Tartu might be a small city, but it has many hidden gems. In fact, I have had some of the best dishes of my life in Tartu. And trust me when I say I am not very easily pleased when it comes to food. So in this blog post, we will go on a tour around Tartu to uncover the best places to eat around the city and what I think is the highlight of the menu in each one.
Tartu has a wide variety of restaurants. From fast food to restaurants that are mentioned in the Michelin Guide, it has something to offer for every taste. While there are still many places in Tartu that I haven’t been to, I have tried to gather the ultimate eating-out guide for you. Trust me; you will need it. So let’s get started:
- Krempel
Krempel is the best breakfast place in town for those who are looking for authentic classics. It has very delicious pancakes and waffles with various toppings. But, What makes it special the most is its extremely cozy and warm ambiance.
My recommendation: Royal breakfast
- Kolm Tilli
Kolm Tilli is my go-to restaurant in Tartu and my absolute favorite. If you want to enjoy great pizza with a unique touch, then Kolm Tilli is the spot for you. Alongside amazing pizzas, they offer great ramen, lunch offers, and brunch.
NB! Make sure to stay tuned to their social media. They usually have stand-ups and live music on weekends.
My recommendation: Salami Pizza (Try it and thank me later!)
- München
To those of you who have been on the hunt for a good schnitzel in town, your mission has come to an end! Located in the heart of Tartu, München provides an authentic german experience and has the best schnitzel and mashed potatoes in town.
My recommendation: Schnitzel with mashed potatoes and mushroom sauce
- Kampus
There are times when you want to go out with a group of friends and each of you is craving something different, so you can’t always agree on where to go. Kampus is the ultimate solution for such occasions. It offers a very wide selection of choices, from burgers to poke bowls.
My recommendations: Uulits burger with coleslaw salad and the Chicken bowl
- La Dolce Vita
Have you been craving good pasta? Then drop everything and run to La Dolce Vita! With a very wide selection of different Italian dishes and being one of the oldest restaurants in Tartu, It truly has something for every taste. Whether you want pasta with seafood, meat, chicken, or vegetables, you can rely on La Dolce Vita.
My recommendation: Tagliatelle al Salmone
- VLND Burger
VLND provides one of the best burgers in entire Europe. I am not exaggerating! It holds the 5th place in the list of top 50 best burgers in Europe. There’s not much that can be said about a flawless burger. If you know, you know.
My recommendation: Cheeseburger + French fries
- Pussirohukelder (Gun powder cellar of Tartu)
The Gun Powder Cellar is a historic building that now functions as a pub. It is known for having the highest pub ceiling in the world! The pub also offers many cultural programs, most of which include live music. So make sure to keep an eye on their website. While I haven’t got the chance to check it out myself yet, I have heard many good things about the Seljanka there.
- Taiko Sushi
Last but not least, Sushi!
By now, I have tried all of the sushi places in town and it took me quite a while to find out about Taiko. However, since then, it has become my go-to place for good Sushi. It offers very fresh sushi and the best wasabi I have tried in Tartu so far.
Head isu!
(All Pictures sourced by the Author or the respective restaurants’ social media)
