Alex Maja B-2, Kuninga 20, tel. (+372) 446 18 66, info@alexmaja.ee, www.alexmaja.ee.
If it’s expertly prepared food you’re after, this small and subtle downtown restaurant should be one of your first destinations. Alex Maja is laid out like a cellar bar, but a chic one at that. It opens early for breakfast buffet, then the a la carte service starts at 12:00. Expect a small choice of mains like salmon in puff pastry and beef tenderloin fillets, and possibly a courtyard grill in the summer.
Open 08:00 – 23:00, Fri, Sat 08:00- 24:00.
Ammende Villa A-3, Mere pst. 7, tel. (+372) 447 38 88, sale@ammende.ee, www.ammende.ee.
Recent winner of the coveted ‘Seven Stars and Stripes’ award, Ammende Villa serves a variety of creative French and Mediterraneanstyle dishes in its elegantly restored, Art Nouveau rooms.
In summer, guests can also opt to dine in the picturesque garden, where intimate concerts are held on some evenings.
Open 12:00 – 23:00. Breakfast served 07:00 – 10:00; Sat, Sun 08:00 – 11:00. (265kr).
Asian Village B-2, Rüütli 51a, tel. (+372) 442 94 88, asianvillage@hotmail.com, www.asianvillage.ee.
In the mood for a little Asia? The cultures of India, China, and Thailand collide to form this Asian Village. You can enjoy Traditional Thai Curry while sitting in the elaborately-decorated, Chinesethemed restaurant while listening to Indian music. The meal choices are endless and if you can spare the stomach room, we suggest you stick around for the home made Indian Ice Cream.
Open 11:00 – 23:00. (130kr).
Café Grand B-2, Kuninga 25, tel. (+372) 444 34 12, info@victoriahotel.ee, www.victoriahotel.ee.
Perfect for gourmands and history buffs alike, the respected Hotel Victoria serves stately dishes such as baked duck breast with wasabi mashed potatoes, in its 1920s-style restaurant – a nod to the restaurant of the same name that operated here during the first independence. Diners are graced with performances on the grand piano on weekends, and visitors can also sip coffee and sample the excellent crème brûlée in
the more café-like section of the Grand, closer to the lobby.
Open 12:00 – 24:00. (250kr).
Edelweiss B-2, Kuninga 15, tel. (+372) 442 06 00, edelweiss@edelweiss.ee, www.edelweiss.ee.
This German/Austrian restaurant has put so much effort into its quaint, Alpine village décor that visitors will find their own hills coming alive with ‘The Sound of Music’. Old fashioned, meaty dishes like giant pork schnitzel and Chateaubriand dominate the menu, but lighter salads and pastas are also available.
Edelweiss is extremely popular with tourist groups, so, reservations for weekend dining is a must.
Open 11:00 – 23:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 – 24:00. (150kr).
Embecke C-2, Rüütli 44, tel. (+372) 447 89 00, embecke@pergohotels.ee, www.pergohotels.ee.
The Hotel Pärnu offers a warm welcome to anyone looking for a classy meal in an international atmosphere. The menu here might not be that long, but everything on it is an inventive creation that’s sure to get your taste buds singing.
Open 12:00 – 22:00.
Hansalinn B-2, Malmö 15, tel. (+372) 444 74 02, Info@hansalinn.ee, www.hansalinn.ee.
When you get the hankering for a touch of Hanseatic ambience, as we all do from time to time, give this historically decorated little restaurant a try. Under its old-fashioned ceiling beams, waitresses serve up a variety of grilled items like steak, wild boar, duck and rabbit. There are also international choices like Hawiian chicken, satay and, for the hungry and brave, a Dutch dish called ‘mega meat ball’.
Open 11:00 – 23:00. (100kr).
Jahtklubi KÅ‘rts A-2, Lootsi 6, tel. (+372) 447 17 60, restoran@jahtklubi.ee, www.jahtklubi.ee.
Just as one might hope, there’s a distinctly sea-faring tone to the yacht club’s restaurant. The menu here changes often, but choices tend toward fish. In summer, the focus is on the large outside terrace where there will be concert series called ‘Music Under Sails.’
