Olde Hansa

Step into 1492 AD at Olde Hansa, a meticulously authentic medieval merchant’s house in Tallinn’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town. Experience candlelit feasts of game meats and period recipes, live troubadour performances, and servants in historically accurate garments – an immersive 15th-century dining experience for groups up to 300 guests.

Olde Hansa is far more than a restaurant; it is a living portal to the medieval Hanseatic era. Housed in a historic stone building dating back to the 15th century, this Rich Merchants’ House recreates every detail of life in 1492 AD with extraordinary authenticity. From the moment guests cross the threshold, they are transported back seven centuries by servers dressed in period-accurate garments, illuminated solely by candlelight, and serenaded by troubadours playing hurdy-gurdies, fiddles, bagpipes, and flutes.

The venue spans three floors with 300 seats, each level featuring authentic medieval architecture, including the original spiral staircase built into the stone walls. Every mural, piece of handcrafted furniture, and decorative element tells a story from the Hanseatic period. The building itself, a trapezoidal three-story limestone structure with a basement, served as the Package Building in medieval times, the sole location where foreign merchants could store goods in Tallinn.

The culinary experience is led by Master Chef Emmanuel Wille, a Belgian expert who has spent over 20 years perfecting authentic 15th-century recipes. The cuisine showcases seven varieties of game meat, including crown jewels like bear stewed in wild berry sauce and elk tenderloin in truffle sauce. Signature dishes include Earl’s Forest Mushroom Soup, Rose Pudding, game sausages, and wild boar. All dishes are prepared using slow-food techniques and historical methods, with exotic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, and cloves balanced to create the sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami flavors characteristic of wealthy medieval households. Notably absent are potatoes and tomatoes; foods that had not yet arrived from the New World in the 15th century.

Olde Hansa excels at hosting medieval feasts for groups, where food is served family-style on platters and bowls, creating an atmosphere of communal celebration (sharing meal). The experience begins with traditional hand-washing rituals and the breaking of bread by a chosen “master of the table.” For larger groups, the venue offers spectacular programs, including the Grand Guild Celebration, featuring heralds, troubadours, flag bearers, a procession through Old Town, and the dramatic presentation of an illusion dish carried by two men – recreating festivities as they were 700 years ago (special request.

All staff are members of the Olde Hansa Guild, trained rigorously in medieval customs and required to work at least one year and one day before earning the title of craftsman. Their commitment to the virtues of Human Respect, Trustworthiness, Friendliness, Courage, and Fair-Mindedness ensures every guest receives genuinely warm service within this authentic historical setting. Live medieval music performances occur Wednesday through Sunday from 6 PM to 9 PM, featuring composers from the 15th century and earlier, including Guillaume de Machaut and Alfonso El Sabio.

The venue champions sustainability through minimal energy consumption (candlelight is used exclusively in dining areas), extensive recycling and repair programs, locally sourced ingredients from Estonian farmers and hunters, and handmade plates crafted by local artisans. This 700-year-old house represents not just culinary heritage but a deep commitment to preserving local historical and cultural traditions.

Location

Tallinn Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – Vana turg (Lower Market area), heart of medieval Tallinn

Contact information

Email: reserve@oldehansa.ee
Website: oldehansa.ee
Phone: +372 627 9020
Address: Vana Turg 1, Tallinn Old Town (see location on Google Maps here)

Capacity

Total capacity: 300 across all floors
Max group size seated: 300
Private/group rooms: Yes, multiple spaces across three floors
Max group size (programs): 100 

Layout

Restaurant layout: Three-story historic limestone building with interconnected dining halls on each floor, connected by an authentic medieval spiral staircase built into stone walls
Outdoor seating: [To be confirmed]
Wheelchair accessible: [To be confirmed]

Cuisine

Cuisine type: Authentic 15th-century medieval cuisine based on historical Hanseatic recipes
Dietary options: [To be confirmed]
Signature features: Seven varieties of game meat (bear, elk, wild boar), Earl’s Forest Mushroom Soup, Rose Pudding, Game Sausages, Honey Beer, Homemade Schnapps, open kitchen concept
Cooking style: Slow-food technique with low-temperature cooking; fresh ingredients from local Estonian farmers and hunters; authentic 15th-century recipes researched from medieval documents; exotic medieval spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, saffron, cloves); no potatoes, tomatoes, or New World ingredients

Group menu

Does the restaurant have group menus? Yes

Olde Hansa specializes in medieval feasts designed for group dining. The signature Master Chef’s Feast features 20 different authentic medieval dishes served family-style on platters and bowls for sharing. All feasts include traditional hand-washing rituals and bread-breaking ceremonies.

