3 Of The Best Cafes In Tallinn Estonia

Visitors rejoice! There are plenty of coffee shops in Tallinn which is perfect because as we all know, sightseeing can be tiring. Although I like to pack my itinerary full of things to see and do, I always include time to take a break (or 3!) and enjoy the local coffee and, more often than not, cake!

I have visited Tallinn before but for my most recent trip I spent 2 days in Tallinn in December so I could not only see the city again but visit its Christmas market. During this visit I did what I usually do and ate most of my meals at the market itself rather than in cafes and restaurants. My coffee drinking, cake eating and people watching however…well they were done from 3 of the best cafes in Tallinn! It is also cold in Tallinn in December, so these cafes became havens of warmth as I explored the city.

If you are planning a short trip to Tallinn, then this is for you! I expect that you will spend much of your time in Tallinn’s Old Town and that is where you will find these cafes. There are however cafes across the wider city so no one will go thirsty or hungry!

3 of the Best Cafes in Tallinn

These are the 3 cafes in Tallinn that I visited and I recommend including them in your Tallinn itinerary:

1. Café Maiasmokk

Address: Pikk tn 16, 10123 Tallinn

Café Maiasmokk dates from 1864 and is one of the oldest cafes in Tallinn. The ground floor part of the café has remained almost unchanged apparently for over 100 years, however the current name was not adopted until 1984.

You’ll find Café Maiasmokk a short walk from Town Hall Square in the heart of Tallinn Old Town. Inside, there’s a definite old world charm with dark tables, chairs furnished with deep red upholstery, a cream colour floor patterned with black diamonds, wood panelled walls and decorative ceilings complimenting the overall look.

In addition to serving hot drinks and food, you can also watch marzipan being decorated. Marzipan is made from almonds and powered sugar and is one of the oldest sweets made in Estonia. The sweets are hand painted and available to buy in Café Maiasmokk.

I admit that I stopped by a couple of times! On my first visit I had hot chocolate and on my second visit I had another hot chocolate (I was in Tallinn in December so it was chilly!) and a slice of salted caramel cake. I recommend both!

2. Pulla Bakery

Address: Voorimehe 7, 10146 Tallinn

Pulla Bakery is tucked away down a little narrow street also in the Old Town. The bakery is best known for its various freshly baked pastry buns and I can assure you that the cardamom one I had was really good!

I arrived at Pulla Bakery at around 4pm but they only had a few buns left. I would recommend visiting earlier in the day however if you don’t want to risk missing out. The cappuccino I had was also very good.

The bakery has plenty of seating and was a perfect, warm place for me to spend some time relaxing before heading back out to visit the Christmas market.

3. Pierre Chocolaterie

Address: Vene tn 6, 10123 Tallinn

If you like hot chocolate then you must visit Pierre Chocolaterie! Located in a courtyard in the Old Town, the café has a vintage feel to it (it dates from 1937) with its red velvet upholstery, subdued lighting and eclectic memorabilia (I sat next to a military uniform on a hanger!). There is also plenty of outdoor seating.

I only ordered a hot chocolate with marshmallows but it was next level! Think rich and decadent! I understand that truffles are one of its main products. I didn’t try any but if you do, let me know what they’re like!

Final Thoughts

Tallinn is a great destination for a city break and with much to see and do you will also want somewhere to take a break. Café Maiasmokk, Pulla Bakery and Pierre Chocolaterie are each a perfect place to relax.

They offer a mix of history, modernity and old time charm and each, in their own way, enhances your visit to this historic city. This, combined with the range of food and drinks they offer, make them 3 of the best cafes in Tallinn. I highly recommend including a visit to them in your Tallinn itinerary.

And speaking of your Tallinn itinerary…do read my post 10 of the Best Things to Do in Tallinn Estonia for help in planning yours and check my Resources page if you need any practical help in planning your visit.

Finally, if you are planning to visit Tallinn as part of a larger trip to the Baltic States, then do check out my Riga and Vilnius posts.

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.