Welcome to the Bold Town! Trickster took a walk around the streets of the Rotermann Quarter, met five fellow tricksters, and had a delightful chat with them. Get all the insider information on how to make the most of your time in the Rotermann Quarter and enjoy spring in style. Photography by Silver Mikiver.
Erkki-Sven Tüür, composer, resident of Rotermann.
We bought an apartment in the Orange House in 2010. We had to sell another, too big apartment because our grown-up kids moved away, and then we decided to find a new base in Tallinn – our main home is on the island of Hiiumaa – somewhere in the very center. This was the best possible apartment on the market at that time, and we were really lucky to get it!
I am a full-time freelance composer, writing music mainly for symphony orchestras. I have been fortunate to have my works performed (and commissioned) by top orchestras around the globe, such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Orchestre de Paris, Philharmonia London, New York Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Hong Kong Philharmonic, among others. Have a closer look here.
I enjoy walking different routes through Tallinn’s streets – sometimes through parks, sometimes in the Old Town, which is right next to the Rotermann Quarter. I also like having a cup of coffee or tea in different places. Since all the main concert halls and theaters are within walking distance, my wife and I often go to the theater and concerts. Sometimes, we have a nice dinner with friends afterward.
As a fan of good modern architecture, I welcome every new and well-designed building. In that sense, the quarter has developed a greater coherence. And, of course, new shops, restaurants, and cafés bring more variety.
The very best hidden corner of Rotermann is my apartment! In the same building, there is a lovely café called Orangerie – it’s very convenient to have a spot for short business meetings just a minute away from home. Sometimes, we have lunch at Platz restaurant. The cinnamon and cardamom buns at Röst are fantastic! And be sure to visit PoCo – the pop art museum!
For me, Rotermann is a wonderful marriage of restored old factory buildings and great modern architecture.
Aleksandra Saarmets, hostess at Jenk Korean BBQ restaurant.
You can call me Sasha! What brought me to Rotermann, specifically to Jenk, a Korean BBQ restaurant, is my many years in hospitality and my passion for it.
In addition to providing interactive service and fun vibes to our guests at Jenk, I am a project manager for a party series called TIKS. We organize monthly concerts and parties across Tallinn, with the latest one taking place in Viimsi on March 21st. My responsibility at these events is to ensure that all aspects of the bar, service, and atmosphere come together seamlessly. I truly enjoy my work because it constantly takes me to different and interesting places, allowing me to explore spots that many may have never been to.
If I had a whole day to spend in Rotermann, I would probably start with breakfast at either Orangerie or Röst Bakery. After a delicious meal and a relaxing stroll around the cool buildings – maybe even a small detour to the sea – lunch on the terrace at R14 sounds like a great choice. I would also take the opportunity to visit the gym or perhaps see a movie at the legendary Coca-Cola Plaza. For dinner, of course, my choice would be Jenk! Experiencing different Korean flavors, tasting the best kimchi in town, and grilling your own BBQ is an unbeatable experience. To finish off the day, a glass, or a few at Time to Wine, and that’s that: a perfect day! Rotermann really is the Bold Town of Tallinn.
Erkin Antov, freelance designer, record collector and a DJ.
I was one of the early business residents in Rotermann, back before it became the hotspot it is today. I started renting a desk in a creative space here around 2010, when the area was still mostly industrial. Later, when the restaurant R14 was being built, I was invited to create the visual identity for the restaurant and became the resident selector and curator of the music program.
These days, I’m still here, playing records and designing, as well as performing at the summer events held at the Korstnaplats of Rotermann. I also run a music event for vinyl enthusiasts, R14 Record Club. Every few months, we record a live set while playing only vinyl on a rotary mixer – and enjoying some good wine! The results of these evenings are 4- to 5-hour-long mixes that can be found here.
Right now, my DJ schedule keeps me pretty busy. I host my bi-weekly show Ida Hommik on IDA Radio, as well as Lost & Found, plus regular nights at various restaurants and venues around Tallinn.
On the design side, I work on all sorts of projects – from Estonian unicorn startups to conferences, festivals, club nights, and country promotion projects with Brand Estonia.
