For many Estonians, lunch is considered the main meal of the day – a moment of balance between efficiency and enjoyment, especially during the working week. Most locals will eat between midday and 2pm, but many restaurants are open for lunch until later in the day, with tourists often popping in up until 5pm.
Three courses are often offered but having one or two courses is more the norm – maybe a light soup or salad followed by a heartier main dish centred around meat, fish or root vegetables – with the full experience being saved for the weekend when the pace of life is more relaxed.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite in Tallinn or making a day of it on Muhu Island, we’ve got you covered when it comes to great value and enjoyable places to eat.
Tallinn
The interior of Härg in Tallinn (© Imre Kaas)
Härg – A Culinary Philosophy Rooted in Fire
Michelin Bib GourmandNestled in the heart of Tallinn's vibrant Maakri Quarter, Härg offers a distinctive dining experience that celebrates the art of grilling over – and sometimes even within – open flames. Awarded a Bib Gourmand for its well-priced, generously proportioned dishes, this welcoming spot stands out for its commitment to sourcing top-quality local meats, as well as for its distinctive cooking techniques.
Here, the grill is more than just a method of preparing a dish – it's a complete philosophy. The menu features a variety of cuts cooked at low temperatures to ensure tenderness and depth of flavour, but the most unique dishes are those cooked directly on the charcoal itself, including their signature ribeye, the ‘Dirty Steak’. It comes as no surprise then, to learn that its owners are two famous grill masters, Enn Tobreluts and Andres Tuule.
The restaurant itself blends contemporary industrial design with rustic charm for a brasserie-like feel. Exposed stone walls, copper chandeliers and an open kitchen create an inviting space, while in the warmer months the outdoor terrace further adds to its appeal. There’s always a lively buzz of contented diners to be heard and you can’t help but leave with a smile on your face.
Whether you're a local resident or a visitor, dining at Härg promises a memorable experience with timeless appeal.
Opening Hours:
Monday-Thursday 11.30am-11pm
Friday 11.30am-Midnight
Saturday 2pm-Midnight
Sunday Closed
One of the seasonal dishes from Rado in Tallinn (© Aile Nõupuu)
Rado – Seasonal Sensations and the Realisation of a Couple’s Dream
Nestled in the heart of Tallinn's Old Town, Rado makes for a great stop-off point when exploring the city. Founded by Chef Radoslav Mitro and Restaurant Manager Triinu Tapper, it is the realisation of a dream for this outgoing couple. Everything you see before you or experience during your visit has been designed and created by them, hands-on, with a little help from their family and friends to get it all off the ground.
You will be presented with a choice of dining environments – an intimate basement area or a livelier ground floor room – so you can tailor each visit to create a different experience. Whichever room you choose, you’ll experience a cosy, inviting atmosphere and a warm welcome from the friendly team, who will guide you through the menu from start to finish – providing a level of attention to detail that makes for a memorable meal.
Rado's menu is a mirror for the seasons and the team’s commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients is a big part of its appeal, with produce sourced from nearby farmers as well as Tallinn's Central Market. The selection of dishes changes each day to reflect the latest produce available and is chalked up on the blackboard before later being scrubbed off as the supplies run out. The flavours of the region are clear to see but are also joined by some wider European influences – and the eye-catching presentation is certainly Insta-worthy.
This is fresh, seasonal cooking delivered in the warmest of ways by a couple who you can’t help but want to succeed.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Saturday Midday–11pm
The exterior of Tuljak in Tallinn, which offers stunning sea views (© Tõnu Tunnel)
Tuljak – Stunning Views at a Reimagined Modernist Icon
Michelin Bib GourmandPerched on the scenic Pirita promenade, Tuljak offers a refined dining experience that marries modern Estonian cuisine with a rich architectural heritage. Starting life in 1964 as a café, the building was designed by architect Valve Pormeister and is a striking example of Estonian modernist architecture. The original design was a celebration of horizontal lines – clean, simple and bold – and its concrete terrace, dark glass façade and dark wood cornicing gave the building a unique presence.
Following a respectful renovation encompassing minimalist forms, textures and tones reflecting the spirit of the old design and, of course, a central motif of horizontal lines, restaurant Tuljak was launched in 2015, its name an echo of the original café. It’s a spacious place with room for all and floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning panoramic views over the Gulf of Finland. Breathe in the fresh air on the expansive terrace, then return in the evening to watch the setting sun over a drink or two – so popular is this pastime, that they even list the time of the daily sunset on their website!
