Fish cutlets, boiled potatoes and cucumber saladPhoto author: Johannes Hoimoja

An introduction to Estonian food

The focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients has turned Estonia into a Northern European foodie destination. Take a closer look at Estonian food culture!

The history of Estonian food is closely connected to nature and the changing seasons.

Estonia has four distinct seasons, and menus change accordingly.

For example, by spring, there was usually no meat left, but cows would start producing milk, so dairy products enjoyed a place of honor during this period. Likewise, berry and mushroom picking during the late summer and autumn is a national pastime even today. Other autumnal ingredients include freshly picked apples, root vegetables, and wild game such as elk.

Estonian food culture also calls for pickling, canning, fermenting, and smoking food for winter. These products, such as pickled pumpkin and cranberry jam, add a bright touch to the table during the Christmas season.

This seasonality is a primary feature of traditional Estonian cuisine.

Authentic Estonian flavors and dinner table staples

The other important aspect of Estonian food is knowing where it comes from.

The more local, the better. This is one of the hallmarks of modern Estonian cuisine, though it stems from simple necessity. In the past, Estonians lived off the land, eating only what they could grow, forage, or hunt. This self-reliance lasted longer than it did in other European countries, as the Soviet Union's closed borders limited what could be brought in from elsewhere.

Hearty black bread

Bread has at least three different names in Estonian, which shows just how important it is. "Black bread" is a dark rye bread with a thin crispy crust. It is quite healthy, and you can find a range of options in all shapes and sizes in local markets. Many restaurants also serve freshly baked bread using their own secret recipes. With a spread of Estonia's famous full-fat salty butter, the local bread is sure to tingle your taste buds.

Potatoes, pork, dairy, and fish

Alongside bread, other Estonian staples include potatoes and pork. You'll find quite a few dairy products on Estonian tables, like sour cream, cheese, kefir, milk, and yogurt. As a country with an extensive coastline and hundreds of inland water bodies, Estonians also eat lots of fish, with herring, pike-perch, or smoked fish being perennial favorites at restaurants serving traditional Estonian food.

Mushrooms and berries: superfoods from the forests and fields

With its international influences, Estonian cuisine retains a signature character thanks to pure, local elements. These "superfoods" are fresh from the forests and fields, bursting with vitamins, and rich in color. For example, blackcurrants are an excellent source of vitamin C. Wild blueberries have a particularly intense, sweet flavor. Savor them harvested during peak season or preserved in traditional jams and juices throughout the rest of the year.

Regional traditions and tastes

With such a deep connection to local ingredients, the taste of Estonian food can change a lot depending on where you go.

With about 3,800 km of coastline, Estonia offers many opportunities for dining next to the sea. In addition to fish, cuisine in Northern Estonia traditionally combines potatoes, barley, and greenhouse-grown produce.

Mulgi puder, a blend of potatoes, barley, and pork, has been placed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is one example of regional Estonian cuisine that plays a significant role in the daily life of Mulgimaa, the region south of Viljandi.

In Southern Estonian, you can eat your way around the shores of Lake Peipsi and tour the Onion Route, where you'll find tasty onion-based dishes. The onion pies are not to be missed!

Homemade onion pie at the Samovar House near Lake Peipsi

Photo author: Hans Markus Antson

Estonian drink culture

A huge part of Estonian cuisine is the drink culture that goes with it.

These days, Estonia has become a hotspot for innovative brewing. As a result, Estonian craft beer can be found almost everywhere in the country, so you're sure to find something that matches your tastes. Alongside beer, you can also try out mõdu, a honey-based drink similar to mead, and kali, a low-alcohol root beer.

Along with the heartier drinks, Estonia has a long winemaking tradition. Unlike conventional wine, Estonian wines are made from berries, with blackcurrants being a common favorite. What's special about Estonian wine is how well it goes with certain desserts.

Handmade Estonian tonic sodas

Photo author: Alina Birjuk

The sweeter side of Estonian cuisine

Estonia has plenty to offer those with a sweet tooth. 

Estonian desserts include plenty of cakes, pastries, crumbles, and pies made with berries, jam, and chocolate. Additionally, Estonia has its own practice of making chocolate that goes back to the 18th century, based on marzipan. Since then Estonian chocolate has had its own unique tradition and includes varieties you can't find outside of Estonia, such as sweets made with kama.

Meringue with sea buckthorn at restaurant in Estonia

Photo author: Rivo Veber

Affordable gourmet food

Estonia is a top destination for foodies because international and fusion gourmet food can be enjoyed relatively inexpensively.

In 2022, Estonia became the first Baltic country to welcome MICHELIN Guide inspectors. A true five-course gourmet feast in Tallinn can cost half the price of a dinner in most European capitals. For those who travel for their taste buds, there's something for everyone. The Estonian restaurant scene has fully embraced fusion cooking, so you can try innovative modern cuisine and new Nordic cooking.

Vegetarians and vegans are also in luck, with many veggie-friendly and veggie-only restaurants that know how to bring out the taste of greens. And for those who want something more medieval, there are quite a few spots where you can try roasted boar or other game meat. 

NOA Tallinn view over the Gulf of Tallinn

Photo author: Mariann Liimal

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