Christmas is a time for spending quality moments with family and friends, enjoying rich holiday dishes accompanied by warm mulled wine or a smooth glass of wine, sharing laughter, and reminiscing about the best moments of the past year. This winter, you can also savor festive culinary delights at Viru Food Hall, where you’re welcome to chat and indulge: shared plates bring back shared stories.
Zesty Asian Flavors
If you’re feeling tired of traditional sauerkraut and roast pork, the Asian restaurants at Viru Food Street offer tempting options for a festive dinner with friends, perfect for sharing around a big table. From sushi lovers to dumpling enthusiasts, everyone will find something to enjoy on their menu.
MySushi – Yoshi Rakoshi sushi
The MySushi menu is making waves with its baked sushi, Yoshi Rakoshi, a delicious blend of eel, crispy prawn, and creamy Philadelphia cheese. The green masago, infused with wasabi, adds a festive brightness and character to the dish. As a starter, you can opt for nigiri, a customer favorite: fresh salmon paired with perfectly prepared and seasoned rice delivers a simple yet exquisite taste experience.
HAN’s – Xiao Long Bao dimsum
Why stick to blood sausages during the holiday season? HAN’s invites you to spice up your Christmas table with traditional Chinese dim sum, Xiao Long Bao. Known for its delicate, thin dough and juicy filling encasing a flavorful broth, this dish highlights the unique taste experiences of Chinese cuisine. These steamed dumplings are a true gourmet delight for any food lover. Perfect for sharing or savoring all to yourself, Xiao Long Bao brings a touch of culinary elegance to your festive conversations.
Pelmen – Donald Parts’ dumplings
Pelmen proves that dumplings can hold their place on a grand holiday table – the gourmet Donald Parts‘ dumplings are handcrafted, combining the rich flavor of duck meat with the aromatic touch of thyme. These flavorful dumplings bring true delight and warmth, perfect for cozy winter evenings or special festive moments.
Samsa – dolmas and Lamb Pilaf
Dolma is a traditional dish consisting of a flavorful mixture of meat and rice wrapped in grape leaves. Samsa’s dolma is prepared using a traditional recipe to offer visitors a true culinary journey to Central Asia. This savory bite, made with juicy meat, tender rice grains, and aromatic spices, is perfect for sharing and creating a festive Asian-inspired holiday atmosphere.
A delicious pizza or a hearty burger – who says holiday meals have to be traditional?
In the cold and dark Estonian winter evenings, a touch of Italian sunshine and juicy seafood can be just what you need to make it through to Christmas. Our restaurants offer options for those who dream of celebrating the holidays by the sea, basking on warm sandy shores.
Kolm Tilli – Burrata Crudo pitzza
Burrata-Crudo is a gourmet pizza topped with Italian favorites: rich tomato sauce, fresh basil, Grana Padano cheese, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth burrata, delicate prosciutto crudo, and zesty arugula. This pizza is the perfect choice for sharing with friends or a loved one while exchanging holiday gifts. As you’ve already imagined, it also creates a stunning combination of Christmas colors, adding a vibrant touch to your festive table.
F. Burger – Lobster F.Burger & Foie gras F.Burger
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F.Burger’s special holiday menu presents two delicious options crafted by the talented F.Burger team alongside head chef Dmitri Fomenko, renowned for his creativity and passion for cooking. During the busy festive season, Fomenko felt that traditional meat dishes needed a spark and something fresh: the Lobster F.Burger features a soft house-made brioche bun, Canadian lobster fillet, and a 100% Estonian farm beef patty, complemented by cheddar cheese, avocado, arugula, and lemon aioli.
The second option, Foie Gras F.Burger, combines brioche, a 100% Estonian farm beef patty, delicate foie gras, special pickled peach, and frisée lettuce, all beautifully topped with a lemon demi-glace sauce. These burgers are an excellent choice for celebrating festive Christmas gatherings, as the head chef recommends pairing them with a glass of champagne to achieve the ultimate flavor experience.
Chicken wings, fries, and snacks – perfect for sharing stories or as a starter.
What better way to kick off a lavish Christmas feast than with delightful snacks designed for sharing? These small bites create the perfect opportunity to reminisce about the past year and share laughter – a cozy and joyful atmosphere is guaranteed.
Kebaboom – “Dirty Fries” & Jalapeno
If you’re feeling tired from holiday shopping or your conversation needs an extra spark, Kebaboom’s “Dirty Fries” & Jalapeño come to the rescue. This flavorful and spicy snack, combining crispy fries with fiery jalapeños, makes every story and shared memory even more memorable. But be warned – you’ll likely want to relive the same zesty chats and taste sensations with your friends again soon!
Hop&Hen – Gochujang Wings with Vana Tallinn Mulled Wine and Northern Irish Coffee
The Viru Keskus family knows where to find the best chicken wings in town: Gochujang chicken wings are melt-in-your-mouth delicacies with a delightful kick, perfect for sharing. These can be effortlessly transformed into a festive Christmas dish, especially when paired with warm, holiday-inspired drinks that create the perfect seasonal mood.