I also drink a lot of coffee and walk around with my dog. :)
What really sets Rotermann apart is that it’s a car-free area. This place has been developing for a long time, but over the last three years, it’s really come to life. The main square has become a landmark in its own right. R14 even earned a Michelin Guide nod, and more local businesses have moved in – places like Pühaste Taproom, which add something new to the mix. There’s a stronger sense of identity now, with a balance between old industrial charm and a more refined city feel.
I might be biased, but R14 really stands out – maybe even as one of the best spots in Tallinn. The high ceilings, huge windows, and dim lighting give it a proper metropolitan feel – something you’d usually find in London or New York, rather than here. It’s got character without trying too hard.
Ilo-Hanna Keres, COO at Shepherd, a software company specializing in solutions for technicians working with Oracle’s NetSuite.
Over the past six years, I’ve been part of building Shepherd, which has coincided with the time we’ve spent in Rotermann. On a personal level, I juggle life as a wife, a hands-on mom of two, and a devoted pet owner to three dogs and two cats – so my daily routine is never boring!
Joining Shepherd was also my transition from the corporate world to IT – I started my career as an attorney and banking official – so it was a shift both professionally and atmospherically. Rotermanni’s vibrant energy is a refreshing contrast to traditional corporate settings. It’s a place where people feel good, and when people feel good, they do great work. That’s why, even as we’ve grown and moved offices within Rotermann, we’ve never left.
I love being outdoors, and Rotermann has the kind of city vibe that makes even urban spaces feel welcoming. Having lived in New York, I see a lot of Brooklyn’s spirit in Rotermann – it’s bold, artistic, and effortlessly blends old and new, industrial and modern, work and leisure.
Like many, my Rotermann days aren’t complete without a cardamom bun from Röst and a post-lunch stroll through the quarter. My favourite lunch spots are Taqueria, Pull, and Levier. I love the Art Deco aesthetic of the black building and the charm of the Stalker Pathway. And every Christmas, I find myself on a last-minute shopping spree at Tallinn Design House – it’s become a tradition!
Lately, Rotermann has truly embraced its identity as the charismatic recreational hub it is – Nordic Brooklyn with Insta-perfect vibes!
Helen Aasa, co-founder of PoCo Pop Art Museum.
When I moved to Tallinn ten years ago and started exploring the city, I remember standing at Rotermann Square and thinking that one day I’d like to work here. Two years later, I found myself writing a poem to apply for a job at E-Governance Academy’s communication department. The deadline had passed, but I thought I’d distract them with my lyrical lines. It worked. A few weeks later, I walked into Rotermanni 8 as an employee – the same building I had been looking at when I stood in the square a few years before.
Fast forward five years, and I was on a sabbatical, preparing to take a ride on the iconic Iron Ore Train of Mauritania when Linnar, the founder of PoCo, called me about his plans to open a museum and asked me to join the team. And here we are!
In my everyday work, I handle whatever needs to be done. One day, it’s ordering merch; the next day, it’s drilling holes in a concrete wall. Who knows? I’m here daily, and I’ve become the go-to person for everything. Off the clock, I enjoy hanging out with friends and helping them out. I’m a bit addicted to problem-solving and good at figuring things out!
My relationship with Tallinn as a whole is a bit complicated. I like the size of Tallinn – fast access. But as anyone who has traveled to beautiful cityscapes knows, Tallinn is lacking in many ways. The general city space is not enjoyable for me – I don’t drive. So it’s literally gray, with asphalt, concrete, wide roads, and cars. I don’t understand why they mostly make new buildings in gray and cold colors. I love what @mitte_tallinn is advocating for. Right now, it’s mostly certain quarters or projects that are nice to hang out in. I love it when I step out of PoCo in the summer, and suddenly, there’s so much life around me – people buzzing, enjoying themselves, and life in general.
My memory of Rotermann goes back to when there was a ditch that served as a parking lot instead of Ajamaja. The quarter has evolved so much. I like that there are places where people can hang out without forced consumption. It feels humane and inclusive. I’ve had numerous conversations with Finns and other tourists who have returned to Tallinn over the years, and they are amazed by how much this quarter has developed.
Stalker Pathway is great for people-watching – I like to sit there and work outside in the summer. The Palmigalerii in Rotermanni 8 is also a favorite. I love the foliage. I enjoy a nice brunch at Levier, and nothing beats chilling on one of the terraces, sipping limoncello spritz, and chatting about life – or the lack of it. :)
