Lijo

You’ll receive a truly warm welcome at this contemporary Italian bistro set in the corner of the Grand Theatre Square. Brightly decorated ceramics and colourful paintings pop against white walls, giving the place the feel of a seaside osteria on the Amalfi coast, and while the chef is Lithuanian, his cooking feels authentically Italian too. Dishes are carefully prepared, heartily proportioned and well-seasoned, from the Neapolitan-style pizzas to the likes of rolled snow crab raviolo with beurre blanc or osso bucco with risotto Milanese and gremolata.

You’ll find the Monist restaurant housed inside the boutique hotel of the same name, along with a comfortable bar for pre-dinner drinks, creating a cossetting retreat from the world outside. The room is decorated in warm, natural colours, and nature guides the cooking too, with dishes inspired by the seasons. The à la carte menu offers plenty of choice and while it's underpinned by traditional Lithuanian flavours, here they’re given a refreshingly restorative modern makeover. Highlights include the sea bass with parsnip purée and, for dessert, the sticky layered cake with quince and hazelnuts.

Chef Giorgio Pignagnoli brings plenty of Italian flair and creativity to the kitchen of this smartly dressed restaurant at the Palanga Spa Life Balance Hotel. There are often dishes to share on the menu, such as sole or chateaubriand, while standouts include his smoked eel risotto, which is as flavoursome as it is colourful. Many of the generously sized dishes come with his own original touches, but neither is he afraid of tradition – he uses his grandmother’s special recipe for his delicious tiramisu, for example.