Lauri’s guidebook to the neighbourhood

Lauri
Lauri’s guidebook to the neighbourhood

Hyper local shopping & eating & drinking

Groceries, markets, bars and bakeries we frequently visit which are within 5-20 minutes walk. Please check the opening times as some are very small and cater only during specific times.
Central market is one of the three main open markets in Tallinn (the others are Balti Jaam Market and Nõmme Market) and is literally 15' walk from our home. Good value fresh vegetables, fruits and forest goodies like mushrooms and berries, recommended between May-September.
37 locals recommend
Tallinn Central Market
9 Keldrimäe
37 locals recommend
Central market is one of the three main open markets in Tallinn (the others are Balti Jaam Market and Nõmme Market) and is literally 15' walk from our home. Good value fresh vegetables, fruits and forest goodies like mushrooms and berries, recommended between May-September.
This is one of the original eco-bakeries in town, the Vana-Lõuna location is the actual bakery and you get factory-shop prices for the freshest produce possible, say hello to the madam for us!
8 locals recommend
Pagar Võtaks
17 Vana-Lõuna
8 locals recommend
This is one of the original eco-bakeries in town, the Vana-Lõuna location is the actual bakery and you get factory-shop prices for the freshest produce possible, say hello to the madam for us!
very local, very friendly and cozy outdoor seating in the backyard - check the opening times as they're good for dinner too if you are an early eater
15 locals recommend
Kuusk Hernesto
6 Herne
15 locals recommend
very local, very friendly and cozy outdoor seating in the backyard - check the opening times as they're good for dinner too if you are an early eater
Old school bakery/shop literally 200m down the street, also sells your basic milk, water and some beers.
6 locals recommend
Herne Bakery
18 Herne
6 locals recommend
Old school bakery/shop literally 200m down the street, also sells your basic milk, water and some beers.
Neighbourhood sushi place literally down the street but very good quality, try the baked sushi which never disappoints! You can call up, place your order and start walking - your order is likely to be ready almost by the time you get there (about 7 minutes)
8 locals recommend
Amijami Sushi
13 Ravi
8 locals recommend
Neighbourhood sushi place literally down the street but very good quality, try the baked sushi which never disappoints! You can call up, place your order and start walking - your order is likely to be ready almost by the time you get there (about 7 minutes)
Excellent Middle Eastern food at great value, just across the park from our place, takeaway orders.
Marhaba
14 Tare
Excellent Middle Eastern food at great value, just across the park from our place, takeaway orders.
One of the best grocery and department stores in Tallinn is 17' walk away their deli and fish selections are great, wine store is not bad either but there are better/cheaper options for that in our neighbourhood
157 locals recommend
Stockmann
53 Liivalaia
157 locals recommend
One of the best grocery and department stores in Tallinn is 17' walk away their deli and fish selections are great, wine store is not bad either but there are better/cheaper options for that in our neighbourhood
A legendary baker and confectionary famous all over town! Their cherry strudel is our top favourite, check the opening hours as Liisu does not work after regular office hours.
Pagari Liisu
7 Vana-Veerenni
A legendary baker and confectionary famous all over town! Their cherry strudel is our top favourite, check the opening hours as Liisu does not work after regular office hours.
Russian-style kitchen (and this is a compliment, not a warning) run by the madam of the house, hyperbolic pies which you can devour on the spot or take-away.
27 locals recommend
Cafe Grenka
76 Pärnu mnt
27 locals recommend
Russian-style kitchen (and this is a compliment, not a warning) run by the madam of the house, hyperbolic pies which you can devour on the spot or take-away.
Good value wine and drinks shop, part of a chain but this is their flagship store. The emphasis is on good value.
eDrinks Pärnu mnt veinipood
80 Pärnu mnt
Good value wine and drinks shop, part of a chain but this is their flagship store. The emphasis is on good value.
A local pub called "Local" and the naming is perfectly accurate, this pub/restaurant was set up in a local commune building and mostly serves people in the vicinity and is not frequented by tourist. That said, the staff speaks English well and the menus are in multiple languages too. Our favourite is the open air garden in summer and the BBQ menu.
59 locals recommend
Kohalik
4 Koidu
59 locals recommend
A local pub called "Local" and the naming is perfectly accurate, this pub/restaurant was set up in a local commune building and mostly serves people in the vicinity and is not frequented by tourist. That said, the staff speaks English well and the menus are in multiple languages too. Our favourite is the open air garden in summer and the BBQ menu.
No frills 24/7 BBQ place which is legendary among the post-nightclub crowd but serves decent (and huge) meat dishes to the more regular folks as well.
14 locals recommend
Tommi Tavern
64 Tatari
14 locals recommend
No frills 24/7 BBQ place which is legendary among the post-nightclub crowd but serves decent (and huge) meat dishes to the more regular folks as well.
The best Korean spot in Tallinn happens to be 10' from our home, not open late or weekends, known to take long summer holidays too
18 locals recommend
Gotsu Kyuho's Kitchen
62a Pärnu mnt
18 locals recommend
The best Korean spot in Tallinn happens to be 10' from our home, not open late or weekends, known to take long summer holidays too

