Laura

Ask for a seat at the counter if you want to feel in the thick of the action at this lovely little restaurant. It’s cramped, rustic and full of life – and run with a joyful spirit by the young team. This is ‘nonna’-style cooking with a pure Italian heart: nothing too fancy, just straightforward dishes that burst with flavour. The great value weekly menu of eight or so dishes is written on a blackboard and could include the likes of breaded cod with celeriac and apple slaw, while the daily pasta might be pappardelle with rich duck ragu. Their range of natural wines makes for some great pairings

The name Protėviai translates as ‘ancestor’ and their tagline is “The legend of fire and steaks, inspired by the ancestors of the world”. As you may have guessed, this restaurant is all about the primeval method of cooking steaks over fire and smoke. The striking interior takes in huge wooden sculptures and a fire-effect central counter hewn out of a huge piece of wood. The steaks – some dry-aged for 60 days – are a mix of Lithuanian, USDA Prime rib-eye, Koji tenderloin and Wagyu from Japan and Australia, and are served by weight, cooked over glowing embers and rested with care.

Set in a hotel beside the Cathedral Square, you can expect an idyllic ambience here, complete with twinkling water fountains. When the weather’s good, the terrace is the place to be, as it faces both the Square and the Cathedral, but the restaurant itself is also a beautiful place with a chic, modern feel. The ambitious kitchen produces attractively presented, cosmopolitan dishes such as hamachi ceviche with strawberries, hibiscus, avocado and shiso, followed by the likes of pistachio cheesecake with raspberry sorbet and pistachio ice cream.

It might be called a grill – and it's certainly all about cooking over fire – but don't assume it's just steaks in the spotlight at this faux-industrial-looking spot on the edge of the Old Town. Instead, a wide range of meats share the focus, as emphasised by the variety of carcasses hanging in the chiller cabinet as you enter. The menu encourages sharing to start, with the likes of salmon ceviche or chipotle sausages, before moving on to the main event – maybe sirloin, lamp rump or duck breast. Care and pride are put into the vibrant, colourful dishes, which come with bold, gutsy flavours.

Located a short walk from the Old Town, Amandus brings with it a dose of history and a relaxed, bohemian vibe. Guests arrive all together at 7pm, whereupon owner Deivydas Praspaliauskas greets them personally – and further interaction comes when the chefs present their own dishes at the table. The surprise tasting menu draws its inspiration from historical recipes and flavours, which are brought together, updated and presented in a modern way. For something a little more intimate, book the artistically curving table in Epotheca, set within an old pharmacy repository.

Having been five years in the making, this impressively opulent restaurant seems like it might be more at home in Dubai or Macau than Vilnius! The cavernous glass-roofed main dining room is overlooked by two ‘caged’ balconies and a champagne bar – and there’s an intimate, dimly lit cocktail bar serving innovative Asian creations. A wood-framed open kitchen takes centre stage, and captivating and intriguing design details abound. The original menu fuses East and West, with the dim sum a hit and the signature beef dishes cooked over charcoal a real highlight. The wine list features some fine gro

Sister to Nüman in Kaunas, the name of this restaurant means ‘river’ in Norwegian, with the language being a clue both to the design of the room and the style of the food here. The traditional creamwashed façade of the heritage building is certainly in complete contrast to the sleek interior, which is an elegant space with a design-led style. The menu delivers a good range of creative, pared-back dishes with bold flavours, a blend of textures and eye-catching presentation, with sharing dishes for two also a feature. In summer, head for the rear terrace.