TALLInn - In Your Pocket

44 CafÉs CafÉs 45
Fashionable
Tallinn's most en vogue cafés all offer full meals as well as the
satisfaction that you're with the 'in' crowd.
Bestseller C-4, Viru Väljak 4/6, 3rd floor of Viru Centre, tel.
(+372) 53 46 71 96, kohvik@relevante.ee. Pulling in a clientele
that's both intellectual and trendy (think blondes wearing glasses),
this café on the lower floor of the Viru Centre's Rahva Raamat book
store has become a popular gourmet lunch destination. It offers an
original selection of salads and light brasserie-style meals as well
as ciabatta sandwiches or bread to go. Surprisingly inexpensive
for this level of quality. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00. TULSW
Café More C-4, Viru väljak 4/6 (Viru Centre), tel. (+372)
661 91 33/(+372) 56 95 59 08, info@cafemore.ee, www.
cafemore.ee. Owned by one of Estonia's top cook-book authors,
this book store café offers some inspired light-bites, fresh
and tasty salads as well as some sinfully tempting desserts.
Grab a book or your laptop and settle in for a while. QOpen
09:00 - 21:00. (€7). TJ6ULSW
new
Kinokohvik Sinilind C-3, Müürivahe 50, tel. (+372) 58
38 36 25. Brought to you by the same folks over at 'Must
Puudel', and oddly enough decorated in largely the same way ie.
Soviet and Scandinavian retro chic - the 'Cinema Café Bluebird'
seemed to us to be pretty much just an extension of their other
locale, other than the fact that on Tuesday evenings they have
an Estonian cinema night. These nights usually highlight a few
films from a certain era in Estonian film history and are certainly
geared to cinemaphiles. NB! Kitchen should open sometime at
the end of October, until then you'll have to settle for pastries,
cakes and liquid refreshments. QOpen 09:00 - 02:00. J
Kohvik Spirit B-4, Mere pst. 6e, tel. (+372) 661 61 51,
info@kohvikspirit.ee, www.kohvikspirit.ee. Designers apparently
couldn't decide if they were making a sushi bar or a living
Gourmet shop cafés
These cafés not only serves gourmet food, but also sell
the ingredients to let budding chefs dabble at home.
Confiserie Friida C-2, Suur-Karja 2, tel. (+372) 661
94 99, friida@friida.eu, www.friida.eu. This tiny little
confiserie features a good selection of sweets, chocolates,
gourmet Italian coffees, fine wines and a few other delicacies
to savour. Stop by for an espresso or take some of their
other goodies to go. QOpen 09:30 - 14:30;15:00 - 18:30,
Sat, Sun 10:00 - 14:30;15:00 - 17:00. JS
Güllüoglu Café H-3, Rävala pst. 2, tel. (+372) 661
3047/(+372) 53 42 73 21, gulluoglu-eesti@hotmail.
com, www.gulluoglu.ee. Home to perhaps the best baklava
and Turkish coffee in the city, this hard-to-pronounce
café is actually part of a large, well-known chain from the
former Byzantine Empire. They not only provide sweet
temptations though, you’ll also be able to grab some excellent
savoury items such as sandwiches, croissants and
the like. QOpen 11:00 - 22:00. (€6). 6SW
Vertigo Gourmet C-3, Viru 17, kauplus@vertigogourmet.ee,
www.vertigogourmet.ee. A little pricey, but the
quality and originality of products offered here just might
tempt you into skipping out on the McDonalds Café across
the street. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00, Fri 09:00 - 21:00, Sat
10:00 - 21:00, Sun 11:00 - 19:00. JS
room, so this cushy café/restaurant ends up with a feel that's
both exclusive and comfy. A small selection of soups, mains and
pastas is available, but mostly it's sushi here, with combos from
€5.50-12. The food is tasty, the crowd is chic and the entrance
is in the back - it's always better through the back door isn't
it? QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Sun 13:00 - 22:00. (€11). 6SW
Must Puudel D-3, Müürivahe 20, tel. (+372) 505 62 58.
Not to be confused with 'Must Lammas' , on the parallel Sauna
street, the Black Poodle is a funky, retro eatery with a heavy
Soviet-living-room feel and a cosy hang-out kind of atmosphere.
