Brunch in Vilnius

If there is something we love is having brunch on Sunday’s. I would not call Vilnius the Paradise of brunch but it does offer a good number of options. Here is some of the selection (beyond myself cooking brunch at home, not a bad option either once in a while


The luxurious: Radisson Blu Astorija Hotel.
Didzioji 35/2, Vilnius LT-01128
Tel: +370 5 212 0110

Not your every Sunday brunch, pricey specially for Vilnius standards (35 Eur per person). However it has a very elegant environment (most of the people do dress up to come here), buffet quality is superb combining a good selection of hot mains (meat, fish, rice, veggies), seafood and cold platters. The dessert selection is excellent and the juice selection and coffee and tea comes also with a glass of nice champagne


The (Sunday) early riser: Shakespeare Hotel.
8/8 Bernardinų gatvė
Tel. 85 2665885
The location is superb, among the cobbed streets of Vilnius and near the lovely St. Anne church. In the lovely and classy bar of the hotel, it welcomes both hotel guests and visitors, but more often that not there is at a maximum a couple of tables occupied. This is an oasis of tranquillity, with lots of light coming from the windows on a sunny day. You order from a la carta menu and it is rare to spend more than 15 Eur per person even if you order 2 plates. Great omelettes and English breaklfast, Lithuanian eggs (if you like fried eggs style which I don’t L) and some other egg combinations, including eggs and steak for the very hungry. Furthermore good selection of sweet plates (pancakes, portridge, fruit salad). And amazing enough 10% discount if you pay with Amex. Only issue is that they close at 1030 (although you can stay much longer chatting and getting coffee)

Cosy, kids friendly and great outdoors (in the summer) – Pizzeria Uzupio
3 Paupio gatvė
Tel. 8~5 2153666
Almost in front of the Angel statue, in the middle of the Bohemian Uzupis neighbourhood, what looks like a nice but just a pizzeria is a great option for brunch. Apart from their pizza and pancakes menu (huge, large and lovely ones), there is an entire range of eggs and omelettes to choose from on Sunday for brunch. Even if does have a home speciality of  omellete on a pizza, ideal for vegetarian or for the very hungry. Their terrace is great on any sunny day and it is a very cozy and homie place in the winter (which you can add a soup to your selection then). Difficult to spend more than 20 eur per pop


Cheap and reliable– Double Coffee (for brunch ideally in Gedimino prospectas)
Gedimino pr. 5, Vilnius, Lithuania
Tel. +370 656 778 61
Nothing fancy or too special on the menu but very reliable. Service is just OK (have not seen them smile too much to tell you the truth). Large selection of pancakes and other potatoes plates, good coffee and nice atmosphere. Ideal to then do some shopping walking along the Sunday’s market in Gedimino or the busy shopping streets around. 15 Eur

Finally not for brunch but I do have breakfast almost every day (as it opens at 8 am) at Fortas at Algirdo gatve. Great service, quick and always smilie and helpful. Great coffee, good freshly squeezed juice, you can choose from light breakfast (French breakfast, freshly baked croissant with butter and raspberry sauce), hungrier (American breakfast with sausage and fries) or the humongous omellete. You will not spend more than 8 Eur and be ready for a great day. In the summer you can have breakfast outside on the tables they set up for this

Starting to discover Riga (I): a drink at night

I usually get to Riga on Monday night quite late and I had dinner in Vilnius. However it is always still time (specially in the  spring – summer time) to enjoy a drink. Some of the options I have discovered

Drink with a view: Sky Bar at Radisson LAtvija

Probably the best view in Riga as it is the tallest building on this part of town. Drinks (usually all cocktails are just average) and ambiance (way too many large groups and hotel guests) are not really at par with the view (superb in all angles) but you need to refresh your eyes once in a while here

A view with a nice setting for a chat: Albert Hotel Lounge
33, Dzirnavu  Iela, Riga

While the view is a bit more spectacular at the Radisson, the open terrace / lounge of the Albert see above) is still has a great view and it is a much nicer ambiance if you plan to stay for a long chat (which will probably required a blanket at some point). Terrace has about 6 tables (the inside part is much larger) and drinks are ok. Ideal for both before dinner or after dinner time and very central also

Old town great shots and live music – Shot

Shot, Torņa 4 (Jēkaba kazarmas), Ríga

Just at the entrance of the old town if you are coming from the park, with also an outdoor and indoor part (street level both) and for what I have heard great live music (on Monday there is no live music so I can just rely of what I have heard) . Large menu of different shots, each one of them more interesting (both in terms of the names and the combinations). It seems to be the place in the world where Bolts has managed to really make an entry with their different flavours. Order 2 or 3 shots and enjoy. Really worth a visit (and pace yourself with the shots)

First tips on our new city: 5 restaurants I like in Vilnius (I)

We have been living for now over 3 months in Vilnius so we start having some OK knowledge on restaurant and places, although I am sure this will only improve with time :-)
Being a rather small city (500,000) and not being Eastern Europe among my culinary destinations of choice, I was a bit worried about the range of choices. I have been in the city for consulting or BD work several times, but my experience was reserved to 2 or 3 top restaurants, mostly French. But the city has exceeded my expectations, which is nothing but great.
I am not going to put all contact details (you can find most of them on http://www.balticsworldwide.com/tourist/lithuania/restaurants.htm or trip advisor) but my personal notes on them