Lithuanian Food For Vegetarians: 10 Dishes You Need To Try

If you are visiting Lithuania and wondering what to expect in terms of food as a vegetarian or curious about what traditional Lithuanian foods you can eat are, then I have you covered. 

I went on a Lithuanian food adventure during my time in Vilnius and Kaunas, thanks in part to my friend who lives there. 

I tried more traditional Lithuanian food, drinks and snacks than I otherwise would have, if I was left to my own devices and it was such a great experience in a part of the world that was new to me.

No trip to Lithuania would be complete without tasting some traditional Lithuanian food.. just be warned, the Lithuanian diet is very rich, carb heavy and indulgent.

They even drink bread in Lithuania! More on that later, but for now..

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Vegetarian Friendly Lithuanian Foods

While foods of Lithuania are traditionally very meat-heavy, don’t let that put you off. I’m going to share all of the Lithuanian food that you can eat and shouldn’t miss out on due to your dietary preferences. 

Keep reading to discover all the traditional Lithuanian food and drink favourites you need to try when you visit this Baltic country for the first time.

1. Cepelinai | Potato Dumplings

If you’re visiting Lithuania, cepelinai is one dish you cannot miss on a menu anywhere. These are massive potato dumplings, usually filled with meat, but they also come in vegan and vegetarian versions. 

Cepelinai is one of the ultimate traditional Lithuanian foods; filled with curd cheese or mushrooms. Served with a creamy sauce made from either sour cream, curd cheese or butter, they are a proper comfort food.

I tried these in Vilnius, however made the mistake of ordering the vegan option, so there was no sauce on the side. As a result, the dumplings were incredibly dry and difficult to eat. Beautifully presented however, with some dehydrated mixed veg to garnish on top.

2. Bulviniai Blynai  | Potato Pancakes

Lithuanians are masters of the humble potato, and bulviniai blynai are crispy, golden grated potato pancakes. These seemingly simple pancakes are often made with a mix of grated and mashed potato making them simultaneously light, fluffy and crispy and are typically served with sour cream or mushroom sauce. 

Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, they are the perfect mix of texture and taste if you ask me.

While I loved the bulviniai blynai at Bernelių Užeiga in Vilnius, mostly due to the deliciously creamy mushroom sauce they serve it with, I discovered an even better potato pancake in Kaunas.. a stuffed one!

Read more: The Best Vegan And Vegetarian Restaurants in Vilnius

3. Žemaičių Blynai | Samogitian Pancakes

Named after the Samogitia region in Lithuania, žemaičių blynai are similar to the potato pancakes above, except they usually stuffed with a minced meat filling. The vegetarian version is often stuffed with cheese or mushrooms and they are pan-fried until golden and served with sour cream or a creamy sauce.

I tried žemaičių blynai at a vegan restaurant; Arbatinė in Kaunas, and this carb-heavy dish really hit the spot. The crispy outside and umami mushroom stuffing and creamy mushroom sauce over the top of it was delightful.

Lithuanian food at it’s finest, and one dish I urge you to try.

Read more: Guide To The Best Restaurants In Kaunas For Vegetarians

4. Šaltibarščiai | Cold Beetroot Soup

If you have seen any photos of this, at first glance, šaltibarščiai might look a bit startling. A bright pink, cold beetroot soup that is made from grated beetroot, cucumber and kefir (a fermented milk drink). Traditionally served with a boiled egg (but not always) and warm boiled potatoes on the side covered in dill, this is a very popular summer dish in Lithuania.

I’m not going to lie, I was skeptical about trying this soup partly because it is cold and also because I’m not the biggest fan of beetroot unless it is pickled. However, to my surprise, I discovered that it is incredibly refreshing and tasty.

It’s tangy, creamy and the perfect dish to cool you down on a hot summer’s day.

5. Juoda Duona | Black Rye Bread

Bread might not be a ‘dish’ in the traditional sense, but Lithuanian black rye bread; juoda duona is something you absolutely need to try. It is dark, dense and slightly tangy due to being made from fermented dough. 

I don’t eat bread at home much, but Lithuanian rye bread is so different to the types of bread we are accustomed to in the UK, I had to try it. The slices were really small at the various breakfast buffets in the hotels I stayed in, but I quickly realised how filling it is due to it being so dense. 

I personally couldn’t eat this plain, it needs some butter or cheese – and preferably some cucumber to create an open top sandwich. Whether you’re eating it with butter or alongside a bowl of soup, this bread is a staple of Lithuanian cuisine.