A cozy Christmas drink to savor is Vana Tallinn Hot Wine, where the classic Vana Tallinn liqueur meets Hop&Hen’s expertise. This blend highlights the rich and spicy notes of both, creating a mulled red wine that warms both body and soul. For the perfect finish to your holiday table, indulge in the Northern Irish Coffee – a warming fusion of Irish coffee with Papermill beans, balanced by the wintery richness of Põhjala Baltic porter and topped with gingerbread-flavored whipped cream. A true seasonal delight!
KimiJimi – Crispy Tiger Prawns
If it feels like your Christmas snack assortment is missing something, KimiJimi’s crispy tiger prawns are the perfect juicy bite. An ideal choice to enjoy the delicate flavor of seafood together, complemented by a delightful crunch!
Menu options for true gourmets and food enthusiasts
At Viru Food Hall, even those who feel no Christmas dish is special enough to express gratitude to loved ones and show their affection will find something extraordinary. Our restaurants offer extravagant dishes that not only delight the palate but also create the perfect atmosphere for heartfelt conversations.
Loco Rolls – Royal Crepe
Royal Crepe offers the perfect bite where creamy Philadelphia cream cheese meets delicate caviar. It’s an ideal choice for gourmets who savor true elegance in every bite. Royal Crepe is a flawless addition to the party table, showcasing just how much the host cares for their loved ones.
Meze – Halloumi Bowl
If you always find yourself stuck with just sauerkraut on the Christmas table because vegetarian options are scarce, Meze comes to the rescue: the Halloumi Bowl is a refreshingly flavorful and light alternative. Bulgur, grilled halloumi cheese, herb hummus, and beet labneh paired with fresh vegetables and spicy harissa olives create a taste sensation that brings an entirely new experience to your peaceful holiday gathering.
Poke Bowl – Duck Bowl
A balanced twist on the traditional Christmas menu awaits in the Poke Bowl selection – their duck bowl is a true flavor sensation. This rich dish combines tender duck meat with a crispy cabbage-broccoli salad, juicy mango, and spicy kimchi, complemented by edamame beans and sushi rice. It’s a classic and beloved choice that still manages to bring something fresh and exciting to the holiday season.
Stereo Street Food – Christmas Duck
If you’re struggling to set up a festive family dinner, Stereo Street Food’s legendary Christmas Duck for up to 6 people is back this year at the Stereo restaurant. Swap the traditional pork roast for a Christmas duck spiced with vibrant Mexican flavors.
This mouthwatering duck is slow-cooked at a low temperature, stuffed with sauerkraut and dried fruits, and perfectly complemented by crispy roasted potatoes. The duck is ready to be served directly at your table.
Price: €99. Order on-site or call +372 5444 085.
Desserts for Sweet-Toothed Christmas Fans
There’s no holiday season without a Christmas kringel, gingerbread cookies, a warm cup of coffee, and a cozy fireplace. Once the presents are unwrapped and the Christmas socks are on, a sweet treat is the perfect way to end the evening – a delight for both the little ones and the grown-ups in the family.
Paper Mill – All Warm Coffee Drinks
A warm drink to chase away the cold – Paper Mill’s coffee selection is so diverse and flavorful that every coffee lover is sure to find their favorite! The quality of the coffee beans shines through in every cup, whether it’s a silky cappuccino or a rich espresso. Paper Mill offers visitors a big, warm cup of pure love.
Pavlova – Christmas Pavlova Mini Cake, Pistachio-Raspberry Pavlova Mini Cake, Gingerbread “Bear with Almond”
The gift exchange concludes on a particularly festive note with a selection of juicy Pavlovas. The delicate and crispy base of these Pavlova mini cakes hides a soft center that melts on the tongue.
The special Christmas Pavlova features a sugar-free whipped cream filling, a festive cranberry-lingonberry puree with a hint of cinnamon, fresh berries, and caramelized gingerbread crumbs. For the finishing touch, the flavors are elevated with strawberry sauce, gingerbread, and rosemary – the perfect combination for a flawless holiday dessert.
The Pistachio-Raspberry Pavlova is an elegant dessert where the crispy and airy Pavlova base meets the rich flavor of pistachios and fresh raspberries. It’s the perfect choice for a sweet moment, offering a balance of flavors and refined enjoyment.
The classic gingerbread cookie, enriched by Pavlova pastry chefs, features almonds and exquisite spices like clove, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, and allspice. This delicious gingerbread is perfect for creating and savoring the festive spirit, delighting both young and old alike.
Can’t decide? Opt for all three to share with friends – a sweet ending to accompany the stories shared in good company.
A holiday festive touch is added with plants from Decoration & Fleur and ornaments from Kaubamaja Kodumaailm.
Photos: Marek Metslaid