Travel advice for Lithuania
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Lithuanian cuisine is based on traditional rural fare. Typical starters include marinated mushrooms (marinuoti grybai), herring (²õ¾±±ô°ìÄ—) and smoked sausage (rukyta desra) along with cold beetroot soup (²õ²¹±ô³Ù¾±²ú²¹°ù²õľ±²¹¾±). A popular national dish is cepelinai, or zeppelins – cylindrical potato parcels stuffed with meat, mushrooms or cheese. Others include potato pancakes (bulviniai blynai), and °ì´Ç±ô»åų²Ô²¹¾± – boiled or fried dumplings with meat or mushroom filling. Popular beer snacks include deep-fried sticks of black bread with garlic (kepta duona) and smoked pigs’ ears. Pancakes (blynai, blyneliai or lietiniai) come in a plethora of sweet and savoury varieties.
Most cafés and bars serve reasonably priced food. Well-stocked supermarkets, such as Iki and Maxima, are found in the main cities and towns. Many restaurants are open between 11am and midnight daily, with cafés open from 8/9am and bars closing at 2am at the earliest.
Beer (alus) is popular, local brands being Å vyturus, Utenos and Kalnapilis, and so is mead (midus), Lithuania’s former nobleman’s drink. The leading local firewaters are Starka, Trejos devynerios and Medžiotojų – invigorating spirits flavoured with herbs. Many lively bars in Vilnius and Kaunas copy American or Irish models, although there are also plenty of folksy Lithuanian places, while cafés (°ì²¹±¹¾±²ÔÄ—) come in all shapes and sizes. Coffee (kava) and tea (arbata) are usually served black; ask for milk (pienas) and/or sugar (cukrus). Forego international fizzy beverages in favour of gira (kvass), a refreshing drink made from fermented bread.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Lithuania
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Discover Lithuania – Your travel guide.