6. Kepta Duona | Fried Bread with Cheese

Speaking of bread, kepta duona is a Lithuanian food you must try. 

While this dish is technically a snack, it was such an experience and one I couldn’t leave off the list. Kepta duona translates to garlic bread and the dish I ordered was fried bread with cheese. It is dark rye bread cut into strips, deep fried until crispy and usually served with garlic sauce or grated cheese on top. 

This was the first Lithuanian snack I tried at a traditional Lithuanian restaurant in Kaunas, and let me tell you, it was so good but oh so bad at the same time. I couldn’t stop eating it!

Picture deep fried garlic bread but with a deeper, richer flavour thanks to the dark rye bread, coated in a slather of mayonnaise and topped with an actual mountain of cheese – I have never seen anything quite like it.

It is a perfect ‘snack’ to share with friends over a drink or two. Bread and cheese is a match made in heaven but don’t even think about ordering one of these dishes for yourself.. I cannot be held responsible for any health problems that may follow.

7. Daržovių Troškinys | Vegetable Stew

Lithuanians know how to make a great stew, and a vegetarian daržovių troškinys is very hearty. Made with seasonal vegetables like carrots, potatoes, mushrooms and cabbage, it is often lightly flavoured with herbs and a hint of dill.

I tried a vegetable stew that had been cooked with rice to make a complete meal at a vegetarian restaurant in Kaunas; Zalia Pupa. While I found that it didn’t have enough flavour or spice for my liking, it was delicious nonetheless. The chickpeas were a great addition for some protein and it made a pleasant change to the potato and bread heavy foods of Lithuania that I had been consuming.

8. Sūris | Cheese

While not as famous as cheese produced in countries like France and Italy, the production of Lithuanian cheese dates back centuries. Sūris is a must-try during your Lithuanian culinary adventure, particularly if you are a cheese lover. Sūris simply means ‘cheese’ in Lithuanian, and it comes in a variety of forms; from fresh and mild cheeses to rich, aged varieties. 

A traditional cheese you’ll come across pretty much everywhere is varškės sūris, a fresh curd cheese that’s soft, mild and slightly tangy. It is often served with honey or jam, for breakfast, as a snack or even dessert. 

Traditionally eaten with with rye bread and honey, this combination is a Lithuanian classic. I enjoyed it for breakfast on some dark rye bread, with some cucumber.

9. Sūrelis | Sweet Curd Cheese Bars

Curd cheese is a big deal in Lithuania, while it is not something I have ever come across elsewhere. I don’t even think we can buy it in the UK, but I would say it is similar to cream cheese with a lower fat content like cottage cheese.

They love curd cheese so much, you can but it coated in chocolate in the supermarket; known as sūrelis. These little bars are covered in a thin layer of chocolate and come in a variety of flavours, from vanilla to salted caramel and fruit-filled versions. 

My friend brought me a few versions to try, including a vegan version which had subbed the cheese element with tofu and was coated in salted caramel. I have to say this was my favourite one out of all the flavours I tried. 

There is something about chocolate and cheese together that I cannot get on board with, it’s so wild to me. However, these make for the perfect snack-sized dessert; creamy, rich and not overly sweet so I think you should try it while in Lithuania.

10. Spurgos | Lithuanian Donuts 

When I think of donuts, I picture sweet treats covered in sugar, however Lithuanian donuts; spurgos are unique in that you can have both sweet and savoury varieties. 

The most common spurgos is the curd cheese donut; varškės spurgos, made with soft curd cheese mixed through the dough that gives them a light and fluffy texture. 

These golden-brown donuts are slightly sweet, often dusted with powdered sugar, and pair perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea. 

Out of the two I tried, this one was my favourite – most probably because it wasn’t overly sweet and the texture was spot on for me.

For a savoury version, try kopūstų spurgos; donuts filled with cabbage! 

Yes, you read that right. 

These donuts are made with finely shredded cabbage mixed into the dough, giving them a unique texture and flavour. They were unusual to say the least.

Whether you’re in the mood for sweet or savoury, Lithuanian donuts have something special to offer and Spurgine (a traditional donut cafe) in Kaunas is the perfect place to sample a variety.

Traditional Lithuanian drinks

Homemade Kvass

Homemade kvass is also known as gira in Lithuania. However there are two versions and I recommend trying both to see which you prefer.

Homemade kvass, or traditional gira is typically brewed in small batches using simple, natural ingredients like black rye bread, water, sugar, yeast and sometimes raisins. The fermentation process is short, usually lasting a day or two, which gives the drink a fresh, mildly sweet, and tangy flavour with a very low alcohol content (if any). 

