(27 May 2026) – The Michelin Guide has published its restaurant ratings for Estonia for the fifth time. According to the company’s press release marking the guide’s publication, the inspectors once again spent a year travelling across the country to identify its best restaurants. Seven new restaurants have been rated for the first time. In total, the guide features 43 restaurants. One has been awarded two stars and one a single star. Nine restaurants have been awarded a Bib Gourmand, recognising them as offering excellent value for money.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, said: “We are delighted to welcome seven new restaurants to the Michelin Guide Estonia 2026 – two of which enter directly with our ‘Bib Gourmand’, which recognises their high-quality and affordable cuisine. The undisputed highlights of this year’s selection are FUME, Fotografiska and Vesta; all of which not only receive a ‘Bib Gourmand’ but are also recipients of a special award. Another outstanding restaurant is Põhjala Tap Room, which brings a very special touch to the city with its authentic Texas BBQ menu and a fantastic selection of IPAs and cask-aged Imperial Stouts.”

The stars

Two restaurants have been awarded stars. These restaurants offer outstanding cuisine. Five universal criteria form the basis for this: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavours, the mastery of preparation techniques, the chef’s personality – which is reflected in his cuisine – and, as an equally important criterion, consistency: both across the entire menu and over time.

The stylish restaurant“180° by Matthias Diether”in Tallinn continues to maintain its status as a two-star establishment. Named after the panoramic view of the harbour, it is situated in a breathtaking location in the beautifully revitalised Noblessner harbour district – just a stone’s throw from Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the inspectors’ favourite dishes this year were: eel, garnished with a tart cherry jelly, a rich liver parfait cream and an intensely reduced cherry sauce; pea mousse with octopus, kimchi parfait and a magnificent yuzu-lemongrass sauce; and finally, saddle of venison, served with beetroot prepared in various ways and a chestnut sauce. The impressive NOA Chef’s Hall in Tallinn – under the direction of head chef and owner Tõnis Siigur – retains its status as a one-star restaurant in the Guide. The evening begins with an aperitif in the romantic lounge overlooking Tallinn Bay; followed by creative cuisine with expressive flavours, where the chefs demonstrate great attention to detail and skilfully showcase the open fire. This year, the Michelin Guide inspectors were particularly impressed by the wine service: sommelier Aleksei Pogrebnoi presented well-considered wine pairings – informative yet entirely unpretentious.

Bib Gourmand

Named after the Michelin Man – whose official name is Bibendum – the ‘Bib Gourmand’ award recognises restaurants that offer high-quality cuisine at excellent value for money. For 2026, three restaurants in Tallinn have been newly awarded a Bib Gourmand. One of these has been promoted from the existing selection, whilst the other two are included in the Guide for the first time:

• FUME – the Siigur Group’s latest opening and a new entry in the Guide – is located in the bustling, newly developed Rotermann Quarter. The restaurant is spacious, bold and glamorous, featuring an open kitchen centred around a ‘Vulcano Gres’ grill; here, dancing flames not only add flavour to the Mediterranean-inspired dishes but also enhance the atmosphere.
• Fotografiska – a restaurant already awarded a Green Star – is situated on the roof of the eponymous photography gallery and offers a breathtaking view over the old town. Cocktails in the rooftop bar are followed by dishes that showcase organic ingredients in highly original ways – and all at a surprisingly good value for money, considering both the location and the establishment’s environmentally conscious philosophy.
• Vesta – also a new entry in the guide – brings a very special touch to the Estonian dining scene; even though the restaurant is situated just outside the city centre, the short journey there is well worth it. Founded by three friends, the restaurant is a lively, bustling place where all guests are out for a good time – the large, double-sided communal bar is the best spot here.

These newly awarded restaurants join six establishments that were already highlighted with a ‘Bib Gourmand’ last year and have all retained their awards:

• Fellin in Viljandi – a warm and welcoming café-bistro serving down-to-earth European dishes.
• Lore Bistroo in Tallinn – a modern bistro by the harbour, whose dishes are inspired by the owners’ travels.
• Mantel ja Korsten in Tallinn – housed in a picturesque wooden building and known for its Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
• NOA in Tallinn – with a seasonal, modern menu and views of the water.
• UMA in Tallinn – with a stunning terrace right by the harbour and a kitchen offering ‘unorthodox, modern Asian’ dishes.
• Tuljak in Tallinn – captivates with its retro look and creative dishes with a Baltic soul.