Tallinn Top 10 restaurants

My personal and very subjective list of top restaurants in town.
One of the few places in Old Town which does not lower their standards as many tourist traps in their neighbourhood do. Very personal service, reservation is a must on weekends, views towards the St. Nicholas church and within walking distance from our home.
47 locals recommend
Restaurant Pegasus
1 Harju
47 locals recommend
One of the few places in Old Town which does not lower their standards as many tourist traps in their neighbourhood do. Very personal service, reservation is a must on weekends, views towards the St. Nicholas church and within walking distance from our home.
Great food, good service and nice view - all of the above at a reasonable (for the quality offered) price.
27 locals recommend
TULJAK
26e Pirita tee
27 locals recommend
Great food, good service and nice view - all of the above at a reasonable (for the quality offered) price.
Stunning views over the bay towards city panorama, offers high-end chef's table and more affordable regular restaurant area as well.
80 locals recommend
NOA Restaurant
3 Ranna tee
80 locals recommend
Stunning views over the bay towards city panorama, offers high-end chef's table and more affordable regular restaurant area as well.
Brilliant food and service in an early-1900's villa in Nõmme district which is not known by the tourist crowd, reservation is a must.
Paju Villa
88 Vabaduse pst
Brilliant food and service in an early-1900's villa in Nõmme district which is not known by the tourist crowd, reservation is a must.
One of my favourites over a decade this Old Town gem offers steady quality in amazing setting, especially their inner courtyard open only during the summer season is a must visit when strolling the ancient streets of medieval Tallinn
78 locals recommend
Leib Restoran
31 Uus
78 locals recommend
One of my favourites over a decade this Old Town gem offers steady quality in amazing setting, especially their inner courtyard open only during the summer season is a must visit when strolling the ancient streets of medieval Tallinn
Fine Dining with ALL CAPS, but you pay the price too!
6 locals recommend
180 Degrees Restaurant
4 Staapli
6 locals recommend
Fine Dining with ALL CAPS, but you pay the price too!
Winner of Estonian top50 restaurants on many years, classic white tablecloth fine dining place which never disappoints (if you can afford it)
17 locals recommend
Tchaikovsky Restaurant
9 Vene
17 locals recommend
Winner of Estonian top50 restaurants on many years, classic white tablecloth fine dining place which never disappoints (if you can afford it)
Run by the BBQ world champion Enn Tobreluts the centrally located Härg (Ox) is all about the meat and for meat lovers it won't disappoint.
6 locals recommend
Restoran Härg
tänavalt Tornimäe
6 locals recommend
Run by the BBQ world champion Enn Tobreluts the centrally located Härg (Ox) is all about the meat and for meat lovers it won't disappoint.

