October 2024 – FoodLover TOP 20 Restaurants in Estonia

The FoodLover Restaurants Week held on October 4–13 has come to an end!
Thank you to all 9,000 visitors!

This time, 65 restaurants participated in the campaign, and we’re excited to share the TOP 20 restaurants chosen by our guests!

1. MEAT Resto & Butchery (Rannamõisa tee 38d, Tallinn)
2. Trofe restoran (Pikk 29, Tallinn)
3. Mantel ja Korsten (J.Poska 19a, Tallinn)
4. Tasca Portuguesa (Kullassepa 13, Tallinn)
5. KAI Resto (Mere pst 20c, Tallinn)
6. Art Priori (Olevimägi 7, Tallinn)
7. Argentiina Fahle (Tartu mnt 80, Tallinn)
8. Literaat Telliskivi (Telliskivi 60/2, Tallinn)
9. Kalaranna resto (Kalaranna tn 8/1, Tallinn)
10. SPOT (Vene tn 4, Tallinn)
11. Mix Resto (Vana-Posti 11/13, Tallinn)
12. Platz (Roseni 7, Tallinn)
13. Raehärra restoran (Raekoja plats 10, Tallinn)
14. Puri (Nooda tee 8, Tallinn)
15. Weis (Kuldnoka 2, Tallinn)
16. Belgian Gastro Bar (Vana-Viru 6, Tallinn)
17. SALT (Vase tn 14, Tallinn)
18. Osteria Allora (Pikk 33, Tallinn)
19. Tai Boh (Viru 23, Tallinn)
20. Loft ja Ürdid (Vesivärava 50, Tallinn)

See you again in February–March 2025! 😇

A big thank you once again to vabalaud.ee for the smooth reservation system!

Congratulations to MEAT Resto & Butchery for earning the TOP 1 spot! They also ranked TOP 2 in the February campaign, thanks to their delicious Brazilian and Estonian beef tenderloin dishes, which received an abundance of positive feedback.

Many guests shared that “everything was great” – the food was tasty and the service outstanding. Julia, in particular, was praised as an exceptionally attentive server. Visitors were pleasantly surprised by the restaurant’s cozy atmosphere, especially the welcoming terrace and the professional service, which created the perfect dining experience.

Desserts received special attention, with many saying they exceeded expectations – especially the crème brûlée, which was beautifully presented. “The dessert was incredibly delicious and visually impressive,” several guests shared.

Main courses like grilled tenderloin and shrimp also earned high praise. “The meat was incredibly flavorful, and everything on the plate complemented each other perfectly,” noted many visitors.

While a few mentioned that the service could be slightly faster, the majority shared positive impressions. “The service was fast and attentive,” they affirmed. Guests also appreciated the vegan menu and especially the drinks that paired perfectly with the dishes.

2 – Trofe Restaurant

Trofe’s special menu continues to win hearts, with the cozy Old Town restaurant earning consistently high interest. It’s clear that their value-for-money ratio hits the mark.

Guests were pleasantly surprised and shared glowing reviews, many echoing the sentiment: “Everything was great!”Starters like the salmon tartare and mains such as the slow-cooked wild boar stood out as favorites.

The service received frequent praise. Visitors appreciated the friendly, smiling, and professional staff, often commenting: “Good and quick service.” Many felt genuinely welcomed and well taken care of.

The food was mostly described as delicious. One recurring comment was: “Tasty food and pleasant service.” A few guests noted that the wild boar main dish was slightly cold, but still flavorful. Starters like carpaccio and salmon tartare, as well as desserts like ice cream scoops, earned compliments for both taste and presentation.

Visitors also enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and charming interior of the restaurant. One guest described it as “a wonderfully cozy cellar restaurant,” while others appreciated the calm and inviting setting. Although some wished for a wider cocktail selection, overall feedback was very positive: “Everything was excellent!”

In summary, Trofe Restaurant has crafted a flavorful and enjoyable experience that keeps guests coming back. “Everything was super!” and “Delicious food, loved it all!” were sentiments shared over and over again.

