Where to Eat in Vilnius: 3 Restaurants That Showcase the Best of Lithuanian Cuisine
Before our trip to Lithuania, I knew very little about its culinary scene. I’d assumed it might be similar to what I’ve had in Poland — hearty, heavy, and honestly a little bland. But Vilnius proved me wrong in the best possible way. Lithuanian food turned out to be comforting and rich in tradition, yes, but also surprisingly diverse, creative, and absolutely full of flavour. It’s high time more people paid attention to this underrated cuisine.
If you’re visiting Vilnius and want to get a real taste of what Lithuania has to offer — from modern fine dining to generous portions of old-school comfort food — here are three restaurants that stood out during our stay.
1. Ertlio Namas: Lithuanian History Told Through Food
Dining at Ertlio Namas is like taking a culinary journey through Lithuanian history. Located in a charming townhouse in Vilnius’ Old Town, this fine dining restaurant offers a set menu that changes with the seasons and takes its inspiration from historical sources, using local ingredients in creative, unexpected ways.
When we visited, we had the four-course tasting menu (which turned out to be more like seven courses in practice), each dish paired with excellent wine. We started with homemade bread and butter infused with pine oil — a fragrant, forest-forward nod to the country’s natural landscape — and were then served a chef’s compliment before the first official course: trout terrine with eel and carrot sauce. Other highlights included a bright sorrel soup with rabbit dumplings and a beautifully plated beef dish with morels, horseradish, and beef broth sauce. Dessert was a rhubarb wafer with goat yoghurt ice cream, followed by rhubarb-based petit fours.
The standout for me? The trout. Delicate, balanced, and just a little unexpected.
But what truly set Ertlio Namas apart was the storytelling. Each dish came with a short explanation connecting it to a moment in Lithuanian history — making the whole evening feel like an edible lecture in the best way possible. The fact that the chef intentionally avoids using pork or potatoes in the menu is a quiet but powerful way to challenge stereotypes and prove that Lithuanian cuisine has far more depth than it’s often given credit for.
If you’re after an experience that’s as educational as it is delicious, this is the place.
2. Džiaugsmas: Modern Lithuanian Cuisine Done Right
Just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town, Džiaugsmas offers a sleek, stylish take on Lithuanian cooking. This is where the capital’s modern food scene shines: familiar flavours reimagined with finesse, local ingredients treated with reverence, and a menu that changes frequently depending on the season.
The vibe here is hip and contemporary, but never pretentious. The crowd is a mix of locals in the know and curious travellers looking for something a bit different.
When we visited, dessert was the surprise highlight: brown butter ice cream with dandelion root mousse, hazelnut panna cotta, and almond crumble. It was earthy, nutty, just sweet enough, and completely original. The kind of dish that makes you want to go home and rethink everything you thought you knew about panna cotta.
This is the restaurant to visit if you’re curious about how Lithuanian food is evolving. Traditional flavours and ingredients are still at the core, but they’re elevated here with precision and flair. An essential stop for food lovers.
3. Etno Dvaras: Traditional Dishes, Generous Portions, Great Prices
If Ertlio Namas and Džiaugsmas represent the new and refined face of Lithuanian cuisine, Etno Dvaras is the place to go when you want to try the classics — and leave full.
This casual, family-friendly chain has branches all over the country. We visited two in Vilnius: one on the bustling Pilies Street and another with outdoor seating on A. Vartų Street, which I especially recommend on a sunny day. The vibe is cosy and unpretentious, with charming folkloric decor and a menu that feels like a greatest-hits compilation of Lithuanian comfort food.
Think šaltibarščiai (that iconic bright pink cold beet soup), cepelinai (the famous zeppelin-shaped potato dumplings stuffed with meat), and žirniai su spirgučiais (peas with crispy pork bits). The portions are enormous, and the prices are almost shockingly reasonable — perfect for sampling a bit of everything, as long as you come hungry.
The food here is heavy, yes, but deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to linger over a beer or a shot of herbal krupnikas, chatting and digesting slowly. It may not be fine dining, but it’s every bit as memorable.
Final Thoughts
Lithuania might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of great food destinations, but it should be. Vilnius in particular has something for every taste: historical fine dining, modern innovation, and traditional comfort food that warms the soul (and lines the stomach). We left not just satisfied, but genuinely inspired by the creativity and diversity of what we’d eaten.
If you’re planning a trip to the Baltics, give yourself time to explore the food scene — and don’t be afraid to try something new. Lithuanian cuisine is ready for its moment in the spotlight.
Final note: If you’re planning on visiting either Ertlio Namas or Džiaugsmas, make sure to book a table in advance. I found it easy to do so online on their websites. For Etno Dvaras, on the other hand, they don’t take reservations, so you’ll just have to line up.
