Olde Hansa - Not to miss!
A restaurant not to miss in Tallinn is definitely Olde Hansa. It is a medieval restaurant located just behind the old Town Hall, so easy to find. If you notice a cart with some people dressed in a medieval style and selling glazed almonds, then the restaurant is as good as found. The almonds are delicious by the way…
The restaurant – well, it gets six out of five points in every category. The ambiance in the rooms is truly medieval: painted walls, high wooden ceilings, candle light (no electricity in medieval times!), rough clay tableware, an occasional dark monk walking across the room, waiters in delightful bright-coloured tights. If you happen to come with a bigger group for one of the feasts, you are kindly helped to wash your hands before starting the meal and given knives on the house, just in case you forgot yours at home. The service is good plus with an extra attitude and performance you will vividly remember.
The last but not least – the star is the food! Guaranteed out of this time, out of this world experience. Since the food offered is also prepared along medieval recipes, don’t expect to be served potatoes for example! When the food is brought to the table you are kindly explained everything what is on the plate. In this restaurant there is a great choice of meat, in addition to the usual beef, pork and salmon, you can find also wild deer, wild pig and even bear meat. Everything is delicious. If you have any room after the ample meal, try to still find place for the dessert. We have tried a few of them and everything was great.
Written by Ingrid on June 1, 2005
Filed under: Restaurants —
Totally agree on Old Hansa. I ate there during a recent trip to Tallinn and was awed by the experience. Top notch.
If you haven’t already, you might want to check out Kolme Naoga Mees, which is on Kuninga not far from Old Hansa. I was told it means “The Man with Three Faces” in Estonia.
It’s a nice place to have a glass of wine and a plate of cheese. I also tried some absinthe there. I really liked the atmosphere of the place, and the old ceramic (?) fireplace in the corner is very cool.
I’ve just come back from Tallinn, and would urge anyone going there to try out Old Hansa .. the food was superb, the ambience even better. One of the best restaurants I have been to.
I just dined at the Olde Hansa last night with colleagues of mine and this place was simply superb! The setting, decor and food was top notch and I am thinking about how to plan another visit to Tallinn just to visit this place once more.