SLUC G. KO Ca rd iu sC ity ln KŲ G SLUC KO G . SPO h 24 NE I LŲ Government of the Republic of Lithuania AR SE GEDIM INO P IE R. TO ŠV . S.Moniuškos skveras O ŲG . KLAIPĖDOS G. N .JO ŠV Apia Hotel G. G. G. G. IOJI catholic church hostel G. orthodox church synagogue guesthouse museum B&B AG Ė LI SKIO OKOL M.ANT . ŲG MĖ S . LIŲ G AR K . MĖS INIŲ G . OG . information centre train station petrol RAM station monument parking G. KENOS G. YBĖ G. LIE A O D G. RASOS VA RŠ SG . A medical centre LK Ū N ĖS police G . 6 post office public toilet PK PE LE SO SG . IŲ C . consulate market recommended view I embassy AU bus station panoramic view LN FR stage S G. SOoutdoor NARUČIO . IO G Fortuna Hostel EL G. LE . G. G. PELE RG IE S DŲ . JOS G TU OT GE KEL ŽIN G ELIO concert hall DRUJOS G. cinema ĖS ŪN ALK ST SO DRU G. SO D . ŲG OG ŽINK GELE SEINŲ G. B theatre . ŲG LAP Ų ART OS V LIM Panorama G. Old Town Hostel 5 hotel SŲ G. OS KŠ RA GĖLIŲ G. Legend G. AN ŠV .ST EP ON OG . KŠ O S official building AUŠR Down Town Market B&B . ŽIUPRONIŲ G. S G. OJ AU SG . ŠV.MIKAL I NI G. PŲ G. K.V RA UG YK LO SG . . M .D A U City Gate PY . IO G U P IO G G. ČIAUS SUBA Z DEL KR UO SUBA Č IAU S Alexa PENO PA U M A I R O N IO G . A.STRA . TŲ G . M.DA BAZILIJO NŲ G. G. AU K ŠTAIČIŲ G. G. VA R JŲ G Domus Maria ia PAUPYS BOKŠTO Europa Royale Vilnius OS NT Ų G. NO G G. O G. Dawn Gate Mikotel TO AN KR ln 4 IdaBasar Comfort Vilnius G. KŪDRŲ G. S UB A ČIA US G. . Lazdynų Pelėdos skveras Come to Vilnius TE P O ONIO S KG G. PAS A ŽO Z IM IE R G. . Kūdrų parkas ŠT O Grybas house G KA MT Ramada Hotel & Suites Vilnius . ETM O NŲ G ŠR . A Hostel ŠV.S MAIR AUKŠTAIČIŲ G. G. 3 Vi P AU PIO B OK Radisson Blu Astorija TR V. KO U Ž U P IO G. UŽUPIO T. AU RM Ų C POLO UŽ U PIO G G. G. KA ŠVE JI G Grotthuss Rūdninkų Vartai G. IT EL UŽUPIS PAPLAUJOS T. AUGUSTIJON Ų G. DI D ŽIO J I IO IM O GR . Geto aukų aikštė Conti V.ŠO Tibeto skveras G. AČ . ŲG INK B&B Florens KAUNO G. G. BOKŠTO IŲ SG DN SŲ AGUONŲ A SE Town Hall RŪ Ų IVI KR BERNARDINŲ T. I ŠGA N YTOJO G. Jimmy Jumps House VI PL G. ALTINIŲ NSKIO G. . IKL INĖ AAA Mano Liza Map data: Data Base of the Georeference Background of the Republic of Lithuania GDB10LT © National Land Service under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, 2012 Map visualisation:P U NS KO © State Enterprise “GIS-Centras”, 2012 G. IŲ G I ON PY L Comfort Hotel LT ER PAN G. G. LIG AK O FLUXUS T. Mabre Residence G. Ų R IŲ SŲ SAVI ČIA U S G. AŠMENOS G. G. 5 Š Centro Kubas - Angel ST ČI Rinno RU Bernardinų sodas Latako B&B House FR AT G. ULIŲ D AR ŽEMAI TIJOS G. V IN G Ų G. LA T Rotušės aikštė ŠIA UG NA . OG UK Ų EČ NAUJAMIESTIS KI G. LYDOS Vingrių šaltinių skveras G. KI E G. Hostelgate VO G. 4 IŲ DŲ VO IN O N Ų G. ŠK I MO DA CI AN KĖ ŽY PR TR Pranciškonų g. skveras . T RA ŠVARCO G. IŲ IAUS G . AKŲ G LI T E K.Sirvydo skveras Relais & Chateaux Stikliai Hotel N AVIČ The Narutis Hotel - Preferred Boutique Arts Academy Hostel IKL NŲ ST O INIK G. Litinterp Guest House KO LO G. Ų G. IA G. O ŠV.M Y LŪN N VIL US M DO J.BASA RI G. GAONO G. 3 NO T Vilnius University MA Reformatų skveras IG TO BE OLD TOWN 2 ia Shakespeare Boutique Hotel VASIO PALANGOS G. K.KALINA USKO G. JYK J.Žemaičio aikštė Artis Centrum Hotels G. Bernardinų B&B House ŠV.D LIE BG . Atrium . V i ln Sereikiškių parkas MIELAGĖN Ų G. Presidential Palace G L OS S.Daukanto aikštė Pogo Hostel BER N AR D INŲ PILIES G. G. PO G . G. V IČ CE -G U OS OK L.S TU LOS LIEJYK S.SKA G. VILNIA US G. Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square TO G. . OS SG AITĖ DVIL B.RA ŠVENTARAG IO G. E SIT DIJ Katedros aikštė ER U NIV AN RIŲ G ISL AL. PIRČ IUP IŲ Amberton Hotel OS Šventaragio slėnis OD LABDARIŲ G. G. RP Cathedral-Basilica Odminių skveras G. AU Gedimino kalnas A RŽ I O G . Ambassador Trijų kryžių kalnas G. Senatoriai TH P.Cvirkos aikštė TO ŠILTA D TI L Kalnų parkas A.VOLANO G. PT Dvaras G. PILIES G. M INO SG O K IO G. UK S I AU NI BLE . IRV YD OG K.S Novotel Vilnius Centre ANTAKALNIS G. OS Funicular Š VILNIAUS G. R. MI NIŲ AL INO P TOTORIŲ G. AILO S G. G. Ž.L IA JOG 2 NK VA 1 KI NL HU CA PH Nesė Pramogų Bankas Guest House MĖ G. . NALO G K. Š GEDIM K IUŠ SC . KO VS Hotel Tilto DIDŽ V.Kudirkos aikštė IN A. SM ET ON OS KŲ UŠ SL PILIES T. RU G. KARALIAUS MINDAUGO T. G. G. DV O T .V VELIO TIL T T . IŲ G PI EČ OLIM ŽV EJ ŲG . . G. GEDIM INO P R. PA ŲG T O G. Neringa S ĖS G. MA NT UNIVERSITE J.LELE G. G. RIČĖS RI TI L T O 1 BEAT G. RA Žemaitės skveras G. ČIŲ PIE IM OL RINKTIN ŽY GI VILNIAUS G. K AŠ T O NŲ G . STREET REGISTER 0 . IŲ G. 72 h ŽALIASIS T. G. CL TO A.JUO ZAPAVIČ IAUS G. UOLIO U KŠN d Car SCALE 1:7000 G. RT O OR . A.VIEN ŠERM City CENTRE SP . G. Vi ININ KAL VAR IJŲ RAIT US G Žalgirio stadionas . IČIA ius Viln h 24 VILNIUS 00 Congress J.JABLO Skyscraper city PAV rd Ca X Šarūnas A.GOŠTAUT O G. 6 Many more shops online at vilnius.inyourpocket.com . INĖS G RINKT 0 G. Boutique of Various Things (Visokių Daiktų Krautuvėlė) A delightfully Užupisesque experience, this smart little shop accessed via a door down an alleyway specialises in miniature steam engines, musical boxes, animated tin toys, other fun things