The cuisine is kind of a blend between trendy and home-style, the
prices won't bankrupt you and there are even live entertainment
events held some weekends. QOpen 09:00 - 02:00, Mon, Tue,
Sun 09:00 - 23:00. (€5). JEW
Popular & Köök Boheem C-3, Vana-Viru 6, tel. (+372)
641 45 65. The former 'Popular Café och Pub' has been turned
into a sort of clone of their other two venues, both of which also
have the name 'Boheem' in their names. On the plus side, this
new incarnation (which used to be a haven for shisha pipe smokers
and just smokers in general) does have a kitchen serving
up decent, fresh-oriented cuisine. On the minus it's no longer a
haven for smokers, who very much relied on the welcome comfort
of a decent smoking lounge, especially come winter - which pretty
much starts in September and lasts until May here in Tallinn. On
weekend nights it turns into a loungy club of sorts, offering all
the latest beats from genres we haven't even heard of. QOpen
09:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 04:00. JXW
Wabadus D-2, Vabaduse väljak 10, tel. (+372) 53 70
19 03/(+372) 644 42 32, wabadus@wabadus.ee, www.
wabadus.ee. The newest incarnation of this eatery, formerly
known as Moskva and Kultus, just happens to hit the nail right
on the head - so to speak. From the clean interior design and
1930's inspired outfits to the delightfully prepared dishes and
the snappy service Wabadus will transport you back in time.
QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Mon 11:00 - 21:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 03:00.
Closed Sun. (€9.50). JEW
XX sajand C-2, Kullassepa 13, tel. (+372) 611 90 85,
kohvik@xxsajand.ee, www.xxsajand.ee. Located just across
from the Tourist Information Centre, this is a great little spot for
a light bite, a coffee, a dessert or a cocktail - '20th Century' is
both cosy and central. You can tell that the owners have put
their hearts into it and it's one place we will certainly visit again.
QOpen 10:00 - 22:00, Fri 10:00 - 02:00, Sat 11:00 - 02:00,
Sun 11:00 - 20:00. (€9.90). TJ6ESW
Bakeries
Loads of little bakeries and cafés around town churn
out tempting pastries and provide coffee and tables
to let you indulge on the spot. Here we have listed just
a few that specialise in baked goods.
Coco D-3, Estonia pst. 9 (Solaris Centre), tel. (+372)
672 27 22, info@cocopagar.ee, www.cocopagar.ee.
QOpen 09:00 - 22:00. JS
Elsebet in Peppersack C-2/3, Viru 2, tel. (+372)
646 69 95, peppersack@peppersack.ee, www.peppersack.ee.
QOpen 08:00 - 17:00. JS
Mademoiselle H-2, Paldiski mnt. 4 (Meriton Grand
Conference & Spa Hotel), tel. (+372) 628 81 55,
www.meritonhotels.com. QOpen 07:00 - 22:00.
JS
Stylish & Cosy
These classy establishments are best for long chats with
friends, romantic encounters and discussions about your
next novel.
Bogapott C-1, Pikk jalg 9, tel. (+372) 631 31 81, www.
bogapott.ee. Tucked into part of a medieval town wall on Toompea,
the family-run Bogapott is a cosy, otherworldly hideaway.
Fresh, flaky pastries and sandwiches are the speciality in this
combination café, art shop and ceramics studio. QOpen 10:00
- 19:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. JIW
Bonaparte B-3, Pikk 45, tel. (+372) 646 44 44, bonaparte@bonaparte.ee,
www.bonaparte.ee. Nestled in a beautiful,
17th-century building, Bonaparte certainly has a refined
atmosphere, but it's a casual and surprisingly affordable place
to sip earl grey and sample the buttery croissants and other
home-made pastries. Sit and watch the world go by, or check
out one of the revolving art exhibits. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00,
Mon, Tue 08:00 - 19:00, Sat 09:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00.
(€7). J6SW
Café Amore D-2, Harju 5, tel. (+372) 644 07 21, info@
cafeamore.ee. Because it's all about the love isn't it. This
quaint little café kind of bleeds romantic, from the ultra sinful
chocolate cakes and the rich coffees to the little cans of proseco
and gold framed everything, Amore really spreads the love. Quite
a nice view onto Niguliste church too. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00.
(€10). JS
C'est La Vie C-2, Suur-Karja 5, tel. (+372) 641 80 48,
info@cestlavie.ee, www.cestlavie.ee. This swanky establishment's
1930's style interior will have you dancing the Charleston.
The cuisine certainly has a French bent to it, and the romantic
ambience makes this a great choice for a date. QOpen 12:00
- 23:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 01:00. TJ6ESW
Enigma C-2, Kullassepa 11, tel. (+372) 55 67 15 98.
