Discover Tallinn: The Guide for Curious Travelers

Welcome to Tallinn, Estonia’s enchanting capital, where medieval history meets modern vibrancy. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to uncover new gems, this comprehensive guide highlights the best neighborhoods, restaurants, cafes, cultural spots, and natural attractions to ensure you make the most of your stay. Dive into the diverse experiences that make Tallinn truly unique!

Breakfast 🍳

Aarde Pagar – Hidden gem bakery with sweet and savory rye sourdough pastries.
Levier – Upscale café perfect for brunch with French flair.
Fika – Friendly café serving hearty Nordic breakfast plates.
Røst – Ideal for early coffee and cinnamon rolls.
NOP – Organic brunch hotspot with vegan and gluten-free options.
Maiasmokk – Tallinn’s oldest café, with classic breakfast dishes and old-world charm.

Restaurants 🥘

Bar.rara – A Kopli gem blending small plates and natural wines.
Lee – Modern Estonian cuisine with global influences in a stylish interior.
La Tabla – Vibrant Latin American flavors with a cozy, lively atmosphere.
Lore Bistroo – Trendy bistro in the Port Noblessner area, seasonal menu.
F-hoone – Hip spot in Telliskivi with a varied and affordable menu.
Rataskaevu 16 – Highly rated for its warm service and classic Estonian dishes.
Uma – Unorthodox Asian cusine
Vegan V – Best vegan food in town
Jenk BBQ – Unique Korean barbeque place in trendy Rotermanni.

Coffee ☕️

Kiosk Kohvik – Tiny but beloved espresso bar near Telliskivi.
Papermill (Viru Keskus) – Specialty coffee shop with urban design.
Pulla Bakery – Excellent coffee paired with Finnish-style treats.
The Brick Coffee – Local favorite in Telliskivi with great beans and atmosphere.
Gustav Cafe – Elegant café with great desserts and cappuccino.
Rukis – Homey café in the Old Town with rich lattes and cakes.

Bakeries 🧁

Sumi by Põhjala – Minimalist, Nordic-style bakery with top-tier pastries.
Karjase Sai – Famous for sourdough bread and rustic interior.
Røst – Scandinavian-inspired, excellent cinnamon buns and espresso.
Bakermill by Papermill – Artisanal loaves and flaky croissants.
Pulla Bakery – Finnish-Estonian bakery specializing in pulla and cardamom pastries.

Bookstores 📚

Rüütel & Matilda – A charming English-language bookstore in the Old Town with a cozy, curated selection.
Põhjala Read – Offers a great mix of local and international titles in a warm, quiet setting.
Banned Books Museum – A unique museum and bookstore dedicated to censored literature from around the world.
Apollo Bookstore (Solaris) – A large bookstore with a wide range of books, games, and gifts.
Rahva Raamat (Viru Keskus) – Tallinn’s flagship bookstore, great for local and foreign literature, plus a rooftop café.

Fun Bars 🍹

Suhe – A hip bar with great cocktails, DJ sets, and a local crowd.
Botaanik – A speakeasy-style bar serving some of the best botanical cocktails in Tallinn.
Frank – Sophisticated basement bar with inventive drinks and moody lighting.
Tops – A quirky Soviet-style bar with great music and affordable drinks.
Speakeasy by Põhjala – Hidden bar within the brewery offering unique craft cocktails.
Depeche Mode Bar – A themed bar for fans of the band and darkwave vibes.

Groceries 🍱

Rimi – Widespread, convenient supermarket chain with good selection and pricing.
Selver – Another popular chain offering a mix of everyday essentials and local produce.
Prisma – Great for bulk shopping and open 24/7 in some locations.
Coop – A smaller grocery chain with good quality fresh produce and baked goods.
Stockmann Food Department – Upscale option for gourmet and imported items.
Balti Jaama Turg – A fantastic food market with fresh produce, delis, and street food.

Museums 🎟️

KUMU – Estonia’s largest and most prominent art museum, showcasing classical and modern art.
Seaplane Harbour Museum – Interactive maritime museum inside a massive seaplane hangar.
Vabamu – Focused on Estonia’s history of occupation and freedom, very moving.
Kiek in de Kök & Neitsitorn – Historic towers with underground passages and medieval exhibits.
Estonian Open Air Museum – A large outdoor museum with historical farmsteads and windmills.
Fotografiska – A stylish contemporary photography museum and rooftop café in Telliskivi.

