What to buy from Tallinn? – Best local Estonian products
Who wouldn’t want to bring back a souvenir from their trip to Tallinn? The best gifts are those you can eat and wear or those that simply brighten up your day. They should also definitely be produced in Estonia. We have put together a short list of souvenirs to assist you in making the perfect choice.
Food
There is nothing more Estonian than black bread. It’s nutritious, healthy and a vital component of Estonian daily cuisine, which is why you can easily find it in any grocery store. In addition to traditional bread, numerous producers also bake bread according to their own personalised recipes.
The ideal topping for bread (or for just for snacking on its own) is cheese. Estonian cheese stalls offer a delightful selection of cheeses. We recommend trying juniper cheese, smoked with juniper chips.
Meat enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate wild game, should keep an eye out for deer and elk sausages as well as canned bear meat.
One of the most distinctive Estonian foods is traditional kama, a thick flour made from rye, barley, wheat and peas. Nowadays, kama is commonly enjoyed with soured milk, kefir or yoghurt, making it an excellent addition to your breakfast.
Every country has its candy manufacturers, and in Estonia, that’s Kalev. You can purchase chocolate, candy, marzipan and biscuits from Kalev stores as well as any grocery store. Kalev also produces a bar of chocolate that is made with kama! It’s called the Kamatahvel.
If you’re looking for a souvenir to invigorate your immune system, you have to check out Estonian honey and buckthorn products. Buckthorn is sold in various forms, such as flour, juices or liqueurs.
The most popular Estonian alcoholic souvenir is the traditional Vana Tallinn liqueur. Small breweries produce their own fascinating craft beers and lemonades, making them a great choice to take back home.
Clothes and design
Simple, elegant and usually sustainably produced Estonian design has become a growing trend in the last decade. Items from the reuse and upcycling visionary Reet Aus, as well as Stella Soomlais, who is known for her leather bags, are popular among stylish shoppers. Cosmetic products fit neatly into a bag produced by Nulku. To complete a nice outfit, graphic earrings by designers like Tanel Veenre or Lisa Kroeber are the perfect choice.
A notable good choice is socks or stockings produced in Estonia by Suva (the name derives from the Estonian word for “sock factory”, sukavabrik), offering both bright colours and exciting patterns. People who enjoy casual clothes will find something to their liking from Marat. They offer clothes that are both comfortable and often have a retro feel.
For enthusiasts of ethnic styles, many shops offer products inspired by folk clothing. Traditional patterns and skirt stripes are used to decorate a variety of products, from woollen socks and sweaters to keychains and bags.
Do not forget to use our best friends during the dark season – the reflectors! Wearing a reflector is mandatory in Estonia, which is why there is a wide and stylish selection of reflectors available in stores. Estonian design reflectors can be either fastened to the inside of your pocket, so that they can easily be taken out during the dark, or proudly displayed on your bag or coat.
Home and cosmetics
Linen textiles are always both stylish and practical. Linen shirts, pants and dresses are suitable for both everyday wear and on Sundays or holidays. Linen products can also make your home kitchen more cheerful. Stores here offer linen towels, tablecloths and oven mitts.
Other useful items produced in Estonia for the home include spatulas, cutting boards and pan and glass trivets made of juniper wood.
Exploring cosmetics products made in Estonia is also worth considering. For instance, you can find natural Puhas Loodus creams, shampoos and shower gels in grocery stores of all sizes.
It is also worth paying attention to the cosmetics sections in supermarkets and shopping malls, as you can find a variety of Estonian products on their shelves, ranging from face and body care items to makeup. Exciting products are offered by cosmetics companies like Bon Merité, Joik, Nurme and Tilk, to name a few.
Good to know
Most stores in Tallinn, including smaller ones, are open every day. Nonetheless, a wise shopper should check the opening hours on the store’s webpage beforehand.
Estonia uses euros as currency. Most places offer contactless, credit card and mobile payments, with few exceptions.
Amber products are sold in touristic areas. There is no natural amber found in Estonia, so the amber products sold here are not produced locally or tied to our culture. It would be more fitting to purchase local handcrafted items made from wood, wool or metal.
Before returning home, it is advisable to check your home country’s customs regulations regarding any purchased products. Pay attention to rules concerning African swine fever. Due to the potential danger posed by the virus, it is not advisable to take pork or boar meat products to other countries as souvenirs, even in small quantities.
