside there are painted beams and a small historical display, or you can just drop in to stock up on painkillers and prophylactics.
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Town Hall Pharmacy
11 Raekoja platsNobody's too sure of the exact date it opened, but by 1422 this pharmacy was already onto its third owner, making it the oldest continually operating pharmacy in Europe. In 1583 Johann Burchardt took the helm, and a descendant with the same name ran the shop right up until 1913 – 10 generations in all! Inside there are painted beams and a small historical display, or you can just drop in to stock up on painkillers and prophylactics.
This little museum is housed in the former town prison. Exhibits include old cameras and prints from photography’s earliest days in Estonia. They also hold photo exhibitions there.
Museum für Fotografie
4 RaekojaThis little museum is housed in the former town prison. Exhibits include old cameras and prints from photography’s earliest days in Estonia. They also hold photo exhibitions there.
Estonian design and art
After strolling around the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptionally complete and well-preserved medieval city, head to the Tallinn Design House to peruse apparel and wares from homegrown brands such as August and Ennos. Located at Rotermanni Street 14, Tallinn.
Tallinn Design House
14 RotermanniAfter strolling around the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptionally complete and well-preserved medieval city, head to the Tallinn Design House to peruse apparel and wares from homegrown brands such as August and Ennos. Located at Rotermanni Street 14, Tallinn.
Estonian Design House sells Estonian product design ranging from interior accessories to fashion and is located in Solaris Center.
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Estonian Design House
9 Estonia pstEstonian Design House sells Estonian product design ranging from interior accessories to fashion and is located in Solaris Center.
LEVI desigh shop supports small entrepreneurs, talented artists and offers alternatives to the mass production that has conquered the world. Located in Solaris Center.
LEVI Eesti Disainipood
LEVI desigh shop supports small entrepreneurs, talented artists and offers alternatives to the mass production that has conquered the world. Located in Solaris Center.
Vernissage gallery has been selling high-level art in Estonia since 2000. 6 years later they started organizing art exhibitions and auctions. The gallery contains works from the end of the 19th century to the present day. Located in the old town of Tallinn at Olevimägi Street 16.
Vernissage kunstigalerii
Vernissage gallery has been selling high-level art in Estonia since 2000. 6 years later they started organizing art exhibitions and auctions. The gallery contains works from the end of the 19th century to the present day. Located in the old town of Tallinn at Olevimägi Street 16.
TALI is the largest design shop in Estonia, located in a hip Kalamaja area. Located at Telliskivi Street 60a-2, Tallinn.
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Tali Design
60a KotzebueTALI is the largest design shop in Estonia, located in a hip Kalamaja area. Located at Telliskivi Street 60a-2, Tallinn.
A nice selection of authentic Estonian folk art and handicraft, located at Vanaturu Kael Street 8 in the old town of Tallinn. You may want to visit similar shops in the old town at Pikk Street 22 and Pikk Street 7.
Eesti Käsitöö ''Kaarmann''
A nice selection of authentic Estonian folk art and handicraft, located at Vanaturu Kael Street 8 in the old town of Tallinn. You may want to visit similar shops in the old town at Pikk Street 22 and Pikk Street 7.
In the Old Town of Tallinn at Vene Street 6, there is a beautiful Masters' Courtyard where you'll find an Estonian ceramic artists' studio / shop / gallery.
Meistrite Hoovi Keraamikakoda
In the Old Town of Tallinn at Vene Street 6, there is a beautiful Masters' Courtyard where you'll find an Estonian ceramic artists' studio / shop / gallery.
Activities
Wellness-seekers can try out a modernized version of the sauna ritual at Iglupark, in the Noblessner district, featuring a series of sleek black saunas with ladders descending into the sea.
You do not need much to feel great - good sauna, refreshing sea air and, if desired, a nice swim. In addition, a private terrace above the sea, comfortable sit-back and good friends - all this is included in the sauna of Iglupark. Check their web site for more information and reservations.
Iglupark
You do not need much to feel great - good sauna, refreshing sea air and, if desired, a nice swim. In addition, a private terrace above the sea, comfortable sit-back and good friends - all this is included in the sauna of Iglupark. Check their web site for more information and reservations.
Grocery stores nearby
The nearest grocery store to the apartment is Rimi Express, conveniently located just a 3-minute walk away. It's open daily from 8AM until 10 PM. You can find it at 11 Pikk Street.
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Vanalinna Rimi express
11 PikkThe nearest grocery store to the apartment is Rimi Express, conveniently located just a 3-minute walk away. It's open daily from 8AM until 10 PM. You can find it at 11 Pikk Street.
Circle K Balti Jaama
Decent coffee takeaway from 6 am till 10 pm.
The closest market to the apartment is the Baltic Station Market. There, you'll discover a variety of street food, grocery items, as well as wine and cheese shops. Located adjacent to the railway station, it's just a 7-minute walk away.
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Baltischer Bahnhof Markt
1 KopliThe closest market to the apartment is the Baltic Station Market. There, you'll discover a variety of street food, grocery items, as well as wine and cheese shops. Located adjacent to the railway station, it's just a 7-minute walk away.