The annual restaurant month Tasty Tartu has won first place in the category “Wine and Gastronomy Tourism based on eno-culinary heritage preservation” at the European Cultural Tourism Awards.
The award was presented on October 2 in Sibiu, Romania, during the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) international conference, which brought together participants from 17 countries.
The international jury highlighted that Tartu’s restaurant month offers an excellent solution to one of the tourism sector’s key challenges – stimulating travel during the low season. According to the jury, Tasty Tartu is an inspiring example of how a well-designed campaign can both enhance a city’s winter visitor experience and preserve local food culture while promoting sustainability principles. The jury also praised the initiative for valuing local ingredients, short and environmentally friendly supply chains, and serving as a model for other destinations.
According to Urmas Klaas, Mayor of Tartu, the recognition is an important acknowledgment for the city.
“Food culture is a vital part of a community’s identity. Culinary experiences around the world express regional uniqueness and cultural heritage – they tell stories, bring communities together, and offer visitors something truly distinctive. Tartu has made great efforts to elevate and sustain its food culture,” said the Mayor.
Held every February, Tasty Tartu aims to revive the low tourism season by offering three-course special menus at affordable prices in the city’s best restaurants. The campaign plays a key role in maintaining and developing Tartu’s food culture, showcasing as much local produce as possible.
Over the 11 years of the campaign, more than 195,000 menus have been served, and nearly 200 unique dishes have been created by top chefs specifically for the event. This February alone, over 27,000 menus were sold, confirming “Tasty Tartu” as a true favorite among locals, domestic travelers, and international visitors alike.
According to Marilin Kroon, Head of the Food Sector at the City of Tartu,
“Tasty Tartu not only boosts winter tourism but also strengthens collaboration between the city and local businesses. This initiative proves that with dedication and cooperation, a simple idea can grow into a strong and lasting tradition. I’m truly delighted that our collective efforts have been recognized,” Kroon added.
In the same category, Tiramisù World Cup (Treviso, Italy) took second place, and Vrsar amareti (Croatia) came in third.
The award is part of the international program “Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2025.” Tartu also won first place in 2023 in the “Riverside Heritage” category for its sustainable development of the Emajõgi River waterfront.
All 2025 award results can be found here.
Further information:
Marilin Kroon, Tartu City Government’s Food Sector Development Manager, +372 512 4634
Annika Ojasaar, Head of Tourism in Tartu, +372 5886 7883