Among the many restaurants scattered around Vilnius, there are sure to be some that match all tastes and budgets. Although the concentration of restaurants is highest in the Old Town and around the city centre, fine eating out places can be found in various (sometimes unexpected) parts of the city. In Vilnius' restaurants the cost/quality ratio is quite favourable. It should be borne in mind that a luxurious and dazzling interior are not necessarily a guaranty of tasty, high quality cuisine; whereas a rather plain décor may signify that the restaurant's main focus is on the quality of their dishes.

International European cuisine is predominant in Vilnius restaurants, with a few Lithuanian dishes included in the menu. Pizzerias now outnumber Lithuanian restaurants, so do not be surprised to find a wide range of pizzas available at most restaurants (especially medium price range restaurants). The people of Vilnius are starting to jokingly say that pizza is becoming Lithuania's national dish.

Chinese restaurants are no longer a rarity in Vilnius, and they usually offer quite good food. People who love sushi and seafood can choose one of the Japanese restaurants. Oysters, shellfish and baked frog legs are offered by French and Belgian restaurants. The Vilnius Old Town is home to several good Argentinean restaurants, which cook delicious traditional steaks and lamb cutlets. Represented in smaller numbers in Vilnius are restaurants offering Polish, Mexican, Czech, Indian, Spanish and Greek cuisine. There is also a vegetarian restaurant ("Balti drambliai" - "White Elephants") in the Old Town, but vegetarians should be able to find a suitable dish on the menu of almost any restaurant.

Lithuanian cuisine is represented by several restaurant chains and smaller independent restaurants in various parts of Vilnius. Those who wish to sample the delights of Lithuanian cuisine and to feel the authentic atmosphere of a Lithuanian tavern will be able to easily find one of the Lithuanian restaurants in the Old town.

In terms of numbers of cafés, Vilnius is not far behind the traditional ‘café culture' cities of Europe. As one walks around the Old Town or attends to matters in the city centre, it is customary to call in to a café to relax a while. Cafés (or tea houses) can be found in almost every street of the Old Town. But as one walks around the city it seems to illustrate the adage that the more ‘hidden' the café is, the nicer its atmosphere will be. Hence there is no need to wait for a table in the popular cafés of Trakų, Pilies or Didžioji Streets; one can have a look in Bokšto or Savičiaus Streets.

Many Vilnius bars function as restaurants during the day, and in terms of subtlety of interior décor and quality of cuisine, they compete with the best restaurants. Therefore, quite often the tourist booklets rank these cafés among the restaurants. Some of the bars could also be appropriately included in the list of intimate-sized clubs, because in the evenings they have live music or a DJ. Bar interiors vary greatly: futuristic, decoratively decadent, solidly unassuming or comfortably modernist; so everyone is sure to find a place they like.

For more detailed list of restaurants, cafes and bars you may use www.vilnius-tourism.lt