International restaurant guides featuring modern Estonian food
Restaurant guides introduce visitors and locals to the best of modern Estonian cuisine. Add these eateries to your itinerary!
Three words describe Estonian food culture: seasonal, local, and homemade.
These words highlight how people cook and eat in Estonia.
The best Estonian food comes directly from the forest or a local garden. Mushrooms and berries grow rife in the forests, traditional family recipes are passed down over generations, and homes with greenhouses are the norm rather than the exception.
This philosophy is shared — and practiced — by the restaurants specializing in modern Estonian food that have received international recognition. Read on for a closer look at the locations that have received awards or been included in the world's top food guides.
What does Estonia taste like?
Modern Estonian cuisine combines innovation and tradition.
The MICHELIN Guide
The world-famous MICHELIN Guide guide focuses on the quality of food, the harmony of flavors, the chef's skill, and consistency. Over the years, the MICHELIN Guide has become a global symbol of restaurant quality.
In 2025, the MICHELIN Guide recommended 43 restaurants in Estonia. Restaurants can receive Stars, a Bib Gourmand recognizing good value for money, a Green Star for sustainability, or general recognition.
Photo author: Näljane Nelik
Hotels in Estonia with a MICHELIN recommendation
Estonia stands out not only for its food but also for its high-quality hospitality!
360°Eat Guide
The 360°Eat Guide aims to promote sustainable cooking by looking beyond the plate. The assessment is based on the restaurant’s culinary skills, the origin of raw materials, environmental friendliness, resource use, and social responsibility. Experts visit restaurants and thoroughly evaluate their activities based on the 360°Eat Guide standards.
The 2026 guide includes 20 eco-friendly Estonian restaurants.
Photo author: Karl Markus Antson
Silverspoon
The quality label of Estonian gastronomic excellence
The Silverspoon Awards Competition recognizes restaurants in various categories and aims to promote food culture in Estonia. Unlike many awards given by food industry professionals, Silverspoon evaluations are based on feedback from regular guests. This diversity of opinion makes Silverspoon unique.
2025 Silverspoon Award winners
- Fine dining: Ecrin
- Casual dining: Dominic
- National cuisine: Gobi
- Best service: Koyo
- Family restaurant: Georg Ots SPA Hotel Restaurant
- Italian Cuisine: Dominic
- Asian Cuisine: Koyo
- French Cuisine: Ecrin
- Best Chef: Alexey Aleksandrov (Ecrin)
- Sustainable and Long‑Term Quality Award: Rudolf
2025 Silverspoon restaurants
La Liste
La Liste is a restaurant guide created in France. The first rankings were published in 2015. It combines ratings from more than 700 food guides and reviews to calculate an overall rating for restaurants. The restaurants with the highest scores are included in the La Liste ranking.
There are two Estonian restaurants that made it to this list:
Photo author: Ken Mürk
The Falstaff Guide
Falstaff is a lifestyle publishing house founded in 1980 in Austria and is now based in Zurich. The publishing house does not follow the same path as other restaurant guides. In addition to professionals, it also involves members of the Falstaff Club. These people frequently visit restaurants and hotels due to their lifestyle. Restaurants are rated on a 100-point system, with a maximum of 50 points for food, 20 for service, 20 for drinks, and 10 for ambience.
In Estonia, over 150 restaurants have received Falstaff recognition. In addition, the guide published the first part of a street food restaurant guide, which recommends 22 of the best pizza restaurants in Estonia.
50 Top Pizzas in Europe
Pizza lovers will also be interested in the Italian ranking 50 Top Pizza list of the world's best pizza restaurants.
Two Estonian pizza restaurants landed on the 2025 European list:
- Margherita Pizzeria in Tallinn came in 42nd place.
- La Pizzeria di Orm Oja was recognized in the "Excellent Pizzeria" category.
Photo author: Karl Markus Antson
Top 500 Bars in the World
Inclusion in the list of the Top 500 Bars is based on criteria such as cocktail quality, bartender creativity, and atmosphere.
Estonia is represented on the 2024 list by Whisper Sister, coming in at #341. Whisper Sister is a sleek speakeasy in Tallinn known for its innovative cocktails, combining the classics with modern techniques and using local ingredients to give the drinks a regional touch.
Photo author: Näljane Nelik
A celebration of modern Estonian food culture
Maitsev Eesti (Tasty Estonia) is an annual food festival that has become one of the most important events for the Estonian food industry. The event combines presentations and tastings, special recognition for the Estonian food region of the year, competitions, and awards.
Organized by the Estonian Chefs Association and the Estonian Sommeliers Association, together with other industry representatives, Tasty Estonia introduces attendees to local raw materials, small producers, and members of the hospitality sector and draws attention to Estonia as a food tourism destination.
Photo author: Alina Birjuk
FAQ
What type of food is popular in Estonia?
The basic food items in Estonia include rye bread and potatoes, along with pork and dairy products. The presentation of traditional Estonian dishes has changed, although the basic ingredients remain the same.
What time do Estonians eat dinner?
Estonians usually eat their main meals in the evening, between 6 pm and 7 pm. Restaurants in Tallinn and Tartu keep their kitchens open throughout the entire evening.
Are dumplings considered part of Estonian cuisine?
Yes. Russian-style pelmeenid are widely eaten in Estonia, often served with sour cream. At the same time, modern Estonian cuisine highlights local fish, forest herbs, and seasonal reinterpretations of classics.
What are current European food trends?
Across Europe, chefs focus on seasonal, local, and simply prepared food with creative presentation. Estonia fits this trend with foraged herbs, fresh farm produce, and an increasing number of vegetarian and vegan options.
How is Nordic cuisine influencing Estonia?
The New Nordic culinary movement has created a significant impact on the food industry. Estonian chefs use pure flavors and basic presentation styles while emphasizing local ingredients in their culinary creations. The dining experience at Estonian restaurants often includes spruce tips, sea buckthorn, and forest berries, which connect the country to Nordic culinary traditions.
Are Estonian restaurants recognized internationally?
Yes. The Michelin Guide and the Falstaff Guide have included multiple Estonian restaurants in their listings. The inspectors recognize how chefs transform traditional Estonian ingredients like rye bread, herring, and wild mushrooms into sophisticated restaurant dishes. The Nordic food scene now includes Estonia, reflecting its culinary development.
Get inspired
Last updated
27.02.2026