The long-awaited verdict of Lithuanian gourmands has finally arrived: the Tablein Diners' Awards 2023 announced the best-rated restaurants in Lithuania, evaluated by the guests themselves. Which dining destinations have become the visitor favourites of 2023? Tablein guide presents the 20 restaurants in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda, with the leader maintaining its top position for the third year in a row.
Winners are selected by guests only
For the past four years, the "Tablein Diners' Awards" have been taking place – the only awards of this concept in Lithuania, where the members of the commission are the restaurant visitors themselves, who have reserved tables through
Tablein.lt and then shared their experiences after their visit.
"The rating opportunity is only available to guests who have actually been to the restaurant", - transparency of awards results is guaranteed by the global platform Tablein, which has already served nearly 4.5 million people in Lithuania for making table reservations. Not only selecting the best-rated restaurant is important. These awards are also vital for improving the country's gastronomic culture, as visitor feedback helps others choose high-quality dining places more easily and encourages restaurants to improve themselves.
Last year, 120 restaurants went head-to-head for the 2023 Tablein Diners' Awards. The winners? Chosen based on what diners loved most: the food, service, vibe, and cleanliness. And for the first time, there's a Debuts category. It's for those hidden gems that everyone's raving about but haven't racked up enough reviews to make the big leagues yet.
Gold goes to a celebrity chef's restaurant
According to the visitors' decision, the Gold in the Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023 for the third consecutive year was awarded to the exclusive fine dining restaurant Amandus, while representatives of Mexican cuisine secured the second and third places: guests gave the Silver to El Gato Negro, and the Bronze to Casa Peligrosa.
"Fantastic! We are thrilled, along with the entire team. It appears that we attract guests who genuinely appreciate our efforts. Every visitor stepping through our restaurant doors receives a wholehearted welcome. Beyond the three hours of direct interaction, we invest considerable effort, research, and planning to ensure each dinner proceeds as smoothly as possible. I can see that our endeavours are truly worthwhile," emotionally shared Deivydas Praspaliauskas, the chef and founder of Lithuania's top-rated restaurant Amandus.
When queried about how they maintain their leadership position for years, the kitchen expert didn't hesitate: "It's very easy to fall on the laurels. Extremely easy. However, that's not us. We don't opt for the easiest path. Whether it's vegetarians, vegans, allergies, or various dietary preferences, we view these not as challenges but as tasks. When we welcome guests, we adapt to them, just as they adapt to us."
Success formula? A strong team!
At the Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023, visitors to Lithuanian restaurants awarded El Gato Negro, a haven of authentic Mexican cuisine, with the silver prize. "In last year's awards, our placement was third, and this year we've climbed one step higher. We are thrilled with such recognition and happy that our efforts have gained greater meaning. None of this would be possible without our excellent, hard-working team, and such recognition encourages us to improve further," stated Eglė, the manager of El Gato Negro.
Justas Gvozdiovas, the founder of the Casa Peligrosa restaurant which secured the bronze, also underscored the teamwork importance. "To ensure an unparalleled dining experience, we pay exclusive attention to detail as well as unique processes, whether it's about hand-pressing tortillas or wood-smoking barbecues onsite. To achieve this, a strong team becomes a cornerstone. Work in a restaurant is complex and risky, yet it brings immense satisfaction, so recognition from visitors like this is truly motivating."
Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023 TOP 20: the best guest-rated restaurants in Lithuania
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: Gold
Amandus
Užupio g. 22, Vilnius
Amandus restaurant concept: Fine dining restaurant, treating guests to unexpected flavour combinations, aesthetics, and unique tasting dinner experiences
Chef: Deivydas Praspaliauskas
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: Silver
El Gato Negro
Naugarduko g. 12, Vilnius
El Gato Negro restaurant concept: An authentic Mexican cuisine restaurant, prioritizing old recipes passed down through generations
Chef: Vitalis Čižauskas
Kitchen manager: Kazimieras Grišius
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: Bronze
Casa Peligrosa
Visų Šventųjų g. 5, Vilnius
Casa Peligrosa restaurant concept: A restaurant of modern Mexican cuisine improvisations, nestled under the vaults of a centuries-old monastery
Chef: Artūras Samavičius
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 4th place
Fabrikėlis
Pasakų g. 9, Vilnius
Fabrikėlis restaurant concept: A creative restaurant in Vilnius introduces guests to modern Baltic cuisine inspired by local farmers' produce
Chef: Ovidijus Orenta
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 5th place
Brussels Mussels Stadium
Rinktinės g. 5, Vilnius
Brussels Mussels Stadium restaurant concept: Belgian-style restaurant-pub dedicated to Belgian cuisine and the most iconic country's beverages
Kitchen manager: Andrius Veikutis
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 6th place
Pizzeria Piccola Italia
Maironio g. 22, Kaunas
Pizzeria Piccola Italia restaurant concept: Restaurant featuring classic Italian cuisine and Neapolitan-style pizzas
Chefs: Vilma Pranytė and Tomas Petrauskas
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 7th place
La Capital
Saltoniškių g. 7C, Vilnius
La Capital restaurant concept: Mexican cuisine restaurant, inspired by authenticity, ancient pre-Hispanic traditions as well as rituals
Chef: Alexis Maldonado
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 8th place
I Hate Sushi
Vytauto g. 35, Vilnius
I Hate Sushi restaurant concept: Premium sushi and champagne restaurant
Chef: Kostas Ryžovas
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 9th place
Nineteen 18
Dominikonų g. 11, Vilnius
Nineteen 18 restaurant concept: A fine dining restaurant of New Baltic cuisine, inspired by the local bounty grown in small farms or collected from nature
Chef: Andrius Kubilius
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 10th place
Brussels Mussels Centrum
Vilniaus g. 17, Vilnius
Brussels Mussels Centrum restaurant concept: Belgian-style restaurant-pub dedicated to Belgian cuisine and the most iconic country's beverages
Kitchen manager: Andrius Veikutis
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 11th place
Pachamama
Gedimino pr. 9, Vilnius
Pachamama restaurant concept: A dinner restaurant dedicated to Peruvian Nikkei cuisine
Chef: Miguel Relova
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 12th place
Veranda
Kęstučio g. 39, Vilnius
Veranda restaurant concept: Restaurant of European cuisine culinary improvisations, inspired by seasonal Lithuanian farm produce
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 13th place
Ipanema
A.Smetonos al. 4, Kaunas
Ipanema restaurant concept: Trendy pizzeria located on the bank of the Nemunas River in the Panemunė pinewood
Chef: Martynas Andriuškevičius
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 14th place
Ryžių Jūra
Šv. Ignoto g. 14, Vilnius
Ryžių Jūra restaurant concept: Asian street food restaurant
Chef: Karolis Jurkonis
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 15th place
Carré Bar and Lounge
Gedimino pr. 9, Vilnius
Carré Bar and Lounge restaurant concept: Modern European cuisine and cocktail restaurant
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 16th place
Talutti bakes and shakes City
Vasario 16-osios g. 2, Kaunas
Talutti bakes and shakes City restaurant concept: An American cuisine restaurant for urban people, their families, and friends.
Chef: Irmantas Gasiūnas
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 17th place
PACAI
Didžioji g. 7, Vilnius
PACAI restaurant concept: A fine dining restaurant where the menu features innovative, original flavours inspired by both Nordic and Lithuanian cuisines
Chefs: Goda Juknaitė and Vytautas Alekna
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 18th place
Sue's Indian Raja
Odminių g. 3, Vilnius
Sue's Indian Raja restaurant concept: Authentic Indian cuisine restaurant
Chef: Madansingh Panwar
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 19th place
Imperial
Subačiaus g. 2, Vilnius
Imperial restaurant concept: A luxurious fine dining restaurant offering haute cuisine, modern Lithuanian gastronomy, and authentic Grand Duchy of Lithuania dishes, recreated by historians
Chef: Slava Janč
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: 20th place
Gaisrinė
Žvejų g. 4, Klaipėda
Gaisrinė restaurant concept: A restobar on the banks of the Danė River, combining American and European cuisines
Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023 TOP 20: the best guest-rated restaurant debuts
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: Debut
Lagom bistro
Visų Šventųjų g. 7, Vilnius
Lagom bistro restaurant concept: A modern casual dining eatery
Chef: Sergej Khamchanouski
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: Debut
Elven
L. Stuokos - Gucevičiaus g. 7, Vilnius
Elven restaurant concept: A restaurant inspired by Nordic cuisine and the freshest local ingredients
Chef: Adomas Jegnoras
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: Debut
Bruknė
Linkmenų g. 28, Neries senvagės parkas, Vilnius
Bruknė restaurant concept: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner improvisations within the winter garden
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: Debut
Red Brick
Žirgyno g. 1, Radiškis
Red Brick restaurant concept: Farm-to-table restaurant inviting guests to enjoy New Baltic gastronomy
Chef: Arnór Ingi Bjarkason
„Tablein Diners’ Awards 2023“: Debut
NO CHEF
Pylimo g. 19-38, Vilnius
NO CHEF restaurant concept: A Mediterranean cuisine restaurant prioritizing authenticity, simplicity, and product quality
Chef: Jonas Jonušas