Delightful dining along the Baltic Coast

It's not hard to find gourmet chefs serving up local seafood when you visit Estonia's quaint fishing villages and seaside towns. To keep up with visiting MICHELIN Guide inspectors, these restaurants show off the best they have to offer, blending New Nordic cuisine with seasonal Estonian ingredients.

With its 3,800 km coastline, Estonia is practically an island itself. Well, an island of islands, as the Estonian landmass is distributed between the mainland and over 2,000 islands. Seaside dining is especially delightful during the summer, but Estonia's long coastline attracts visitors throughout the year.

If fish is your dish, head for the seaside and islands, where you'll find a range of salted fish such as Baltic herring, bream, and perch, as well as all manner of smoked fish, including the local favorite—flounder. Smoked fish is often served on its own and involves a sort of ritual of handpicking juicy pieces—it's fair to say that the dish might require some commitment, but the salty, tender, but tasty meat is definitely worth the effort.

Here is a list of the best coastal restaurants to consider. The journey starts at Estonia's northeast coast and slowly takes you counterclockwise along the Gulf of Finland and then to the Baltic Sea. Along the way, you'll stop at various islands in the West.

Feel free to check the map for reference as you learn about Estonia's food by the coast.

Northeast Estonia

Starting things in the country's Northeast, visitors can enjoy the view of the Gulf of Finland from Liimala, Toila, Narva-Jõesuu, and more.

With its unique architecture, the beach restaurant Tulivee was opened in June 2017 at Liimala Beach near Purtse Marina. Beautiful views of the sea can be enjoyed from the terrace and the large windows. Tulivee's dishes are made from local and seasonal ingredients and offer something special as they combine local fish food traditions and Slavic nuances. During the prohibition period, forbidden spirits were transported from here to Finland. The custom-made roof of the restaurant resembles waves and is architecturally spectacular to look at.

The Romantic Garden Restaurant offers a romantic glimpse into the beauty of Narva-Jõesuu with a view of the surroundings and the perfect vantage point to watch the sunset on the sea. The menu includes dishes from the local cuisine and food from neighboring Scandinavia and East Europe to make something totally different yet delicious.

Restaurant Meretare on  Narva-Jõesuu beach offers guests a magnificent panoramic view of the Gulf of Finland. Come to enjoy a calming view of the sea and stunningly beautiful sunsets, all accompanied by delicious European cuisine.

Restaurants in Harju County

Continuing west, visitors arrive in Harju County and Estonia's capital, Tallinn. Here, you'll find plenty of style, seafood, and culinary fusion.

The Kalev Yacht Club Restaurant is located in Tallinn, next to one of the most famous harbors in Estonia. The restaurant offers a special ambiance and a fun service culture. It's open year-round, but you can enjoy the beautiful view from the large outdoor terrace in the summer.

About an hour by car from Tallinn, you'll find the outstanding restaurant Mere 38 located by the coast in Vosu. This restaurant has been listed by both White Guide Nordic and the MICHELIN Guide. Stop by after exploring Lahemaa National Park.

Located on beautiful Haabneeme beach, Restaurant OKO focuses on slow fast food. It is perfect for sharing an Italian Romano pizza made in a wood-fired oven with family and friends.

The beach restaurant Valkla Rand has a cozy spacious Scandinavian design and a summer terrace with a gorgeous sea view. The menu includes fresh and local ingredients and pastries cooked in-house. Not too far from Valkla Rand, you'll find Kabe Beach, with tables right by the pier of the Kaberneeme Marina. Enjoy the view overlooking Kolga Bay only a short 30-minute drive from Tallinn!

Dishes at NOA are made with seasonal and fresh ingredients, and we focus on making them look impressive. In fact, it's the only restaurant in Tallinn that has an aquarium for their own seafood, so you know that it's truly fresh. Come sit by the sea on the inviting terrace and enjoy the sunset and the wonderful view of the Tallinn skyline.

Restaurant 180° was created by German chef Matthias Diether based on his fine dining principles. In 2023, it became the first restaurant in Estonia to receive two MICHELIN Stars. Located in the historic Noblessner harbor, Restaurant 180° boasts a wonderful view of the sea, an open kitchen, and an elegant menu. It's an aesthetic pleasure in addition to an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Individual tables can choose between 4–6-course menus. So get ready for an unforgettable multi-course meal and see how the chefs prepare the food up close.

After a 50-year break, Restaurant Tuljak offers visitors something different in a Soviet-era building that has been extensively renovated into something stylish and special. The menu includes Baltic herring in tomato sauce and cognac-flavored cakes crafted by experienced chefs.

