Southern Dalmatia
There's no better place to soak up the scenery than the terrace of this exceptional family-run restaurant, specialising in modern takes on Dalmatian…
Must-see restaurants in Eastern Europe
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Built in 1972 and fully rebuilt in traditional stone-walled style in 2015 after burning to the ground three years earlier, Lička Kuća is touristy and…
Moscow
Moscow's most venerated and erudite restaurateur Alexander Rappoport shares his love for regional French cuisine in this classy and expensive place on…
Zagreb
High up on villa-lined Jurjevska steet, this restaurant run by chef Marin Rendić, who previously worked at Copenhagen's Noma, serves up Zagreb's suavest…
The Carpathians
'The Kitchen' serves high-quality European food in a jazzy, contemporary dining room from where you can watch chefs prepping your meal. A few traditional…
Niš
This upscale, standout New Balkan restaurant elegantly occupies the oldest preserved home in Niš (dating to 1878) and is easily the city's top dining…
Vyborg
The terrace overlooking the castle and town is an ideal spot to enjoy some traditional Russian dishes like venison with berry sauce. The chef cures his…
Vilnius
Yes, this is a chain. Yes, the cutesy 'Lithuanian countryside' theme is over the top. But we love this temple to Lithuanian stodge with all our hearts…
Moldova
This smart, super-friendly, traditional Ukrainian place is set in a kitsch faux-countryside home, where diners are attended to by a fleet of peasant…
Vilnius
Vilnius' best food court, inside the eponymous shopping mall, is a favourite haunt of local foodies. Standout offerings include steaks by Bučeris, Gan Bei…
Split
Accessed by a discreet door on the waterfront promenade, this upstairs restaurant serves sophisticated modern Mediterranean dishes that look as divine as…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
Ignore the fact that the waiting staff are dressed as Mao's soldiers; this is the place to try outstanding Cantonese fare in an atmosphere echoing that of…
Murmansk
Don't let yourself be blinded by the in-your-face lime-green and neon-orange decor – this cafe serves some of the most imaginative food in town. Feast on…
Kadriorg
Tucked away in the leafy, weatherboard-lined streets that merge into the greenery of Kadriorg Park, 'Cloak and Chimney' welcomes guests to a smartly…
Durmitor National Park
This shiny, modern place is undoubtedly Žabljak's hippest restaurant; so hip, in fact, that you may wonder why it's here at all. Don't question, just…
Plovdiv
This tiny hole-in-the-wall is one of Kapana's most happening restaurants. The formula for success follows can't-miss international trends like seasonal,…
Bulgaria
Inside this peach-coloured building, just across the river from the Thracian tomb, lies an unmissable mehana (tavern) with a menu of well-executed…
Sofia
Sofia's popular entrant into the worldwide, locally sourced, slow-food trend (the name refers to the fact that all items are made in-house). The cooking…
Székely Land
Driving the Gheorgheni–Sovata road, it's impossible to miss this folksy inn, marked with a giant roadside knife and fork. Fifteen kilometres west of…
Kaliningrad Region
Even if you're not staying at the Mayakovski Hotel, be sure to plan a meal here. The pretty outdoor terrace has a nice view over the pool and lies within…
Kazan
The 'Tatar Farmstead' is located adjacent to the Old Tatar Settlement and plays on traditional themes, both in the restaurant's decor and menu. There's a…
Mostar
Despite the constant queues at this insanely popular little grill joint, the staff maintain an impressive equanimity while delivering groaning platters of…
Kaunas
There's an organic quality to the decor – lots of plants, chairs covered in faux lichen – the menu changes according to the seasons and chef Artūras…
Opatija
A marble pathway leads to this striking restaurant, which enjoys a huge ocean-facing terrace complete with Grecian columns and hip monochrome seating. The…
Timişoara
Push your way through the unmarked doorway into what looks like someone's living room, with dark-green walls and antique rugs on parquet floors. Homemade…
Sofia
The menu boasts a 'taste of the Balkans with an Asian twist', which undersells the amazing food on offer here. Expect the likes of smoked trout topped…
Minsk
A hip and happening bistro worthy of the hip and happening street that it’s on, Enzo is justifiably popular, mainly for its burgers and succulent steaks…
Serbia
If you're in Vrnjačka Banja for a spa splurge, head to 'Three Doves' for mouth-wateringly prepared fish and seafood, from delectable lignje na žaru …
Danube Delta
An awesome fish restaurant such as this is long overdue on Tulcea's Danube port. Expect very good traditional fish soup, as well as grilled fish and…
Black Sea Coast
Discover the best food in Sveti Konstantin, and arguably in all of greater Varna, at this beachside Lebanese restaurant and cocktail bar. The specialities…
Pirin Mountains
Sit beneath 500-year-old trees and watch Melnik meander past at this superb spot. Like many places in town, grilled meats and Bulgarian dishes are…
Rijeka
Straddling the line between modern and traditional Croatian fare, this slightly upmarket riverside restaurant serves lots of seafood, along with selected…
Northern Dalmatia
Mediteran centres on a lovely old stone building, although in summer the action moves into the courtyard and up to the little 1st-floor terrace. Chef Pero…
Tivat
This singular brasserie has one of the most expensive views in the country, gazing over trillions of euros' worth of megayachts. The service is a match…
Bucovina
An unexpectedly elegant restaurant in Rădăuţi, and worth making a special trip for. Antique isn't going for solely traditional cooking (rare for this part…
Western Estonia & the Islands
The menu at this stylish little cafe-bar is deceptively simple (mainly burgers, with a few wraps, soups and seafood dishes thrown in), but Retro's kitchen…
Vilnius
Led by the seasons, Sweet Root pairs locally sourced ingredients – pike and nettles, beetroot leaves and chanterelles – and presents them in a smart…
Slavonia
In the village of Zmajevac, Josić is on a historic surduk (wine road) that leads up a steep hill. It's an upmarket restaurant with tables set in vaulted…
Kaunas
The chef here has a light and sure touch, and a flair for ingredient pairings that sees mostly locally sourced meat and fresh produce transformed into…
Adriatic Coast
Seemingly constructed Robinson Crusoe–style from flotsam and jetsam, this very atmospheric restaurant on the Ada Bojana side of the river serves lots of…
