It’s not everyday I can go to hell for dinner, but Porgu, which literally translates to “hell” in Estonian is worth the trip to Tallinn’s underworld. The inventive menu drew us to this cave-like cellar adorned with wrought iron chandeliers and blood red walls. Contrary to the name, the service is both attentive and prompt, the food delightfully decadent.

Starting with the unassuming baked pork ribs “snack” ($7.90 euro/ $10.38), a portion arrived that could have been the main meal. If Porgu is hell, their ribs are heaven — coated in a spicy, slightly sweet glaze and topped with minced garlic, chillies and parsley. In between bites, we sipped a 7.6% farm ale (3 euro/ $3.94) from the Estonian island Saaremaa. The color and initial flavor is like a Blue Moon but with a strong sour finish.

The smoky duck fillet (13.90 euro/ $18.26) was perfectly moist inside with a crispy outside, served with sweet potato mash, black plums, baked cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas and an unusual slightly tart and sweet pomegranate sauce. The mustard and honey baked chicken fillet’s subtle glaze complimented the creamy mashed potatoes with chives, pak choi, sun dried tomatoes and mushroom sauce (9.5 euro/ $12.48).

While we did escape alive, the pain of overeating somewhat resembled purgatory.

Porgu
Ruutli 4
EE10130 Tallinn, Estonia
+372 6 440 232