The best food experiences in Estonia

From festivals dedicated to street food and wine to foraging and Setomaa's home cafés, these food experiences in Estonia are a great way to eat local.

Want to explore Estonia with all your senses?

Estonia's hospitality and willingness to experiment make every bite an experience.

Whether you sample local cheese at a rustic farm, pick blueberries in the forest, enjoy a picnic on the beach, or take a cooking class, Estonian food experiences combine ancient culinary traditions with contemporary sophistication.

The best Estonian food experiences are found in the forest.

From the end of August until October, Estonian forests transform into a paradise for foragers: tart blueberries and cranberries, earthy chanterelles, and more. Pack a basket and prepare to get your hands dirty.

Many New Nordic chefs and Estonian nature guides now offer foraging workshops, demonstrating what to look for and how to transform these forest treasures into delicious dishes. A true local food experience for all foodies and nature lovers!

Foraging is a traditional Estonian food experience

Photo author: Aron Urb

Foraging tours and fine dining outdoors

Worthwhile food tours in Estonia

These tours in Estonia will take you to small workshops, family-run farms, forests, and street food hotspots.

Whether you embark on a food tour through Tallinn, taste craft wines near Tartu, or sample freshly caught fish from Lake Peipsi, you'll find top-notch culinary adventures of all types.

Food tours and cooking classes in Estonia

Photo author: Ken Mürk

Photo author: Priidu Saart, Visit Estonia

Eat Estonian: small-scale food and drink producers

Big flavors come from small farms, factories, wineries, breweries, and apiaries all over the country.

Craft beer, local wines, and Estonian drinks

Estonian drink culture is surprisingly diverse.

In addition to classic vodka and fine herbal schnapps, like Vana Tallinn, you can try sparkling rhubarb wine and creative fizzy drinks. Or savor robust elderberry and sea buckthorn liqueurs, which are best enjoyed after a long winter walk. Many distilleries open their doors for tours and tastings, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes glimpse of their facilities.

Estonia's craft beer scene is hopping, too. Breweries like Põhjala and Tanker experiment with wild yeasts, local herbs, and even fermented berries.

Estonia even has a wine route! Northern wineries primarily produce fruit and berry wines, and Estonian wine tastings highlight the use of seasonal, locally grown ingredients.

Photo author: Jorma Kütt

Wineries in Estonia worth visiting

Estonian wine features local fruits, berries, and forest products. These small wineries and vineyards are a way to savor the country's rural charm.

Photo author: Priidu Saart

Top Estonian food festivals

Food festivals celebrate regional specialities and are a great way to check out the latest offerings from local chefs.

These colorful food festivals and fairs fill the air with the aroma of freshly smoked fish, pickled vegetables, and sweet berries. They are an ideal place to sample regional food in a relaxed festival atmosphere and interact directly with producers.

Visit during a local home café day, and you'll be treated to one of the best Estonian food experiences. In many villages or neighborhoods in larger cities, residents set up food stands in their gardens and share homemade goodies. It's a great way to mingle with locals and taste their favorite family recipes.