Mediterranean cuisine is synonymous with a perfect vacation in the warm South. Its characteristic flavours distinguish culinary traditions from Spain, Italy, Greece, Lebanon, and beyond, treating diners to a blend of the freshest ingredients, unique aromas, and cultural stories told on plates.
Eager to enjoy these irresistible flavours in the restaurants of Vilnius? It's just as easy to do as to say! Moreover, the country's chefs aim not only to replicate the authenticity of Mediterranean gastronomy but also to fearlessly offer bold interpretations of classics, giving familiar dishes unprecedented depth and nuance.
So, where should one dine when dreaming of such vacation-like cuisine? Follow Tablein guide to discover the best Mediterranean cuisine restaurants in Vilnius, worthy of every food enthusiast's attention.
Mediterranean Restaurants in Vilnius
DUA
S. Daukanto g. 2 A, Vilnius
DUA is a place of taste sensations, warmly enveloping guests with gastronomy inspired by Italian and Mediterranean cuisines. Arriving here in the morning? Try their coffee blends, created right on-site. Visiting for lunch? Indulge in dishes perfectly reminiscent of sunny vacations. Choosing DUA for dinner? Get ready for a generously set table and unforgettable gastronomic experiences.
From homemade focaccia, vitello tonnato toast, eggplant parmigiana with crispy breadcrumbs, sous vide beef heel, or octopus on a warm hummus bed, to handmade pasta and an assortment of Italian pizzas - this is what the stylish DUA welcomes you with.
However, dedication in this restaurant is paid not only to classics. The kitchen team also embraces interpretations, and shrimp arancini garnished with yuzu mayonnaise or fresh burrata served alongside tomatoes stewed in Aleppo pepper become perfect examples of just that.
NO CHEF
Pylimo g. 19-38, Vilnius
NO CHEF is not just a restaurant where chef Jonas Jonušas creates culinary magic but also a broad culinary philosophy based on geography ranging from Spain, Italy, or Greece to Morocco and Lebanon.
In preparing dishes, here priority is given to the quality of ingredients, authentic recipes, and simplicity of preparation, as this is how the captivating Mediterranean cuisine reveals itself.
From hearty Italian or Middle Eastern plates for brunch to a tasting Mediterranean table for dinner, from freshly baked flat Arabic bread to an impressive seafood platter – a visit to this restaurant always becomes an expressive adventure, rich with unforgettable flavours, experiences, and emotions. And it is no surprise, as the NO CHEF hosts themselves say: "Our main goal is to make you feel like you are on vacation."
El Mercado
Didžioji g. 3, Vilnius
As the name suggests, El Mercado is a bustling market-like home of Spanish cuisine, where the lively conversations of guests seated at elegantly yet generously laid gourmet tables never cease.
Born from a great and sincere love, the restaurant pampers its visitors with an exceptional variety of Spain-inspired dishes. The impressive repertoire of cold & hot tapas, gourmet paella, grilled dishes, delicious desserts, and child-friendly options shows that you can easily find authentic Iberian flavours in Lithuania too. From fresh oysters, aged beef tartare, shrimp carpaccio, cod fritters, patatas bravas, seafood paella, Basque-style grilled fish, Iberian pork cheek, or meat platters, to churros drowned in caramel – you're welcome to share, taste, and enjoy.
Moreover, not only are the menu and atmosphere exceptional here, but so is the concept itself: under one roof at El Mercado, guests are greeted by a restaurant, a gastrobar, and a gourmet food store.
Kalimera
L. Stuokos Gucevičiaus g. 7, Vilnius
Located in the heart of Vilnius centre, Kalimera is a restaurant that warmly welcomes guests with a harmony of exceptional fast Greek food and homemade dishes. A chef from Greece here aims to create the purest tastes, ensuring every visitor experiences the most authentic flavours.
The menu, distinguished by a vivid Mediterranean character, proudly presents the iconic dishes of this country. From grilled souvlaki, gyro meats, bifteki, or halloumi, to rustic Greek salads with the highest quality feta and homemade tzatziki: the temptation is irresistible here. Alongside the dishes, Kalimera charms with the idea of serving them in small meze plates. This Greek tradition is an unparalleled pleasure for those who enjoy sharing and tasting!
Beverages also hold an important place on the restaurant's menu, offering a variety of refreshing cold coffee options and wine from small Greek winemakers.
Farmer & the Ocean
Vilniaus g. 25, Vilnius
Farmer and The Ocean is a unique restaurant inspired by rural sentiments and journeys to the ocean, thoughtfully blending Lithuanian and Nordic culinary traditions with southern exotics in its menu. If holiday flavours are what you dream about, this place will fulfil all your gourmet desires.
The restaurant's kitchen emphasizes seasonality, meaning that throughout the year, menu choices are dictated by the dynamic rhythm of nature as well as the offerings from local farmers and fishermen. Whether it's cold beet soup with hemp milk in summer or smelt fish in winter, you'll quickly appreciate the freshest flavours.
Travel is a great inspiration for the entire restaurant team, so alongside local delicacies, you'll always have the opportunity to enjoy Mediterranean or Atlantic Ocean treats. Oysters, shrimp, calamari, octopus, fresh tuna, and other seafood options are always presented as unique appetizers or soups, as well as unforgettable main courses that generously cover the Farmer's table when you arrive.
PULPO
Stiklių g. 16, Vilnius
Distinguished by its temperamental character, PULPO is a restaurant nestled snugly in the heart of Vilnius Old Town. The elegance of its interior spaces and an idyllic outdoor terrace welcoming guests in the warm seasons create a unique atmosphere, while the Spanish cuisine reveals the direction of the Mediterranean.
Based on a sharing concept, the menu here reveals an assortment of tapas perfectly replicating Spanish gastronomic tradition, as well as gourmet main courses that even the most seasoned gourmands cannot resist. It's worth trying a bit of everything here; however, if you want to make an easier choice, opt for the guests' all-time favourites - chorizo croquettes, scallop tiradito, and tender pulpo a la gallega or pulpo a la brasa octopus.
Regardless of the choice, expressive flavours, colours, and sensations accompany all menu selections, and even more unique emotions are evoked by pairing them with drinks, whether wine or the legendary sangria.
Saduto Tuto
Trakų g. 15, Vilnius
Saduto Tuto is one of the first natural wine bars in Lithuania, offering guests not only a quality drink but also Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
The most prominent here are the Middle Eastern flavours, revealed in choices ranging from freshly baked challah bread, labneh yoghurt spread, lobster hummus, or halloumi cheese with nashi pears to Moroccan lamb cigars, steak in tahini sauce, and schnitzel sandwiches. Guests are invited to enjoy these dishes either on their own or paired with natural, biodynamic wines.
Although the menu is rich in seafood and meat options, it is also generously stocked with vegetarian flavours, ensuring that guests with a wide variety of dietary preferences can always enjoy a gourmet experience at Saduto Tuto.
Menu items at restaurants may change, so check here for the latest offerings.
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