Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
word of English here, the glass case displays the various offerings and prices
(€3 meals, €1.60 soups, dirt-cheap-yet-wonderful savory pancakes, and tasty
beljaš
—a kind of pierogi). Unfortunately, the area feels dangerous after dark.
Supermarkets:
For picnic supplies, try the
Rimi
supermarket just outside
the Old Town at Aia 7, near the Viru Gate (daily 8:00-22:00). A larger, more
upscalesupermarketinthebasementofthe
ViruKeskus
mall(directlybehind
Hotel Viru) has convenient, inexpensive take-away meals (daily 9:00-22:00).
The handy little
Kolmjag “Everything”
grocery is a block off Town Hall
Square (daily 24 hours, Pikk 11, tel. 631-1511).
(See “Talinn Hotels & Restaurants” map,
here
.)
The
Maiasmokk
(“Sweet Tooth”) café and pastry shop, founded in 1864,
is the grande dame of Tallinn cafés—ideal for dessert or breakfast. Even
through the Soviet days, this was
the
place for a good pastry or a glass of
herby Tallinn schnapps (“Vana Tallinn”). Point to what you want from the
selection of classic local pastries at the counter, and sit down for breakfast
(€3 omelets) or coffee on the other side of the shop. Everything's reasonable
(Mon-Fri 8:00-22:00, Sat 9:00-22:00, Sun 9:00-21:00, Pikk 16, across from
church with old clock, tel. 646-4079). They also have a marzipan shop (sep-
arate entrance).
PierreChocolaterie
atVene6hasscrumptious freshpralines, sandwiches,
and coffee in a courtyard filled with craft shops (daily 8:30-late, tel.
641-8061).
The bus is usually the best way to travel by land from Tallinn. The largest
operator, with the most departures, is Lux Express (tel. 680-0909,
www.luxexpress.ee
); there's also Ecolines (tel. 614-3600 or mobile
5637-7997,
www.ecolines.net
) and the spiffy Hansabuss (with onboard Wi-
Fi, tel. 627-9080,
www.hansabuss.ee
)
. The bus station
(autobussijaam)
is at
Lastekodu 46, a short taxi ride from the Old Town, or a few stops on trams
