RØST Bakery & Café

RØST is located in the newly renovated area of Rotermann Quarter in the center of Tallinn. The cafe-bakery treats early-morning visitors to Scandinavian-style cinnamon and cardamom buns and the unbeatable aroma of freshly ground coffee. All of its coffee is made from beans sourced from the best roasters in Estonia and abroad.

Ristikheina Kohvik  represents local taste combined with high quality. The place was created as a neighborhood café by local residents and opened its doors in November 2014. Today you can enjoy their delicious cakes at two locations; in the original Pelgulinn café and in the renovated Balti Jaam Market. A third spot was opened in the centre of Tallinn (Tartu mnt 6) in the beginning of November.

Ristikheina Café in Pelgulinn, address: Ristiku 57

Komeet is located on the 4th floor of the Solaris center in the heart of Tallinn. The café offers delicious cakes, big enough to share with a friend, plus stunning views over Tallinn. Komeet is stylish and elegant, with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Everyone from babies (they have a separate infant menu) to grandparents are warmly welcomed to spend time and enjoy good food in Komeet. Locals love to stop by before and after going to the theatre, as the café is located close to the Estonian national ballet and opera house, two large concert halls, and the Estonian Drama Theatre.

Café Komeet, address: Estonia pst 9

Not only do the cakes taste sensational, they also look impressive. The geisha cake, chocolate meringue cake, pavlova, pistachio-strawberry cake, and vegan blueberry raw cake are just divine and simply melt in your mouth.

Vahvlihaldjad (meaning the ‘waffle fairies’) is a particularly special newcomer in the crowded field of cake cafés in Tallinn. Two young women, an old waffle machine, and a Facebook page were all it took to start a successful cake business in the beginning of 2016. First only available through online orders, Vahvlihaldjad now has its own shop in the Balti Jaam Market.

Vahvlihaldjad specializes in waffles. So far they have made and sold what is estimated to be more than 100,000 of them. What makes their waffles special? They use old-fashioned waffle machines, produced during Soviet times, the kind that Estonian grandmothers used to use and in some cases still do.

Inside their pink café and shop at Balti Jaam Market, you can find pretty waffles, pastel-colored meringues, cute and colourful macaroons, unicorn cookies, shiny cake pops and also flamingo, bunny, mermaid and unicorn cupcakes. Everything is very cute, with pink, pastel and rainbow colours that are especially appealing to children, millennials and Instagrammers. The older generation can find nostalgia in the “old-school” waffles, bringing back memories from childhood.

The most popular items at Vahvlihaldjad are the regular waffles, vanilla and berry-filled waffles, and meringues. A lot of the preparation is done by hand. Liisel’s mother usually makes the waffles, using several machines at a time. Vahvlihaldjad is a family business and behind the counter, you can usually meet Liisel’s mother and sister.

Rukis means ‘rye’, and is close to the hearts of Estonians. Estonian rye bread is something every Estonian starts to miss abroad. It is also something Rukis café and bakery is famous for. Besides excellent bread, Rukis also serves some of the best cakes in town.

Located in the Old Town on the main thoroughfare, Viru street, Rukis is a perfect spot to visit on your trip to Tallinn. Open the door and step inside, and you are greeted with friendly smiles and the lovely smell of fresh bread. Take a look at the back of the café, and you’ll see the ovens where the tasty bread is baked. But right at the entrance, you’ll find an astonishing selection of cakes and desserts.

This café is also a place in Tallinn where you’ll find the traditional sweet bun filled with whipped cream, a treat usually served only on Shrove Tuesday, and typically only available at that time! In Rukis, it’s an all-year-round treat, and so much the better for it. It is one of the café’s bestsellers along with raspberry-halva cake, and pavlova with berries. Other sweet favourites include chocolate-cherry cake and hazelnut cheesecake. A must try at Rukis is the poppyseed cake, loved by customers and staff!

Carmen Café was born out of the Carmen Catering business, and has gained huge fame among locals. The first café, opened in 2014, is located in the trendy Rotermann Quarter. It is a cosy place to start your day, enjoy an all-day breakfast, hang out, treat yourself with cake and coffee and slowly watch the world go by.

The cakes at Carmen Café are rich and tasty, but also very fairly priced, so treat yourself! The customers love the fresh pavlova meringue and the rich and milky biscuit cake with chocolate. The super-soft passion fruit cake and tastebud-tickling eclair with salted caramel are two of the many other recommended dishes.