Roof terraces and yards

In summer when the weather is fine, the best place for having a meal is, of course, outdoors. The streets of the Old Town are filled with open air cafés and terraces. There are so many of them that it is almost impossible to pick the cosiest and most interesting ones among them. Besides, they attract attention easily and everybody can make their decision if and when they need to.

Still, there are more hidden places, the existence of which may not be known to the people who are not so familiar with the city.

The roof terrace of Café Komeet would definitely win the first place in the beauty contest of terraces. If the existence of the terrace in general was important at earlier times, then at Komeet, extra effort has been made for making the terrace cosy. This effort has proved itself very well. It is undoubtedly the most popular terrace in Tallinn this summer.

On the other hand, the open air café of the Rooftop cinema on the roof of Viru Centre welcomes you in the daytime. If before the beginning of the show the café cannot serve all the guests, then at other times there is plenty of room.

But the question is not about the room. It is about the food offered by this temporary dining place. The cinema café does not make you set high expectations, but do not let yourself be fooled by that. You do not get fresh, tasty and minimally processed food everywhere in Tallinn. But you can get that at the café of the Rooftop cinema!

When it comes to the principles of the new Nordic cuisine, there are often more words than actions in Tallinn. The chef of the rooftop café, Ants Uustalu, did it other way round this time. There is food without too much talk about it. Do not let yourself be confused by the lines of deck chairs and other things set up for the movies. Be there and you will get the food you could not or dared not expect.

While everything is brand new on the first two terraces, the furnishings of the terrace of Vertigo shows the first signs of dignified aging. The new thing here is that there is actually nothing new. And it is remarkable for Vertigo as this place has again and again been the fastest innovator in the city.

Everything is at its place. Just go and enjoy the good weather, a beautiful view and definitely one of the best terrace cuisines in the city. As usual, you can put together your own meal from different components. Vertigo has also kept the sushi menu.

Tallinn's first roof terrace is in the same good shape as it was in the beginning. The terrace guests have changed. There is practically no showing off and excitement accompanying it. Vertigo is dignified, peaceful and natural now. The young and provocative queen of parties has calmed down and become a nice natural lady who knows exactly what suits her.

The yard of the Three Sisters Hotel has existed for a while already but not much is talked about it. There is great fear about the high prices of the expensive hotel. And this fear has been justified. But still. The menu of the hotel restaurant has a separate version for the yard and street terrace with simpler meals and lower prices.

Tõnis Siigur, the chef, is known for his uncompromising style. Therefore, it is even more exciting to taste his simple meals outdoors than his gourmet food inside the restaurant.

But the main news is the 3S bar. There are not many bars in Tallinn where you can also order the author’s cocktails. Now there is one more. A great cocktail and the yard offering shade from the sun on a hot day and afternoon are a perfect match. It is a pity there are so few places like this in Tallinn.

While the terrace of Komeet is the best in the sky, the yard of Hotel Telegraaf is the best on the earth. A good photo can make quite a few places more attractive than they actually are. Still, the cosiness of the yard of the Telegraaf Hotel cannot be delivered by any photo.

You could lie on the sofa forever. For some reason, you can hear the live music in the Old Town quite rarely these days. Another point in favour of them. If I could wish something else, it would be the summer cocktail menu. Maybe they will make that also.

On the other hand, one can see the menu for food already before entering the yard. It encourages with its selection and does not frighten away with the prices. Vertigo had a lot of followers on their roof, hopefully Telegraaf can do the same in yards.