Best places to eat with children

Eating out with children can either be stressful or fun. It depends on where you go. Luckily, it's easy to find kid-friendly restaurants in Estonia.

You don't have to sacrifice food quality with kids in tow.

Some of Estonia's family-friendly restaurants have also been featured in the MICHELIN Guide and the White Guide Nordic, two prestigious restaurant guides.

Many restaurants offer high chairs, play corners, and children's menus. Plus, typical Estonian food focuses on local ingredients, simple flavors, and straightforward preparations —perfect for tiny taste buds!

family eating at cafe Must Puudel in Tallinn

Source: Rasmus Jurkatam, Visit Tallinn

The Estonian Association of Families with Children makes a list every year of Estonia's most family-friendly restaurants.

Family-friendly restaurants in Tallinn

In the trendy Noblessner district, you'll find Lore Bistro, one of the restaurants recommended in the Estonian MICHELIN Guide. They have a children's menu and a great toy shelf. The kitchen also makes puree for the smallest ones in the family. In the city center, try Sunday brunches at City Grill House — they have LED drawing boards for children.

Close to the ferry terminals, you'll find two good family spots. Restaurant Nero has its own menu and pictures for children to color. On Sundays, they offer family brunches where you can get ice cream, pancakes, and mocktails for kids, cartoons, and more. Ristorante Flavore in the Tallink Express Hotel is a casual restaurant with a calm atmosphere, kid-friendly animal-shaped pizzas, and delicious desserts.

If you're in the Kadriorg area, perhaps after a visit to Miiamilla Children's Museum, grab a bite at local favorite NOP. The shady outdoor terrace is a relaxing spot in the summer, and the little store has delicious local and/or organic foods to take away.

Viimsi

Viimsi is a great place to spend a day with kids, and it's only about 20 minutes from central Tallinn. Learn more about history at the Viimsi Open Air Museum. Next door, you'll find Paat, a family-friendly seaside restaurant that looks like an upside-down boat and has outdoor and indoor play areas.

For nature lovers, hike through the forest on the Tädu Nature Trail, then head to the sea, where you can dine at OKO on the sandy Haabneeme Beach.

North Estonia and Narva

Rakvere is a great family destination. After a day exploring Rakvere Castle, you'll be hungry! In the city proper, you can find two family-friendly eateries: BabyBack Ribs & BBQ at Põhjakeskus and Rohuaia Café.

For a seaside dinner, drive east to Tulivee Beach Restaurant or Toila Mereresto Restaurant. Both have play areas and menus with mouthwatering options for children and adults!

On your way to the water park in Narva-Jõesuu? Stop to explore Narva first. After a stroll along the promenade or a visit to Narva Castle, you can eat at Cafe Valge kõrvits (The White Pumpkin).

Where to stop on the road from Tallinn to Tartu

Tikupoiss is not your average gas station restaurant, so plan a longer stop to sit down and enjoy the food. Try their mulgi puder, a traditional dish from Mulgimaa that has made it onto the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, while the kids play in the indoor play area or the sandbox on the terrace.

Source: Kairi Tähe

Little girl eating kohuke cheesecake snack in Estonia

Source: Mariann Liimal

Grab a sweet treat from a local grocery store!

Try kohuke, a cheesecake bite made from kohupiim and covered in chocolate.

Where to eat with kids in Tartu and South Estonia

In Tartu, Café Spargel and Restaurant Aparaat are praised for their large play corners. Both offer menus that really appeal to kids. Outside of Tartu, head to the Local Heritage Cafe of Juulamõis. This unique eatery lets you try the real flavors of nature, such as fir shoots, berries, and birch sap, and it welcomes families with open arms.

Viljandi is where to go for a restaurant that is both family-friendly and MICHELIN-recommended: Fellin. On the other side of Lake Võrtsjärv (Estonia's largest inland body of water), Ugandi Resto awaits in lovely Otepää.

Culture lovers will want to take their little ones to Seto Tsäimaja in Setomaa. This restaurant is part of the Värska Farm Museum, making it a perfect stop for those wanting to experience true Seto culture.

Family dining on Saaremaa

Georg Ots Spa Hotel Restaurant on Saaremaa was recognized for the fourth year in a row — it is an absolute family favorite. Särg is sure to please adults and children alike. It earned a spot in the White Guide Nordic for its seasonal menu, and kids will love the outdoor playground.

It's not often you find a lounge with a kid's playroom, but that's exactly what you'll find at Chameleon Café in Kuressaare's city center. For a quick kid-friendly snack, the pastries at Meierei Kohvik are considered some of the island's best.

Little boy eating dessert at a restaurant in Estonia

Source: Mariann Liimal

Top picks for a family night out in Pärnu

Need to stop before getting to the hotel? Then, definitely check out Alexela Täkupoiss. Like its sister restaurant, Tikupoiss, on the road between Tallinn and Tartu, Täkupoiss has exceptional food for a roadside eatery.

Once in the city, families with children will want to make a beeline for the Hestia Strand Hotel. The location means you can enjoy the kiddie pool, sauna center, and great meal, all under the same roof. Rannahotell Restaurant, in the historic beachfront Rannahotell, has a bit of glamor for the adults while also catering to the tastes of even the smallest diners.

For a sweet treat that you can grab and go, head to one of the best bakeries in town, Leivakas. Kids and adults will swoon at the smell of cinnamon buns!