ISSEI

ISSEI is a rooftop restaurant and bar in central Tallinn, featuring an outdoor terrace with breathtaking views of the city center and Old Town. The restaurant offers a unique fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine.

Discover Nikkei Cuisine

Opened in the summer of 2022, ISSEI is the first restaurant in the Baltics to offer Nikkei cuisine—a blend of Japanese and Peruvian culinary influences. The finest ingredients and flavors take you on an EXTRAORDINARY taste journey. Step into a new world of gastronomy and experience something truly unique, worthy of sharing with the world.

For the ultimate introduction to Nikkei cuisine, try the OMAKASE sharing menu—a curated culinary journey through ISSEI’s finest dishes, specially crafted by the head chef. The OMAKASE menu highlights flavors from both land and sea, but guests can also choose from the à la carte menu.

Aji verde, ceviche, goma, katsu, shichimi togarashi, and ponzu—ISSEI’s menu is filled with exotic names, each explained in Estonian at the end of the menu. For example, shichimi togarashi is a Japanese seven-spice blend containing seaweed and black sesame seeds, while aji verde is a traditional Peruvian green sauce.

The Story of Nikkei Cuisine

Nikkei cuisine dates back to 1899 when the steamship Sakura Maru set sail from Japan to Peru. Alongside its passengers, the ship carried something even more valuable—their home recipes, which they used to recreate familiar flavors after long days working in sugar plantations.

With different local ingredients available in Peru, traditional Japanese dishes took on a fresh new twist. Both Japanese and Peruvian cultures share a deep appreciation for fresh fish, which became the foundation of this new fusion cuisine. The Japanese culinary tradition, inspired by the sea, blended with the bounty of Peru’s fertile land—corn, potatoes, lime, and chili—giving fish and rice an entirely new dimension of flavor.

Enjoy Breathtaking Views from the 24th Floor

Both the restaurant’s interior design and menu are inspired by the harmony of land and sea. From the 24th floor, enjoy panoramic views of Tallinn while experiencing something truly exceptional.

ISSEI is a destination restaurant for both locals and international guests. It is also the perfect venue for business meetings and private events, offering every guest an unforgettable culinary journey.

An Award-Winning Restaurant Recognized by Falstaff

In the 2025 Falstaff restaurant guide, ISSEI received 85 out of 100 points, placing it among the top-tier restaurants.