ExploFood · Europe
What to eat in Lithuania
Five dishes to try in Lithuania, the most typical first. Two are vegetarian.
Five dishes to try in Lithuania
Cepelinai
Large potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat, topped with sour cream and bacon.
How to have it: The national dish and very heavy; one or two is a full meal at any traditional restaurant.
Šaltibarščiai
Bright pink cold soup of beetroot, kefir, cucumber, dill and egg.
How to have it: A summer favourite, always served with a side of hot boiled potatoes.
Kibinai
Crescent pastries filled with mutton or other meat, from the Karaim community.
How to have it: Buy them fresh in Trakai, where the Karaim tradition is strongest, with a bowl of broth.
Kugelis
Baked pudding of grated potato, eggs and bacon, cut into squares.
How to have it: Served with sour cream and crisp bacon bits; common on lunch menus in rural restaurants.
Šakotis
Tall spit-baked cake with tree-like spikes, made from eggs, butter and flour.
How to have it: The centrepiece at weddings; buy a small one at markets or bakeries as a gift.
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Questions
What food is Lithuania famous for?
Cepelinai (large potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat, topped with sour cream and bacon) comes first on our list, followed by Šaltibarščiai, Kibinai, Kugelis and Šakotis.
What is the national dish of Lithuania?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Lithuania is Cepelinai: large potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat, topped with sour cream and bacon. The national dish and very heavy; one or two is a full meal at any traditional restaurant.
Which dishes in Lithuania are vegetarian?
Two of the five on this page are vegetarian as usually made: Šaltibarščiai and Šakotis. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What street food should I try in Lithuania?
Kibinai (crescent pastries filled with mutton or other meat, from the Karaim community).
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.