Northwest Estonia

Journey past Harju county and into towns like Haapsalu for quality seafood and an inviting atmosphere.

Dirhami Fish Cafe can be summarized with the words 'good tastes by the sea'. It is definitely for people who love seafood, as the menu focuses on local fish. Even though the cafe is located somewhere more remote, the journey there is completely worth it as it is located on the beach, overlooking Osmussaar and the wonderful sunset.

Grand Holm Marina Restaurant, located in a harbor of the same name, is among the best places to eat in Haapsalu. The menu always features delicious local fish. Paap Pihelgas, the barista of the restaurant, is one of the best baristas in Estonia, making cocktails from homemade ingredients and serving the best coffee! Only open until September.

Haapsalu Kuursaal is a summer restaurant (open until 1 Sept) that is truly one-of-a-kind in Estonia. The restaurant has been preserved in its original form from the 19th century. The menu includes something for all visitors with delicious pastries, seafood, and local cuisine.

The pleasant and cozy atmosphere of Blu Holm Restaurant is located in the Hestia Hotel Haapsalu Spa. With good music, sunset views, and unique tastes, you have to experience the place for yourself.

The Wiigi Café (named after the surrounding area of Väike Viik) provides a wide selection of dishes from appetizers to desserts. While the food entices you to enter, the cozy terrace in the café invites you to stay and relax while offering a wonderful sea view.

Eating on Estonia's Islands

Travel from Estonia's western coast to the islands and experience tasty fish, stunning views, and cozy settings.

Saaremaa

The small and cozy Restaurant Hafen is located in the Kuressaare City Harbour and welcomes young and old guests from land and sea. The restaurant offers dishes made from local products influenced by the world's cuisines. The lovely view of the sea is calming and adds to your meal.

With the most beautiful sea view of Kuressaare, the WOW Cafe in the WOW Experience Centers offers not only delicious food but also a truly inspiring, interactive environment.

Also, on Saaremaa, you'll find restaurant Särg offering Nordic-style fare. Since it's located next to the Nasva River, come here for a meal and enjoy a scenic view while enjoying the atmosphere of a fishing village.

Located at Roomassaare Port, Roomassaare Cafe offers delicious fish dishes and a beautiful sea view of yachts at the pier from almost every window. From the cafe terrace, you can wave to passengers on ships leaving for Abruka and Ruhnu.

Muhu

Located on Muhu Island, Luscher & Matiesen Muhu Winehouse offers guests local food and wine from the Nordics. At "the world's most northern wine tourism farm," you can partake in wine tastings accompanied by dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant is only open during the summer, though they do take group bookings by prior reservation during the off-season.

Find year-round gourmet dining at Restaurant Alexander, located in the heart of Pädaste Manor. The team at Alexander offers Nordic Island cuisine inspired by the cooking traditions of Muhu and the surrounding coastal areas. Known for its dedication to local ingredients and seasonal dishes, this restaurant has been recognized by White Guide Nordic as one of the top five restaurants in Estonia.

Hiiumaa

Restaurant Ungru is a seaside restaurant that earned a mention in the White Guide Nordic. Located on the northern shore of Hiiumaa, the coastal atmosphere complements the combination of Hiiumaa's traditional ingredients and modern cooking techniques.

Hiiumaa attracts sailors, so it's no surprise you'll find more seaside dining at three of the island's notable harbors: Kalana ÄÄR (Hiiumaa's second White Guide Nordic mention) at the Kalana Yacht Harbour, champagne bar and restaurant KORK in Kärdla Harbour, and iiUmekk with its gorgeous view of Orjaku Harbour. 

Eating in Pärnu County

Head back to the mainland and into Estonia's summer capital, Pärnu, and enjoy breathtaking seascapes and unique seafood dishes.

The cuisine at Restaurant Raimond is inspired by clean Nordic flavors. Each dish is prepared with local produce, most of which has been grown in the surrounding area. The restaurant is located in the historic Pärnu Mud Baths building at Pärnu Beach, offering visitors a piece of history with their meal.

Come to the edge of a sandy beach and a pine forest and enjoy Restaurant Eagle. With breathtaking views of the sea and the golf course, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the sunny flavors of European cuisine with dishes made with local ingredients and seafood.

Pärnu Yacht Club Restaurant is a unique restaurant that gives you a river view. Step in and enjoy the excellent wine, delicious food, great music, and ambiance in Pärnu.

Come to Tervise Paradiis Spa and pamper yourself at Purpur — sip quality wines, sample well-prepared dishes, and sit back and enjoy the wonderful view of Pärnu's sandy beach.