Open 09:00 – 24:00. (100kr).
Kuursaal A-4, Mere pst 22, tel. (+372) 442 03 68, info@kuur.ee, www.kuur.ee.
It advertises itself as Estonia’s biggest tavern, and the historic, 1890s-era Kuursaal near the beach is just that. Dozens of long, wooden tables accommodate scores of diners who can chose from menu categories like ‘big bellyful of fish,’ or ‘big bellyful of meat.’ A popular stop for beach-goers.
Open 12:00 – 02:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 – 04:00. (150kr).
La Boca B-2, Nikolai 13, tel. (+372) 442 00 61, eceto2008@hot.ee.
Don’t cry for me Argentina! The truth is, we found it in a rustic house right here in Pärnu. Fresh,
potted exotic flowers on the window sills, lively Spanish music piped throughout and tango photos on the walls pay tribute to all things Argentina. The South American/European fusion cuisine found here offers something unique to the city’s dining scene. Beef Carpaccio, breaded and fried brie stuffed with tomato and couscous salad, are just some of the delicious items to choose from.
Open 11:00 – 24:00, Thu, Fri 11:00 – 01:00, Sat 12:00 – 01:00, Sun 12:00 – 23:00. (190kr).
Lemongrass B-3, Supeluse 23a, tel. (+372) 447 62 00.
Join the queue as the summer crowds pour into this exotic Asian café near the beach. Every couple of minutes a waitress will pop out of the kitchen to ask who ordered the Naan bread or sweet and sour pork. Inexpensive and filling.
Open 11:00 – 23:00. Operates May 15 – Aug 15.
MÅ‘nus Margarita A-2, Akadeemia 5, tel. (+372) 443 09 29, info@monusmargarita.ee, www.monusmargarita.ee.
This fun, downtown restaurant continues to hold its place as one of the busiest (read most popular)
places in town. While the food at Mőnus Margarita might not be as authentically Tex-Mex as some would have it, the fun-loving, cantina-style décor is elaborate enough to make you forget all of that and just order another round of tequilas.
Open 11:00 – 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 – 01:00. (130kr).
Must Pärl B-3, Supeluse 22, tel. (+372) 442 69 02, pearl@delfine.ee, www.delfine.ee/mustparl.
The Delfine Hotel’s elegant little restaurant takes the marine theme to the extreme with its wavy, seafloor walls, mood lighting and a stage shaped like a gigantic oyster shell. In summer though, the front terrace is the place to be. Mains cover the standard range of beef, chicken and seafood, and prices are reasonable. Dance troupes further liven things up on weekends.
Open 11:00 – 01:00. (125kr).
Paradiis G-2, Riia mnt. 57, tel. (+372) 446 46 33, paradiis@delfine.ee, www.delfine.ee/paradiis.
Be prepared for the shock of entering paradise. From the outside it looks like just another Pärnu building, but step inside this friendly restaurant and the elaborate, early 20th-century décor just might blow you away. The nostalgic ambience is pleasant and somewhat formal. The food itself, by contrast, is on the
casual side, with fish and pork fillets, chicken and the like, and surprisingly affordable given the ambience. An extensive breakfast menu is available.
Open 09:00 – 23:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 – 01:00. (85kr).
Passion Café A-2, Kuninga 1, tel. (+372) 442 62 02/(+372) 528 17 90, info@passioncafe.ee, www.passioncafe.ee.
One of the most stylish places in Pärnu, Passion feels like the kind of place where designers would hang out.
The menu consists of a wide variety of international flavours but certainly has strong Italian leanings. They also offer a daily dish or daily pasta for 45kr! Reason enough to come here if you ask us.
Open 11:00 – 23:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 – 01:00,
Sun 11:00 – 22:00.
Postipoiss B-2, Vee 12, tel. (+372) 446 48 64, postipoiss@ag.ee, www.trahterpostipoiss.ee.
Portraits of Czarist royals preside over the wooden-decked halls in this lively, Slavic-themed restaurant. The 19th-century building at one time served as part of the Russian empire`s postal infrastructure, so perhaps it`s appropriate that authentically Russian dishes like bliny and pelmeni make up the menu. Diners
can wash them down with a pint of the house beer. Drop by any weekend evening when Postipoiss turns into one of the town`s more happening night spots.
