Lithuania offers a modern, international cuisine
fully on par with Western Europe.

Text: Aage Myhre

Did you think that this country only offers traditional food? Think again… Today’s situation is that numerous Lithuanian restaurants follow the best world traditions of offering exceptional international cuisine, as well as a number of Lithuanian masterpieces, first-class service in surroundings of refined elegance and impeccable hospitality. Modern Lithuania’s excellent cuisine together with a high class service will leave you a memorable experience.

Let me bring you to some of my favourite international cuisine restaurants, this time unfortunately only in Vilnius!

La Provence

Address:	Vokieciu st. 22, Vilnius, Tel. +3705 2620257  www.laprovence.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	International/Mediterranean
Number of seats:	80
Number of halls:	4

 

La Provence is good, and remains good year after year. You should try some of their juicy fish choices that include red mullet, monkfish and fresh, hot and smoked halibut. My favourite, however, has always been the lamb knuckles or roebuck filet with cherry sauce. La Provence also houses a most uncompromising wine list ...

 

Balzac

Address:	Savičiaus street 7 Vilnius Tel. +370 614 89 223  www.balzac.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	French - International
Number of seats:	60
Number of halls:	1

 

Balzac restaurant was in 2010 voted the best restaurant in Lithuania.  This is the place to go for authentic French cuisine, French wines and top gastronomy as only the French can it... It’s located in the very heart of Vilnius, close to the Town Hall Square, Warm atmosphere with French music. The owner and main person behind both food and wines is Thomas Teiten, a very sympathetic guy from North Alsace. All genuine... A bientôt !

 

Neringa

Address:	Gedimino av. 23 Vilnius, Tel.  +3705 2614058  www.restoranasneringa.lt
Location:	Centre
Cuisine:	International
Number of seats:	180
Number of halls:	3

 

This place gives you a feeling of going back to the ‘good old days in Lithuania’ - the interwar period. And when you are here, at least once you have to try their world famous Kiev Cutlet! The restaurant is unique by its unchangeable interior from the beginning about 40 years ago – and still this is the venue of elderly intellectuals, one-time famous artists, architects and actors. Retro music concerts at weekends. Jazz club in the cellar.

Bistro 18

Restaurant & wine shop

Address:	Stikliu st. 18, Vilnius, Tel. +370 5 2660770, www.bistro18.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	International
Number of seats:	60
Number of halls:	3

 

Anne and Saulius, the Irish-Lithuanian couple owning and running this place, might well be there to give you a warm welcome as soon as you enter. The food is of the best in town, and affordable. Do not forget to ask for the wine list, or study the many shelved bottles. If you are lucky, Saulius might be there to share his wine wisdom...

 

Steakhouse Hazienda

Address:	Maironio st. 13, Vilnius, Tel.: +370 5 2122087  www.mabre.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	International and Lithuanian
Number of seats:	60
Number of halls:	4

 

The restaurant is a part of the elegant Mabre Hotel’s monastery compound, offers a truly international and Lithuanian cuisine. A relaxed atmosphere for business lunch or evening dinner. Live music is performed at least three times a week, and during spring and summer the open-air terrace is the venue for very special events! The bar serves a good selection of beers and wines, spirits, and soft drinks. Among the very best steaks in town.  

 

Markus ir ko

Address:	M. Antokolskio g. 11, Vilnius Tel. +370 5 2623185  markusirko@takas.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	International steak house
Number of seats:	60
Number of halls:	2

 

This is certainly a restaurant you should visit if you want a really good, juicy, soft steak. The location in Vilnius'  old Jewish quarter gives the place a unique atmosphere. It’s only regrettable that the serving staff's attitude  is not on the same good level...

 

Sue’s Indian Raja

Address:	Odminiu st. 3, Vilnius, Tel.  +370 5 266 18 87 www.sues-lt.com/
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	Indian
Number of seats:	60 inside and 60 in summer terrace
Number of halls:	2

 

Sue's Indian Raja is something of an institution in Vilnius. It's just about the only game in town if you've got a hankering for the savoury delights of the Subcontinent. Owner and restaurateur extraordinaire, Wing Commander (retired) Rajinder K. Chaudhary, the man whose shirts are always crisp, can often be found tucket in a quiet nook, quietly tapping away at his laptop. "Nothing here is pre-cooked, nothing is microwaved," he says proudly.
All the spices used at Sue's, along with the rice, are brought over from India.

 

Zoe’s

Address:	Odminių st. 3, Vilnius, Tel. +370 5 2123331  www.zoesbargrill.com/
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	International
Number of seats:	80 inside and 60 in summer terrace
Number of halls:	3

 

Zoe's is one of the places in Vilnius you become genuinely fond of. The food is good, the service is  impeccable. The atmosphere is always good. The boss himself, Swedish-Austrian Jurgen Weis, always have a steady hand throughout. Always a safe choice, if you ever were in doubt ...