and a whole range of niche perfumes.QD3, Užupio 20, tel. (+370) 5 210 52 17, www.vdk.lt. Open 11:00 - 19:00, Sat 11:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun. JA O ZA n D . IŠKIŲ G ŠEIMYN AZ AGUONŲ Paradise This perfect combination of gentlemen’s leisure and entertainment provides a range of services and facilities from saucy dancing to whirlpools. What more could a man with a credit card need? They don’t call it Paradise for nothing.QA-2, Vilniaus 29, tel. (+370) 630 111 12, www.paradiseclub.lt. Open 22:00 - 06:00. Entrance €29. PJAW Speciality shops C ŽVEJŲ G. NERIS . UGO G MINDA Old Town Strip Club Expect a thumping, throbbing, erotically charged escapade. These ladies don’t mess around when it’s show time. Well actually they mess around with a lot of toys. The hardcore Eros on display here is unparalleled in this city, but the very best part might just be the deliciously innocent waitresses who somehow manage to keep all their clothes on.QC-4, Rūdninkų 14, tel. (+370) 5 212 13 49, www.oldtown.lt. Open 20 :00 – 06 :00. Closed Sun. Entrance €20. PJA Linen Tales Beautifully designed and crafted linen for bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and much more besides, all made by Lithuanians to the highest possible standards. An excellent option for those living in Lithuania looking for something unique for their homes as well as visitors looking for some outstanding gifts and souvenirs.QC-4, Stiklių 4, tel. +370 626 689 61, [email protected], www. linentales.com. Open 10:00 - 19:00. JA The Old Crafts Workshops of The Fine Crafts Association of Vilnius (Vilniaus Dailiųjų Amatų Asociacijos Senųjų Amatų Dirbtuvės) An extraordinary organisation dedicated to both preserving and promoting a wide range of traditional fine crafts including practictioners such as jewellers, ceramicists, book-binders and leather workers. Operating out of studios and workshops spread around the city centre, the nice people who run the organisation arrange a fascinating array of things for visitors to see and do including lectures, tours, hands-on workshops and even a few events for children. Visiting is a good opportunity to buy some unique and special gifts and souvenirs. Their website has good information in English.QC-4, Savičiaus 10, tel. (+370) 5 212 51 69, www.vdaa.lt. Open 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon. JA A.J U C ius lithuania.inyourpocket.com ŠNIPIŠKĖS . Dolls Dollicious! This is an absolutely fantastic place to indulge in the truly titillating. Outstanding dancers, some of the best in town, are willing to wiggle and jiggle their scantily clad flesh before you, above you and possibly even beneath you for a price. Catch a free limousine ride to the club from Old Town to visit the Barbie of your dreams.QA-00, Konstitucijos 18, tel. (+370) 5 272 84 82, www.oldtown. lt. Open 20:00 - 05:00. Closed Sun. Entrance €20. PA Linen Arts & Crafts G. ity Vil Vilnius City Tour Tours of the historic centre in a number of languages. Also audio guides available.Q C-5, Aušros Vartų 7, tel. (+370) 699 540 64, info@ vilniuscitytour.com, www.vilniuscitytour.com. Open 09:30 - 17:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 15:00. JA Best Western Vilnius UG O G Adult entertainment Freywille Freywille’s fabulous boutiques are found in the most exclusive locations around the world, a list which now includes Vilnius. Expect to find only the finest jewellery and accessories here, and there is a good selection for both men and women. We are big fans of the pens: very special indeed.QC-4, Didžioji 15, tel. (+370) 5 240 40 58, www.freywille.com. Open 11:00 - 19:30, Sat 11:00 - 18:00, Sun 11:00 - 16:00. PJAW Yulik Gurevitch QTel. (+370) 699 907 09 Ilya Lempertas QTel. (+370) 687 132 85 Regina KopilevichQ Tel. (+370) 699 054 56 Justina Petrauskaitė Q Tel. (+370) 699 540 64 Daniel Gurevich QTel. (+370) 655 174 91 ŠN IPI ŠK IŲ MIND A Wine&Fire If we tell you that this is the latest venture from the people behind La Provence and Marché de Provence - both dining legends in Vilnius - then you will already have enough reason to come and give this place a try. It’s a classy wine bar - also serving upmarket nibbles - where you can sit yourself at one of the sturdy workbench-style tables and sip one of more than 400 excellent wines.QC-3, Pilies 25a, tel. (+370) 615 999 09. Open 11:00 - 02:00, Tue, Wed 11:00 - 24:00. Closed Mon, Sun. PJAESW Jewellery IŠKIŲ G Holiday Inn what to see Sightseeing tours Ecotel Vilnius ŠEIMYN PY L Wine JEWISH TOURS B 00 G. GRIŲ VIN Sweet&Sour Oh yes, we liked this place from the moment we walked in. It has a proper bar with proper bar stools for a start (always a winner in our book) and boasts a couple of most skilled cocktail wizards in the city. The Old Fashioned they serve here is perhaps the best in Vilnius, and it’s made all the better by being able to drink it while sitting in one of the sumptuous leather armchairs. There is a menu of fine single malts too, and loads of appetizers to nibble on. Very nice indeed.QC-5, Aušros Vartų 19, tel. (+370) 682 277 74. Open 16:00 - 24:00, Thu 16:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 16:00 - 03:00. Closed Mon, Sun. JA O G. PYLIMO G. SkyBar Churning out scores of excellent cocktails and still providing not one but two extraordinary views from the 22nd floor, a trip to Vilnius without a trip to SkyBar isn’t really a trip at all. Rewarding at any time of the evening, the best times to drop by are as the sun is setting or late at the weekend when the place takes on a distinctively clubby feel. The aforementioned views, which get snapped up quickly by visitors who head to the tables by the windows immediately on entering, include not only the best panorama of Old Town there is but, less popular but an extraordinary contrast all the same, a view to the vast concrete sleeping districts that house the majority of the city’s residents. Highly recommended.QA-00, Konstitucijos 20 (Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva, 22nd floor), tel. (+370) 5 231 48 23. Open 17:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 17:00 - 02:30. PAULXW L V OV T OT O Piano Man Consistently busy during the weekend when propping up the bar is generally the only option left for people arriving after 21:00, the mixed and predominantly chirpy crowd at Piano Man provides a buzz lacking in many of its competitors. The bar stocks a good range of drinks including draught Guinness and Hoegaarden, there’s table football in the corner and from time to time there’s also the added bonus of live music. An excellent choice indeed for anyone looking for a place to add to their pub crawl or for staying the course and spending the entire evening here.QA-2, Islandijos 1/31, tel. (+370) 630 099 49. Open 17:00 - 02:00, Mon, Sun 17:00 - 01:00, Thu, Fri, Sat 17:00 - 04:00. PJAW Menų Fabrikas Loftas Klaipėda S. Šimkaus g. 21-4, tel. +370 46 41 18 14 An independent, non-profit cultural centre based inside a fabulous old factory providing creative opportunities, outlets and events for the community including parties, fashion shows, educational seminars, film screenings and much more. Also known as Loftas (The Loft), for more details about all their events - including those held on their new summer terrace, LRT OPUS, see their homepage (menufabrikas.lt - available in English).QG-5, Švitrigailos Essential Vilnius 29, www.menufabrikas.lt. Working hours depend on repertoire. Entrance Amber VilniusInYourPocket_80x95_121214.indd 1 26.11.14 15:24 (Loftas) free - €56. JW Amber Cathedral-Basilica of St. Stanislaus & St. Ladislaus, An astounding Aladdin’s cave of amber. The walls and ceiling are plastered QC-2, Katedros 1 Pabo Latino with glowing chips of the stuff while display cabinets are full of jewellery, Dawn Gate Aušros Vartų 12 QC-5, Aušros Vartų 12 Featuring three halls and two bars of sheer class, Pabo Latino is an oasis of Latin sculptures and more. Worth visiting even if you’re not interested in shopping. Gediminas Castle & Museum QC-1, Castle Hill culture in a country where human warmth is far from overwhelming. A tough QC-5, Aušros Vartų 9, tel. (+370) 5 212 19 88, www.ambergift.lt. Open Genocide Victims’ Museum QAukų 2a but fair door policy keeps the low life out, meaning what you get inside is a well 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 17:00 (May 1 - August 31). Open St. Anne’s Church QD-3, Maironio 8 behaved bunch of good-looking people out for a fun evening in pleasant albeit 10:00 - 18:30, Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 10:00 - 17:00 (September 1 - 30). Open sometimes frenetic surroundings. The music is both live and courtesy of DJs, the 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun (October 1 - April 30). PJA MUSEUMS & GALLERIES cocktail menu is massive and if you don’t know how to dance Latin style, they even organise lessons for anyone willing to give it a go.QA-4, Trakų 3/2, tel. Amber Museum-Gallery Applied Arts MuseumQD-1, Arsenalo 3a (+370) 5 262 10 45, www.pabolatino.lt. Open Thu 21:00 - 03:00, Fri, Sat 21:00 - A great little place apt at displaying amber at its best. The knowledgeable and Archaeology Museum QC-1, Arsenalo 1 05:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun. Entrance free or €4.5 - 9. PJAEX friendly staff speak English, and can waffle on for hours about the stuff if you Church Heritage MuseumQD-3, Šv. Mykolo 9 want to know all about it.QC-3, Šv. Mykolo 8, tel. (+370) 5 262 30 92, www. Contemporary Art Centre (Šiuolaikinio Meno Centras) Salento DiscoPub ambergallery.lt. Open 10:00 - 19:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. Also at Šv. Mykolo QC-4, Vokiečių 2 Nights of foam in which the ladies get all wet and lathery, cheap offers on cocktails, 12. JA Lithuanian Energy & Technology Museum QC-0, Rinktinės 2 deckchairs, large television screens and a predominantly young crowd are the things Lithuanian Railway Museum QB-6, Geležinkelio 16 (Train Station) to expect inside this heaving Old Town favourite. The brainchild of Italian Piero, the Beata Amber Lithuanian Theatre, Music & Cinema Museum QB-3, Vilniaus 41 idea is to bring an Italian and Spanish pub-disco feel to the Lithuanian capital. Each