A four-day foodie tour around South Estonia

Scoop up the tastes of South Estonia. Take a food-focused journey from hand-crafted artisan wines to Estonia’s biggest cinnamon rolls.

Visit South Estonia

Imagine taking a trip where every bite of food has its own story.

Traverse the hills and hollows of South Estonia on this scoop-shaped route, which showcases some of the very best that the region has to offer, including delicious foods and people who put their heart and soul into the things they make.

This route will take you onto side roads that might not be the fastest way from point A to point B, but they’re certainly the tastiest. And once you’ve undertaken this culinary pilgrimage, you won't just remember what you ate, you'll also remember how it made you feel — satisfied.

Take your time, let your appetite be your guide, and discover this flavor-filled journey through South Estonia.

Explore South Estonia with your taste buds!

What to expect along the way

Main attractions: 12 unique stops that will introduce you to the best restaurants and coziest cafés in the region, as well as wineries and a ciderhouse with a 10,000-strong orchard of apple trees.
Distance: About 520 km
Duration: Four days is ideal, but the route can take as long as you want. Set your own pace, add nature or culture stops along the way, or even start from the end and work your way back!
Season: All year round, with the exception of the Peipsi Teemaja teahouse, which only operates as a café in summer
Getting here and around: The easiest option is to come by car. Most of the places along the way are idyllic destinations, surrounded by nature and off the main roads. If you’d like to linger, you’ll find that many of them offer accommodation as well.
Green travel tips: Even if you travel by car, you can opt to rent an electric one. There are plenty of charging stations. Buy things from small producers. You’ll come across a range of farm shops, and most cafés and restaurants use local or home-grown ingredients.

Tea, spirits, and fine dining

Day 1

If setting out from Tallinn, you’ll start your journey on the shores of Lake Peipsi. Follow the aroma of freshly baked pastries to the cozy Peipsi Teemaja teahouse. As its name suggests, it focuses on the flavors of the area, including fresh fish from the lake and plenty of tea!

Winding your way between the drumlins, you’ll then come across the Juulamõisa Café, which is steeped in local lore. Not only does it serve great food, but the owners know some fascinating stories and legends. (Did you know Vooremaa's landscape is from Kalevipoeg's plow?) This charming, family-run, Green Key café will give you a taste of home to take with you on your journey.

For the most exhilarating experience of the day, make a beeline for the heart of Tartu, to the Peninuki Distillery. There, you can learn all about the art of crafting unique spirits, take part in a fun factory tour, and taste the powerful tipples it has to offer, including the tempting, first-ever Estonian-made rum. Of course, you can also purchase whatever you like to take with you.

End the day with dinner at Hõlm, a restaurant where you can immerse yourself in the world of fine dining. That’s right: your Southern Estonian food experience isn’t limited to simple home cooking. The MICHELIN Guide has nothing but praise for Hõlm’s first-class menu, with service to match. Every bite is a work of art in its own right.

Drinking tea near Lake Peipsi during South Estonia food tour

Photo author: Rivo Veber

Orchards, kitchens, and sisterly love

Day 2

The second day of your journey will take you deeper into South Estonian nature and the region’s delicious drinks. You’ll be welcomed at an orchard with over 10,000 apple trees — KODAS Cider House. Go behind the scenes to see how the drinks are made and try some award-winning artisan ciders, sparkling wines, and non-alcoholic beverages. If you’re in luck, you’ll also get to enjoy a special dining experience, as KODAS has its own restaurant. Check the opening times and book ahead to avoid missing out on the chance to sample their exciting and distinctive dishes.

The next stop is picture-perfect; at Murimäe Winery, rows of vines climb the hillsides, and the light falls on the terraces and the lake. Here you’ll learn the secrets of viticulture and wine production, and sample some fine craft wines. Whether it’s a crisp white or a full-bodied red, every sip will taste exceptional when accompanied by such views and tranquillity. A café also operates here in summer, and you can enjoy their fresh seasonal menu.

Hidden away in the quiet village of Lüllemäe, Kolm Sõsarat is like a secret you’ll either want to keep to yourself or share with everyone from the moment you step inside. Its name translates to "three sisters", and that’s who created it. The restaurant's modern, high-quality cuisine and use of fresh, organic ingredients have been recognized with a MICHELIN Green Star, one of only three in the country. Warm, genuine, and incredibly tasty, it’s no wonder that Kolm Sõsarat is considered one of Estonia’s best places to eat. Come with an empty stomach and leave full of love!

Couple tastes wine on food tour of South Estonia

Photo author: Anna Svetlichnaia

Photo author: Visit Estonia

KODAS

This cider house showcases the natural flavors of the humble apple, using 30 different varieties in their production process.

Cows, berries, and forest roads

Day 3

Welcome to Day 3 of your journey! Your boots may get a little muddy, and things may get a little cheesy, but you’ll love every minute!

Start the day at Nopri Farm, where you’ll meet their VIPs: the farm’s incredibly pampered cows. Take in the views of their open pastures, and find out how the farm’s yogurts, cheeses, and other dairy products are made. Honest traditions and happy people are behind every bite here, and you can feel it in every product.

Travel onwards through trees and berry bushes to Uue-Saaluse Winery, where every bottle is a little wild, a little unexpected, and entirely unforgettable! The wines here are made from fruit and berries. You might pass them in a field without giving them a second glance, but once they make their way into a glass, they burst to life with a flavor all their own.

The day comes to a suitably refined end at Ilmaveere, a restaurant on the shores of Lake Obinitsa, where the views are breathtaking and the menu even more so. Here, food is more than just fuel; it honors the land and the raw ingredients used to make it. Many ingredients are sourced from local forests, gardens, and surrounding farms, and absolutely everything gets used. The restaurant’s zero-waste kitchen focuses on natural flavors and sending a clear message — that simplicity can be incredibly profound.

Visiting Nopri Dairy on South Estonia regional food tour

Photo author: Eesti Maa Ülikool

A warm farewell, straight from the oven

Day 4

Slow down the pace for the last day of your journey. Enjoy every moment, admire the scenery, and savor every meal; the memories will linger long after the last bite. Drive through the heart of South Estonia's forests, where smoke rises from open fires and the smell of cinnamon wafts through the car windows.

Your first stop is Verska Resto, a restaurant right on the waterfront in the town of Värska, where traditional and modern cuisine are the best of friends. Most of the food here is cooked over an open flame – honest local stuff, deliciously smoky, and bold in flavor. Whether you opt for the deep-fried glass eels or the reindeer tartare, every bite showcases the region's natural beauty and heritage. As soon as you walk through the door, you’ll be greeted by a warm smell that promises you’re in for a fantastic meal.

Your four-day foodie tour comes to a close at Tillu Café, which is home to what are probably the largest cinnamon rolls in Estonia. Its bakery produces fresh cakes and pastries throughout the day. You'll smell them as soon as you step inside – and it’s impossible to say no to anything! The café also serves delicious dishes made from local ingredients from the Vana-Võromaa region, and its farm shop is the perfect place to buy something to take home with you.

Four staff members of South Estonia restaurant Verska Resto

Photo author: Verska Resto

Travel South Estonia's "Scoop" and taste flavors you’ll never forget!

So hit the road and get ready to fill your heart and your belly. For more details about the "Scoop" route and to explore additional exciting travel routes through South Estonia, visit the regional tourism website.