Estonian sauerkraut: fermented white cabbage, eaten with verivorst at Christmas, alongside roast pork year-round, and as the everyday vegetable.
Hapukapsas grew from Northern European fermentation traditions absorbed during the Hanseatic and Russian Empire periods, when winter vegetable storage was a survival skill. Estonian farmers fermented entire cabbages in wooden barrels with salt, caraway and juniper, then ladled the cured slaw onto every winter plate. The Estonian Christmas Eve dinner is built around hapukapsas piled next to verivorst, with stewed pork and lingonberry jam.
3 editor picks for Hapukapsas in Tallinn, ranked by editorial score. All Tallinn signature dishes · Hapukapsas across every city.
Olde Hansa ★ 4.7
vanalinn · Vana turg 1, 10140 Tallinn
Olde Hansa on Vana turg in the Old Town is a long-running Hanseatic-feast restaurant with medieval costumes, live hurdy-gurdy music and a 14th-century menu.
Rataskaevu 16 ★ 4.5
vanalinn · Rataskaevu 16, 10123 Tallinn
Rataskaevu 16 in the Old Town is a long-running Estonian comfort-food institution, with braised elk roast and chef's choice white fish carrying a vegetable.
III Draakon ★ 4.4
vanalinn · Raekoja plats 1, 10146 Tallinn
III Draakon under the 13th-century Town Hall on Raekoja plats is a tiny medieval-themed tavern serving elk soup, pirukad pastries and house beer cellar.