3 – Mantel ja Korsten

Taking part for the very first time, Mantel ja Korsten instantly won over food lovers — reservations sold out like hotcakes! 😋

Visitors were pleasantly surprised, noting that “everything exceeded expectations,” even though the restaurant was quite busy. The service was personal and fast, which made the evening truly enjoyable. Many praised the entire experience with comments like: “All three courses were incredibly delicious – 10/10!”

Guests especially loved the smoked duck starter and the tarte Tatin dessert, both described as flavorful and memorable. The venison main course also received positive feedback, though a few felt the flavors were either a bit too intense or slightly muddled.

The service stood out as excellent, with helpful and professional waitstaff. The menu was described as exceptional, and many diners said they had no suggestions for improvement. “The food was superb and the waiter was very friendly,”shared one guest.

The atmosphere was warm and pleasant, though some mentioned the tables could have been more spaced out for better conversation. One guest suggested expanding the drink menu, but overall, the feedback was extremely positive. “Everything was well-organized, and we were very happy,” they noted.

In summary, Mantel ja Korsten delivered an outstanding experience where food, service, and ambiance came together perfectly. “Everything was wonderful!” and “I will definitely come back,” were common sentiments, reflecting the restaurant’s strong commitment to quality and guest satisfaction.

4 – Tasca Portuguesa

In February 2024, Tasca Portuguesa claimed the TOP 1 spot among visitors — and once again, it was highly praised for its authentic Portuguese cuisine.

Guests shared a wide range of impressions that reflected both the quality of the food and the level of service. Many found the menu to be exciting and diverse. Groups of four appreciated being able to try various dishes, with most positive feedback centered around the starters.

One of the highlights was the chocolate dessert cup, which was described as tasty and beautifully presented. However, the main courses, such as lobster rice and wild boar, received mixed reviews. The lobster rice was considered underseasoned, while the wild boar pieces were unevenly cooked, slightly detracting from the overall dining experience.

While the service was often described as friendly and helpful, some guests pointed out long wait times and slow food delivery, which impacted their satisfaction.

The atmosphere, on the other hand, was consistently praised as cozy and inviting.

In summary, Tasca Portuguesa succeeded in offering several delicious dishes and pleasant service, but a few visitors felt that both the food consistency and speed of service could be improved. Still, the overall sentiment remained optimistic:
“We were satisfied overall, but we hope for an even better experience next time.”
Many guests said they would definitely return to explore more of the restaurant’s Portuguese flavors.

5 – KAI Resto (Tallinn, near Linnahall)

This time, KAI Resto, located behind Tallinn’s iconic Linnahall, secured the 5th place in the ranking.

Guests offered a variety of feedback that reflects the overall experience. One of the strongest highlights was the high quality of the food. Starters and desserts, especially the octopus and several meat dishes, received frequent praise for both flavor and beautiful presentation. Desserts like the cakes were especially popular, leaving many diners thoroughly impressed.

However, not everything was perfect. Some guests felt the main courses, including veal fillet, lacked flavor and would have benefited from more sauce. Additionally, the waiting time for mains was a common complaint — often reaching up to an hour. While the staff apologized and offered complimentary drinks as compensation, some visitors still felt this wasn’t enough to offset the delay.

The atmosphere was cozy and pleasant, but several guests mentioned that the room felt chilly, which impacted comfort. Others suggested that the hookah area should be separated to avoid disturbing smells that affected the enjoyment of the meal.

While the interior was generally appreciated, a number of guests wished the drink menu was available on paper, not just via QR code. This would allow for a more relaxed dining experience without needing to constantly use phones, which some felt disrupted conversation.

In summary, KAI Resto delivered delicious flavors and friendly service, even though certain aspects like long wait times and comfort factors could be improved. Most visitors remain hopeful and expressed a strong desire to return, eager to once again enjoy the food and atmosphere this promising restaurant has to offer.