When I was in Tallinn this summer, I made it my mission to eat and drink in as many (new) places as possible. This turned out to be a very ambitious – if delightful – plan, as I only had 10 days and Tallinn has many lovely bars and restaurants. I thought I’d write up the results of my experiment, as I’m often asked for recommendations and frankly, these places are so nice that I’m itching to talk about them.

Obviously, everything on this list reflects my taste and lifestyle. If you are looking for, say, a place where to get drunk very, very cheaply (a goal I can certainly remember, although no longer fully relate to), these days I am not the person to ask. I also didn’t want to make the list too long, so even some old favourites (like Frank) and otherwise nice places (Tabac) have to make do with just a mention.

1. If you like amazing interiors and nice cocktails, but also food: Parrot Minibar. With its opulent wallpaper and jewel-toned velvet chairs, Parrot is not what you’d expect and Estonian cocktail bar to look like. I of course love the eccentrically eclectic atmosphere and come here often (most recently for a photo shoot). The cocktails are lovely and the food much, much better than what bars usually offer – I would choose this over most restaurants in Tallinn. And if you are a good client, you might be let in on a secret…

2. If you are really into beer and high ceilings: Põhjala Tap Room. I don’t usually drink beer, but I made an exception in this case, as 1) I knew full well that this was a beer place 2) I was distracted by the amount of glorious space around me and 3) because the beer was very good. The main draw of the Tap Room is the Estonian hipster classic, Põhjala beer (there are 24 varieties), although I know some who go there for the simple but delicious barbeque. It is a little bit out of the way, in the up and coming Noblessner area, which means that unlike in most places in the cramped Old Town, the building is spacious and majestic.

3. If you are very, very demanding: Botaanik Bar. This is a small but perfectly formed bar. Their cocktails are perfect. Their branding is perfect. Their attention to detail is perfect. Botaanik’s Negroni is an immaculate work of art, while also being deadly. The only downside is that they are not open every night and I also highly recommend booking ahead, as the number of seats is limited.

4. If you’ve got many friends and like to feel special: Whisper Sister. The first modern speakeasy in Tallinn, this place can only be found if you know about it – there is no sign outside, no windows to betray the presence of a drinking establishment. If you show up at Pärnu maantee 12, you will likely get in, or you can call the number on their Facebook page and book ahead, to be sure. I like this place especially for a bigger crowd, as there is ample room. The vibe is Prohibition Era US with a modern cosmopolitan touch, cocktails are innovative and the staff really nice.

5. If your taste is perfectly balanced between cool and glamour: Odeon. Odeon pushes the boundaries in several ways. Of all the trendy bars, it ventures the farthest into what’s Tallinn’s shabbiest district. It takes the decidedly mundane Soviet aesthetic and turns it not into nostalgia (done before), but knowing, cool glamour (rare). It positions itself on the intersection of a bar/restaurant/social club/art gallery with a confident pretentiousness. The G&Ts are better than the food.

6. If you like gritty, but not too gritty: Junimpeerium. For those who prefer their cocktails to be accompanied by sticky floors, I recommend this Estonian gin distillery-cum-watering hole. You can see the copper contraptions through the glass wall behind the counter, which looks elegantly steampunkish and fun. The cocktails are obviously gin-based, good and more straightforward than in most places on this list. And if you get tired of gin, you can just step out to the hip Telliskivi area and visit one of the many other bars on offer.

If you live in or have been to Tallinn, what are your favourite places? I’ve got a list of restaurants coming, so hold your hourses, if your fave is more of an eatery.

Clothes H&M Conscious Exclusive (press loan), MUAH Grete Madisson, images Getter Kuusmaa, location Parrot Minibar.