Tallinn: Old Town in Depth - Part 37

Which cafe will be your favourite continued;

MARU

A visit to this café in the Lennusadam port is like an adventure into a fabulous marine world, as the café' s inner balcony offers a generous view of the museum' s exposition. The food is of Nordic and Estonian coastal type and is at the heart of the menu, with an emphasis on marine themes. The 60 seat café is a comfortable place for groups and event organisers, as the meal can be combined with a visit to the museum. An open-air terrace is available in the summer.

Ristikheina kohvik

A nice and small café located on the corner of the wooden house alley of Ristiku Street that mainly offers various cakes, but also soups, salads and sandwiches.

The café originates from the festivity of Pelgulinna Days and features delicious, invigorating cakes and pastries. There are also various soups and salads offered at lunchtime. Naturally, the selection also includes coffee drinks, different teas and wines.

Pubs & Bars

PUBS IN THE OLD TOWN

Young Estonians eat well and affordably at pubs. In many pubs, you go to the bar to look at the menu, order and pay. Then find a table, and they’ll bring your food out when it’s ready.

Hell Hunt Pub, “The Gentle Wolf” was the first Western-style pub to open after 1991, and it’s still going strong, attracting a mixed expat and local crowd with its tasty food. Five of their own microbrews are on tap. Consider making a meal from the great pub snacks at €3-6 plus a salad at €5-6. Choose a table in its convivial, rustic-industrial interior or on the garden terrace across the street.

Von Krahli Baar serves cheap and substantial Estonian food such as potato pancakes, torud, stuffed with mushrooms or shrimp. This is in a big, dark space that doubles as a centre for Estonia’s alternative theatre scene; there’s also seating in the tiny courtyard where you enter. It started as the bar of the theatre upstairs, then expanded to become a restaurant, so it has a young, avant-garde vibe. You’ll feel like you’re eating backstage with the stagehands. It costs around €6 to €7 for main dishes, and is located at Rataskaevu 10/12, a block uphill from Town Hall Square, near Wheel Well.

Põrgu is particularly serious about its beer, with a wide variety of international and Estonian brews on tap, including some microbrews. Its simple and uncluttered cellar feels like less of a tourist trap than some others here. It’s around €3-7 for bar snacks and salads and €8-13 for main dishes, it’s open Mon-Sat 12:00-24:00 and closed Sun.

Continued in part 38