{"id":22771,"date":"2025-05-06T11:26:36","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T08:26:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitsaaremaa.ee\/inspiration\/where-can-you-get-fish-in-saaremaa\/"},"modified":"2025-07-03T16:48:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T13:48:12","slug":"where-can-you-get-fish-in-saaremaa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/inspiration\/where-can-you-get-fish-in-saaremaa\/","title":{"rendered":"Where can you get fish in Saaremaa?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\u201cI love you like a whitefish\u201d is a famous quote from the golden era of Estonian film, spoken by a summer guest from the capital to a Muhu island farmer. Islands and fish go together like a hand in a glove. While whitefish (siiakala<\/em>) is rare in everyday markets, you won\u2019t go without fish on Saaremaa – fish is the islanders\u2019 true treasure. Locally caught seafood is a natural part of their daily meals, and there are countless ways to prepare it. Fish is fried, marinated, baked, smoked, made into \u00e4kis<\/em> (a quick-salted fresh fish dish), or dried. On the islands, you can taste it all!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\"Which fish should you look for?\"<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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That depends primarily on the season. The first \u201charbingers of spring\u201d are roach. They taste best when dried, served with dark rye bread and a cold beer. In the second half of May, garfish arrives in Saaremaa\u2019s coastal waters. Known as the \u201cpoor man\u2019s eel\u201d, it\u2019s delicious fried, dried, or marinated\u2014but smoked garfish is an absolute must-try. After Midsummer, flounder becomes nice and plump – just the way locals like it. Is your mouth watering yet? Then follow the scent of fish and enjoy the taste of the islands.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Where can you taste local fish?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In Saaremaa, smoked fish has become a culinary symbol of its own\u2014the scent from a smoke oven, the salty sea air, and freshly prepared fish are an experience you simply must have.<\/p>\n

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If you want smoked fish straight from the smoker, head to GoldFish<\/strong><\/a>, a small-scale producer in Nasva, where you can buy classic smoked flounder as well as other local delicacies caught from nearby waters.<\/p>\n

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With a bit of luck in summer, you might even get a taste of smoked fish atop the stunning Panga cliff<\/strong><\/a>. Alongside the flavors, you\u2019ll enjoy views found nowhere else – it feels like nature and fish have formed a secret alliance.<\/p>\n

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And don\u2019t worry if you\u2019re in Kuressaare – the town has plenty of eateries that focus on seasonal, local ingredients. Many restaurants and caf\u00e9s feature dishes made with fresh local fish as the star ingredient. Whether it’s smoked whitefish, fried perch, or an elegant fish soup, Kuressaare\u2019s fish dishes reflect the island\u2019s rich culinary variety and coastal food traditions.<\/p>\n

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Want to go on a real island fish restaurant tour? Here are some must-visits:<\/p>\n