Vesta - from a sketchy bar to the neighbourhood gem.
Ceviche, tartar and steak
If you’re not from Kopli, Tallinn, name Vesta probably doesn't mean anything to you. But locals know - it’s a bar with history and reputation. Probably not the best one and something you’d try to avoid. But now, the same small yellow building is full of people, enjoying their evenings with friends, family and dates. And one more thing that is not visible from the outside - probably the best garden in the city! Cosy, green, with apple, cherry trees and berry bushes. And birds singing around you. Imagine that plus delicious food, natural wines and friendly staff. It's a place you want to be as often as possible!
I sat down with Laura and Karl and we talked about their story. Hopefully it will make you fall in love with them and the place! Worked for me :)
Karl and Laura used to work together in Fotografiska restaurant. Jan (third partner, not in the picture) is the drive behind all the ideas, and also involved with The Brick Coffee.
How It All Started: A Sketchy Bar, a Hidden Garden, and a Big Vision
Before it became one of the most easygoing, quietly stylish places to eat in Tallinn, Vesta was… well not great.
When Jan, Laura and Karl first saw the building, it wasn’t love at first sight. The space was rough — the kind of place you’d walk past without a second glance. Crumbling, smelly, a little grimy. Not much potential.
It had previously housed a bar with a reputation for being less than charming — one of those places locals knew, but didn’t exactly recommend.
But despite all that, something clicked. And weirdly, it was the garden that changed everything.
“The building itself was a mess. But the garden — there was something about it. We could picture people hanging out there, long summer evenings, wine, good food. That’s what made us go for it.”
And go for it they did. But here’s the twist: instead of scrubbing the place clean of its past, they decided to keep some of it. The name “Vesta” belonged to the old bar. But they liked it. It had a kind of nostalgic charm. Same with the building’s color — a bold yellow. So instead of reinventing the entire identity, they kept the name, kept the color, and just gave the place a new meaning.
“We didn’t want to erase what was here before. We just wanted to give it a better story.”
Vesta inside
One of the coolest things is to sit at a big table and observe the team in the open kitchen.
🍷 The Wine List: Natural, Thoughtful, and No Fuss
If you’re into wine (but not into being overwhelmed by it), Vesta’s approach will be your vibe. Laura told me that their wine list is all about balance — natural wines with a story, but nothing too complicated. They've done harvests, worked with small wineries, and know the people behind the bottles. That personal touch is what guides their selection.
But the goal? To keep it approachable.
“I don’t want people to feel like they have to understand wine to enjoy it. It should be simple, stylish, and fun.”
And honestly, amen to that. There’s something comforting about knowing that someone’s curated the list with care — but also knows you might just want something easy and tasty after a long day.
The Menu: Short, Seasonal & Straightforward
Vesta’s menu follows the same philosophy: simple, seasonal, and super clear. No need to flip through pages or ask your server to translate culinary jargon. Just a handful of starters, three mains, and a couple of desserts.
“We don’t want people spending 30 minutes trying to decide what to eat. You come in hungry, we feed you well — simple.”
Dishes are designed around what’s fresh and in season — they’ll head to the market, see what’s good, and create from there. No overthinking, no over-processing. If it’s tomato season, you’re going to see them on the menu (I mean who isn’t obsessed with tomatoes in august?).
Sharing is Encouraged (But Not Required)
Yes, the menu is “share-friendly,” but no one’s forcing you to split your dessert (phew). The point is to make dining feel easy and communal, not like a performance.
Descriptions are short, the vibe is chill, and there’s no pressure. It’s food you can trust, made by people who care — and it comes out quick, so you can start enjoying your evening right away.
No Set Concept, Just Inspiration
What kind of cuisine is it? Depends on the day. The team doesn’t box themselves into a specific country or style. Sometimes they’re inspired by a dish they remember, other times it’s just, “Hey, this could be cool — let’s try it.”
It’s refreshing to hear chefs admit they’re just following their gut — and trusting that if they love it, guests probably will too.
✨ The Vibe Matters Just as Much as the Food
What sets Vesta apart isn’t just the food or the wine — it’s the feeling. The team puts serious thought into how it feels to be there.
“Everything has to work together — the food, the vibe, the service. That’s what makes people want to come back tomorrow.”
And when it comes to service, they’re pretty honest: Estonia hasn’t always had the warmest hospitality scene. But things are changing — especially when people in the team actually like each other. At Vesta, they hire people they’d want to be friends with. The result? A team that laughs together, supports each other, and genuinely enjoys being there.
Laura knows everything about the wine they are offering, so make sure to ask! :)
There’s still a bit of a stigma in Estonia around working in kitchens or restaurants — like it’s something you do only if you didn’t make it to university. But the Vesta team is flipping that script.
“You can be creative, have fun, and build something great in this industry. It’s not a backup plan — it can be the plan.”
They’re proving that hospitality can be a real craft — and a fulfilling one at that.
So next time you’re in Tallinn and want a no-pressure night out with seriously good food and wine, stop by Vesta. You’ll probably end up staying longer than you planned — and wanting to come back the next day. And make sure to book your table in advance! :)
At the end I always ask the team their favourite places in Tallinn. Here they both mentioned The Kurze right away (I couldn’t agree more personally), and of course Barbarea (see my previous post). For some guilty pleasure activities make sure to visit Burger Box (they do have really good food and cool vibe). And if you want something classic, go to an Italian restaurant Controvento (Laura suggested a red house wine and Cacio e Pepe pasta - I’ll definitely take myself on a date there and will try this combo!)