As much a wholesaler as retailer, you can pick up amber at a variety of stages Money Museum QB-2, Totorių 2/8 night promises a different theme, with music focusing on pop and old favourites. of production here. There are hunks of raw amber, various polished beads National Art GalleryQKonstitucijos 22 Magic.QC-4, Didžioji 28, tel. (+370) 676 820 15, www.salentodiscopub.com. and blobs that you can use to make your own jewellery and fine finished cre- National Museum QC-1, Arsenalo 1 Open 22:00 - 06:00. Entrance free - €5. PJAEW ations.QC-3/4, Stiklių 9/10, tel. (+370) 5 272 37 65, www.beataamber.lt. Toy Museum QD-2, Šiltadaržio 2/7 Open 10:30 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Sun. Also at M. K. Čiurlionio 84 (Crowne Vilnius Picture Gallery QC-3, Didžioji 4 Plaza Vilnius), Konstitucijos 20 (Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva), Antakalnio 60. Vytautas Kasiulis Art Museum QA-0, A. Goštauto 1 Cocktails JA Alchemikas CHurches It’s about time a cocktail bar came along that was more about the art of cocktails than the pretence of the cocktail bar sensation. Specialising in both classic and Antiques Bernardine Church & Monastery QD-3, Maironio 10 modern mixed drinks, it’s worth paying them a visit just to have a peep at the e.k.art Church of Sts. Michael & Constantine QJ. Basanavičiaus 27 extraordinary interior, and if you do choose to stick around, expect to be bank- An incredible collection of paintings, furniture, religious objects and other Church of the Apparition of the Holy Mother of God rupt by the end of the evening thanks to the addictive allure of their magnificent works of art from Lithuania, Russia, Germany and beyond established over QVytauto 21/1 mixology. Note that this is one of the smallest bars in Vilnius, so serious cocktail two decades ago and one of the most reliable places in town to buy antiques. Church of the Holy Cross QB-2, S. Daukanto 1 lovers should come on Wednesday or Thursday, as Friday can be very full. Recom- An excellent place to know about for all serious collectors, the shop now also Church of the Holy Mother of God D-3, Maironio 14 mended.QA-2, Islandijos 1, tel. (+370) 612 998 00. Open Tue, Wed, Thu 19:00 stocks a range of antique Persian carpets.QC-4, Didžioji 27, tel. (+370) 605 Church of the Holy Spirit QB-3, Dominikonų 8 - 02:00, Fri, Sat 19:00 - 04:00. Closed Mon, Sun. JA 222 22, [email protected], www.ek-art.lt. Open 11:00 - 18:00, Sat 11:00 - 16:00. Evangelical Lutheran Church QB-4, Vokiečių 20 Closed Sun. JA Franciscan Church QB-4, Trakų 9-1 Pantera Holy Trinity Church & Basilian Gate QC-5, Aušros Vartų 7b Cocktails and more at a top venue brought to you by the same people as uberOrthodox Church of St. Paraskeva QC-3, Didžioji 2 club Exit. The crowd which makes it in is young, trendy and rather attractive, Food & Drink Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit QC/D-5, Aušros Vartų 10 while the place itself is much the same: it looks fabulous, and is packed with com- IKI Reformed Evangelical Church QA-3, Pylimo 18 fy black leather sofas ripe for chilling on with your expertly made drink. Watch- Lithuania’s first supermarket chain, and still sticking to their core values of qual- St. Casimir’s Church QC-4, Didžioji 34 ing some of the bar staff in action is a night out itself, while the waitresses are ity and freshness. Notable for having top-notch in-house bakeries in the big- St. Nicholas’ Church B-4, Šv. Mikalojaus 4 rather fetching in their pretty black dresses. You will like it the moment you walk ger stores.QJ. Jasinskio 16, tel. (+370) 5 249 83 37, www.iki.lt. Open 07:00 St. Nicolas’ Church QC-4, Didžioji 12 in.QA-2, A. Smetonos 5, tel. (+370) 657 614 45. Open 23:00 - 05:00. Closed - 22:00. Also at Mindaugo 25, Žirmūnų 2, Sodų 22. AL Sts. Johns’ Church QC-3, Šv. Jono 12 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun. Entrance free. PJA Sts. Peter & Pauls’ Church QAntakalnio 1 IKI Express St. Theresa’s Church QC-5, Aušros Vartų 14 Paparazzi Tucked away in handy locations nationwide, with edible treats and a few Still going strong after all these years, Paparazzi has made a few minor changes household goods on offer. Fresh baked goods are a key attraction, as is the desince it first opened its doors such as moving a few metres to the right and intro- cent range of groceries.QB-2, Gedimino 16, www.iki.lt. Open 07:00 - 23:00, Places of interest ducing an extremely popular weekly pub quiz, but the place more or less remains Sat, Sun 08:00 - 23:00. Also at Užupio 7/1, Pylimo 21, Vokiečių 13, Gedimino Green Bridge QB-0 the same as it ever was. Frequented by a mostly young, 20-something crowd out 28. JA Hill of Three Crosses QX-1 for a good time in a friendly environment, the cocktails remain the reason why Literatų Gatvė QC-3, Literatų so many still visit although there’s plenty of other good things behind the bar to M. K. Čiurlionis’ House QC-4, Savičiaus 11 keep everybody happy. If you’re thinking of dropping by late at night after too Gifts & Souvenirs Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania QC-2, Katedros 4 many