Michelin-listed restaurant to be demolished to make way for Tartu culture center

The Michelin-recognized restaurant Toko, situated along the Emajõgi River in Tartu, is scheduled for demolition to facilitate the construction of the Siuru cultural center. Although the establishment holds a lease with the city extending until 2030, the owners have reached an agreement to vacate the site by May 2028. This arrangement is contingent upon the city council authorizing the construction of a replacement facility at a nearby location on Vabaduse puiestee. Should the proposal receive formal approval, the restaurant operator will be granted a 22-year lease for the new premises. The project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2028 to align with the broader development timeline for the new cultural hub.

The project highlights the tension between urban cultural development and the preservation of recognized local businesses in Estonia's second-largest city.