With a long history and many nations mixed, Vilnius has a lot to tell about heritage through its culinary scenes. This guide will present the Top 7 of the best Polish restaurants in Vilnius to taste these flavorsome and hearty dishes. From authentic pierogi and kielbasa to lesser-known regional specialties, these restaurants offer an expedition into the heart of culinary Poland without setting foot outside the Lithuanian capital.
Content
- Stebuklai
- Sakwa
- Augustas & Barbora Love Story Café
- Žemaičių Ąsotis (Samogitian Jar)
- Ertlio Namas
- Nineteen 18
- Lokys
Stebuklai
A unique dining experience awaits guests at another best Polish restaurant Stebuklai in Vilnius. The concept is a modern twist on the old Eastern European and Polish culinary classics. To be more precise — Polish-innovative. A modern rebirth of the culinary classics of old Eastern Europe and Poland. The menu is à la carte daily with exclusive brunches on weekends. It is also a prime spot for private events like weddings or corporate gatherings, accommodating up to 100 guests. Prices are quite accessible, considering some of the offerings: tuna tartare with kimchi, avocado, and wasabi €19.50, Grana Padano cheese salad with Romaine, garlic crostini, and anchovy sauce €15-17, hake marbled €27, €31 for octopus on the grill, €30 for lamb ribs, and €40 for 100g of Wagyu beef.
Address: L. Stuokos-Gucevičiaus g. 1, Vilnius
Sakwa
One of the best Polish restaurant offers a mixture of Lithuanian and European cuisine in an excellent location: right in the very center of Vilnius’s Old Town, near the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. The old-town atmosphere is very vibrant here; locals and city guests enjoy this specific area. There is quite a lot of diversity of Polish food near you in Vilnius, focusing on modern versions of Polish, Lithuanian, and Eastern European dishes. Expect generous portions, fresh, and at great value for your money. Some of the favorites include Caesar Salad with Chicken at €7.50, Shredded Beef Salad at €8, Herring Fillet with Apple Cider Dressing at €6.50, Warsaw-style Tripe at €7, Old Polish Delicacy with lamb dumplings at €7.50, Sakwa Pork Roll at €12.50, and Sturgeon Fillet with Vegetable Stew at €13.50. Sakwa has an ambiance set by modern decoration, providing a warm, cozy feel for everyday dining and special occasions. With an owner who warmly receives guests and is always around to ensure that the guests' experiences are unforgettable, and on request, the owner can come up with an awesome set-up for your event.
Address: M. K. Paco g. 1, Vilnius
Augustas & Barbora Love Story Café
Augustas & Barbora Love Story Café is a picturesque spot located in Vilnius, at 7 Stikliu Street. It is largely popular for the very romantic vibes that come out of it, and it is considered to be one of the most Instagrammable cafes in town. The interior design with its floral decorations, pink velvet seats, and marble tables has created a cozy and stylish atmosphere. Among them are the suggestions for European courses: the raspberry crème brûlée, the filet mignon, and a palette of vegan desserts. They also serve non-alcoholic cocktails and selected wines on the premises. A special delight for the palate is the royal tea, which includes citrus mousse, mini muffins, and assorted tea sandwiches, both sweet and savory. Its unique design was inspired by the legendary love story between Grand Duke Sigismund Augustus and his wife, Barbara Radziwiłł. The restaurant is open daily from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. and is quite popular, so making a reservation in advance is advisable, especially during peak hours.
Address: Stiklių g. 7, Vilnius
Žemaičių Ąsotis (SamogitianJar)
Žemaičių Ąsotis is an authentic, local, genuinely Lithuanian, Samogitian, and Eastern European cuisine restaurant in Vilnius, situated in Naujamiestis, not far from the Old Town. Classical Lithuanian music often plays in the background, enhancing the nostalgic ambiance. The restaurant is pleased to prepare dishes with a traditional recipe and local produce that creates the taste of Samogitian heritage. From the menu, one is served traditional meals that remind you of a Lithuanian grandma’s house. During dinner, the feel is even more cozy, served by the fireplace for more warmth. But just look at the menu: Green Salad: €8 Lettuce, cucumber, radish, red onion, roasted Lithuanian cheese, olive oil dressing Borscht: €8 Beer and Mushroom soups: €6 Pig’s Trotters: €10 Peas and Bacon Sauce Homemade pork sausage: €18 Pickled and fresh vegetables Fried salmon and pikeperch steak: €16.
Address: Naugarduko g. 32-1, Vilnius
Ertlio Namas
If you are searching for Polish food near you, Ertlio Namas in Vilnius is a standout choice. This is an exclusive restaurant offering historical Lithuanian food based on the culinary heritage of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Found at 7 St. John’s Street, Ertlio Namas provides a great dining environment that is both elegant and comfortable for the exploration of the tastes of yesteryears. The menu has been designed by head chef Tomas Rimidis, who will take the diner on a tour of time with the culinary platter. The dishes have been constructed from real recipes and the use of popular ingredients consumed during the Middle Ages, Baroque, Renaissance, and Enlightenment periods. The 4-course tasting comprises homemade bread with 17th-century dill butter, a chef’s compliment, 19th-century rabbit brawn with horseradish, radish, and carrots, 16th-century sorrel soup with quail and millet, and 18th-century beef tart with morels, beetroots, asparagus, and beef broth sauce. It concludes with boba and rhubarb. The dinner, lasting up to 2 hours, is priced at €50 per person, drinks excluded. The 6-course dinner is composed of 16th-century veal pekenfleišas with Jerusalem artichokes and 17th-century trout with turnip puree and smoked fish sauce. The experience lasts three hours and is available at €60 per person, drinks excluded.
Address: Šv. Jono g. 7, Vilnius
Nineteen 18
The last place of our Top 7 Best Polish Restaurants in Vilnius is Nineteen 18. This top place to eat has come in for much praise in reviews for offering a modern version of Lithuanian and East European dishes that reflect the country’s use of local and seasonal ingredients. It will also tap into the Polish expat community in that there will be several ingredients and flavors they can recognize and the fact that the restaurant takes its name from the year Lithuania became independent will also appeal to expats from Poland. Nineteen 18 focuses on a contemporary take on old Eastern European classics. The menu is largely dominated by local produce and is all about freshness and seasonality. Chef Andrius Kubilius serves 10 unique dishes to locals and guests of Vilnius. The 10-course tasting menu is €94. A dessert of fermented apples, tarragon butter, condensed milk ice cream, apple caramel, and Calvados ice cream, with a caramel wafer. What seems like pasta is in reality layers of celery and porcini mushrooms with breadcrumbs. It is a very nice, stylish interior that complements the philosophy of the restaurant. Located at the very heart of Vilnius, Nineteen 18 is the place to come and get spoiled by luxurious food.
Address: Dominikonų g. 11, Vilnius
Lokys
Most famous among Vilnius restaurants, Restoranas Lokys leads in Lithuanian and Eastern European cuisine. There are roasted wild boar, elk filet, fish, and mushrooms. Types of soups besides the traditional Lithuanian cold soup and borscht also add to the menu variety. Prices are reasonable: appetizers and salads range from €7 to €12, soups from €6 to €10, and main courses from €15 to €30. The interior decoration inside depicts the medieval style with stone walls, beaming, antique decoration inside that somewhat gives it a different feel.
Address: Stiklių g. 8, Vilnius