drinks somewhere else, or if you didn’t bother to get changed after hiking Linen & Amber Studio Presidential Palace C-2/3, S. Daukanto 3 in the countryside all day, don’t be surprised to be turned away. The door policy One of the best places to buy linen and amber. They have a great selection, and Stebuklas QC-2, Arkikatedros Square may be tough but it does ensure a good night out for all who make it in.QB-2, the girls who work here are really helpful.QC-4, Stiklių 3, tel. (+370) 5 261 02 Town Hall QC-4, Didžioji 31 Totorių 1/10, tel. (+370) 5 212 01 35, www.paparazzi.lt. Open 17:00 - 03:00, Fri, 13, www.lgstudija.lt. Open 10:00 - 19:00, Sun 10:00 - 17:00. Also at Didžioji Vilnius University QC-2/3, Universiteto 3 Sat 17:00 - 06:00. PJAW 10, Didžioji 11, Pilies 7, Pilies 10. JA Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva Europos Vilnius City K O aikštė N ST IT U CMunicipality IJ O S P R. G. Liverpool Indie/Rock Bar There is something going on at this place virtually every night of the week, and it almost always involves live music, provided in the main by a wide variety of new artists, for whom Liverpool is something of a showcase. Indeed, this really is the best place for young rock and indie artists in the city. It looks good too: modern and contemporary it is nevertheless sticks to classic rock aesthetics and has very quickly become a venue which is a real favourite of the city’s live music buffs. Add in great service, good use of technology (customers can have a say on the bar’s playlist via an app) and you have a top venue well worth trying out.QGynėjų 14, tel. (+370) 646 529 50, www. indierockbar.com. Open 16:00 - 24:00, Thu 16:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 16:00 03:00. Closed Mon. Entrance free or €2 - 5. JAEW Kaunas I. Kanto g. 21-4, tel. +370 37 20 99 97 A ĖS Gringo The first rum bar in Vilnius, which has friendly bar staff who certainly make a change from many others in the area, and the cold beers on offer are both well chosen and priced (Gringo currently serves one of the best pints of Guinness in the region). Also find the added incentives of free wireless internet and table football, as well as real football (including the Premier League) and rugby on the TV.QA-2, Vilniaus 31/1, tel. (+370) 654 905 41. Open 16:00 - 03:00, Fri, Sat, Sun 15:00 - 04:00. JAW Vilnius Bernardinų g. 9-4, tel. +370 5 212 29 24 UP Dirty Duck There is much about this place that will have you coming back for more than one visit. It is a contemporary pub and bistro with a vaguely industrial feel serving a huge range of good beer, a seriously decent selection of whiskies (including a few from more exotic locations) and great food. Indeed, the food is a cut above what you would expect from a pub and can be placed firmly in the ‘top bistro’ category. The pork rib with apple sauce we ate was superb, and the lunchtime deal (available until 15:00) is very good value. Service is good too.QC-4, Didžioji 28, tel. (+370) 5 231 26 41, www. dirtyduck.eu. Open 11:00 - 03:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 06:00. PJAW our interpreters, translators and guides can help you understand more about Lithuania. KALVARIJŲ G. Crazy Bull Crazy Bull is a sports’ bar brought to you by the good people behind Salento. Besides loads of live sport on the many televisions (including one genuinely enormous screen) you can also bet right in the bar. The food is a cut above standard sports’ bar fare: there are (very good) burgers and ribs as you might expect, but you can also grab mussels, big salads and a few other treats well worth trying. Usually packed when there is a big game on, it is less busy at other times.QC-4, Didžioji 28, tel. (+370) 676 820 15. Open 17:00 - 04:00, Fri 17:00 - 06:00, Sat 13:00 - 06:00, Sun 13:00 - 04:00. PJAEW Exit Vilnius Remember when the best club in the country (indeed, one of the best in Europe in our book) was in Kaunas? That was Exit. This is a welcome return for Lithuania’s top nightspot, now in the capital and once again attracting a beautiful crowd of serious party people looking for a seriously good time. Expect top DJs from all over the world to be spinning the tunes behind the decks, amazing lights and special effects, gorgeous dancers and just about the most hedonistic time you can have in this city. Bring it on!QJ. Jasinskio 16a, tel. (+370) 698 591 16. Open 23:00 - 04:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun. Entrance free or €9. PJA UOLIO Bars Europos Parkas (Open Air Museum of the Centre of Europe) Founded in 1991 by the Lithuanian sculptor Gintaras Karosas, this wildly different and recommended countryside excursion brings together a number of names in local and international sculpture including Karosas himself, the Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz as well as Dennis Oppenheim and the late Sol Le-Witt from the United States to create a vision that in the words of the park’s founder ‘…give[s] an artistic significance to the geographic centre of the European continent…’. Featuring close on 100 works by artists from countries as diverse as Armenia, Japan