The Best Places to Eat and Stay in Tallinn this Vastlapäev

 Don’t miss out on the Estonian day of Vastlapäev this February 21st, when we say goodbye to the winter and hello to the spring by indulging in some delicious cream-filled vastlakukkel. Choose Unique Hotels for the best accommodation in Tallinn this Vastlapäev, and find vastlakukkel and other Estonian treats in many of our wonderful restaurants. 

Think February, and many people think of Valentine’s Day and the last days of winter. However, those with a sweeter tooth will be looking forward to a certain day in particular, when, across the world, for one reason or another, we mix together flour, eggs and water on February 21st to create sweet treats in many and myriad forms.

In Britain it’s known as Shrove Tuesday, the day before lent, a name that links the day to its Christian, religious origin. Across the world it’s also known simply as Pancake Day, or Fat Tuesday, while in Russia the day falls within Maslenitsa, an entire week of pancake eating from February 20th to 26th. Different countries celebrate this day in different ways, reflecting their cultural diversity, and Estonia is certainly no exception.

Here in Estonia, we know it as Vastlapäev, and at Unique Hotels we know how to celebrate it in true Estonian style with generous bowls of warming pea soup, pork and, of course, ‘vastlakukkel’, a delicious sweet pastry filled to bursting with cream. Delicious! You mustn’t feel guilty about indulging either, it would be rude not to observe this tradition, right?

Head down to any of our wonderful restaurants on February 21st and yourself to some delicious vastlakukkel. Celebrate the end of the winter and welcome the spring time, by visiting La Boheme Brasserie & Bar, housed in the luxurious surroundings of the von Stackelberg Hotel Tallinn, or if you’re visiting Vihula Country Club & Spa, drop in at the Lifestyle Cafe. If, however, you prefer to celebrate Vastlapäev with something a little more exotic, book a table at Casa do Brazil at the Kreutzwald Hotel Tallinn, where you’ll find the finest meat grilled to perfection by our Brazilian chef.

Sledging and Pancakes – Vastlapäev and Maslenitsa

Native Estonian’s also celebrate the day with a variety of activities, one of which is sledding. Indeed, tradition has it that the further you can sled down a snow-covered slope without falling off, then the better the following year will be for the adventurous sledder. To finish the day, an effigy is created and then driven out of town by locals. This symbolises the passing of the cold winter months and helps banish the chilly weather, ushering in the warmer and longer days of spring and summer.

Visitors to Estonia may also observe many of the natives celebrating Maslenitsa. This is a week-long Russian celebration in honour of the start of lent and the end of winter. Maslenitsa translates as ‘butter week’ and was traditionally the time when Russians could consume the last of their dairy products before lent.

The celebrations sees a wide variety of pancakes made throughout the week. The round pancakes are said to symbolise the returning sun and the party mood is enhanced by a range of other activities such as sledding, sleigh rides and snowball fights. A straw effigy of Lady Maslenitsa is built and at the end of the week, ceremonially burned on a bonfire, her ashes buried in the snow to fertilise next years crops.

Images by SvergiesRadio, Priit Tammets