Where to Eat in Tallinn, Estonia in 2025: The City Where Local Ingredients Meet Creativity

Peet Ruut: Photo credit: Katerina Borouhhina, Instagram: @katyamenthol

Rado: Modern Simplicity in Tallinn’s Old Town

While it’s easy to find “touristy” restaurants in a city’s old town, often relying on foot traffic rather than flavour, Rado breaks the mould entirely. Tucked into Tallinn’s medieval centre, it brings a fresh, thoughtful approach to dining that feels anything but expected.

Rado first opened in 2019, founded by Rado and Triinu, former owners of Ribe, which once occupied the same address. Together, they’ve created something special; a space that combines minimalism without pretense, simplicity with serious flavour, and a focus on local ingredients without overexplaining it. It’s no surprise it’s been recognised by the Michelin Guide.

The interior has a bright, welcoming atmosphere, while the downstairs space offers a more intimate setting ideal for evening meals. It’s refined but relaxed, the kind of place where you can lean into a long dinner without ever feeling rushed. We chose to sit outside on a breezy late summer day, and it felt completely peaceful.

The menu is small and ever-changing, shaped by what’s fresh at the local market each morning. That approach gives each dish room to shine, and the kitchen clearly treats every ingredient with care. Expect an inventive mix of Estonian and Slavic flavours, all presented with a modern, unfussy elegance.

Standouts for us included the delicate fish carpaccio with chicory and their signature roasted cauliflower with Parmesan, both simple ideas, but beautifully executed. We ended the meal with a rich and creamy Basque cheesecake, paired perfectly with a tart berry compote.

It was the kind of meal that lingers, and we still talk about Rado, long after leaving Tallinn.

F-Hoone: A Creative City Staple Worth the Hype

Located in the heart of Telliskivi Creative City, F-Hoone was the first restaurant we visited in Tallinn, and it made an unforgettable first impression.

From the outside, it looks like an old industrial building, blending right into Telliskivi’s creative and repurposed vibe. But step inside, and you’re met with a bright, spacious interior that feels part community hub, part restaurant. It’s buzzy, warm, and full of life. F-Hoone is something of a local institution, and we loved it so much that we returned for one last meal before leaving Tallinn.

The menu is as eclectic as the space, a mix of Estonian comfort dishes and globally inspired plates. From traditional meat dumplings to Thai Tom Kha soup, F-Hoone manages to pull off a surprising range of flavours without missing a beat. That kind of diversity on a menu often backfires, but here, it just works.

Everything we tried was the perfect mix of exciting and comforting, but the dish that pulled us back in was the Crispy Chicken; a soul food-style plate of chicken and waffles, served with red cabbage slaw, curry pickles, and mango-curry mayo. The chicken was juicy and flavour-packed, the waffle crisp and golden under a drizzle of maple syrup. Honestly, it might be the best chicken and waffles I’ve ever had.

Peet Ruut - Organic Plates and Honest Cooking in the Heart of Old Town

Also located in the heart of Old Town, Peet Ruut is a funky, down-to-earth restaurant with a clear commitment to organic and local ingredients. It feels like a homey gathering place for all kinds of eaters, whether you’re vegetarian, carnivorous, or somewhere in between.

With outdoor seating both in front and in a fairy-lit courtyard at the back, the setting is just as welcoming as the earthy, plant-filled interior. We were just as impressed by the warm, attentive service as we were by the food itself, each dish was introduced with care and a smile, which made the whole experience feel personal.

The dishes are simple but vibrant, served to the centre of the table with small individual plates, so everyone can taste a bit of everything. It’s the kind of meal that encourages sharing, conversation, and slowing down.

Peet Ruut’s dedication to sustainability goes beyond the food. Their entire wine list is made up of biodynamic and natural wines, chosen to complement the menu without compromising on values.

While the menu rotates regularly, one dish that stayed with us was the deep-fried aubergine, golden, crisp, and absolutely addictive. If it’s on the menu when you visit, don’t think twice.

