Historically developed and culturally saturated Lithuania offers a lot of interesting and tasteful offers to the fans of cuisines. Whether you are a resident in Lithuania or a tourist enjoying your Lithuania Visa, the country boasts of the best restaurants. There are traditional Lithuanian dishes that remind of the taste of the old days and dishes that are actually a creation of a modern Lithuanian chef. Beginning this culinary adventure, you will find out that Lithuania is as beautiful as its landscapes and as rich as its history by the taste of its food.
Apart from allowing travellers to discover the Lithuania’s cultural and natural heritage, obtaining a Lithuania Visa offers a chance to become a gourmet. When walking down Vilnius cobblestoned streets; strolling through Kaunas avenues or relaxing in Klaipeda sea coast town, you will not find a lack of restaurants in Lithuania that embrace the tradition and the spirit of innovation. Thus, by the time you are finish your piece, you will be able to understand how the country tries to maintain its culinary culture intact while at the same time try to conform to the modern trends of culinary industry.
Here is the list of the 7 restaurants you have to try in Lithuania and their brief description.
1. Ertlio Namas (Vilnius)
Being situated in the historical center of Vilnius, Ertlio Namas is a perfect place for those who pay attention to historical meals. This restaurant provides its customers with an opportunity to try dishes that were prepared in Ancient Lithuania. It is a very interesting fact that all recipes on the plates of Ertlio Namas chefs are researched and prepared as ancient recipes with a contemporary twist.
Highlights:
- Historical Lithuanian cuisine
- Elegant and intimate setting
- In this way, the patients had seasonal menus based on historical recipes.
2. Sweet Root (Vilnius)
Sweet Root can be considered as a gem in the area of Užupis in Vilnius. This restaurant has been very much involved with the local farming culture and thus provides the farm to table menu. It depends from the season and offers the best of the Lithuania’s food scene. The furnishings of Sweet Root are rather simple, and the space is rather small, which makes it an ideal place for a date to or a birthday dinner.
Highlights:
- Fresh produce and locally available produce during the seasons
- Interesting and aesthetic display
- Cozy and intimate atmosphere
3. Džiaugsmas (Vilnius)
It has been named Džiaugsmas, which literally translates to ‘joy’ in Lithuanian – and the name could not be more fitting. This modern restaurant in Vilnius serves new Lithuanian cuisine and proves that local ingredients are incredibly diverse. Martynas Praškevičius is a Lithuanian chef who keeps experimenting with modern techniques while preparing Lithuanian dishes.
Highlights:
- Innovative Lithuanian cuisine
- Modern and stylish ambiance
- Award-winning chef
4. Monte Pacis (Kaunas)
Located in the beautiful setting of the Pažaislis Monastery, Monte Pacis offers exquisite food and great history for its guests to explore. The restaurant blends the quietude of the locale with delicious foods that are inspired by Lithuanian and European cuisine. The wine list is quite rich and includes wines that will fit the themes of the seasonal dishes.
Highlights:
- Amazing location situated inside a monastery
- Combination of Lithuanian and European food offer
- Extensive wine selection
5. Nüman (Kaunas)
Nüman in Kaunas is an example of the restaurant that has avant-garde position in relation to the dining experience. The cooking here is creative and experimental and some of the chefs like to use molecular gastronomy in their dishes. The tasting menu presented at Nüman is an amazing opportunity for people to taste different types of dishes and their combinations within one sitting.
Highlights:
- New and innovative style of cooking
- The scientific discipline of Molecular gastronomy.
- Modern and variability of tasting plates
6. Šturmų Švyturys (Klaipėda)
For lovers of seafood, Šturmų Švyturys in Klaipėda should be of interest. This restaurant offers daily fish and seafood that have been bought from local markets and are cooked in the Lithuanian way. The interior and exterior decorations are inspired by nautical and sea views hence the magnificent views of the Baltic Sea make it more favorable for both the citizens and visitors.
Highlights:
- Live seafood from the market; Seafood prepared from fresh meat
- Lithuanian preparation methods that have been used for years
- The decoration is nautical inspired with sea views.
7. HBH Palanga (Palanga)
HBH Palanga is a brewery combined with a restaurant so people can come to enjoy Lithuanian dishes and beer at the same time. The choice of meals is vast, and the food is Lithuanian, with staples like cepelinai – potato dumplings and šaltibarščiai – cold beet soup.
Highlights:
- Traditional Lithuanian dishes
- Craft beers- setting up of an in-house brewery
- Friendly and homey environment
Conclusion
The Lithuanian cuisine can be described as exotic and varied as the Lithuanian culture. These are the 7 best restaurants to enjoy a historic cuisine to a contemporary gastronomy kitchen in today’s generation. That is why do not hesitate to include these pieces of culinary to your Lithuanian itinerary if you are a tourist or just a resident of Lithuania.
