Eating in Estonia is characterized by the fact that the local cuisine is very diverse and has been significantly influenced by the culinary traditions of Germany, Russia and Sweden.
Despite the fact that there are no Michelin-starred restaurants in the country, local food outlets are of a fairly high standard. This can be confirmed by the fact that Estonian chefs are regularly invited to take part in the prestigious International Culinary Competition - Bocuse d'Or.
Food in Estonia
The diet of Estonians consists of meat, fish, dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, homemade cheese, sour cream, yogurt), vegetables, legumes, cereals, soups.
Many Estonian dishes are cooked not in a steam bath, but in a liquid medium - in water, milk, kvass, milk-sour cream and milk-egg mixtures. As for fried foods, they are prepared on the basis of milk-flour and milk-sour cream mixtures.
In Estonia, zrazy is worth trying; caraway cheese; Estonian braised pork stew with barley and sauerkraut (mulgikapsas); pâté from wild boar, deer or bear meat; pork jelly (brawn); blood sausage (verivorst); smoked salmon (suitsulohe); a dish made from Baltic herring, bacon and cream (silgusoust); deep-fried pork chops; pork legs with peas; pickled herring; blueberry soup with dumplings; soup with beer.
And those with a sweet tooth will be able to enjoy chocolate with nuts, cakes, sweets with mint, coffee, nut and liqueur fillings.
Where to eat in Estonia? At your service:
- cafes and restaurants where you can taste local and other cuisines of the world (Indian, Chinese, Italian and even restaurants with medieval cuisine are open in the country);
- snack bars and outdoor grill stands where you can enjoy smoked salmon and juicy sausages;
- pizzerias and fast food restaurants.
Drinks in Estonia
Popular drinks of Estonians are tea, coffee, “Vanna Tallin” (rum-flavored liqueur), beer, hoogvein (warmed wine with spices).
Beer lovers should definitely try the local brands A. Le Cock and Saku. Beer, like other alcoholic drinks, can be ordered in cafes, bars and pubs.
Gastronomic tour to Estonia
If you wish, you can go to Estonia for the “Festival of Good Food” - you will visit a culinary fair (at the fair you can buy products that are not sold in supermarkets), food preparation competitions, fishing competitions.
Gourmets, regardless of their financial capabilities, will be able to easily come to Estonia to get acquainted with the local cuisine, and all thanks to the fact that a 4-5-course dinner in local establishments will cost them 2 times cheaper than in other EU countries.
