Smelt Is on the Menu in Pärnu Throughout April
Text Timo Raussi Photos Visit Estonia / Ants Liigus and Allar Tiisler
One of the delicacies found in the sea area off the coast of Pärnu is the silvery “meritint” or smelt, which arrives in large shoals to spawn in coastal waters as the ice melts. Although it is a small fish, it is valued as a relative of salmon for its tender and juicy flesh. Its distinctive scent, reminiscent of fresh cucumber, makes it an easily recognisable delicacy. For generations, fishermen in the Pärnu region have caught smelt in March and April, creating a link between the natural rhythm of spring and the local food culture.
Just as lamprey is celebrated in Narva-Jõesuu in autumn, smelt has its own dedicated themed event—the Smelt Festival, held in Pärnu’s restaurants from 5 to 26 April. The opening celebration for the whole family takes place this Sunday as part of Pärnu City Day at Martens Square, located between Pärnu Centre and the two Port Artur shopping centres. Between 11:00 and 16:00, visitors can sample smelt prepared in various ways, watch fish grilling competitions, enjoy music and dance performances, listen to talks on fish-related topics, and take part in a variety of fun public competitions.
For family members less enthusiastic about fish, the festival opening will also feature participants from another, more summery Pärnu food event—Grillfest, held on 12–13 June—offering their own meat, chicken, and sausage specialties.
However, throughout April in Pärnu, fish takes centre stage—smelt served in classic fried form, smoked, marinated, or even as special tempura-style dishes. As many as 21 restaurants and pubs in Pärnu, one in the surrounding area, and, as a sincere tribute to the fish, also the O2 restaurant in Tallinn have added smelt dishes to their menus. You can explore photos of the dishes and information about participating restaurants on this page.
The Smelt Festival culminates, alongside events across Estonia, on Open Fishing Ports Day on Saturday, 25 April. On that day, Pärnu’s professional fishing, restaurant, and tourism communities gather at the Palkintokala gala to select exemplary promoters of fishing and fish cuisine. Last year’s awards went to Restaurant Raimond in the fine dining category, MUM Cafe in the casual dining category, and the Kalatakso pop-up event restaurant in the street food category.
Pärnu City Day, celebrated at the time of the Smelt Festival opening, has been held every April since 2011, marking the 760th anniversary of the city. The programme itself spans the entire Easter weekend and is primarily in Estonian, aimed more at local residents and visitors. However, with tools such as Google Translate, you can explore the programme for Saturday and Sunday, 4–5 April, including concerts and the themes of guided walking tours in Estonian, on Pärnu’s cultural events calendar page.
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