Scheeli restaurant in Tallinn Old Town

Do you know that feeling when you step into a place and it seems as though time itself stands still? That is exactly how I feel every time I open the doors of Scheeli Restaurant, located at Vana Turg 2 in Tallinn’s Old Town.

From the very moment I walk in, there is always a genuine “wow” moment. Right in front of me is a magnificent grand staircase covered in a soft red carpet. It feels like a portal transporting guests straight back to the glamour, elegance, and femininity of the 1920s.

We were greeted at the door with warm, attentive service, making us feel like truly welcome guests from the very first second. Soft classical music played in the background, perfectly complementing the restaurant’s romantic Art Nouveau atmosphere.

A Banker’s Legacy and Some Seriously Cool Cats

The restaurant takes its name from the Scheel family. Did you know that Klaus Scheel was once one of Estonia’s most influential bankers? During the first half of the 20th century, this very building was home to a bank office owned by the family. Money may no longer be counted here today, but the history can still be felt in every corner.

The interior is filled with antique details and even features an old piano, but my personal favourites were the paintings on the walls, especially the cat portraits. They are painted with such wit and style, adding a playful twist to an otherwise elegant and refined setting.

A Recurring Symbol – The Graceful Peacock

Throughout the restaurant, you will also notice peacock details appearing again and again. They are everywhere, symbolising the feminine elegance, beauty, and touch of vanity associated with the 1920s.

One message on the wall especially caught my attention. It is the restaurant’s motto:

“Life’s joys are hidden in every moment. Thank you for enjoying those moments with us.”

A Refreshing Start in a Glass

Before moving on to the food, we started with drinks. I chose a glass of Riesling (16 cl, €8), which was wonderfully crisp and fresh.

My companion went for Scheeli’s homemade lemonade, and that turned out to be just as delicious. It was perfectly balanced, pleasantly sweet, and incredibly refreshing.

A Rich and Varied Menu with Something for Every Taste

Scheeli Restaurant’s menu is truly impressive and wonderfully varied. It is the kind of place where choosing can be surprisingly difficult, simply because everything sounds so tempting.

The selection of main courses is just as generous, featuring premium meat dishes such as beef tenderloin, lamb tenderloin, and duck breast. Seafood lovers are well catered for too, with options such as tuna steak, octopus and tiger prawn risotto, as well as locally sourced Estonian pike-perch fillet.

But the menu goes far beyond meat and seafood. It has been thoughtfully put together to offer something for every preference:

• Vegetarian guests can choose from handmade mushroom ravioli or a silky pumpkin risotto.

• The soup selection includes Scheeli’s signature soup as well as a smooth and comforting butternut squash cream soup.

• Among the starters, alongside ceviche, you will also find oysters, venison tartare, and Tsar-style blinis served with roe.

• For those dining as a pair or looking to share, the “Meat Platter for Two” is an ideal choice, bringing together some of the restaurant’s best meat dishes on one plate.

It is the kind of menu that makes you want to come back again, simply to work your way through all the tempting flavours, from seafood pasta to the restaurant’s distinctive truffle burger.

Starters: Works of Art on a Plate

The selection of starters is impressively varied, with more than ten different dishes to choose from, ranging from oysters to mussels.

For one of our starters, we chose the spicy salmon and tuna ceviche with tiger prawn and mango sauce (€18).

It was an absolute feast for the eyes. The fish was incredibly fresh, while the mango sauce added just the right touch of tropical brightness. The tiger prawn in the centre of the plate was the perfect finishing touch.

The Second Starter: Sharing Platter for Two (€25)

This was not just a starter, but a whole experience served on one plate.

The platter included several types of prosciutto and cured ham, which paired perfectly with the crispy grissini breadsticks. Neither of us is particularly fond of prosciutto, so those were the only bites we left untouched. There was also a lovely selection of cheeses, from classic hard varieties to creamy bites served on crackers and topped with crispy onion.

My absolute favourite was the silky herring terrine with roe, which was incredibly flavourful.

I also loved seeing slices of dragon fruit on the platter. They added such an exotic and fresh touch, alongside grapes and strawberries.

Every good sharing platter needs a balance of tangy and sweet flavours, and this one delivered with pickled cucumbers, a spicy carrot salad, and a small bowl of jam. The combination worked surprisingly well and made the whole platter feel beautifully balanced.

Main Courses: The Well-Done Beef That Surprised Us

We had high expectations for the main courses, and they absolutely delivered.

For one of our mains, we chose the beef tenderloin with baked potato and Raeapteek claret sauce (€32).

This was the highlight of the evening and easily our favourite dish. We asked for the beef well done, and the chef somehow worked magic with it. The meat was still incredibly juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked.

I know well-done beef is not exactly every chef’s favourite request, but this one turned out beautifully. A huge thank you for that!

The Raeapteek claret sauce was deep, rich, and full of flavour, pairing perfectly with the tenderloin.

The Second Main Course: Tuna Steak in Crafter’s Wild Forest Gin Sauce (€30)

For our second main course, we chose the tuna steak, served medium, with Crafter’s Wild Forest gin sauce.

The presentation was especially impressive. The tuna arrived at the table on a sizzling hot pan, coated in sesame seeds. The pan was genuinely hot and still crackling as it was served, which made the whole experience feel even more special.

The tuna was cooked exactly as it should be, beautifully pink and tender in the centre. The plate also came with plenty of fresh accompaniments, including asparagus, grapefruit, orange, strawberry, and roasted potatoes.

The sauce, however, was a little too distinctive for my personal taste. The gin note was certainly an interesting idea and gave the fish a completely different dimension, but it was not quite the right flavour combination for me.

That said, the tuna itself was excellent, and everything else on the plate tasted fresh and well prepared.

A Sweet Finale

Just when we thought the evening could not get any better, we were proven wrong. It absolutely could 🙂

For our first dessert, we chose the Pavlova with passion fruit purée and vanilla sauce (€10).

This was a clear favourite for both of us. The passion fruit purée had the perfect tangy sharpness, beautifully balancing the sweetness of the Pavlova.

I would even go as far as saying that this is one of the best Pavlovas in Tallinn’s Old Town.

One More Dessert? Absolutely!

We also decided to try the dessert assortment (€12). If you want to sample a little bit of everything, this is probably the best choice, as it brings together several of Scheeli’s desserts in smaller portions on one plate:

• Classic Crème Brûlée (€10 when ordered separately) – silky, creamy, and simply perfect.

• Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream (€10 when ordered separately) – rich, intensely chocolatey, and wonderfully melt-in-your-mouth.

• Homemade Sorbet – fresh, vibrant, and exactly what you need after a rich dinner.

• Pavlova with Passion Fruit Purée and Vanilla Sauce (€10 when ordered separately) – we both preferred the full-sized version, simply because it came with much more of that delicious passion fruit purée. So if you are a serious Pavlova fan, go straight for the full portion!

Scheeli Restaurant feels like a journey back in time, bringing together history, art, those wonderfully quirky cat paintings, and an excellent dining experience. The red carpet, peacock details, and elegant interior create an atmosphere that is difficult to find anywhere else in Tallinn.

Beyond romantic dinners and relaxed lunches, Scheeli is also a wonderful venue for private parties and special events. Its spacious dining rooms and refined setting make it an ideal choice for everything from birthday celebrations to more formal receptions.

If you are looking for a place where the service is warm, the atmosphere feels luxurious, and the food is genuinely memorable, book your table at Scheeli Restaurant HERE!