I just returned from one such event today and was lucky to find a place with a garden. The rural cafes tend to be the most interesting, where you can relax on a meadow, listen to songs, and try something fresh from the garden, like rhubarb desserts. In mid-June, it’s rhubarb season, and all of Estonia seems to be making jams, liqueurs, lemonades, and pies from it.
What’s on the menu?
These cafes typically offer various homemade desserts, coffee, and beer. Some owners keep it simple — while others prepare more substantial dishes. Where I was, they served pork tongue, ribs, and fish from the Baltic Sea.
Prices are usually quite reasonable. I paid 2 euros for a slice of homemade pie, 5 euros for 200 grams of fish, and 2 euros for a coffee. Prices can vary slightly — sometimes higher.
Depending on the weather and location, these pop-up cafes attract 100-200 visitors a day in rural areas. Locals and visitors from other cities alike drop by — no registration required.
Only once a year
These cafes typically open only once a year. Some owners do it for promotional purposes, like private restaurant owners, while others do it for a bit of extra income. A café in a rural area can earn 400-500 euros in a day, which provides good support.
This tradition has continued in Estonia for 15 years now. If you plan to visit the country in the summer and you’re interested in such an event, you might find a spot accessible by public transport. Estonia is a small country with good transportation.
Now, let me share some photos from one such day near the village of Voka, 10 km from Jõhvi and 180 km from Tallinn. See how it unfolds in the countryside.
More than 100 people visited this cafe on the lawn.
The grilled fish cost 5 euros.
Rhubarb syrup is a great thing.
And this is a rhubarb bush – wow, it’s huge!
Peony season is in mid-June in Estonia.
Cozy greenhouse!
The raised beds impressed me the most – so convenient!
The strawberries will ripen in a couple of days.
Two robotic lawnmowers have gone to recharge.
The lupin has an unusual colour.
Guests keep arriving and arriving.
Each guest can write their name on the visitors’ list.
