Top Chefs Meet at the Romantic GMP Clubhotel Pühajärve Restaurant

GMP Clubhotel Pühajärve is a truly unique hotel in Otepää.
I’ve visited it several times already, as the hotel’s location, service, and comfort keep drawing me back. The surrounding nature is absolutely stunning in every season — snowy hills in winter and lush greenery with the beautiful Lake Pühajärv in summer.

A Year of Top Chef Dinners at GMP Clubhotel Pühajärve

At GMP Clubhotel Pühajärve, a special series of gourmet dinners is taking place from March to November this year. The restaurant’s head chef, Koit Uustalu, invites renowned top chefs from Estonia to join him in creating unique tasting menus. Between courses, guests enjoy fascinating stories about food, ingredients, and the behind-the-scenes world of fine dining.

Chef Koit Uustalu shares:
“Surrounded by the gems of South Estonia’s beautiful nature, we honor local produce and Estonian food culture in our kitchen. Whenever possible, we use ingredients from trusted local farmers. Just as nature breathes and evolves, we move in rhythm with the seasons. We want to be the best companion to our guests and express our food philosophy — pure flavors and beautiful simplicity. That’s why we keep striving to create new experiences and remain a loyal partner to every guest who returns with joy. Our vision of taste, beauty, and nature is served on your plate.”

The First Unforgettable Chef Dinner

The first event of the “Year of Chefs” took place on March 30, with Dmitri Haljukov, head chef of restaurant Cru in Tallinn’s Old Town. Haljukov, one of Estonia’s most acclaimed chefs, represented the country at the Bocuse d’Orculinary Olympics in Lyon, where he achieved Estonia’s highest ranking to date — 14th place. Guests at the dinner had the exclusive opportunity to taste the very dishes he presented at the competition.

The five-course dinner began with an amuse-bouche: a smoked eel doughnut.
Incredibly flavorful with a rich smoky aroma, it was both juicy and tender — an unforgettable bite. Honestly, I could’ve easily enjoyed another one!

The five-course menu at GMP Clubhotel Pühajärve began with a warm welcome bite — a smoked eel doughnut.
It was incredibly flavorful with a deep smoky aroma, deliciously juicy and tender. I definitely could have eaten another!

The service was fast and friendly, complemented by pleasant background music. The entire atmosphere felt romantic and cozy — perfect for a memorable evening.

The second appetizer featured thin slices of salted beef fillet with a salted egg yolk.
A wonderful sweet-salty combination paired with a fresh apple salad. A truly well-balanced and enjoyable dish.

As an intermediate course, guests at GMP Clubhotel Pühajärve were served a hop bread with fennel.
It was accompanied by a creamy, airy porcini mushroom butter — simple yet elegant.

Next came the soup course: a Jerusalem artichoke foam with truffle.
The texture was light and velvety, and the flavor stood out with a distinct earthy aroma. A unique and memorable taste combination.

The main course featured lamb and morels — an unforgettable pairing at GMP Clubhotel Pühajärve.
The lamb was tender, easy to cut, and full of natural flavor. A true highlight for meat lovers.

The morels served alongside were a personal favorite — it was my first time tasting this exquisite mushroom.
Fun fact: On the global market, morel mushrooms rank among the most expensive, second only to truffles. Their high price and demand come from low yields, a short growing season, and their delicate nature. Morels are also rich in vitamin D, making them both a gourmet and nutritional treasure.

To elevate the flavors even further, the dish was accompanied by a refreshing mint salad, which added a cool, herbal contrast to the warm, earthy richness of the lamb and mushrooms.

For dessert, we were served salted caramel with thyme ice cream — a refreshingly mild and balanced finish to the evening.
The thyme ice cream stood out with its delicate herbal note, perfectly complementing the richness of the salted caramel.
This harmonious combination made for an ideal ending to an unforgettable gourmet journey at GMP Clubhotel Pühajärve.

Excellent Facilities at GMP Clubhotel

GMP Clubhotel offers a variety of rooms in different sizes — with or without private saunas. Each room is fully equipped, allowing guests to prepare their own meals if they wish, and enjoy a great cup of coffee at any time.

On the top floor of the hotel, you’ll find a stunning panoramic sauna with a terrace, open to all guests. The view from the sauna over the forests of Southern Estonia is unforgettable — a moment that invites you to return and relive the experience.

Guests also have access to a bright and modern fitness center, featuring a wide range of workout equipment for every need.

Seminar Room with a Scenic View

GMP Clubhotel offers companies the opportunity to host trainings, meetings, and team events in a fully equipped seminar room that accommodates up to 40 people.

The space includes all necessary technical equipment and comforts to ensure a productive atmosphere. For breaks and informal conversations, guests can enjoy the panoramic terrace overlooking the beautiful Pühajärv, providing the perfect balance between work and relaxation.

I’ll Surely Return to Otepää

My journey will definitely lead me back to Otepää, and I warmly recommend GMP Clubhotel to anyone who values peace, nature, and unforgettable taste experiences.

If you want to experience it all for yourself — read more and book your visit HERE.