This is certainly an acquired taste that reminded me of kombucha. It’s slightly fizzy due to the fermentation process of the bread and the sweetness of the raisins or sugar certainly came through.

Gira is often brewed at home and served with hearty Lithuanian meals. However, many restaurants also brew this, so you will find the homemade version on menus across Lithuania. Since it’s homemade, the taste can vary significantly based on individual recipes, but it is consistently more natural with fewer preservatives than the bottled version.

I’m not sure I’d be rushing to order it again, but it made for an interesting, refreshing drink in the heat.

Gira

You can also find glass bottles labelled Gira in Lithuanian supermarkets, but to me they taste like an entirely different drink. The key difference between homemade kvass and gira sold in glass bottles lies in their ingredients; I assume due to the preservatives added to increase their shelf life.

While it retains the core flavour of rye bread fermentation, the bottled version is sweeter and more consistent in flavour. It is also less fizzy compared to homemade kvass, which often has a naturally effervescent quality due to live fermentation. 

This commercialised version wasn’t for me as it lacks the rustic, fresh character of something that tastes better homemade.

Žalios Devynerios

Žalios Devynerios is a herbal liqueur made from a blend of 27 different herbs and is a traditional Lithuanian drink.

This strong, bitter liqueur has a distinctive, aromatic flavour which I would say is comparable to Jäegermeister, and has a similar taste profile to cough syrup.

Historically, Žalios devynerios was used for medicinal purposes as it is believed to have healing properties and often consumed to aid digestion or alleviate ailments. The name translates to ‘Green Nine’, referring to the nine key herbs in its recipe.

Though its origins are rooted in folk remedies, it is still enjoyed today as both a digestif and a traditional Lithuanian spirit, often sipped in small quantities due to its potent taste and alcohol content. Unlike Jäegermeister, you don’t dilute this with red bull and drink it with speed – the key is to sip on it and savour it.

This herbal liqueur represents another facet of Lithuania’s deep connection to its natural environment and age-old traditions. It is another acquired taste, and while the initial taste isn’t great, I assure you that it gets better as you continue sipping on it. 

We ended our last night in Kaunas with a bang; 3 shots each. It was wild but wonderful. 

Alus | Lithuanian Beer

Lithuania has a long-standing beer culture, and its craft brewing scene is booming. From light lagers to dark, rich porters, there’s an alus for every palate. 

We visited a really quirky beer library in Vilnius which had a lovely atmosphere, and while I am not actually a beer drinker, I did try some.

What’s particularly special about Lithuanian beer is its use of traditional brewing methods and local ingredients, giving it a unique flavour profile compared to beers from other parts of Europe – not that I could be the best judge of that.

Where to find the best traditional Lithuanian food?

Some of the best traditional Lithuanian dishes are typically found in the more basic, traditional restaurants.

One of the best traditional Lithuanian chain restaurants I visited twice is Bernelių Užeiga and I have heard of another called Etno Dvaras. You will find their restaurants in the biggest cities all over the country.

In Kaunas for example, the iconic Laisvės Alėja is the place to be for great food. Unlike in most other cities where the general consensus is to avoid touristy areas when in search for authentic food that isn’t overpriced, the same cannot be said about Kaunas.

Lithuanians love the great outdoors, so it is very normal for the locals to leave town at the weekend and drive for half an hour or even longer for lunch or dinner al fresco, in nature.

If you are exploring beyond the major cities, you will see some restaurants located in the middle of nowhere by a lake, overlooking a river or even just next to a motorway. These places often serve some of the best, homemade Lithuanian dishes and local specialties.

The best Lithuanian food and drink tours

For an authentic Lithuanian food and drink experience, you might want to book a food tour in Vilnius. You will be with a small group, accompanied by a local who will show you that Lithuanian food extends much further than potato or meat dishes as well as local traditions and the culture.

You can also book a private pub and bar crawl or even a Lithuanian cheese tasting experience. There is a variety of tours to choose depending on your interests, however they are all currently in Vilnius,

Check availability for the Lithuanian flavours experience:

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Read more about Lithuania:

• 12 Things To Do In Kaunas: Explore Lithuania’s Hidden Gem
• Guide To The Best Restaurants In Kaunas For Vegetarians
• 25 Fascinating Things To Do in Vilnius Lithuania
• The Best Vegan And Vegetarian Restaurants in Vilnius, Lithuania
• Where to Stay in Vilnius: 5 Best Areas and Hotels for First Timers