There are still a few authentic Soviet caf\u00e9s left in Tallinn.<\/p>\n
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Walking into the Energia Caf\u00e9 you are immediately taken back in time. Established in 1964, this caf\u00e9 is located next to Kaubamaja department store and has served hungry Tallinners for decades now. The menu has almost remained the same, just like its clientele.<\/p>\n
The red panelled walls and interior give the feeling of stability, its d\u00e9cor has only changed slightly since its opening. Looking out the windows you see a completely different world, the modern Kaubamaja with its customers rushing in and out of its doors, can be seen across the street.<\/p>\n
The mood could be gauged as calm, even homey. Soviet era music is playing quietly in the background. Grey-haired guests fill the seats and enjoy the caf\u00e9\u2019s cuisine.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t go to the caf\u00e9 on an empty stomach. Starving, I ordered seljanka soup, a salmon sandwich, as well as a strawberry cake and an \u201capple bomb.\u201d The soups and the sandwich were fill- ing, and by the time I made it to the apple bomb, it was already hard to find room in my stomach for it. The entire meal, including a drink cost 6\u20ac, which in comparison to many other city caf\u00e9s is very cheap.<\/p>\n
The Narva Caf\u00e9 is located on Narva mantee in Tallinn\u2019s city centre, and draws guests in with delicious smells wafting from the opening door. At the counter you are faced with a dilemma. It\u2019s filled with wiener and meat pasties, pizza pockets, cheese buns, pastries, and rum cakes. The carrot pasties caught my eye so I decided to try those. The \ufffc\ufffcCome early and you’ll get pastries straight from the oven. warm pasties almost melted in my mouth.<\/p>\n
Narva Caf\u00e9\u2019s prices were also very cheap. The pasties and pastries cost between 50-85 cents, and a midpriced warm lunch goes for 5\u20ac. A seljanka costs about 2\u20ac. The menu has a lot more variety than at Energia Caf\u00e9 \u2013they offer omelettes, as well as salty and sweet filled cr\u00eapes. There is even a selection of dishes for vegetarians. You can order cookies and cakes to take away. Cake prices start at 11\u20ac\/kg.<\/p>\n