Breweries/Taprooms 🍻

Humalakoda – Microbrewery with a beer hall-style atmosphere and hearty food.
Mikkeller Old Town – Danish craft beer brand with a cozy Estonian outpost.
Brewklyn – Taproom with a great selection of local and imported brews, specializing in USA beers.
Vaat Brewery – Known for bold and creative beers, often featuring collaborations.
Põhjala Taproom – A large and beloved taproom with a wide beer range and tasty BBQ.
Pudel Baar – Trendy bar in Telliskivi with an excellent rotating craft beer selection.
Pühaste Taproom – Known for rich stouts and innovative brews, right in the city center.
Heldeke! – Quirky bar/theatre combo with drinks, cabaret, and occasional sauna nights.
Põhjakonn – Laid-back bar with a cool underground vibe and niche Estonian beers.
Purtse Taproom – Industrial-style bar serving bold beers from Purtse Brewery.
Metsis Drinkery – Newer craft bar in Kalamaja known for excellent Estonian ciders and beers.

Creative Areas 🎨

Telliskivi Loomelinnak – Tallinn’s creative hub with galleries, design shops, restaurants, and events.
Põhjala Tehas – Repurposed factory complex with vintage markets, bars, and artist studios.
Krulli Kvartal – Emerging art and nightlife area with industrial charm and outdoor events.
ARSi Maja – A studio complex housing artists, designers, and creative workshops.
EKKM (Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia) – Experimental art exhibitions in a warehouse-style building.

Saunas 🧖‍♀️

Logi Sauna – A floating wooden sauna with a sea view and cool-down plunge.
Kalma Sauna – Historic public sauna in Kalamaja with authentic Soviet vibes.
Igulu Sauna – Private, sleek sauna available for rent with modern amenities.
Heldeke! Sauna – Occasionally opens its secret sauna for quirky events.
Põhjala Brewery Sauna – Hidden rooftop sauna at this creative hub, often bookable for events.
Tervise Paradiis (Day Trip Option) – Spa and sauna complex in Pärnu, great for relaxation.

Live Music 🎶

Viru Street Food Area – Free concerts and jam sessions on summer evenings.
Mad Murphy’s – Classic Irish pub with regular live rock and blues nights.
Shamrock Irish Pub – Welcoming vibe and acoustic acts on weekends.
Scotland Yard – Themed pub with scheduled live music and open mic nights.
Philly Joe’s – Estonia’s only dedicated jazz club.
Chicago 1933 – Jazz, blues, and big band events in a Gatsby-style venue.
Terminal Records & Bar – Combines record store and bar with weekend DJ and vinyl sessions.
Ankrusaal – Hosts indie and alternative gigs in an underground setting.

Transport/Taxi 🚕

Bolt – Local ride-hailing app, reliable and fast.
Uber – International option, also works well in Tallinn.
ForUS – Estonian alternative to Bolt and Uber.
City Bike – Offers rentals and guided tours.
Tallinn Public Transport – Free for residents; trams and buses are efficient and regular.

Record Stores 📀

Biit Me – Vinyl treasure trove with DJ nights and rare records.
Terminal Records & Bar – Combo shop/bar spinning house, disco, and funk.
World Clinic – Underground shop focusing on electronic music vinyl.

Festivals 🎉

Tallinn Music Week – Multigenre music, arts, and ideas festival in spring.
Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend – Estonia’s best beer-tasting event.
Tallinn Coffee Festival – Caffeine-fueled celebration of coffee culture.
Laulupidu – Song festival – Once-in-5-years national song festival with 30,000+ singers.
Tallinn Colours Festival – Urban festival celebrating diversity and creativity.

Seaside 🌊 🏖️

Pirita Beach – Long sandy beach with views of the skyline, great for a swim.
Stroomi Beach – Family-friendly spot with shallow water and playgrounds.
Noblessner Seafront – A stylish marina with restaurants and sea views.
Kalaranna Beach – Trendy new beach near the city center.
Pikakari Beach – A nature walk with birdwatching and wild beaches.
Russalka Beachfront – Peaceful coastal promenade near Kadriorg Park.

✨ Final Thoughts

Tallinn masterfully blends its medieval heritage with vibrant modern culture. Whether wandering cobblestone streets, exploring innovative museums, sampling craft beers, or relaxing in natural settings, this city offers something for every curious traveler. Use this guide as your starting point to uncover the rich tapestry of experiences waiting in Estonia’s captivating capital.

Safe travels and enjoy every magical moment in Tallinn!