 

Medininkai

Address:	Ausros Vartu st. 6, Vilnius, Tel. +370 5 2660770  www.medininkai.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	International
Number of seats:	80 inside and 60 in summer terrace
Number of halls:	3

 

Restaurant Medininkai follows their own, old tradition of offering excellent food and courteous, first-class service - in surroundings of refined elegance and impeccable hospitality. The restaurant is located in a former monastery in the heart of Vilnius near one of the oldest streets in town, today has the privilege of 16th century courtyard, where guests can have the added pleasure of lunching or dining outdoors during the summer season in the pleasant atmosphere of ancient Vilnius.

 

Saint Germain

Address:	Literatu st. 9, Vilnius, Tel. +370 2621210  www.vynine.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	French
Number of seats:	30
Number of halls:	1

Restaurant-winery “Saint Germain” is a place to meet, to be in a company with friends, to leave.... and to meet again. Retro style surrounding creates relaxing and informal atmosphere. This is a place for those preferring pleasant and cosy environment, no rush when enjoying gourmet meals and quality wine.

 

.Lokys 

Address:	Stikliu st. 8/10, Vilnius, Tel. +370 5 2629046  www.lokys.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	Lithuanian
Number of seats:	173
Number of halls:	4

 

“Lokys” means ‘bear’. This hunters' restaurant is known for its fine flavour of historical Lithuania. Situated in the old town of Vilnius the restaurant offers many historic delights - among these, of course, delicious food according to traditional recipes. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Vilnius. As you sit in the restaurant's gothic cellars and listen to the lulling melodies of Lithuania played on a flute and accordion, the chef of the restaurant is busy roasting the finest hunting takes for you.

 

 

Stikliai

Address:	Gaono st. 7, Vilnius, Tel. +370 5 2649580  www.stikliaihotel.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	International
Number of seats:	100
Number of halls:	3

 

Regarded by many as the highest-class and most elegant restaurant in the capital, the restaurant is located in the courtyard, under a glass roof and serves French cuisine. The restaurant is part of the Hotel Relais and Chateaux Stikliai.

 

Žemaičių smuklė

Address:	Vokieciu st. 22, Vilnius, Tel. +3705 2620257  www.zemaiciai.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	Lithuanian
Number of seats:	200
Number of halls:	6

 

This Samogitian tavern serves Lithuanian national dishes from the famous potatoes dumplings “cepelinai“ to simple and delicious curd cheese pancakes as well as European cuisine including game dishes and sea food. One of the oldest restaurants in town.

 

Stikliai tavern

Address:                       Gaono st. 7, Vilnius, Tel.: +370 5 2649580 www.stikliaihotel.lt Location: Old Town Cuisine: Lithuanian and European Number of seats: 45 Number of halls: 2   The restaurant is located in the heart of the Vilnius Old Town. The vaulted cellar houses a restored Tavern, where traditional Lithuanian and European dishes are served. The atmosphere is informal and relaxed, created by antiques and Lithuanian country style items.

Brewery ‘Prie katedros’

Address:	Gedimino av. 5, Vilnius, Tel. +370 605 7755   www.priekatedros.lt
Location:	Centre
Cuisine:	European
Number of seats:	96
Number of halls:	4

This cellar restaurant on the main street of Vilnius (Gedimino ave) makes its own beer using honey, and one way or another adds either of the ingredients into the food it serves. Educational classes are organized for beer lovers. During the class the guests are introduced with the beer production session and get the opportunity to taste all sorts of beer that are produced in this little restaurant factory.

 

 

San Marco 

Address:	Subaciaus st. 2, Vilnius, Tel. +370 5 2553355  www.ramadavilnius.lt
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	Italian
Number of seats:	120
Number of halls:	3

 

San Marco is the place for those who look for pleasure and peace. Italian style restaurant wit a quiet and delighted home atmosphere full of nice elements of refined decor, gourmet food and wines just in the Old town of Vilnius.  Believe it or not, but I found a pearl in my oyster that evening...

 

Ida Basar

Address:	Subačiaus st. 3, Vilnius, Tel.: +370 5 2553355  www.idabasar.lt/
Location:	Old Town
Cuisine:	International
Number of seats:	120
Number of halls:	6

 

Ida Basar is one of the oldest and most famous restaurants in Lithuania, situated in a XVI century architectural monument of Vilnius. It is also the only restaurant - museum in Lithuania  and one of 4 of the kind in Europe. Guests can not only enjoy meals from international cuisine and delicacies  from Lithuanian Grand Duchy (XIV - XVII century) noblemen meals, but also observe ample collection of antique dishes, cutlery, china, coffee grinders, and other - more than 4000 items in total.

 

Belmontas

Address:	Belmonto str. 17 Vilnius, Tel.: +3705 615 20220   www.belmontas.lt
Location:	15 min drive from the centre
Cuisine:	Lithuanian / International
Number of seats:	Lithuanian restaurant “Tavern of Joana Carinova” – 340 seats International restaurant “Gloria” – 80 seats Banqueting halls – seating up to 140, standing up to 200 guests Summer terrace – up to 400

 

This entertainment and recreation centre is a very good place for any event: both formal and informal, in the open air and inside, from folk to classic style. Water falls, fountains, watermills, beautiful surroundings carefully looked after by the owners create a relaxing atmosphere. There is also an open-air bar and amphitheatre – an ideal place for any kind of performance.