Top Five Food Recommendations in Tallinn
Already approaching the beginning of April, it’s clear that Tallinn residents are ready for spring! Students crave the days when the sun is peeking out, the birds are chirping, the snow has melted, and the excitement of soon-to-be summer is in the air. After a long and dreary winter, it’s easy to fall into the same routine and ignore the possibilities of exploration that lay just outside those cozy, apartment doors! TalTech Student Ambassadors are teaming up to mitigate the issue of wintertime boredom. Here are five food establishment recommendations right here in Tallinn sure to settle your adventure bug.
- Uulits (Kopli 1, Tallinn)
At the top of the list, we have Uulits. Recommended by both Maggy and Anas, this favorite is a must. Uulits bears many addresses, but one of the best experiences is to share it with the community constantly bustling about in the Balti Jaama marketplace. Uulits specializes in a variety of gourmet burgers. Anas comments on the “mouth-watering coleslaw burger alongside crunchy fries with homemade ketchup”. He pleads that “the best experience is to dine in,” and warns against delivery, justifying a nice trip out of Mustamäe and into central Tallinn. Maggy also advocates for the burgers as, “the burgers are just very juicy — the salted caramel sauce just hits the spot”.
2. Restaurant Amalfi (Vana-Viru 13, Tallinn)
Located in the heart of Tallinn’s Old Town, Marta’s favorite is Restaurant Amalfi. This is the perfect change of pace for anybody who has become restless from exploring Estonian cuisine over the semester. After a pleasant walk through Old Town, one can get a taste of authentic Italian food. “Restaurant Amalfi is an Italian restaurant which has a special charm and atmosphere,” Marta describes. This is truly an immersive experience, as the restaurant strives to keep its decoration, dishes, and produce in line with the Italian culture. Sticking with some favorites, Marta personally recommends the scialatielli allo scoglio — a thick spaghetti featuring fresh seafood.
3. One Sixty Smokehouse (Telliskivi 62, Tallinn)
This next recommendation is, once again, nestled amongst the Balti Jaama marketplace area. Taking a significant step away from the Italian culture and diving headfirst into the Western culture, One Sixty Smokehouse provides the best barbecue in town. One Sixty prides themselves in offering simple, but flavorful, mouth-watering BBQ. The perfect way to kill a Friday night, Elizabete adds that the “atmosphere and music is great if you are into rock music”. Even if rock isn’t a favorite, their burgers definitely are!
4. Shaurma Fusion (Stop: Lehola, E. Vilde Tee, Tallinn)
A change of pace from the others, Hamzah simply suggests a roadside stop. Shaurma Fusion is located right at the Lehola bus stop; perfect for grabbing a quick bite to-go. This stop recommends a simple, yet accommodating menu: shaurma, doner, kebab mixes, nuggets, etc. It’s not everyday that someone picks a roadside stop as their favorite, but Hamzah comments that it’s his favorite “simply because it’s probably the best shaurma in Tallinn and has a really friendly and efficient attendant”.
5. Caffeine (Harju 3, Tallinn)
The last on the list, but certainly not the least, is a humble addition. Caffeine is a chain network of cafes all accross Tallinn (including TalTech campus!)— the address provided refers particularly to the one situated right by Freedom Square. Ever the hard-working university student, Roman suggests Caffeine as a great atmosphere for studying. The cafe covers many classic coffee-shop drinks, but Roman especially notes the fact that “their cookies are probably the best I’ve had [in Tallinn]”. While everyone is looking for an experience, one must also have go-to study spots to indulge on a rainy day.
Are there more to add to the list? Absolutely! Tallinn has great opportunities for satisfying food cravings at any time of the year. While it’s easy to get carried away with many food recommendations, TalTech Student Ambassadors wanted to keep things simple and straight from the heart. After all, who can resist good food?
Photo Sources: Tallinn, Uulits, One Sixty Smokehouse, Caffeine
