19.7.2016 | Restaurants

Fine Dining Guide

Tallinn’s restaurant scene continues to grow, with everything from pop ups to containers to beachside cafés to modern cuisine. The fine dining scene is no exception. We asked Tallinn locals what some of their favourite places to splurge on a good meal were, here’s what they had to say:

Chedi
Sulevimägi 1, Tallinn Old Town
chedi.ee
For anyone that’s ever eaten great dim sum in North America, Australia, or even Asia, when you see the price for the dim sum platter here, you might think twice about ordering. Chedi’s dim sum are just wonderful, as is the rest of their food. Sticky ribs, crispy fried squid, and aromatically spiced meat dishes are just some of items that make of this sophisticated Asian menu.

Cru
Viru 8, Tallinn Old Town
www.crurestoran.eu
Chef Dmitri Haljukov’s compete for Estonia in 2014 at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or cooking competition and made this country proud. His menu at Cru aims to find a balance between modern and traditional, Estonian cuisine and international. Classic Estonian flavours like dill, sour cream and salted fish are contrasted with bolder flavours like coriander. But all in all, you will find a wonderfully thought out out menu highlighting the best of local ingredients.

Horisont at Swissôtel Tallinn
Tornimäe 3, Tallinn
www.swissoteldining.ee/horisontrestoran/et/
Horisont restaurant and bar sits on the 30th floor of Tallinn’s Swissôtel and offers one of the best views over the city. Despite this being restaurant in a large international chain, the chef’s own signature can be seen everywhere on this inventive and innovative menu. It will be hard to choose what to have, so leave it in the hands of the kitchen and a talented sommelier. Try their tasting menu with wine pairing for a real indulgence.

Art Priori
Olevimägi 7, Tallinn Old Town
www.artpriori.ee/et/
Art Priori aims to combine art and food, though the food is a work of art itself. It’s a feast for the senses continues as each course arrives, simply plated, with rich and mild balanced flavours and textures. Art Priori has one of the most modern kitchens in Estonia, as well as Estonia’s youngest head chef. Between the beautiful interior, professional and friendly service, semi-open kitchen to watch all the action, and of course the creative menu, Art Priori is a dining experience well recommended.

Tchaikovsky
Vene 9, Tallinn Old Town
www.telegraafhotel.com/restoran-tchaikovsky
This elegant restaurant does just about everything right and is chosen year after year as one of the best in the city. The staff are friendly, professional, and most importantly, knowledgeable. Ask them to suggest wine, there is no doubt they have tasted the menu and are confident in their ability to pair a glass with your meal. Food portions are generous. Especially after an appetiser, soup, and main course, it’s difficult to squeeze in dessert. In summer, dine outside on their peaceful and enchanting courtyard.

Ribe
Vene 7, Tallinn Old Town
www.ribe.ee/et/
Ribe’s chef, Radoslav Mitro, has taken Estonian cuisine and made it his own, experimenting with foraged ingredients, local market flavours, and preparing them in innovative ways that only international experience can bring. Try the six-course chef’s menu with wine pairing for a delightful meal and excellent service.

Ö
Mere pst. 6e, Tallinn
restoran-o.ee/
Set in an old distillery, its minimalistic decor makes sure all the focus is on the food. The food is modern, with touches of tradition (pickling, salting, etc) peeking through. The menu is a choice between four, five, and seven courses where the chefs prepare dish after dish of interesting flavour combinations. Ö shares a kitchen and chefs with its bakficka (back room) restaurant, Kaks Kokka, which is also worth a visit.

Click on the address to see the location.

TEXT KRISTINA LUPP, PHOTOS ANDREI CHERTKOV