- Dec 21, 2020
- 3 min read

Best coffee in Tallinn to accompany a study-session

Updated: Apr 17, 2023

This article introduces great coffee shops in Tallinn where you will never be disappointed in the quality of your coffee. Also, in an age of distance learning, it is useful to know where you can write your thesis - this article is written so that you can confidently step into the place and know what to expect.

To introduce specialty coffee to our readers, I asked Keit Lillemäe, the founder of one of the first specialty coffee shops in Tallinn, some introductory questions.

L: What is specialty coffee?

K: Specialty coffee is coffee that has received special attention from planting to your cup. Every stage is “special”, and surrounded by people that work with great determination. The farmer growing the coffee, the person buying the green coffee bean, roaster and at last, your barista, who pours it into a wonderful drink. Usually this process is closely monitored and all this information is available on the coffee package. Specialty coffee does not sit for a year before being consumed, as is normal with regular coffee, because the unique aroma and taste of each bean is crucial to preserve.

L: Why care where your coffee comes from?

K: The origin of the coffee bean is very important. Firstly, it is important that it is ensured that all the workers involved in the process are paid fairly and that they can work in humane conditions. We also want to know the name of the farmer, to acknowledge his hard work, because it is thanks to them that we can enjoy this special and rich drink. As it is with wine, it is not enough for it to be labeled “Wine” and to know if it’s red or white (robusta or arabica). We want to know which country and region it comes from to know what to expect from the crop in terms of flavor - all this differs greatly from country to country. It is exactly the same with specialty coffee.

L: Why is specialty coffee worth the expense?

K: Every single thing that is made with special care and love, is worth the expense. We cannot assume that a handknit wool sweater is comparable to a half-polyester, half-wool sweater from H&M. It is a simplistic comparison, but it summarises the answer. And you can’t lie that you made the sweater by hand if you ordered it from Aliexpress or somewhere, trying to sell it for more money. This is fraud. In the world of coffee, regular coffee cannot be priced the same as specialty coffee. It is crucial to know what kind of bean was used to make your coffee. Ask your barista! Ask who grew the coffee, when and by whom it was roasted and what is the best method of preparation to get the truest taste out of it. If the barista knows the answers to these questions, then the price is, in itself, justified.

When I was living in Norway, I was taken aback by their constant lighting of candles, fluffing up pillows, dimming the lights. The term “koselig” (“hygge” being the Danish equivalent) was thrown around every day. Norwegians believe in the power of environment. What they were doing created an atmosphere of warmth, cosiness and home. But what if you need the opposite? A place where you feel awake and alert and focused? Your environment truly matters and informs your actions to an extent. That’s why it is sometimes difficult to study at home - we tend to associate the space with rest, leisure time. That’s why I prefer to study in libraries or cafes and I have quite a lot of experience weighing the options because I’m also quite picky about coffee.

PS! All of these coffee shops are pay-at-the-counter!

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