In 2025, The Food Capitals member city Tartu, as part of Tartu County (Tartumaa), has been named Estonia’s Food Region, celebrating its rich culinary heritage, local ingredients, and innovative food policies. With over 100 events planned, the year offers a vibrant invitation to discover how tradition and creativity come together in this dynamic region.
Around the world, local food and culinary traditions are powerful expressions of regional identity and cultural heritage. They offer a unique way for travelers to experience the soul of a place — through its flavors, ingredients, and hospitality. Food is more than sustenance; it is culture, memory, and community.
Estonia’s culinary strength lies in its pure ingredients, dedicated chefs, and deep respect for tradition. This results in a dining experience that is both authentic and innovative — rooted in the past yet open to modern creativity.
Since 2016, Estonia’s Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture has celebrated this diversity by designating one region each year as Estonia’s Food Region. In 2025, Tartumaa holds this title — the tenth region to be honored in the program’s history.
For Tartumaa, the designation is both a recognition and a new opportunity. Building on the legacy of Tartu 2024 – European Capital of Culture, the region now has a chance to raise its culinary profile even further, both nationally and internationally.
Tartumaa stood out to the selection committee for its forward-thinking and science-based approach to food policy — especially initiatives aimed at increasing the use of local ingredients in public institutions. The region includes both urban and rural communities, with over 1,000 food-sector businesses ranging from farmers and producers to restaurants and accommodation providers.
The program year features more than 100 culinary events — from festivals and fairs to pop-up cafés, cooking classes, and seminars — all celebrating local food culture and traditions. A special focus is on preserving culinary heritage and making it relevant for future generations.
One highlight is a newly completed study on the food history of Tartumaa, which explores how regional tastes and practices have evolved. To ensure this heritage is not lost, traditional recipes are being revived in local restaurants.
In collaboration with the Estonian Agricultural Museum, a public recipe competition titled “My Grandmother’s Recipes from Tartumaa” invites locals to submit traditional family dishes. The best entries will be published in a dedicated recipe book at the end of the year.
Tartumaa – Estonia’s Food Region 2025 warmly invites everyone to explore a rich and diverse culinary landscape — where history, tradition, and innovation meet around the table. https://visittartu.com/culinary-region/
________________________________________
Project coordination: Tartumaa Development Association, in cooperation with the Union of Municipalities of Tartumaa, Tartumaa Tourism, Tartu City, the local food network, and other regional partners.
Funding and support: The project is supported by the Estonian Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, the LEADER programme (EU rural development initiative), PRIA’s short supply chain measure, Interreg, and additional contributions from local partners and businesses.
Photo credit: © Mikk Otsar
