Right in the middle of Estonia, where roads are winding past lakes and through forests, on the way between Tallinn and Tartu, lies a restaurant dedicated to serving local fish. Knowing that roadside restaurants and eateries are normally not famous for their quality, Vörtsu Sahver certainly breaks the norms, and far beyond usual expectations.
![](https://estonianfoodtales.visitestonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMGL5177_websize_fotograaf.lauri_.laan_-1024x683.jpg)
Opened and operated by two friends, both fishermen, united by a passion for high quality and freshness, and cooking with a no-fuss and no-nonsense simplicity. A wonderful local speciality is eel, traditionally wild and in abundance here and also farmed nearby. At Vörtsu Sahver eel is expertly served as a soup, a clear soup, rich in flavour yet light and refreshing. A true signature dish of the house, a proof that tradition in the hands of modern craftsmen has value, and a reason to go out of one’s way to experience. The interior is decorated with old eel fishing equipment and old photographs depicting artisans at work. Fried fish is also a signature here, as is the selection of local lemonades and juices. Wines and Champagne? Sure, that too, if you prefer.
![](https://estonianfoodtales.visitestonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMGL5353_fullsize_fotograaf.lauri_.laan_-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://estonianfoodtales.visitestonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMGL5326_fullsize_fotograaf.lauri_.laan_-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://estonianfoodtales.visitestonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMGL5272_websize_fotograaf.lauri_.laan_-1024x683.jpg)