The menu here is a refined and harmonious blend of traditional Estonian flavours and contemporary culinary techniques – with a few international influences thrown in – and each dish is thoughtfully crafted to provide a unique flavour experience that bridges the past and the present. The dumplings are a particular hit with the Michelin Inspectors, who rate them among the best in the country.
More than just a comeback, Tuljak is both a living legend and a cultural treasure, seamlessly blending its historic roots with a renewed sense of purpose.
Opening Hours:
Monday-Saturday Midday-11pm
Sunday Midday-10pm
Viljandi
A range of dishes from Fellin in Viljandi (© Maarja Zelinski)
Fellin – A Community-Minded Spot for One and All
Michelin Bib GourmandNestled in the heart of Viljandi's Old Town, Fellin is a somewhat curious place. A homely café-cum-bistro decorated in an eclectic manner, it comes with brightly coloured tiles, antique furnishings, an unusual array of art and curios, and a somewhat bohemian vibe.
From lone backpackers to couples and families young and old, everyone is welcome at this laid-back spot and will soon settle in and feel right at home. A popular meeting point for the town’s folk, it has plenty of space inside – including a corner filled with books and games to entertain the little ones – while the small terrace is the perfect spot to make the most of the summer months.
A harmonious fusion of local Estonian ingredients and global flavours, the menu offers something for everyone. Cooking is guided by the seasons, with the homemade pasta a highlight, as well as any dish containing lamb – with the meat sourced from their own flock. Lunchtime sees lighter offerings than in the evening – with the lamb sandwich a perennial winner – while the desserts are a surefire hit at any time of day. There’s even the option just to pop in for organically grown coffee and cake. The drinks menu, meanwhile, offers a carefully chosen selection of wines, along with a range of artisanal Estonian drinks that every visitor should try.
Step inside and discover more with our video tour of Fellin.
Opening Hours:
Monday-Wednesday Midday-10pm
Thursday-Saturday Midday-11pm
Sunday Midday-8pm
Pädaste, Muhu Island
The Michelin-recommended Pädaste Manor hotel on Muhu Island, home of Alexander and the Pädaste Yacht Club (© Imre Sooäär)
Alexander – Celebrating Life on a Beautiful, Nature-Filled Island
While lunch is often the quicker meal of the day, in a location that’s easily accessible, there’s also something to be said for really making a day of it. For this, there’s Alexander on Muhu Island. Catch the ferry from the mainland port of Virtsu and just 30 minutes later you’ll arrive on the island, where the Michelin-recommended Pädaste Manor hotel sits just 10 minutes’ drive away. This attractive 14th-century seaside estate is equal parts elegant and luxurious, and affords some captivating views over the grounds and out to sea.
At its heart sits the Alexander restaurant, named after the manor’s last noble owner. Here, a beautiful, high-ceilinged main room opens up into a lovely winter garden with sweeping views over the parkland, and the atmosphere is one of calm and serenity. During spring and autumn, lunch is served here from 1-3pm. The fixed-price menu offers the choice of either two or three courses, with the list of contemporary, Nordic-inspired dishes changing daily in line with the seasons and the latest local produce available. Those celebrating an occasion – or just life in general – can accompany this with their suggested wine pairings.
In the summer months (usually mid-June to the end of August), the location for lunch moves down to the Pädaste Yacht Club, where, from midday-5pm, you can enjoy a leisurely meal accompanied by stunning sea views – and the sun on your face should you choose to dine on the terrace. Here, the menu becomes a slightly more casual affair: think salads, burgers, pasta and steak. If you’ve had a late or particularly leisurely lunch, you might as well stay for the extra hour they offer for drinks as you watch the setting sun.
Find out more about Pädaste Manor and explore the surrounding area with our guide to Muhu Island.
Opening Hours:
Alexander: Spring and Autumn, Monday-Sunday 1-3pm
Pädaste Yacht Club: Summer, Midday-5pm
Note: reservations are required in advance
Hero Image: Rado, Tallinn (© Triinu Tapper)
Discover more about Estonia and its cuisine at: www.visitestonia.com