Green Star

Three restaurants are helping to define a new approach to gastronomy. Through their decisions, careful selection of produce, respect for seasonality and collaboration with producers, these restaurants offer an insight into a different style of cooking and gastronomic direction. They are receiving the Green Star for the last time. The Michelin Guide will discontinue this rating from 1 June 2026:

• Fotografiska in Tallinn
• Hiis in Manniva
• Kolm Sõsarat in Lüllemäe

Recommendations

Inclusion in the Michelin Guide’s list of recommendations is in itself considered a mark of quality. This year, the main selection comprises 32 restaurants – including five new entries, all of which are based in Tallinn – whose first-class cuisine has made a lasting impression on the inspectors.

• Cafe Tempo is located in a former car repair shop in the artsy ‘Telliskivi Creative City’ district. By day it serves as a bakery and café; by evening it transforms into a lively bistro where Mediterranean dishes take centre stage and the charcoal grill is the focal point.
• Põhjala Tap Room guarantees an entertaining evening. Set within a craft beer brewery, the venue is a bright, spacious space with an open kitchen and windows offering views of the brewery hall below. Here, guests can enjoy the authentic flavours of Texas BBQ alongside a fantastic selection of draught beers – including Põhjala’s IPAs and cask-aged Imperial Stouts.
• Restoran O2 is housed in a modern new building on the edge of the Old Town and boasts a dark, atmospheric interior. The bold cuisine combines Estonian and Nordic flavours – occasionally complemented by an Asian touch – and for those who wish to watch the action up close, a curved chef’s table is available.
  Riva’s motto is: “Where the southern sea meets the northern coast” – and this is precisely what is reflected on the plate: first-class regional produce from land and sea unfolds a vibrant Mediterranean variety of colours and flavours here. The ambience also captivates with its bright, glamorous style, whilst the friendly team ensures a particularly warm atmosphere.
• Sadu is a lively eatery, nestled amongst a cluster of small shops in a revitalised neighbourhood on the outskirts of the city. Under the direction of the half-Estonian, half-Korean head chef and owner Kristjan Jekimov, the restaurant offers a compact menu. This features an appealing blend of classic and highly personal recipes, significantly influenced by the fusion of his two cultural roots.

Special Awards

The special awards are presented to outstanding individuals who, thanks to their boundless passion and remarkable skill, make a restaurant experience unforgettable.

• Young Chef Award – Gerli Travkin from Fotografiska in Tallinn: Gerli Travkin took over as head chef at Fotografiska in April 2025 and has been putting her own personal stamp on the restaurant ever since. True to the restaurant’s ethos – a more mindful approach to cooking – she focuses on bringing out the natural flavours and textures of locally sourced produce on the plate. Under her leadership, Fotografiska was also awarded a ‘Bib Gourmand’ this year for its cuisine offering excellent value for money.
• Service Award – Karl-Friedrich Kuusk from Vesta in Tallinn; Vesta’s charming, young service team is led by restaurant manager Karl-Friedrich Kuusk. They welcome guests with a calm, confident demeanour and ensure that everyone feels well looked after. Whether explaining the dishes or recommending wines – they take the time to attend to guests attentively; their enthusiasm is palpable.
• Sommelier Award – Aleksei Pogrebnoi from NOA Chef’s Hall in Tallinn: A good sommelier is able to elevate not only the food but the entire culinary experience to a higher level – and this is precisely the case with Aleksei Pogrebnoi, who leaves a lasting impression on his guests. His wine pairings are not only well thought-out, but he also conveys his expertise in a manner that is as informal as it is relaxed, immediately giving every guest a sense of ease and well-being.
• Opening of the Year Award – Heinrich Liis from FUME in Tallinn: FUME is an exciting addition to Tallinn’s dining scene: a spacious ‘Brasserie Deluxe’ characterised by a bright, bold and glamorous aesthetic. The kitchen team offers an attractive selection of dishes, with the ‘Vulcano Gres Grill’ taking centre stage. The restaurant enjoys great popularity – yet the service team always ensures that everything runs smoothly and perfectly.