Must-see restaurants in Eastern Europe

  • Khutorok La Mer

    Crimea

    If this is a khutorok (a traditional Ukrainian farm), then designers must have salvaged it from the bottom of the sea. The menu is also a wild fusion of…

  • St Hubertus

    Vilnius

    Named for the patron saint of hunters, Hubertus doesn't tend to attract a lot of vegans. But, alongside all the quadrpedal protein (350g steaks, wild boar…

  • Grand Cafe Chekhov

    Crimea

    In this beautifully designed oasis of whiteness and coolness, you can just imagine that Anton Pavlovich himself is treating you to classic Russian…

  • Aliye

    Crimea

    Popular with locals and tour groups, this super-friendly cafe on the main drag has Turkish-styled rugs on the upper terrace surrounded by a garden, and…

  • Užeiga Prie Bravoro

    Lithuania

    It's not much to look at, but it’s worth stopping by this family-run brewery and restaurant for a meal and a pint or two. Four generations have brewed the…

  • Armėniška Virtuvė

    Lithuania

    For a diversion from Lithuanian, pizza and fun-fair-fare, this authentic Armenian restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Spiced lamb and beef soups,…

  • La Provence

    Vilnius

    Not strictly French – it serves Italian and Spanish dishes too – La Provence is a silver-service restaurant with a serious wine list. Carpaccio,…

  • Sue's Indian Raja

    Vilnius

    You might not come to Lithuania chasing the heights of Mughal cuisine, but if you fancy a curry, Sue's actually does it very well. The menu doesn't stray…

  • Lilia

    Crimea

    Popular with locals, Lilia is a no-nonsense Crimean Tatar eatery in Yalta's market – located left from the entrance. A typical lunch here would consist of…

  • Mercury

    Crimea

    Behind the Krym Kino Teatr, this popular Tatar restaurant is just as famous for owner Sakine's ability to read your future in the grounds of your Turkish…

  • Smak

    Crimea

    This simple open-air eatery and takeaway makes more than 10 different kinds of mouthwatering chebureki (10uah), an impressive array of Crimean Tatar…

  • Varenichnaya Pobeda

    Sevastopol

    Here is the original retro-Soviet dumpling shop, which has exploded into the pan-Ukrainian Katyusha chain. The menu features Ukrainian varenyky and…

  • Injir Cafe

    Sevastopol

    A local hipster fave, this pizzeria-cum-bar exudes positive vibes, musically and gastronomically speaking. Totally unpretentious, it is equally good for…

  • Liverpool Foodmarket

    Eastern Ukraine

    With walls draped in Union Jacks and the Beatles for the soundtrack, this food factory churns out tons of European and Asian meals immediately devoured by…

  • Arzy

    Crimea

    This Tatar-run place with wicker chairs on a beachside terrace is popular for its relaxed, almost Goan ambience and stunning views of the illuminated…

  • Jurgis ir Drakonas

    Vilnius

    Pizza is easily obtained in Vilnius, but few do it with such fealty to its Neapolitan origins as 'George and the Dragon'. Opened by the husband of…

  • Žejų Namai

    Lithuania

    If you have your own wheels and a hankering for fresh fish, you'll find Žejų Namai 16km north of Trakai, on the road to Vievis. Rods, bait and buckets are…

  • Sun City Terrace

    Eastern Ukraine

    This strategically located open-air place (in summer) is always full of people. If two Donetsk residents need to meet for a chat, it will probably be here…

  • Karavan Sarai Salachik

    Crimea

    Hookah pipes replace alcohol at this restaurant, in which individual gazebos with low Turkish-style seating (topchans) are dotted across a landscaped lawn…

  • Šeduvos Malūnas

    Lithuania

    Housing a kitsch but fun restaurant, this windmill on the western edge of Šeduva was built in 1905 and retains the original central-core cog mechanism…

  • Buon Giorno

    Kaunas

    A newer outpost of the Old Town original, this is more of a full-blown restaurant than its parent, a trattoria. With further connections to Buon Giorno…

  • Stenders

    Latvia

    Looking like the dwelling of a forest witch, this popular bar cum cafe, housed on the 2nd storey of an 18th-century warehouse, specialises in warm potato…

  • Belaya Dacha

    Crimea

    Here is proof that a nice modern restaurant in Yalta doesn't have to be ridiculously expensive. Food is international with the emphasis on homegrown…

  • Keltininko Namas

    Klaipėda

    The house restaurant of the Old Port Hotel has a lovely port setting overlooking the Danė. The chefs here really try to incorporate fresh local…

  • Meraba

    Crimea

    A combination of Crimean Tatar and Italian on the menu at this excellent restaurant is an apt representation of Gurzuf, a place where these two peoples…

  • Zoe's Bar & Grill

    Vilnius

    Tries to be all things to all people (a bit of Thai, a bit of Lithuanian, some basic bistro and cafe favourites; they even rent out mopeds) but does it…

  • Charlestons

    Central Rīga

    If you’re up to your elbows in pork tongue, Charlestons is a sure bet to get rid of the meat sweats. Lounge around the terraced courtyard in the heart of…

  • Fontaine Delisnack

    Latvia

    Attached to Fontaine Palace, Liepāja’s cheapest chow joint was designed with the inebriated partier in mind: the American-style burgers are a foolproof…

  • Meat Lovers

    Klaipėda

    Should you find yourself peckish while waiting for the ferry to Smiltynė (and provided you're not vegetarian), Meat Lovers has you covered. Perched above…

  • Indian Raja

    Old Rīga

    Who knew the Baltic had such brilliant Indian food?! Tucked away down a medieval alley you’ll find a welcome antedote to the bland ingredients that rule…

  • Arbooz

    Central Rīga

    We'd call this tiny place sweet even if it didn't make these light fruity cupcakes and meringues – just for its looks. You might be able to occupy one of…

  • Blinoteka

    Crimea

    Cool, quiet, beige-brown-hued cafe specialising in Russia's favourite comfort food – blyny – filled with just about anything you might wish to find within…

  • Pub Art Salon Mōls

    Latvia

    Sharing space with an art gallery, this little rustic style place serves meaty calorie-rich Latgale fare. Service is patchy and cooking may take a while,…

  • Bistro 18

    Vilnius

    Bistro 18 is a breath of fresh air in Vilnius’ restaurant scene. The service is friendly, polite and attentive, the decor is minimalist yet comfortable,…

  • Kapitonas Morganas

    Lithuania

    Captain Morgan’s jolly pirate ship is more than just a great place for carousing on the street-side terrace. Its international menu, featuring dishes such…

  • Barkas

    Sevastopol

    The motto – 'we store our fish in the sea' – suggests that only the fresh catch is served in this naval-themed restaurant with a blue-coloured interior…

  • Rozengrāls

    Old Rīga

    Remember 500 years ago when potatoes weren’t the heart and soul of Latvian cuisine? We don’t, but Rozengrāls does – this candlelit haunt takes diners back…

  • Markizas

    Lithuania

    With a cosy interior spilling onto a delightful lakeside terrace in summer, Markizas is ideal for lingering over fish with almond sauce, light summer…

  • Žuvinė

    Vilnius

    Žuvinė showcases Lithuania's fantastic fresh- and saltwater fish, including zander, scallops, smelts and other piscine delights. The location, in the lee…

  • Kharchevnya Dreyka

    Crimea

    Near the entrance to the Naval Museum, this is an excellent fish restaurant with waiters dressed as Peter Pan pirates. All kinds of Black Sea fish are on…