Notes on Tallinn Café Tour

Introduction

• Tallinn, Estonia, has a vibrant and unique café scene.
• The tour involves visiting 10 different coffee shops loved by locals.
• A mix of retro cafés, working bakeries, and vegan-friendly places.

Café Stops

1. Maja Smok

• Oldest café in Tallinn, operational since 1864.
• Known for marzipan, a medieval dessert.
• Offers hand painting workshops for marzipan.
• Located in the Old Town near Town Hall Square.

2. Chocolat de Pierre

• Bohemian, Paris-inspired café in a beautiful courtyard.
• Motto: "We do not count calories. We simply enjoy life."
• Known for quick service and delicious, rich cakes.
• Popular for meetings with both locals and visitors.

3. Gallery Café

• Combines a café and art gallery experience.
• Features syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes), popular in Estonia.
• Highlights local art and has unique décor with mirrored ceilings.

4. La Boulangerie

• A French artisan bakery smelling of freshly baked bread.
• Offers classical French pastries and traditional espresso.
• Features a 50-year-old lever espresso machine from Naples.

5. Paris Patisserie and Restaurant

• Versatile venue with different roles throughout the day.
• Morning: bakery; Day: brunch spot; Evening: restaurant.
• Known for its interior design and elaborate desserts like blackcurrant eclair.

6. Caria Sassai Café

• Emphasis on high-quality local ingredients and fine dining approach to baking.
• Known for croissant dough-based pastries.
• Offers unique pastries like salty rosemary twist and apple with black pepper.

7. Café Fika

• Located in the trendy Telliskivi neighborhood.
• Specializes in third wave coffee experience.
• Offers a variety of Estonian crafted items in nearby shops.

8. Narva Café

• Retro café with 70 years of history.
• Maintains original décor and serves traditional pastries and simple meals.
• Known for its staple foods like sausage rolls and ham & cheese pastries.

9. Kringle Cafe

• Famous for vegan dishes such as potato pancakes with cashew cream.
• Popular for its bustling atmosphere and creative plating of dishes.

10. Eclair Factory Tallinn

• Specializes in a variety of eclairs with fresh and diverse flavors.
• Notable flavors include pistachio, lemon, salted caramel, and classic chocolate.

Conclusion

• The tour involved diverse experiences from traditional to modern, and vegan options.
• All cafes visited are linked in the description for further exploration.
• The presenter, Polly, enjoyed exploring Tallinn’s café culture and invites others to experience it as well.