Rataskaevu 16, Tallinn’s Most Popular Restaurant
One of the best parts about traveling is the planning process. There are endless possibilities, the excitement of counting down, and the to-do dream list. On my must eat list was Rataskaevu 16 Restoran located in Tallinn, Estonia. I’ve read countless blogs while preparing myself for Tallinn and in every single list, it included Rataskaevu 16. It was a no-brainer. Rataskaevu 16 is where it’s at.
Table of Contents
Location:
Rataskaevu 16 Restoran is named after the location of it’s shop. I think it’s cleaver since you know exactly where the restaurant is located.
Reservations:
Rataskaevu 16 Restoran is one of my most popular resturant in Tallinn. It is highly recommended to make reservations. I was very lucky to be able to be accommodated without a reservation. Don’t gamble on it. I was travelling alone and I think the host felt sorry for me. I had a 2 hour time limit and during those 2 hours, I’ve seen everybody get turned away except for 2 parties of 2 who were accommodated towards the end of my meal. It was December 30th and they were completely booked until January 2nd! Plan accordingly!
** There is no time limit if you made reservations.
Welcome In:
The restaurant was pretty small considering their caliber. When you arrive at Rataskaevu 16 Restoran, you go through the double doors, up the small stairs and are greeted by your hosts. Those hosts are also your servers! Multitasking!
The kind host, and my server directed me to my table, just adjacent from the hosts desk. There were hangers on the wall above my seat to hang my coat and scarf. There are coat hangers everywhere in Tallinn.
What to Eat:
Everything on the menu sounded insanely delectable. I ordered a bit of everything to understand what Rataskaevu 16 was all about.
Red Wine: Pinot Noir IGT (5€) – I started my afternoon with a glass of their Pinot Noir. My server pour a sample of the wine in my glass for taste. I know nothing about red wine so I agreed to keep my choice. My server delivered a batch of the famous complimentary rye bread. The bread melts in your mouth. It was so moist! The bread is made with secret ingredients that even the server doesn’t know! The bread alone set the tone of the restaurant very high.
The chef sent a little teaser before my meal came out. Can you say yum!
Creamy Squash Soup (5,90€) – I never had squash soup before but after today, I would order it again. The moment the server delivered my soup, I scarfed it down. My server return in minutes and asked if I was hungry. Yes. I am!
Braised Elk Roast (19,80€) – The most expensive item on the menu is the braised elk roast. Let me tell you that it was worth every cent. The meal is made with cauliflower cream, parsnip, carrot, blackcurrant sauce.
Bread Pudding (4,90€) – No meal is complete without dessert. I’ve been going through a huge bread pudding phase and this did not disappoint. It is made with raspberry parfait and caramel sauce.
Service:
Service was perhaps the best I ever had. My server was very attentive even though he was working the front desk, serving other tables, and delivering food. I wish I knew his name but it’s not a name I hear everyday. I told my server that he was the sweetest server I ever had and he left me a kind note before I departed.
My experience at Rataskaevu 16 was top notch. No other restaurant compares to this place. Thank you for the memories and for filling my appetite Rataskaevu. I’ll be back, with a reservation!