How to eat well at the best Vilnius restaurants and bars!

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When I planned my trip to Vilnius, Lithuania, I wasn’t primarily going for the food. I wanted to learn more about the culture and see a new country, but I didn’t know anything about Lithuanian cuisine.
The main thing I learned: Lithuanian food is GREAT! There are so many delicious dishes I’d never heard of, and several meals I absolutely love that I didn’t know had Lithuanian roots. Trust me, you’ll eat well in Vilnus restaurants!

Typical Dishes in Vilnius
Bagels – you can’t talk about Lithuanian cuisine without bagels! Bagels come from this region, along with Poland, so it’s a must-eat at breakfast. Depending on the type of breakfast place you choose, you can do either basic bagel toppings (cream cheese, butter, jam) or a more modern fancy breakfast sandwich.
Fried Bread (Kepta Duona) – While lots of countries do their own version of fried bread, Lithuania’s may be my favorite so far. Typically it’s a dark rye cut into slices and fried, then dipped in a cheesy sauce. Traditionally it’s eaten as an appetizer or snack along with a beer!
Zeppelins (Cepelinai) – potato dumplings filled with meat! These aren’t the same texturally as pieroghi or gnocchi. The texture is less like a dough and more like a straight potato. They’re both filling and enormous; two is enough for a meal.

Beet soup – You can’t not mention beet soup in Lithuania! The most popular version is a cold summer soup called Saltibarsciai. It’s typically served with hard-boiled eggs or potatoes for a little extra substance. The winter version is the Lithuanian take on borscht.
Lithuanian drinks – Lithuanian wine is its own category because it’s typically made from something other than grapes! Some of the most common Lithuanian fruit wines include blackcurrant, cherries, blackberries, or other berries! That being said, beer or vodka is the more popular choice in Lithuania and you’ll find plenty of typical options for those everywhere!

The Best Vilnius Restaurants
Etno Dvaras
Etno Dvaras is the perfect place to start your Vilnius restaurant experience. It’s traveler friendly and has a massive menu packed with Lithuanian classics. It even usually indicates which part of the country the dish or drink originates from!
There are several locations in Vilnius, so there’s sure to be one near you. Speak to your waiter if you’re not sure where to start or how much to order per person!
Grey
If you want a more upscale restaurant for Lithuanian cuisine, head to Grey. They have a more modern presentation of classic dishes. If you’re interested but trying not to spend too much, they have a great lunch special that gives you two courses for less than the price of one main at dinner!

Šnekutis
If you want the local pub meal experience, check out Šnekutis! It has the feel of a bar but has a full menu of Lithuanian pub food. Their drink menu is fairly limited: beer is the focus here! If you’re going solo, this is the kind of place where you’ll make friends with people at the communal tables next to you! Come early to get a seat, or swing by for a beer later in the evening.
Beigelistai
Choose Beigelistai for a coffee shop with great bagels tucked away in the artists’ quarter of old town. It’s the kind of place I can picture myself coming weekly if I lived here for a cup of coffee and bagel, to be enjoyed catching up with a friend or over a good book.
Holy Donut
While its name focuses on the donuts, the Holy Donut bagel sandwiches are pretty amazing too. They have elaborate bagel sandwiches that were so delicious! The donuts are also pretty beautiful and were hard to resist! They also have additional hot breakfast options, so if you want a big brunch, head here.
Want more Vilnius restaurants? I have a full guide to Vilnius’s food scene that includes way more Lithuanian options, international cuisine, and more of what to order when you get there!

The Best Vilnius Bars
Špunka
Špunka is a good starting point for beer! It’s a local favorite and feels like the kind of place that’s mostly about serving the regulars. Their focus is local beers. They also have a few locations, one in Old Town and one in Uzupis, so there’s probably one nearby already!
Būsi trečias
Būsi trečias is Vilnius’ oldest microbrewery, but the space was originally a vodka factory! Definitely worth stopping by for a contemporary take on Vilnius’ beer scene. They also offer beer cocktails if you’re feeling adventurous!
Decantus Vyninė
If you’re looking for a great wine shop/wine bar, try Decantus Vyninė! They have a ton of options, but it’s a good place to try the local fruit wine. If sweet isn’t your thing, they have a ton of international options as well. You can also get snacks and small plates if you need something to carry over to dinner.

I loved exploring all the Vilnius restaurants! Because the city has so many great places to eat, it makes for a good home base as you explore the local countryside as well.
Planning a trip to Vilnius soon? Grab my city guide or my interactive master list on Thatch: it has everything here plus more options to suit your budget or food style! And a day trip or multi-stop trip guide is coming soon!