Estonian sweet braided bread scented with cardamom, raisins and citrus zest, baked golden and brushed with butter. The everyday coffee bread, sold at Maiasmokk on Pikk since 1864.
The kringel arrived in Estonia from Northern Germany through the Hanseatic League merchants of the 13th and 14th centuries, who controlled the Baltic bread trade. Estonian bakers adapted it with cardamom and raisins to fit local pantries. By 1864 Maiasmokk on Pikk had standardised the Tallinn version: long braided ropes scented with citrus zest, baked golden and brushed with butter. It remains the standard sweet bread of Estonian breakfast and afternoon coffee.
3 editor picks for Kringel in Tallinn, ranked by editorial score. All Tallinn signature dishes · Kringel across every city.
Karjase Sai ★ 4.6
Marati 5, 11712 Tallinn
Karjase Sai on Marati in Kopli is a small Estonian sourdough bakery that ferments and bakes fresh rye and pastries Tuesday to Sunday, plus specialty coffee.
Maiasmokk ★ 4.5
Pikk 16, 10123 Tallinn
Maiasmokk on Pikk has been Tallinn's confectionery cafe since 1864, the oldest continuously operating cafe in Estonia with a marzipan-painting room daily.
RØST Bakery ★ 4.5
Rotermanni 14, 10111 Tallinn
RØST on Rotermanni is a Scandinavian-leaning bakery in the converted Nisuveski grain-mill building with sourdough loaves, cardamom buns and cinnamon buns.