Michelin Stars and Recommendations Awarded Once Again in Estonia
Text Timo Raussi Photos Kris Süld, Eva Karjane and Restaurant Moon
Fellin in Viljandi received the only Bib Gourmand recognition awarded outside Tallinn for its value for money.
The Michelin restaurant guide published its 2026 recommendations for Estonian restaurants on Wednesday. Although seven new restaurants were added to the list, the total number of recognised establishments remained the same as last year at 43 due to some turnover. Estonia’s only two-Michelin-star restaurant, 180° by Matthias Diether, retained its status, as did the one-star NOA Chef’s Hall.
Nine Bib Gourmand awards for good value for money were granted. Fellin in Viljandi, along with Lore Bistroo, Mantel ja Korsten, NOA, UMA, and Tuljak in Tallinn, retained their previous year’s status. New additions were Fume, Fotografiska, and Vesta, all also located in Tallinn.
New entrants recommended in the main guide are Põhjala Tap Room, O2, Riva, Sadu, and Cafe Tempo. Kenneth Karjane, owner of Cafe Tempo, told Estonian public broadcaster ERR that he considers the secret behind Tempo’s success, despite operating for less than a year in shared premises with the Karjase Sai bakery café, to be its strong team.
“When you bring together really pleasant and talented people, and everyone works hard, eventually the recognition comes,” Karjane said.
In addition to Cafe Tempo, Michelin recognition was also awarded to Barbarea, owned by the same proprietor, although it is currently preparing to close temporarily.
“We are looking for a new space that speaks to us and where we might continue with a somewhat different concept,” Karjane explained.
Alongside the new additions, the guide also includes Art Priori, Barbarea, Gianni, Härg, Hiis, Hõlm, Joyce, Kolm Sõsarat, Koyo, Lee Brasserie, Mere 38, Mon Repos, Moon, Morel Bistroo, Osteria il Cru, Paju Villa, Pull, Puri, R14, Radio, Rado, Shang Shi, Soo, Tchaikovsky, Toko, Võivõi, and Wicca.
The Green Star award for sustainable gastronomy was retained by Fotografiska, Hiis in Jõelähtme municipality east of Tallinn, and Kolm Sõsarat in Lüllemäe in Southern Estonia.
Michelin also honoured four outstanding individuals. The Young Chef Award went to Gerli Travkin of Fotografiska, the Service Award to Karl-Friedrich Kuusk of Restaurant Vesta, and the Sommelier Award to Aleksei Pogrebnoi of NOA Chef’s Hall. Restaurant FUME, whose head chef and co-owner is Heinrich Liis, received the New Opening Award.
As new venues entered the guide while the overall number remained unchanged, some restaurants inevitably dropped off the list. One of them was Horisont, which had appeared in the guide for the previous two years. Its head chef Marko Sõmer told ERR that he could not immediately explain the reason.
“We have been very consistent with our restaurant and menu for years. But perhaps the current trend now favours becoming simpler,” Sõmer said.
The restaurant reacted immediately to the situation: in just a few weeks, its menu is reportedly set to become significantly more affordable.
Restaurant Moon, which underwent changes and relocated to Telliskivi last summer, renewed its Michelin recommendation for the fifth consecutive year. However, head chef Roman Zaštšernski says he does not wish to receive an actual Michelin star.
“Absolutely not. While it would certainly bring many more customers, if we failed to maintain it the following year, it would destroy our business. People choose very carefully where to go, and at the moment they are strongly voting with their wallets.”
To learn more about this and similar topicsCafe Tempo Food Culture Green Star Michelin Guide Michelin star restaurant guide
