Game meat, known for its unique flavours, is becoming an increasingly popular choice in Vilnius restaurants. What can guests expect from the offerings? Bold interpretations that transform the usual way forest meat is presented!
Vilnius chefs creatively play with unexpected ingredients and diverse textures, bringing elegance to the plates, which vividly highlight the boldest game meat character. So, where can you savour these masterpieces?
Tablein guide explores the TOP game dishes in Vilnius restaurants. What options do the chefs offer, and how much can this forest-inspired gastronomy cost?
Dine
Gedimino pr. 35, Vilnius
Presenting classics in a modern way, Dine is a fine dining restaurant in Vilnius that allows guests to experience European dishes through a Lithuanian lens. Moreover, options from the menu paired with wine from sommelier Arminas Darasevičius’ list easily impress both visitors and culinary experts. Evidence of this? A prestigious recognition from the Michelin Guide.
Chef Donatas Šatkauskas creates the menu with great attention to detail, featuring a variety of dishes focused on seafood, fish, and meat. A standout is the gourmet venison carpaccio here, served with snails, caper jam, and coffee sauce. Dine's offerings change carefully, ensuring returning guests can always enjoy their favourite dishes, among which is this game meat delicacy.
Game dishes at Dine: Venison carpaccio with snails, caper jam and coffee sauce – 15 Eur.
Telegrafas
Universiteto g. 14, Vilnius
Featured in the Michelin and Falstaff guides, Telegrafas is a restaurant welcoming guests with fine dining experiences in the historic city's telegraph office. Not less unique are the window views of Cathedral Square and Gediminas Castle, making the visit here even more spectacular!
The restaurant's menu invites diners on an exceptional culinary journey based on Chef Justinas Kapkovičius' vision and perfectly complemented by high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. From black caviar or fresh oysters to a variety of meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes, each plate features luxurious notes. Telegrafas also encourages guests to savour Lithuanian venison, elegantly revealed in both gourmet tartare and steak shapes.
Game dishes at Telegrafas: Venison tartare with marinated green apple, dried plums, pearl onions, beetroot ketchup, and honey mustard caviar – 22 Eur. Lithuanian venison fillet with parsnip, Lithuanian beer, juniper berry, marinated beets, cranberries and a black currant-red wine sauce – 38 Eur.
Sparkling Ocean
Didžioji g. 27, Vilnius
As the name itself suggests, Sparkling Ocean is a champagne and seafood house, welcoming guests not only in the heart of Vilnius but also offering views of the Town Hall Square. The menu character here best shines through its marine delicacies, with choices ranging from champagne vinaigrette oysters and black caviar to gourmet seafood plates.
However, Sparkling Ocean also pays considerable attention to vegetarian and meat dishes, delighting those who accompany their seafood-loving friends. Plus, you will always find the game here! On the menu, its highlight is the venison carpaccio made with parmesan crisps, pine nuts, fried capers, and truffle oil.
Game dishes at Sparkling Ocean: Venison carpaccio with parmesan crisps, pine nuts, fried capers, and truffle oil – 19,5 Eur.
Stikliai
Gaono g. 7, Vilnius
Having earned its well-deserved recognition from the Michelin guide, Stikliai is a legendary fine dining restaurant in Vilnius known for its refined flavours, high service culture, elegant ambience, and subtle luxury. From onion soup and foie gras to lobster bisque, pumpkin sautéed in star anise butter, and squab with currants, the restaurant menu features European cuisine sprinkled with Lithuanian accents and prepared using French techniques. Guests who wish to experience the character of Stikliai even more vividly are invited to enjoy a tasting dinner.
Game enthusiasts will also find masterpieces to savour here. The menu includes must-try venison, available as carpaccio or a loin steak with mushrooms.
Game dishes at Stikliai: Venison carpaccio with ponzu-cuttlefish ink sauce, tarragon oil, marinated blackberries, foie gras butter, parmesan cheese and herbs – 29 Eur. Venison loin with potato millefeuille, forest mushrooms and champenoise sauce – 54 Eur.
Stebuklai | Katedra
L.Stuokos – Gucevičiaus g. 1, Vilnius
Stebuklai | Katedra is an elegant restaurant in Vilnius that invites guests to experience a magical blend of gourmet food, professional service, stylish spaces, and views of Cathedral Square through the windows. For all these reasons, the venue has also made its way to the prestigious Michelin Guide.
The menu at Stebuklai | Katedra offers guests the chance to experience flavours from world cuisines, harmoniously merging into one culinary adventure. Whether it’s fresh oysters, hamachi tartare, Beluga caviar with yuzu butter, Canadian lobster in nduja espuma, shrimp wontons, forest mushroom risotto, or grilled Wagyu beef, even the most discerning food enthusiasts find their favourites here. Among the gourmet selections, the venison loin with chimichurri sauce consistently surprises game lovers.
Game dishes at Stebuklai | Katedra: Venison loin with chimichurri sauce, pickled red onions, potato mille-feuille and truffles – 30 Eur.
California
Subačiaus g. 2, Vilnius
Embodying the classic American dream, California is a restaurant-bar inviting Vilnius residents and city visitors alike to celebrate life as it should be: sipping champagne, enjoying fresh oysters, discovering dishes that offer new flavour experiences each time, and participating in exclusive parties.
The menu pays tribute to the refined synthesis of Spanish & American cuisines here. Guests can enjoy legendary and time-tested star dishes, ranging from various tapas, soups or salads to burgers and charcoal grill masterpieces. What makes it unique is that at California, diners can also indulge in a Spanish version of the game: roasted venison, served with both bell peppers and mini potatoes.
Game dishes at California: Roasted 'Venado con pimenton y patatas' venison with bell peppers and mini potatoes – 15,2 Eur.
Stiklių taverna
Gaono g. 7, Vilnius
Stiklių Taverna is a Lithuanian cuisine restaurant that offers guests the opportunity to experience the elegance of traditions, reflected in both the ambience and the dishes. Upon arrival, guests find spaces authentically decorated with woven straw art, clay sculptures, and linen tablecloths, while the menu offers unexpected discoveries of local flavours.
“When the old tradition and elegance begin to speak one language and respect for the ingredient joins the passion for cooking, a new identity of Lithuanian cuisine is born at Stiklių Taverna,” is the philosophy with which the hosts greet guests, inviting them to choose from a generous menu. Among the chef’s offerings are both familiar and entirely new interpretations that reveal traditional cuisine character, including several game masterpieces. For an appetizer? Venison tartare. For the main course? Roe deer sausages and venison steak. All you have to do is choose!
Game dishes at Stiklių Taverna: Hand-chopped venison tartare with pickled vegetables and potato fries – 23 Eur. Venison sausages with juniper berry sauce, stewed red cabbage and baked potatoes – 24 Eur. Venison steak with stewed onions, caramelized beetroots and juniper sauce – 37 Eur.
Menu items at restaurants may change, so check here for the latest offerings.