RIMI or MAXIMA, Tallinn

If you are looking for fruit, cheese, picnic fixings, toothpaste etc, then this is the best bet in the Old Town. It is located a few minutes' walk from the Viru Gate. There is a chemist's shop in store as well.

Before coming to Tallinn I knew that there are Scandinavian food shops RIMI and Lithuanian food shops MAXIMA. I had possibility to see and buy some things at both of them. I got impression that MAXIMA shops are quite scrappy in Tallinn and is for people, who wants cheaper and not so good quality food. That is more, most of personnel - Russians and, as I heard, sometimes it is hard for Estonians to speak at their national language.
RIMI shops have bigger variety of goods and look richer in design. I believe most people prefer RIMI shops more.

Let say, in Lithuania MAXIMA shops are quite good, the same as RIMI.

This is just a usual department store located near passenger harbour and ferry terminal D. The name of the store is Norde Center, and it sells many things from souvenirs to spectacles, liquor, there is a hamburger place (Hesburger), a small casino which is open 24/7, clothes etc.

The Hyper Rimi is the department store. It has specially good opening times: every day until 11 p.m.

Food, great cheeses, delicacies, fresh food at low price. Everything that a department store sells usually. Food, drinks, some clothes (especially for babies), make up and cosmetics stuff, hygiene stuff, toys etc.

What to buy: I was surprised as I saw their beer and wine selection - and prices. A good Australian Chardonnay wine - 50 crowns (appr. 3 euros).

Everyone knows that Belgium produces the best beers in the world - and has a huge variety. I was really amazed to see some of the finest and most well-known beers among beer lovers: Leffe Blonde, Leffe Brun, Kwak, Hoegarden, even the great cherry flavoured (Lambic) Kriek.
All these beers cost only 20-40 crowns per bottle! Try to buy them in any western capital in a bar...and try to guess how much these special beers cost!

What to pay: Depends on the money available, very personal.

Rimi Kaubahall seems to be the nearest big grocery store for the Tallinn old town. It is located next to the old town wall, but on the city side. The nearest gate is on Viru street.

The store is a full-fledged supermarket with a big alcohol department serving especially Finns searching for cheaper booze. The selection of other stuff is good, too, and the prices are decent. If you are residing in a hostel or otherwise travelling on budget, Rimi is a good choice to save some money on groceries.

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This is a great supermarket that carries pretty much everything you need. Very conviniently located just outside of Viru Gates.