21.8.2025 | Restaurants

C’est La Vie—An Elegant French Restaurant in Tallinn’s Old Town

Text and photos Timo Huttunen

The interior is distinctly French.

C’est La Vie is a café and restaurant located in Tallinn’s Old Town, featuring Art Deco-inspired interior design, reminiscent of the 1930s. The aesthetic was created in 2007 by Maile Grünberg, the legendary Estonian interior designer and architect. Grünberg, who passed away last spring, was one of Estonia’s most respected and versatile interior architects.

In early 2024, the restaurant came under new ownership. Today, C’est La Vie aims to offer guests authentic and traditional culinary experiences from French cuisine, along with a good selection of wines. The venue is worth visiting for its unique interior alone. The ornate, luxurious, and streamlined Art Deco style was a popular design trend in the first half of the 20th century.

The interior is dark-toned, with gold, ochre, and burgundy dominating the colour scheme. A large and striking chandelier in the main hall and ceramic busts of 1930s women immediately catch the eye. Soft French music plays in the background.

“Most of our wines are from France, but some come from Italy,” says Patsi, a server at C’est La Vie. “We get a lot of foreign guests, including Finns,” she adds. The service is relaxed and friendly.

Despite appearances, C’est La Vie is surprisingly spacious. Behind the main hall is a smaller, booth-style dining room, and the basement includes rooms for private events. A special highlight during summer is the large, furnished courtyard, where live music is occasionally played.

Among the starters, the rich terrine de campagne, or country-style liver pâté, is made entirely in-house. The small pickles and pearl onions complement the strong flavour nicely. The shrimp dish was well-seasoned with chilli and garlic. The classic raw steak tartare was very French—the meat was properly sliced and grated, not minced. The dish comes pre-mixed and had an excellent flavour. The generous portion is served with hand-cut French fries. C’est La Vie’s steak tartare is among the best in Estonia.

Overall, the experience left a pleasant impression. The only criticism would be the presentation of the dishes, which could be improved—for example, more greens or salads could be used for balance and visual appeal.

C’est La Vie offers weekday lunches and a daily soup special.

C’est La Vie is located at Suur-Karja 5, Tallinn.