Medieval Feast Experience:

– Unlimited servings of feast dishes (as much as guests wish)
– Family-style service with shared platters and bowls
– Traditional ceremonies and rituals
– Minimum 2-hour duration
– Appetizers, main courses, and desserts

Special group program available

Grand Guild Celebration (21-100 guests, 3 hours)

– Herald and troubadour procession through Old Town
– Welcome drinks
– Entry via medieval spiral staircase
– Live medieval music performances
– Games and entertainment by the herald
– Illusion dish finale carried by two men
– Program cost: €1,500 plus selected meal

St. Olav’s Guild Celebration (2-20 guests, 2 hours)

– Herald and troubadour greeting
– Welcome drinks
– Optional spiral staircase entrance
– Medieval customs and legends presentation
– Live music performances
– Illusion dish finale
– Program cost: €900 plus selected meal

Note: Please contact the venue for detailed menu options, pricing, and customization options tailored to your group size and occasion.

Spoken languages

English, Estonian

Event suitability

Types of groups/events welcomed:

Corporate Dinners
Incentive Travel
Gala Dinners
Birthday Parties
Tour Groups
Networking Events
Team Building Events
Cultural & Historical Experiences
Medieval-Themed Events
Private Celebrations

Venue options and facilities

Full Venue Hire: Complete three-floor medieval merchant house available for exclusive events up to 300 guests.

All venue features include:

– Candlelit dining atmosphere (no electric lighting in service areas)
– Period furniture and handcrafted decorative elements
– Historic architecture with vaulted ceilings and stone walls
– Guild-trained staff in historically accurate costumes
– Medieval entertainment programs available (herald, troubadours, flag bearers)

Special Ceremonies & Entertainment:

– Hand-washing rituals and bread-breaking traditions
– Illusion dish presentations
– Processions through Tallinn Old Town
– Live medieval music Wednesday-Sunday, 6 PM-9 PM (hurdy-gurdy, fiddle, bagpipes, flutes)
– Performances of 14th-15th century compositions

Transportation and access

Public Transport: Multiple bus and tram stops are conveniently located around Tallinn Old Town, with easy walking access to the restaurant.
Tour Buses/Coaches: Due to pedestrian restrictions in Old Town, tour buses are not permitted to enter the historic area. Convenient drop-off points available at Vabaduse Väljak (Freedom Square) or Pärnu mnt, with a pleasant short walk through the medieval streets to Olde Hansa.
Parking: Multiple parking options are available just outside the Old Town boundaries, including street parking and several parking garages surrounding the historic center, all within easy walking distance of the venue.

Beverage packages

Authentic medieval drink selection, including Honey Beer (house specialty), Homemade Schnapps with medieval spices, and traditional medieval beverages crafted by master drinkmakers. Selection of wines and beers available, including both period-inspired and contemporary options. Water and juice are available. Welcome drinks are included in celebration programs. Unlimited beverage options available for feast packages.

Note: In keeping with historical authenticity, modern soft drinks are not served.

Special features

Unparalleled Historical Authenticity: 700-year-old building originally serving as the medieval Package Building; only candlelight used in dining areas; staff garments historically accurate down to every stitch, including famous curly-toed shoes; in-house tailor creates period costumes; handmade pottery plates by Estonian artisans; antique silverware; 20-year Guild apprenticeship tradition.

Award-Winning Cuisine: Master Chef Emmanuel Wille has spent over 20 years perfecting authentic medieval recipes researched from 15th-century documents. Beyond his medieval expertise, Chef Wille is a respected culinary educator and has coached the Estonian team at the Bocuse d’Or culinary Olympics, demonstrating his mastery across both historical and contemporary cuisine.

Sustainability Commitment: Minimal energy consumption (candlelight-only policy); extensive repair and reuse programs; locally sourced ingredients from Estonian farmers and hunters; no single-use items; complete candle burning to minimize waste.

Cultural Heritage: UNESCO World Heritage Site location; Hanseatic League history (13th-17th century); building dates to 1368, reconstructed 1655-1656; living museum of medieval merchant life; 400+ Guild craftsmen trained over 20 years.

Notes or limitations

– Entire dining experience designed for historical immersion with candlelight only, period music, and full medieval atmosphere
– No potatoes, tomatoes, or other New World ingredients served (historically accurate to pre-1492 cuisine)
– Live medieval music performances Wednesday-Sunday, 6 PM-9 PM (no music on Mondays)
– Medieval feast experiences require a minimum of 2 hours
– Guild celebration programs require advance booking and have specific group size requirements (Grand Guild: 21-100 guests; St. Olav’s: 2-20 guests)
– Historic building features an authentic spiral staircase
– Sustainability practices include no single-use items or paper products
– All staff follow Guild virtues and medieval customs
– Advanced booking strongly recommended for group events and feast experiences
– Full venue privatization available for large celebrations
– The venue is housed in a protected 700-year-old historic structure