Though we praise the use of local foodstuff when introducing our restaurants, we can not but admit that the best Estonian restaurants are in cities. Then again, the island of Saaremaa and a few small places are striking exceptions to the rule. As a general trend, high- ranking eating places can be found all over Estonia.
Yet today more than half of Estonia’s best restaurants are still located in Tallinn. This is quality as well as quantity. The TOP 50 includes a large variety of eating places in terms of the cuisine as well the underlying conception.
Tallinn is a city of delicious food. Enjoy the privilege as much as you can while your stay here!
Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia. Like in many other countries, the first and second largest cities are so unlike each other that it is hardly believable that they are situated in the same country.
Tartu has a special aura. It is often called the ‘spirit of Tartu’ and it stands for doing things in one's own way, i.e. in Tartu way.
When it comes to food, Tartu is singular for the fact that it has not hosted hordes of tourists before.
Food has been cooked for the locals and eaten in its own local way. In a nutshell: food must be abundant and one must take time to enjoy it.
Pärnu is the summer capital of Estonia. The fact has a considerable effect on the eating places of the city. In summer, there are hardly enough places for everyone, yet in other seasons, one has to turn all tricks to find enough clients.
Hence, the other seasons are the best time to look for culinary pleasure in Pärnu. The chefs in Pärnu have the skills and willingness to provide it.
The four best restaurants in Pärnu form a cross-section of the good food the city offers - from upscale and pricy restaurants to flexible everyday eating places. If you have been to all the four, you have "the taste of Pärnu" in your mouth!
Saaremaa is a special place in Estonia. In summer every Estonian wants to go there at least once. Why? In Saaremaa everything is different than on the continent. In a Saaremaa way.
Saaremaa has become a trademark. The foodstuffs bearing it are well known and coveted everywhere in Estonia as well as in the neighbouring countries. Yet, in order to get a taste of real homemade Saaremaa food, one has to take the trip to Saaremaa.
One may ask for homemade beer and smoked fish at every homestead providing accommodation or catering in Saaremaa. But bread, sausage, cheese and other local foodstuffs are also made more along the old traditions than elsewhere in Estonia. That makes it almost compulsory for gourmands to visit Saaremaa.
In other parts of Estonia, there are interesting and singular eating places, situated far from major centres. It takes a separate trip of some length to visit them, but the trips are definitely worthwhile.
It would be most interesting to visit the eating places in other Estonia one after another. Yet, it would take even more effort as long as the eating places are scattered all over Estonia. But it would be even more gratifying since, as promised, each place has its own inimitable charm.
To create an inimitable charm, an eating place must rather be a life-style, not merely a business project for the owners and staff. These days business still prevails over style. Hence, the list of eating-places that follows is short. Yet, as long as it is not a lucrative business, we can definitely expect new places with style and charm.