and Venezuela, the park is spread out over 55 hectares of rolling hills and woodland and includes static and interactive art as well as the now infamous Info Tree, Karosas’ crumbling shrine to propaganda made up of some 3,000 televisions with a prostrate Lenin at its centre. With the addition of a restaurant and gift shop, the park offers a splendid few hours away from the city for people of all ages. To get there by car, take Kalvarijų north to the Santariškės roundabout, turn right towards the Green Lakes (Žalieji Ežerai) and follow A.VIEN Need an interpretation or translation? Clubs the signs. Buses leave from the Žalgirio stop on Kalvarijų, including a minibus N°146 to Skirgiškės which goes all the way to the park itself. Alternatively, bus N°36 goes part of the way there but requires the last couple of kilometres to be made on foot.QJoneikiškės, 10km north of Vilnius, tel. (+370) 5 237 70 77, www.europosparkas.lt. Open 10:00 - two hours before sunset. Admission €7/3. . INterpretatIoN, traNSLatIoN aNd GuIdeS Out of town TO G Alynas You will have to go a long way to find a better selection of beer than this place offers. Part of a wider chain of beer shops, the main central location is a top venue for serious connoisseurs of beer. Serving a number of superior brews from microbreweries all around the country, this is very much the thinking-man’s Vilnius boozer. Get in.QA-2, Jogailos 6, tel. (+370) 650 687 52, www.alynas.lt. Open 11:00 - 23:00, Thu 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 02:00. PJAW what to see A.JAK Š Microbreweries what to see KIO G. What to see A.STULGINS Shopping ROŽIŲ AL. NIGHTLIFE TEATRO G. Nightlife UV G OS . X VARŠ U VOS G. AguonųA-4/6 A. Jakšto A-1 AlkūnėsD-6 ArkliųC-4/5 ArsenaloC/D-1 A. Smetonos A-1/2 A. Strazdelio D-5 A. Stulginskio A-2/1 AšmenosB-4 AugustijonųC-4 AukštaičiųD-4 Aušros Vartų C-5/6 A. Volano D-3 BazilijonųC/D-5 BeatričėsA1 BenediktiniųB-3 BernardinųC-2/D-3 BokštoC-3/D-5 B. Radvilaitės C/D-2 DidžiojiC-3/4 DominikonųB/C-3 DysnosB-4 EtmonųC-4 GaonoC-3 GediminoA-1/D-2 GeležinkelioC-6 GėliųB-5 IslandijosA-2 IšganytojoC/D-3 J. Basanavičiaus A-3/4 J. Jablonskio A-5/6 J. Lelevelio A/B-1 JogailosA-1/2 KarmelitųC-4/5 KaštonųA1 KaunoA/B-6 KėdainiųA/B-4 K. Griniaus A-2 K. Kalinausko A-3 KlaipėdosA/B-3 KruopųB-5 K. Sirvydo B-1 K. Škirpos D-1/2 KūdrųD-4 K. Vanagėlio D-5 LabdariųB-2 LapųC-5/6 LatakoC/D-3 LiejyklosB-2/3 LiepkalnioD-6 LigoninėsB-4/5 LiteratųC/D-3 LydosB-4 L. Stuokos-Gucevičiaus B/C-2 M. Antokolskio C-3/4 MaironioD-2/4 MalūnųD-3 M. Daukšos D-5 MėsiniųB-5/C-4 MindaugoA-4/6 NaručioD-6 NaugardukoA-4/5 OdminiųB-2 PalangosA-3 PamėnkalnioA-2 PasažoC-5 PaupioD-3 PelesosC/D-6 PiliesC-2/3 PlačiojiB-5 PranciškonųB-3/4 PunskoA-6 PylimoA-2/C-6 RadvilųB-1 RaugyklosA-6/B-5 RožiųA-3/2 RusųC/D-3 RūdninkųB-5/C-4 SavičiausC-4 SeinųB/C-6 SodųB-5/6 S. Skapo C-2 StikliųC-3/4 StotiesB-6 SubačiausC/D-5 ŠaltiniųA/B-5 ŠermukšniųA1 ŠiauliųB-4 ŠiltadaržioD-2 ŠvarcoC-3 ŠventaragioC-2 Šv. Dvasios D-5 Šv. Ignoto B-3 Šv. Jono C-3 Šv. Kazimiero C/D-4 Šv. Mikalojaus B-4 Šv. Mykolo C/D-3 Šv. Stepono A-6/B-5 TeatroA-3 TiltoB-1/C-2 TotoriųB-2/3 TrakųA-4/B-3 TurgeliųD-6 T. Vrublevskio C-1 UniversitetoC-2/3 UžupioD-3 VienuolioA1 VilniausB-1/3 VingriųA/B-4 Visų Šventųjų B/C-5 VokiečiųB-3/C-4 V. Šopeno B-6 ŽemaitijosB-4 ŽiuproniųD-5 Ž. Liauksmino B-1/C-2 ŽydųB-4/C-3 ŽygimantųB/C-1Ga inyourpocket.com introducing vilnius There is no getting away from the fact that winter in Vilnius can be cold. Bitterly so. That does not for one minute however also mean that winter in Vilnius is bleak. Far from it, in fact. Indeed, having first arrived in Vilnius many, many years ago in what was the middle of a particularly cold winter, we have to admit to having something of a soft spot for the city when it’s covered in snow. The already picture-postcard perfect Old Town in particular never looks better than when given a crisp, white frame, with the crunch of snow underfoot providing the soundtrack for all sorts of winter escapades. And be honest: there is plenty to do in Vilnius at this time of year. The cellar restaurants, bars and pubs of the Old Town provide warm relief from the chill outside, and many locals insist that the shorter the days, the longer the parties at night. Of course, the biggest event of the winter in Lithuania this year is the country waving goodbye to the litas, and adopting the euro. The big switch takes place/ took place (delete according to when you are reading this) on January 1st, with both currencies in dual circulation for two weeks afterwards. If you are still holding litas after that: don’t panic. You can change then inside a bank until the end of June. Whatever currency you are spending in Vilnius this winter, enjoy the city. SYMBOL key P O T F R K D I B Air conditioning Casino Child-friendly Fitness centre LAN connection Restaurant Sauna Fireplace Outside seating A Credit cards accepted H Conference facilities U Facilities for the disabled L Guarded parking 6 Pet-friendly J Old town location C Swimming pool W Wifi Researcher Vaida Kursevičiūtė Cover Photo © Arūnas Stankevičius Sales & Circulation General Manager Rūta Klimavičiūtė Accounting Všį “ACORDO” E S S E N TI A L Publisher Sales Manager Tel. (+370) 610 468 64. CIT Y GUIDES Vilnius In Your Pocket Copyright notice Bernardinų 9 - 4, Vilnius, Lithuania Text and photos copyright UAB VIYP tel. (+370) 5 212 29 76 1992-2015; some photos, LATGA-A; maps, [email protected], cartographer. All rights reserved. No part www.inyourpocket.com of this publication may be reproduced ©UAB “VIYP” in any form, except brief extracts for the Printed by UAB “Spaudos praktika” purpose of review, without written perPublished two times per year mission from the publisher and copyright owner. The brand name In Your Pocket Editorial is used under license from UAB In Your Editor Craig Turp Contributors Howard Jarvis, Martin Kitson Pocket (Bernardinų 9-4,Vilnius, Lithuania tel. (+370) 5 212 29 76). Design Vaida Kniūkštienė Getting Around Public transport Served by a network of city-owned buses and trolleybuses, the capital’s public transport services begin at around 05:00 and continue through the day before stopping not much later than 23:00. Vilnius does not yet have a nightbus service except on New Year’s Eve and on a couple of other special occassions. Getting about the city is cheap, and relatively easy once you have the hang of the basics. (Being able to buy tickets directly from bus and trolleybus drivers helps). Note that public transport can be very crowded during peak hours, and that pickpockets are not uncommon on the busiest routes (especially those to and from the bus station). where to eat Getting around Buses & Trolleybuses All buses and trolleybuses in Vilnius are owned and operated by the Municipality. Paper tickets for single journeys are no longer available from kiosks and can only be bought from the driver, with the fare currently priced at €1.01 for a single journey on one vehicle. Unless you plan on spending a lot of time using public transport whilst in Vilnius, this relatively simple system should be more than adequate although it’s worth mentioning the alternative, namely the Vilniečio Kortelė, an electronic ticket available for €1.16 from kiosks around town. Technically a brilliant idea, the Vilniečio Kortelė is a bit confusing in reality due to the variety of credits its possible to add to it. The two most useful top-up options, available at kiosks around the city, are to top up with either journeys lasting for up to 30 minutes at €0.64 a trip or up to 60 minutes for €0.93. These can then be used easily by holding the card against the yellow machine on all buses and trolleybuses which automatically take the fare off the card. Alternatively, put any amount you choose on the card and select which length journey you want when using the machine on board the vehicle. Other options are available for tickets valid from one to 270 days, although we recommend you get a local to help you if choosing one of these. You can find out all you need to know about schedules online at www.vilniustransport.lt and more about the Vilniečio Kortelė at www.vilniusticket.lt. Minibuses The great will they/won’t they story of 2013 in Vilnius has been the ongoing saga of the city’s private minibuses. Originally scrapped completely in July, the Municipality did a partial U-turn on the issue in September, and private minbuses reappeared on the city’s streets early in November. However, not everything is as it was before. Whereas in the old days the private minibuses would stop wherever a passenger wanted, they are now limited to standard public transport stops. What’s more, not all of the private minibuses have been allowed to make a comeback: as we go to press, fourteen routes had been restored. Tickets for the minibuses can be bought on board from the driver (€1.01), while the Vilniečio Kortelė is also accepted. Taxis Despite recent creeping taxi (taksi) prices, travelling by taxi in Vilnius remains relatively cheap, especially if you order one in advance by telephone. In an attempt to stem the flow of moonlighters, all taxis in Lithuania are now instantly recognisable by their compulsory yellow number plates, although this should in no way lure anyone into believing this has changed the free-market spirit of the average taksistas (taxi driver). Taxi drivers in Vilnius are no different to taxi drivers anywhere else, and will in general take any opportunity to relieve clients of more money than they need to. The standard rule is to make sure the meter is running and set to the correct tariff (generally 1 most of the time and 2 after midnight) before setting off. Arguments with taxi drivers are futile, and there are several stories floating around of drunken foreigners being assaulted when arguing about the fare. Finally, be extremely cautious of hotels who offer deals with individual taxi companies as they’re usually set at extortionate rates. Prices listed below are for standard daytime journeys within the city limits. Smart Taxi Call 1820 or (+370) 5 200 08 20 for a taxi. You can also use the website (at which you can pre-book cars) but it is currently only in Lithuanian. Qtel. 1820/(+370) 