Mantel ja Korsten

The story

Mantel ja Korsten: A Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurant in Tallinn's Kadriorg

A red-roofed green house in Kadriorg

Tucked away on Poska Street in Tallinn's serene Kadriorg district, Mantel ja Korsten occupies a three-hundred-year-old green wooden house with a red roof. The name comes from the ornate mantel chimney that stands at the centre of the building – the only intact mantel chimney in the neighbourhood. Inside, the rooms are painted in bright colours, and some tables are tucked right into the chimney alcove, giving the space a cosy, distinctly personal feel.

Chef Jüri Vainküla and the kitchen

The kitchen is led by chef Jüri Vainküla, who presents Mediterranean-inspired contemporary cuisine in what the restaurant describes as "a simple Estonian way." The menu is built around fresh, local produce but draws on flavours from across the Mediterranean – from Italy to Spain. Starters such as stracciatella with tomato and basil, or truffle arancini with smoked duck, sit alongside main courses like salmon Wellington with roasted pepper sauce, Iberico secreto, and the restaurant's already-famous beef hanger steak. A 5-course tasting menu, created by chefs Jüri and Jürgen, offers a more adventurous tour of the kitchen's repertoire, combining à la carte favourites with new creations.

Drinks are chosen with the same care. Sommelier and owner Rain Veskimäe has built a wine list that champions small, sustainable producers – what the team calls "experience wines" rather than comfort wines. In-house infusions and cocktails also feature.

A Bib Gourmand with community roots

Mantel ja Korsten holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand, awarded for good quality, good value cooking. It was part of the first Michelin Guide Estonia selection in 2022 and has retained the recognition each year since. The restaurant's first ambition was to serve the local community – a place where neighbours could drop in after work or celebrate a weekend treat. That ethos remains: generous hospitality, carefully sourced ingredients, and a setting that feels both historic and welcoming.