Mon Repos - Garden Lunches and Grand History in a Summer Villa

If you’re spending the day at Kadriorg Park, maybe with a visit to the Estonian Art Museum (KUMU), Mon Repos is a lovely, Michelin recognised restaurant on the edge of the park and just under a ten-minute walk from the sea.

Set in a striking 19th-century villa, the building has lived many lives. Once a summer escape for Russian aristocrats, the manor was originally built by Carl Ferdinand Gahlnbäck in the 1850s, when the area was known as a popular holiday destination. Over the years, it was left empty for long stretches and later converted into flats during the Soviet era. Today, the villa has been beautifully restored, with its grand terraces, French windows, and leafy views nodding to its past.

We sat in the garden on a breezy afternoon, surrounded by trees and flowers, and it truly felt like we’d stepped out of the city entirely. 

We had the burgers, which hit all the right notes for a summer lunch: fresh, juicy, and full of flavour. The mango chilli tiger prawns and calamari were also creative and full of flavour, bold, bright, and cooked just right.

Mon Repos is the kind of place that manages to feel special without trying too hard, a beautiful setting with a thoughtful menu, perfect for an easy afternoon in the park.

Rataskaevu 16 - A Restaurant with No Name but a Clear Soul

An institution in Tallinn’s Old Town, beloved by both locals and visitors eager to experience its remarkable dishes and local flavours with a modern twist, Rataskaevu 16 has earned its reputation as one of the city’s most cherished restaurants.

The restaurant is quite literally located at Rataskaevu 16, and the story behind its name says a lot about the spirit of the place. What started as a simple hunt for a name turned into something deeper: a shared sense of ease, creativity, and warmth that ended up shaping everything about the restaurant. Long before they settled on what to call it, the atmosphere had already taken root with good food, good company, and a setting that just felt right.

A spot with over five thousand Google reviews in the city centre could easily lean into gimmicks. Rataskaevu 16 is anything but that. Housed in a beautifully renovated medieval building, the space is cosy and inviting, with soft lighting and genuinely friendly service that doesn’t feel forced.

The food was a highlight of our trip. We split a vegetarian and a meat dish, both carefully composed and full of flavour. The spinach orzotto was a hearty and comforting main, with portobello mushrooms, water chestnuts, marinated kohlrabi and parmesan. The breaded chicken fillet came perfectly plated with yellow tomato cream, romanesco, lentils, celery and leek. Colourful, satisfying and thoughtfully done.

Rataskaevu 16 completely lives up to the hype. It fills up quickly, so it’s worth booking ahead if you want to experience it for yourself.

R14 - Bold Mediterranean Flavours in Tallinn’s Rotermann Quarter

R14 is located in one of the most eye-catching buildings in the Rotermann Quarter, a former power station from the nineteenth century that used to supply energy to the area’s industrial factories. These days, Rotermann has evolved into one of Tallinn’s most interesting corners, where old meets new through a mix of restored stone buildings and clean, modern architecture. It’s a lively part of the city to explore, full of design shops, cafés, and galleries, and R14 is a great place to pause mid-way through it all. Recognised by the Michelin Guide, the restaurant brings a mix of thoughtful food and an easygoing, elegant setting.

The menu is Mediterranean-focused and carefully put together, offering just the right number of dishes to feel confident in each one. The tiger prawns with spicy herb ghee were a clear standout, vibrant, clever, and balanced, with just the right amount of heat. The beef rigatoni in a creamy wine sauce was equally memorable. The pasta was cooked perfectly, the sauce was rich but not too heavy, balanced by the wine, and every bite felt well thought through.

If you’re in the Rotermann area, it’s a solid choice for a well-executed meal in a setting that mixes history with what feels like the future of the city.

Tallinn’s food scene exceeded all of my expectations, offering everything from traditional Estonian classics to inspiring, passionate takes on local, sustainable, and organic cuisine. With one visit, it’s clear to me that the Estonian capital is quickly becoming one of the most exciting up-and-coming food destinations of 2025.