Estonian Food in Tallinn: Food Tour, Cooking Class or Medieval Dinner?
4 min read
Take a food tour if you want to taste a lot in a short time, a cooking class if you want to learn how it is made and sit down to a full meal, and the medieval dinner if you want theatre with your food. All three run in or around the Old Town, and they answer different questions.
The food tours
The Estonian food, drinks and history tour lasts two hours and costs €68, with 423 reviews. Its description promises the history of the city and an impression of the country through its food. Check the booking page for the route and for what is included.
The food and history walk with around six tastings lasts three hours and costs €119. It starts at Suur-Karja 17 in the Old Town, passes the Balti Jaama Turg market and Kalamaja, and finishes at Telliskivi Creative City. Depending on the season it can include black rye bread, sprat sandwiches, soup or broth and sweets, with drinks such as kali, kama, juices, coffee, craft beer or berry wines. The guide speaks English, and the exact stops vary with the season. Allergies and dietary restrictions should be reported in advance; the page says not every requirement can be guaranteed at every stop.
The cooking class
The Estonian cooking class costs €75 for three hours, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 100 reviews. Groups are up to eight, the instructor speaks English, and you cook a three-course meal of traditional dishes from scratch, then eat it together. The page lists a three-course lunch, water, coffee or tea and one local drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, as part of the booking; any extra drinks cost more. It lists vegans and people with gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance or nut allergies as not suitable, and other dietary requirements must be sent in advance.
The medieval dinner
The guided tour with a medieval dinner and show costs €94. It combines a one-hour guided walk with a medieval-style lunch or dinner in a tavern with wooden tables, torchlight and costumed staff. Live entertainment, such as medieval music and sword fighting, is only included if you book the dinner slot. One soft drink and water are listed.
| Option | Length | Format | Dietary note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food, drinks and history tour | 2 hours | Walking tour | See booking page |
| Food and history walk | 3 hours | Walk with about 6 tastings | Report in advance, not guaranteed at every stop |
| Cooking class | 3 hours | Hands-on, up to 8 people | Not for vegans, gluten or lactose intolerance, nut allergies |
| Medieval dinner | Walk plus meal | Tavern with live show at dinner | See booking page |
Which one for whom
A tasting walk is the easiest way to sample black rye bread and sprat sandwiches without committing to a restaurant. A cooking class gives you a recipe and a proper sit-down meal. The medieval dinner is a themed evening, not a regional food survey. If you are already planning an Old Town walk, a food tour can replace it instead of adding another walk.
Our recommendation
For most first-time visitors, choose the cooking class if you eat everything and like hands-on activities: it is the option where the meal and the explanation are both clearly described on the page. For a lighter outing, the food and history walk covers more of the city. Compare more on the Estonian food tours page.
