FoodLover TOP 2020 Restaurants Vol 1 – My Favorites in Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu
A lot of people like to have favorites: a favorite color, favorite food, favorite season, favorite music, and so on.
People often ask me what my number one favorite restaurant is. Where would I recommend going? Which place would I always return to?
The truth is, I do not really have just one.
Every restaurant has its own strengths and weaknesses, but some places have that one special thing that keeps pulling me back again and again. There are even restaurants I visit mainly for one particular dish 🙂
So this is not a ranking. These are simply my FoodLover TOP Restaurants, places I have visited more than five times and would happily return to again.
And because there are so many great places to eat, there will definitely be a second part to this post 🥳
1. KIUS – Nõmme, Tallinn
KIUS is located at Turu plats 4 in Nõmme, right next to Nõmme Market.
There are several reasons why I like this place: the location, the lovely private summer terrace, and of course the food.
But if I had to name one dish that keeps bringing me back, it would be their warm goat cheese salad.
I first tried it a couple of summers ago, and that was pretty much it 😋
Alongside the warm goat cheese, the plate included watermelon, melon, strawberries, and fresh salad. Such a lovely combination for both the eyes and the taste buds.
In winter, you obviously do not get watermelon in the salad and the ingredients change a little, but the overall combination is always just as good.
2. Kathmandu Hill – Tallinn
Kathmandu Hill is located at Pärnu mnt 30 and is one of my favorite Asian restaurants.
Whenever I get a serious craving for chilli, my order is pretty predictable: chilli-honey prawns and chilli eggplant.
So good 😋
And of course I have to mention their homemade cheese naan. Soft on the inside, slightly crispy on the outside, and honestly way too good to skip.
3. KAMPUS, Kauss Poke – Tartu
KAMPUS Kauss Poke has locations in Tartu on Rüütli Street and in Lõunakeskus, and has also been represented at Balti Jaam.
These are some of the best poke bowls I have tried 👍
The bowls are generous, fresh, and full of flavor, and the sauce is especially important for me because it brings everything together.
My favorites are the prawn bowl and the chicken bowl.
4. One Sixty – Telliskivi, Tallinn
One Sixty is located at Telliskivi 62.
If you are craving ribs, go there. Seriously. Immediately 😋🤩
Their meat dishes are something else. The meat is so tender it practically falls off the bone, and the flavors are intense in the best way.
Their grilled chicken salad is another dish I have not really found anywhere else in quite the same style.
If anyone knows another place in Tallinn serving ribs or a grilled chicken salad with a similar flavor combination, let me know 🙂
Definitely try their homemade potato chips too. With the sauce, they disappear from the table very quickly.
5. GMP Patisserie – Tartu
GMP Patisserie is located in central Tartu at Küüni 5b.
Whenever I get a serious sweet craving, this is one of the places I am happy to head to.
They make beautiful French-style cakes and pastries by hand, and honestly, they already look like little works of art in the display case.
A proper sugar fix is guaranteed 🤩😋
6. SÜSI Grill & Chill – Tallinn
SÜSI Grill & Chill is located at Peterburi tee 2, on the first floor of T1.
Whenever I am craving a burger, this is one of my go-to places.
The grilled dishes are really good and the beef burger is especially satisfying. The value for money is solid, and they definitely do not hold back on portion sizes.
These are the kind of portions that have you rolling home afterwards 😋😆
Another bonus is that if T1 feels too far away, Al Mare Grill next to Rocca al Mare shopping centre offers a very similar menu and the same kind of tasty grilled dishes.
7. Vorstid & Vahvlid KÖÖK & BAAR – Pärnu
Vorstid & Vahvlid KÖÖK & BAAR is located at Rüütli 43 in Pärnu.
I have had some of the best mussels here more than once.
They also have big comfortable chairs where you can settle in with a good cocktail and take your time 🍹
It is the kind of place where you do not feel like rushing anywhere after your meal.
To Be Continued…
I will stop here for now because there are still quite a few great places left to share.
FoodLover TOP Restaurants Vol 2 is coming soon, with more restaurants and dishes that I can confidently recommend 🥳😋
