Enjoy Great Food Instead of Endless Questions
Text Susanna Poikela Photos Susanna Poikela, Krõõt Tarkmeel, Stanislav Moškov / Õhtuleht, NOP Cafe, Rasmus Jurkatam, Oskari Värä
Nihe’s filling and delicious “perfect ten” salad with fried avocado.
When choosing a restaurant in Tallinn, do you keep running into the same problem? You are never quite sure where special dietary requirements are genuinely taken into account. This article brings together restaurants whose menus clearly identify gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan dishes. That means fewer questions about ingredients and more time to focus on what really matters: enjoying good food and good company.
The menu at Elevant Restaurant, which serves Indian and Asian cuisine, offers a wide variety of vegetarian and meat dishes suitable for both lactose-free and gluten-free diets. The restaurant, which has been operating for nearly 20 years, is located in Tallinn’s Old Town.
Opened in 1962, Pegasus is an excellent choice for lovers of European cuisine. Delicious food, attentive service and an elegant setting have attracted customers year after year. The restaurant occupies the historic Estonian Writers Union building, where many of the country’s best-known authors have spent time over the decades.
NOP Cafe is located in an early-20th-century wooden house in the Kadriorg district. The menu clearly marks dishes suitable for various dietary requirements. In addition to its café services, visitors can purchase products and ingredients from local farms to take home.
Restaurant Ülo is an easy choice for vegetarians and those following special diets. The menu clearly indicates which dishes suit which dietary preferences. Vegans and omnivores can comfortably dine together, with both finding appealing options. Meanwhile, Nihe café in Telliskivi serves exclusively vegan food.
Gluten-Free Culinary Experiences
I set out to explore gluten-free dining options in Tallinn. Many Indian restaurants are excellent choices for people following a gluten-free diet. Their dishes are often almost entirely gluten-free, even when this is not specifically indicated on the menu.
One of my favourite restaurants is Lendav Taldrik. The menu clearly identifies gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan dishes. Excellent choices include the Lillkapsa Pakora, made from cauliflower coated in chickpea flour and lightly fried. Cheese lovers should try Palak Paneer, Indian cheese served in a spinach curry sauce.
Kivi Paber Käärid is a completely gluten-free restaurant, meaning diners never need to double-check whether dishes are suitable.
Located in Tallinn’s Old Town, the pancake restaurant Kompressor is extremely popular because it offers excellent value for money: for less than ten euros, visitors can enjoy a filling and delicious pancake. Best of all, every pancake on the menu can also be ordered with gluten-free batter for an additional 50 cents.
The same applies to the award-winning Italian restaurant Margherita, where pizzas are also available with a gluten-free base. The gluten-free version costs a few euros extra.
F-Hoone serves excellent soups that are entirely gluten-free. At Ristikheina Café, visitors can enjoy a delicious warm buckwheat salad, which can also be ordered as a vegan dish. It is both hearty and flavourful.
Elevant Restaurant, Vene St 5, Tallinn.
Nop Cafe, J. Köleri St 1, Tallinn.
Nihe, Telliskivi St 60a-2, Tallinn.
Lendav Taldrik, Telliskivi St 60a-6, Tallinn.
Kivi Paber Käärid, Telliskivi St 60a-7, Tallinn.
Kompressor, Rataskaevu St 3, Tallinn.
Margherita, Lai St 2, Tallinn.
F-hoone, Telliskivi St 601, Tallinn.
Ristikheina, Ristiku St 57, Tallinn.
To learn more about this and similar topicsFood gluten-free lactose-free special diets Tallinn Vegan vegetarian diet