Enigma, truly is - an enigma. This tiny hole-in-the-wall, located
just steps from Town hall Square carries a smattering of pastries,
hot and cold drinks and is open between the hours of 10am
until 1am - as long as you call ahead to book a tea ceremony
or something... they also call themselves a vegetarian place,
whatever that means. Q J
Josephine C-3, Vene 16, tel. (+372) 641 82 91, pierre@
pierre.ee, www.pierre.ee. Brought to you by the same fine
chocolatiers as Pierre located in the courtyard just down the
street, the atmosphere at Josephine is quite a bit different a
little swankier, and oh man, you have got to try the handmade
chocolate. This is not a bad place to indulge your yourself in decadence.
QOpen 10:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 24:00. JSW
Kehrwieder Chocolaterie C-2, Saiakang 1
(Raekoja Plats), tel. (+372) 55 56 72 03, saiakang@
kohvik.ee, www.kohvik.ee. One of the best cafés in
town for ambience, Kehrweider is a snug warren of cavelike
stone rooms filled with quirky, old furniture. Excellent
gourmet coffees, handmade chocolates and the Town
Hall Square location are other plusses, but be warned
it can get crowded here. QOpen 08:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat
08:00 - 01:00. JSW
Kloostri Ait C-3, Vene 14, tel. (+372) 644 68 87, info@
kloostriait.ee, www.kloostriait.ee. A sad story. Renovation
has turned what was Tallinn's favourite artsy, medieval-style
beer hall into a tourist-oriented café, which unfortunately
lacks any of its former character. Look for simple, Estonian
and international dishes on the somewhat pricey menu.
Management has refused our repeated requests to update
our information, enter at your own risk. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00.
(€9.60). JUI
Kohvik Komeet D/E-3/4, Estonia pst. 9 (Solaris
Centre), tel. (+372) 614 00 90, info@kohvikkomeet.
ee, www.kohvikkomeet.ee. This gem of a café located
in the sparkling new Solaris centre has great views, fresh
foods and above all, killer desserts. Did we mention the
awesome desserts? Because if you come here you should
really try some of their excellent desserts. QOpen 10:00
- 23:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 24:00, Sun 10:00 - 21:00. (€7).
T6USW
Matilda C-2, Lühike jalg 4, tel. (+372) 681 65 90, info@
matilda.ee, www.matilda.ee. A seething den of flowers
and femininity, this cutesy little café was once home to the
medieval artist Michel Sittow and specialises in delicious
cakes, such as the Pavlova tort and Marnier biscuit roll, all
made right on the spot. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Sun 09:00 -
18:00. J6SW
Pierre Chocolaterie C-3, Vene 6 (in the Masters
Courtyard), tel. (+372) 641 80 61, pierre@pierre.ee,
www.pierre.ee. People squeeze into this quaint, frilly,
19th-century style café for two reasons: One is that it has
its own master Chocolatier who cooks up truffles from
scratch, and the other is the unbeatably cosy atmosphere.
Be warned that seats fill up fast and that during slow times
they occasionally close a little early. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00,
Fri, Sat 09:00 - 01:00. JSW
Reval Café Müürivahe D-2, Müürivahe 14, tel. (+372)
641 81 00, info@revalcafe.ee, www.revalcafe.ee. The
modish combination of jagged, medieval brick and cushy
furnishings could only work in a place like Tallinn. Fine for
intense philosophical debates or dessert. If debating has
gotten you truly hungry, check out the restaurant in the back.
QOpen , Mon, Tue 07:30 - 23:00, Wed, Thu 07:30 - 24:00,
Fri 07:30 - 02:00, Sat 08:30 - 02:00, Sun 08:30 - 23:00.
(€9.60). TJ6UILXSW
Till ja Kummel (Dill & Chamomile) C-2, Nunne 7,
tel. (+372) 670 10 77, kohvik@till-kummel.ee, www.
till-kummel.ee. Brits may find it offensive but pretty much
every, if not all, dishes served here contain the Estonian
mainstay - dill. Not that every dish consists heavily of dill,
but as their name suggests, the addition of the herb to every
dish kind of serves as a 'calling card' - so to speak. Every item
we had here was enjoyed quite thouroughly and the burger
certainly hit the mark - something we actually have a hard
time with here in Tallinn. Lovely little courtyard too, weather
permitting. QOpen 11:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 24:00.
Closed Sun. (€9). J
Tallinn In Your Pocket tallinn.inyourpocket.com tallinn.inyourpocket.com
October - November 2012