Cafe Day in Estonia is all about good food, great company, and enjoying the simple pleasures of summer. I just got back from an event near the village of Voka, and let me tell you, it was everything you’d expect from a perfect summer day — lunch in a garden for 9 euros, folk songs, and rhubarb pie under a cherry tree. If that’s not summer, I don’t know what is.
Planning a trip to Estonia? Check out my guide to Tallinn and my story about the Estonian summer solstice celebration.
☕ What is Cafe Day?
Cafe Day in Estonia isn’t a single national event, but a grassroots movement that appears in different regions from May to September. The concept is simple: for one day only, local residents run small cafés — some keep it low-key with a few pies and coffee, others go all in with hot meals, printed menus, and even catering. It all depends on the host.
There’s no strict format. Some places are tiny family efforts; others are team projects involving neighbours, friends, or a local choir. What unites them is the atmosphere — relaxed, cheerful, and very Estonian. This isn’t the Open Farm Day (Avatud talude päev), though the two are sometimes confused. There, the focus is on farm visits and animals; here, it’s about food and conversation.
👩🍳 Who runs it — and why
Cafe Day isn’t run by just one group — it’s a mix of local tourism offices, community volunteers, and sometimes even local choirs or families. It’s been a tradition for over 15 years, and it’s all about having fun, sharing good food, and meeting new people.
Some do it for a little extra income, while others simply love the chance to show off their favourite recipes and connect with the community.
If you’re in Estonia in the summer, you might find one near you — most are easy to get to by bus or train from Tallinn or Tartu.
🍰 What’s on the menu?
You’ll find everything from home-baked cakes to Baltic fish, grilled ribs, cold soups, and rhubarb lemonade. Some cafés serve only desserts and drinks; others serve full meals — one place I visited had pork tongue and smoked sea bass.
Prices are reasonable. I paid 2 euros for pie, 5 for a generous portion of fish, and 2 for coffee. Some places also sell homemade liqueurs, cookies, or jars of jam to take home.
🚶 Who visits?
Everyone. Locals, neighbours, families, curious travellers. Many Estonians make an annual tradition of it — they plan routes, visit multiple cafés in one day, and often meet people they’ve never seen before, even in their own village. It’s casual, spontaneous, and friendly — no booking, no pressure.
Depending on the location and weather, a rural café can attract 100 to 200 visitors a day. For the hosts, it’s not just fun — it’s often a helpful bit of income. A well-run café can earn 400–500 euros in one day.
🌿 What makes it special?
💡 Did you know? It’s always different! Some cafés offer simple coffee and rhubarb crumble, while others have live music, flowers, and a full menu. But wherever you go, the vibe is always friendly, relaxed, and very local.
✨ Scroll down to see what Cafe Day looks like in real life — this one took place in a field 10 km from Jõhvi and 180 km from Tallinn. A quiet village, a sunny day, and people relaxing under fruit trees with coffee and rhubarb pie.
More than 100 people visited this café on the lawn.
The grilled fish cost 5 euros.
And this is a rhubarb bush — waw, it’s huge!
Peony season is in mid-June.
Cozy greenhouse!
The raised beds impressed me the most – so convenient!
The strawberries will ripen in a couple of days.
The lawns are mowed by two robotic lawnmowers, which have gone to recharge.
The lupin has an unusual colour.
Подпись: Guests keep arriving and arriving.
Each guest can write their name in the visitors’ list.
