In my opinion, Mon Repos is the best restaurant in Tallinn, Estonia or one of the best.
The chef-owner also owns Tchaikovsky Restaurant located inside Hotel Telegraaf.
Cynthia Nakpil and FPG president Mon Dimacali could not have chosen a better restaurant for our lunch on May 4.
A short walk from the Kadriorg Palace, Mon Repos (French for “my rest”) occupies a historic summer villa originally built in the 1870’s golden era.
Another Mon
According to the restaurant’s history, the original owner, Sadovski, converted his summer villa in 1921 into a high-level restaurant called Villa Mon Repos with cabaret, casino, dining hall, which became the favourite amongst the elite in Estonia. The fine cuisine was prepared by Chef Alexander Paalberg, who came from St. Petersburg’s exclusive “English Club” of the Russian Imperial Court. Sadovski hired a bartender from the Savoy Hotel in London.
“Villa Mon Repos was closed in July 1922 after the police discovered it was operating a casino.
Desserts
According to Cynthia, there is a shortage of chefs in Estonia because the top restaurants in major cities such as Dubai, Paris, London, New York, employ them.
All the restaurants we’ve been to so far are deserving of three to five stars for their quality of service, plating, food taste, originality, innovativeness, ambiance. Not to mention that the prices are far more reasonable than in Geneva and Zurich.
Estonia’s food scene has exceeded my expectations. Michelin star has not reached this part of the earth yet otherwise Tallinn would be full of stars.
Mon Repos Restaurant
Address: Narva maantee 92, 10127 Tallinn, Estonia
Hours: Opens at 12 noon
Phone: +372 507 0273
