These 8 Best Restaurants in Vilnius Showcase All Sides of the Lithuanian Food Scene

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Lithuania has gone from strength to strength over the past two decades that it has been a member of the EU. There’s no better place to experience the innovations, joys and excitement of modern-day Lithuania than in its enchanting capital, Vilnius. And at least as far as we’re concerned, the best restaurants in Vilnius are the best places to enjoy Lithuanian flavors, fusions and traditions.

We’re glad to say that Western-leaning young Lithuanians have created a food scene that goes far beyond the great food on offer. Vilnius knows how to create atmosphere and ambience in a way that other cities can only hope for, making use of the rich history of the region, historic buildings and architecture and beautiful contemporary spaces. All of these come together to create a marvellous dining experience that will leave you wanting more.

1. Džiaugsmas

Džiaugsmas isn’t just excellent food, it’s an insight into modern Lithuania and the way the country thoughtfully – and happily – fuses the best of its traditions with those of both its Eastern and Western neighbors. I don’t think anyone could dispute that Džiaugsmas is one of the best restaurants in Vilnius, with its playful and sometimes subtle mix of Lithuanian and international flavors.

One of the other reasons that Džiaugsmas has earned its place is because of the surprisingly functional mix of industrial chic and coziness that the team has created. The spaces within the restaurant feel casual and unpretentious, but it’s no easy feat to ensure that casualness while also making the restaurant feel exclusive and exciting.

Džiaugsmas has a rooftop that is great for early dinners on summer evenings, but the real vibe of the restaurant can only be experienced inside.

Thankfully, this isn’t a restaurant which requires you to take a tasting menu (although it is very reasonably priced). They have an incredibly impressive à la carte menu which offers such a breadth of food that I can’t imagine a single person being dissatisfied with the offering. Having said that, the beef ribs are grilled to perfection and is the standout dish (though you really will need to share with at least one other person).

Admittedly, Džiaugsmas might not be the best choice for vegetarians. There’s plenty of other options for vegetarians in Vilnius.

2. Amandus

I struggled for a while to describe Amandus in a short phrase, but I’ve landed on it: luxury casual. This is a restaurant that seems like it could be stuffy (even though it’s in Užupio), but it’s quite the opposite. The whole experience ensures the focus is on the food: the interiors are minimalist so that the artful presentation of the dishes can shine.

One thing that sets Amandus out from the other best restaurants in Vilnius is that the chef-owner makes an effort to visit every table for every course. The dining experience truly is elevated by forming a connection with the person who is designing the food you’re about to enjoy. It makes every bite so much more involved and enjoyable.

Lithuania has enjoyed over three decades of freedom since it declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. Since then, pent-up creativity and desire to explore and enjoy all things Lithuanian has meant that incredible restaurants like Amandus have come onto the Vilnius dining scene.

Amandus captures so much of what makes Vilnius the cool city that it is today. This is one dining experience that you will give you so many memories to keep into the future – and one of those memories will be the dish titled “Burning Love,” which might be the highest evolutionary form of mashed potato).

3. Čeburekinė

The first thing to know about Čeburekinė is it’s not pretending to be anything other than what you see: a casual canteen serving the best of Lithuanian cuisine, from the national dish cepelinai to balandėliai. This isn’t a restaurant you go to for the refined, high-end meal you’d expect at Amandus; this is the restaurant for an authentic taste of Lithuanian culinary history and a truly beloved local experience.

Čeburekinė frankly (and probably proudly) has changed much since the Soviet era, with its palpably cold stone exterior, simple tables and utilitarian décor. But this is precisely the nostalgic charm that keeps locals returning and gets visitors to Vilnius excited.

You’d be remiss not to try the čeburėkai (it’s in the name of the restaurant), a crescent-shaped deep-dried turnover full of minced meat and onions which is a popular street dish in former Soviet-aligned countries. Pair your čeburėkai with gira, a traditional Lithuanian fermented beverage made from rye bread, for the full experience.

We would probably keep a trip to Čeburekinė for lunchtime. It’s everything you want to experience about old-world Vilnius, but it isn’t quite a vibe for the evening. And be ready to experiment because everything is in Lithuanian and they make no apologies for it (though they will give you an English menu if you ask for it).

4. Žemaičių ąsotis

Of the many reasons you’ll be glad you visited Žemaičių ąsotis, one of them will absolutely be the original interior which gives you a glimpse of old-world Lithuania well before the Soviet era. The brickwork, hanging teapots, seemingly out-of-place colored lamps, and the folk art decorations on the exterior windows all work together to make your meal just that bit more tasty.

If you’re looking for a deep dive into traditional Lithuanian cuisine, this is one of the best restaurants in Vilnius to experience it. You’ll find virtually all of the Lithuanian foods and so many of the desserts, all set within a little restaurant which evokes feelings of being inside a traditional Lithuanian home in the countryside.

Žemaičių ąsotis is more than just a meal; it’s a cultural experience where you can discover the rich layers of the history of this country through its culinary heritage. The portions are gigantic so carve out a bit more stomach real estate for this meal.

5. Telegrafas

If you are looking for the more upscale, fine-dining experience, Telegrafas is the answer. Imagine high ceilings, ornate moldings and large windows to create that sense of pomp and grandeur you’d expect from a high-end establishment. They’ve even taken it to the next level and offer a brunch experience in case you wanted something more refined for brunch.

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Telegrafas consistently ranks as one of the best restaurants in Vilnius, if for no other reason than the food is beautifully crafted and immaculately presented. Telegrafas might not have the old-world charm (or the cool, casual charm of a Vilnius restaurant, for that matter), but it holds its own with an elegant and sophisticated dining experience.

6. Protėviai

Protėviai is everything you want from a restaurant in modern Vilnius: invitingly dark and cozy, rich textures and strong colors, and a fusion of traditional Lithuanian flavors with those found in Lithuania’s neighbors. At its most basic, Protėviai is a steakhouse, but not in the way you know it. They emphasize the primeval method of cooking steaks, specifically over fire and smoke.

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One of the joys of eating at Protėviai is that the restaurant is filled with artifacts and images from Lithuania’s past (and it has had many lives). These momentos offer a fun distraction when conversation slows down a little bit and you need a little bit of help to get it moving. Couple that with the fact that the menu is clearly put together with intention and you have one of the best restaurants in Vilnius.

7. Stikliai Tavern

Located in the upscale Stikliai Hotel, Stikliai Tavern is another one of Vilnius’s famous laidback dining experiences which is charming in setting and approachable in design. Every single dish here will validate your decision to book a table here. Of all of the best restaurants in Vilnius, there is something particularly charming about this little tavern.

There is a separate restaurant called Stikliai Restaurant in the same hotel that is fine dining with a modern European menu. It’s great, but what you really want is Stikliai Tavern.

In our humble opinion (which is dictated by locals who inform us on the best of the best everywhere around the world), Stikliai Tavern is one of the best places to try cepelinai. But make sure you try them elsewhere as well so you’ll know just how special the cepelinai at Stikliai Tavern is.

8. 14Horses

Nestled in a restored historic mansion in the heart of Vilnius is 14Horses, a wildly under-known farm-to-table restaurant that consistently serves up dishes that make the most of local ingredients and use international recipes (think, for example, potato tacos and trout donuts). 14Horses gives you that innovative cuisine that you’ll remember Vilnius for.

Lithuanian ingredients are the star of the show at 14Horses, with much of the produce being farmed just outside Vilnius. The way you’ll eat here is pretty specific: a choice of one appetizer, one main course and one dessert, all for one fixed price.

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