Open 12:00 – 23:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 – 02:00. (120kr).
Rasputin B-4, Ranna pst 3, tel. (+372) 447 27 33, info@sunset.ee, www.sunset.ee.
For borsht at the beach, this Russian-style restaurant attached to the Sunset nightclub is your best bet. The long list of Slavic menu choices runs from Siberian pelmeni to a venison dish called Tsar’s hunt. You can
revel in these heavy meals while looking out over the waves, but be sure to wait a half hour before swimming.
Open 11:00 – 24:00. From May – Aug. (125kr).
Scandic Rannahotell B-4, Ranna pst. 5, tel. (+372) 443 29 45, rannahotell@scandichotels.com, www.
scandichotels.com.
If you’re looking for formal-style dining right at the beach, the Scandic Hotel Rannahotell should be
your destination. Their menu was changing last we checked, but you can expect a variety of swanky mains. Look for the asterisks on the menu to see which items were served when Pärnu was a bustling resort in 1937!
Open 11:00 – 23:00,
Fri, Sat 12:00 – 24:00. (200kr).
Seegi Maja B-2, Hospidali 1, tel. (+372) 443 05 50, info@seegimaja.ee, www.seegimaja.ee/restoran/
Pärnu’s historic almshouse is the perfect setting for this 17th-century-style restaurant restored to what it would have looked like in the time of the Swedish empire. A small dose of humour lightens up the menu, and once you decipher the script, you’ll find specialities like skewered poultry and baked bear with honey sauce (don’t tell Pooh!). Be sure to check out the Bürgerkeller (wine cellar) downstairs.
Open 12:00- 24:00. (190kr).
Si-Si Restaurant and Lounge B-3, Supeluse 21, tel. (+372) 447 56 12, info@si-si.ee, www.si-si.ee.
Melt-inyour-mouth Italian cuisine, a sprawling patio where you can feel the warm sea breeze and top-notch service contribute to making Si-Si, Pärnu’s newest hot spot. The food assembly here is overseen by a living, breathing Italian and when you sink your teeth into one of the delightfully arranged dishes
you’ll have no doubt. A variety of seating, each with a different look and feel, both indoors and out, also make this a destination to suite any occasion.
Open 12:00 – 02:00. (140kr).
Strand G-3, Tammsaare pst. 35, tel. (+372) 447 53 70, sales@strand.ee, www.strand.ee.
Brightly-coloured and inviting, the Strand Hotel’s restaurant/café offers tasty mains with imaginative names. If these don’t strike your fancy, you can just order the well supplied buffet, available daily in
summer 12:00 – 14:00, 18:00 – 20:00. They also offer a 45kr lunch special from 12:00 – 14:00 on weekdays.
Open 12:00 – 22:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 – 23:00. Lobby: Sun- Thu: 08:00-24:00;
Fri,Sat: 08:00 – 01:00 (170kr).
Tervise Paradiis C-4, Side 14, tel. (+372) 445 16 22, sales@spa.ee, www.terviseparadiis.ee.
This is actually the spa-hotel and waterpark complex near the beach, but it deserves mention among Pärnu’s dining options because it has three restaurants offering a variety of food. Choose from the more formal Spa Restaurant (open 12:00 – 22:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 – 24:00), the Buffet (12:00 – 15:00, 17:00 – 19:00) or the casual Neptune Grill (13:00 – 22:00) where kebabs and pancakes are available.
Open 12:00 – 22:00,
Fri, Sat 12:00 – 24:00.
Villa Wesset B-3, Supeluse 26, tel. (+372) 697 25 00, info@wesset.ee, www.wesset.ee.
Imagine starched linen, striped wallpaper and flowers painted on the ceiling.
Now you’ve got a picture of the Art-Deco ambience that awaits you in this frilly hotel restaurant. Choices like Thai rice noodles and steamed fillet of pike perch make up the varied menu.
The creamy salmon pasta was great.
A breakfast buffet is offered
Mon-Fri 07:00 – 10:00, and on weekends 08:00 – 11:00.
Open 12:00 – 23:00. (150kr).