Best pubs and beerhalls

Estonia has seen an amazing craft beer revolution over the last 5-8 years - we can't produce wine but we have entrepreneurial spirit accompanied by strong streak of individuality, this lead to hundreds of small breweries sprung up in short time, all yours to enjoy.
The best known and most profitable brand of local craft beer scene is Põhjala, they run a taproom on top of their factory in the Noblessner port - well worth a visit even for the non-beer lovers.
21 locals recommend
Põhjala Brewery
5 Peetri
21 locals recommend
The best known and most profitable brand of local craft beer scene is Põhjala, they run a taproom on top of their factory in the Noblessner port - well worth a visit even for the non-beer lovers.
Located in the Shoreditch of Tallinn which is Telliskivi district the Pudel is quite famous for its beer selection and atmosphere - no food here which is uncommon for Tallinn beer places.
77 locals recommend
Pudel
62 Telliskivi
77 locals recommend
Located in the Shoreditch of Tallinn which is Telliskivi district the Pudel is quite famous for its beer selection and atmosphere - no food here which is uncommon for Tallinn beer places.
Good location next to Old Town, situated next to restaurant "Kuldmokk" and a hot dog connoisseur's dream "Hotokas" the Pööbel offers decent food too but the main topic is draft beer of which it has many!
35 locals recommend
Pööbel
16 Toompuiestee
35 locals recommend
Good location next to Old Town, situated next to restaurant "Kuldmokk" and a hot dog connoisseur's dream "Hotokas" the Pööbel offers decent food too but the main topic is draft beer of which it has many!
Another good option in the Telliskivi district among Pudel and Humalakoda the St.Vitus stand its ground with a long craft beer selection on tap as well as decent pub food (which is a common theme in Tallinn)
27 locals recommend
St. Vitus
61b Telliskivi
27 locals recommend
Another good option in the Telliskivi district among Pudel and Humalakoda the St.Vitus stand its ground with a long craft beer selection on tap as well as decent pub food (which is a common theme in Tallinn)
The aptly named Põrgu (Hell) is located across the street from the famous St. Nicholas church as the old tradition holds. The place is so deep underground you lose all cellular connectivity and can enjoy the great selection of beers on tap.
13 locals recommend
Põrgu
4 Rüütli
13 locals recommend
The aptly named Põrgu (Hell) is located across the street from the famous St. Nicholas church as the old tradition holds. The place is so deep underground you lose all cellular connectivity and can enjoy the great selection of beers on tap.
The most classic pub in Tallinn, open since the end of USSR times, good selection of beers, decent bar food but nothing special in the culinary section.
49 locals recommend
Hell Hunt
39 Pikk
49 locals recommend
The most classic pub in Tallinn, open since the end of USSR times, good selection of beers, decent bar food but nothing special in the culinary section.
A really good beer selection in the Old Town, more focused on British brews than locals but I like the place, decent pub food too.
7 locals recommend
Drink Bar & Grill
8 Väike-Karja
7 locals recommend
A really good beer selection in the Old Town, more focused on British brews than locals but I like the place, decent pub food too.
The best beer & food place in the great Balti Jaam market, brews its own beer and the food is fab too.
7 locals recommend
Humalakoda Pub Restaurant Brewery
1 Kopli
7 locals recommend
The best beer & food place in the great Balti Jaam market, brews its own beer and the food is fab too.

Places with a view

Bars, restaurants and coffee places which sprout great views over the bay or town.
The original top of the tall building rooftop place in town in Radisson SAS hotel
13 locals recommend
Lounge 24
3 Rävala pst
13 locals recommend
The original top of the tall building rooftop place in town in Radisson SAS hotel
Famous cafe run by equally famous chef, located on the top of Solaris shopping center.
53 locals recommend
Kohvik Komeet
9 Estonia pst
53 locals recommend
Famous cafe run by equally famous chef, located on the top of Solaris shopping center.
Rooftop of the Stockmann department store has 3-4 different places but the view is their stronger point, prices tend to be high while service is mediocre.
Cafe Mademoiselle Stockmann
53 Liivalaia
Rooftop of the Stockmann department store has 3-4 different places but the view is their stronger point, prices tend to be high while service is mediocre.
Highest place in town is the TV tower restaurant. The tower witnessed a historic standoff between Soviet army and Estonian guard during the coup in 1992 when a small group of local defence militia members barricaded themselves in the top floors of the TV tower and refused to surrender to the Soviet forces.
Teletorni restoran/Tallinn TV-tower Restaurant
58a Kloostrimetsa tee
Highest place in town is the TV tower restaurant. The tower witnessed a historic standoff between Soviet army and Estonian guard during the coup in 1992 when a small group of local defence militia members barricaded themselves in the top floors of the TV tower and refused to surrender to the Soviet forces.

Tourist traps

The best of the worst tourist traps in town. These are places that specialise on tourists yet maintain high quality and enjoyable service levels which is a rare feat.
The time here is 1472 which means America was not yet discovered so they don't serve potatoes, all dishes are original to the time and include ingredients available at the time. Service is friendly and entertaining. Olde Hansa is the most profitable restaurant in town for 10 consecutive years, the proof is in the pudding.
90 locals recommend
Olde Hansa
1 Vana turg
90 locals recommend
The time here is 1472 which means America was not yet discovered so they don't serve potatoes, all dishes are original to the time and include ingredients available at the time. Service is friendly and entertaining. Olde Hansa is the most profitable restaurant in town for 10 consecutive years, the proof is in the pudding.
Russian style restaurant on the Old Town Square - they serve 50+ different types of vodka and they do it in style. Do not visit prior to an important meeting next morning!
11 locals recommend
Restoran Troika
15 Raekoja plats
11 locals recommend
Russian style restaurant on the Old Town Square - they serve 50+ different types of vodka and they do it in style. Do not visit prior to an important meeting next morning!