5 200 08 20, www.smarttaxi.lt. €0.69/km. Standart TaxiQtel. (+370) 5 240 00 04, www.standart-taksi.lt. €0.66/ km. Car rental Sixt QRodūnios Kelias 2 (Airport), tel. (+370) 5 239 56 36, www.sixt.lt. Open 08:00 - 24:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:00. Also at Sodų 14 (Panorama Hotel), Konstitucijos 20 (Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva). A fish Žuvinė From the same stable as the people with the same name in Palanga, this classy little number serves a select range of predominantly locally caught fish accompanied with all manner of fancy additions. The style is very much upscale, the food is impressive and the location inside the historical Town Hall is more or less unbeatable.QC-4, Didžioji 31, tel. (+370) 682 191 72, www.zuvine.lt. Open 11:00 - 24:00, Sun 11:00 - 22:00. €15. PTJASW Georgian Tiflisi Dukani Featuring pleasant décor, an equally agreeable staff and some real magic taking place in the kitchen, Tiflisi Dukani’s menu features enough Caucasian cuisine to keep mouths watering for months to come. Because this is a real Georgian restaurant owned and run by people who know their business, the staff are on hand to advise as to what dishes to order. Highly recommended are any of the Georgian soups and the magnificent grilled meats. An extensive wine menu and plenty of classic desserts finishes everything off perfectly.QA-4, Naugarduko 12, tel. (+370) 656 228 05. Open 11:30 - 22:00, Fri 11:30 - 23:00, Sat 12:00 - 23:00, Sun 12:00 - 22:00. €7. PTAVESW German Bunte Gans Bunte Gans churns out excellent German cuisine and other dishes in this Old Town favourite. The imaginative, good value food on offer includes schnitzels, bratwurst, bangers and mash, lamb, boar, beef steaks, fresh fish and the house special dish of goose with fried potatoes and a host of other vegetables. There’s live music during the weekends and an extensive range of drinks including Riesling, Grauer Burgunder and the recommended German beer Zoller-Hof from Schwabia.QC-5, Aušros Vartų 11, tel. (+370) 5 212 83 12, www.buntegans.lt. Open 11:00 - 23:00, Fri 11:00 - 02:00, Sat 12:00 - 24:00, Sun 12:00 - 21:00. €10. TJAESW Chinese Didžioji Kinija Quite frankly there are too many Chinese restaurants in Vilnius, making decisions difficult considering they all more or less look the same as each other. If in doubt, you could do a lot worse than opting for Didžioji Kinija, a long-established favourite in the city with a huge menu of dishes we’re slowly going through and that has yet to disappoint. The vegetable spring rolls are among the best we’ve ever eaten and the vegetarian options in general are more or less outstanding. A consistent winner in a city of losers, we’re still waiting to find a fault here and wonder if we ever will. Recommended.QA-00, Konstitucijos 12, tel. (+370) 5 263 63 63, www.kinuvirtuve.lt. Open 11:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 22:00. €7. PTAVSW Legal & FINANCIAL SERVICES Lewben Financial Services Center Accounting services.QA. Tumėno 4, tel. (+370) 5 262 05 34, fax (+370) 5 262 05 35, [email protected], www.lewben.com. Open 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. J Barbers & Beauty Franko Get a youthful sprucing-up in this freshly renovated salon right on Pilies. The bright-eyed, English-speaking staff will make your hair swell with style.QC-3, Pilies 23, tel. (+370) 5 262 00 82, www.grozionamai.lt. Open 09:00 - 20:00, Sat 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JA A ir B Mackevičių Odontologijos Klinika A team of experienced dental professionals providing an extensive range of dental services. As well as offering quality, English-speaking services to resident foreigners, they also specialise in dental procedures for Westerners at considerably lower prices. Laser-whitening €300, implant €580 - 730/tooth, prosthetic-CAM-DAM CEREC 3 system €290 - 580, orthodontics for children and adults, treatment with microscope and magnification lens.QB-2, L. Stuokos-Gucevičiaus 9-9, tel. (+370) 5 261 25 12/(+370) 686 305 26, [email protected], www. dentaltravel.lt. Open 08:00 - 20:00, Sat 08:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun. Also at Nemenčinės 54a (Baltic-American Clinic), K. Dineikos 1, Druskininkai (SPA Vilnius). JA Medical services Senamiesčio Grožio Salonas The Old Town Beauty Salon offers a superb selection of procedures and services for the benefit of both mind and body. Using a combination of natural, high quality ingredients and highly trained professional staff, among the other many things they provide are waxing procedures, massage, hair care, manicure and a lot more besides. QC-4, Rūdninkų 16, tel. (+370) 5 231 29 22, info@senamiesciosalonas. lt, www.senamiesciosalonas.lt. Open 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JW Language courses Language and Culture Institute LINGUA LITUANICA (Kalbos ir kultūros institutas Lingua Lituanica) Learn Lithuanian with courses of varying length suitable for everyone from short-term visitors to those who wish to make a life here. Two-week summer and winter courses are also available and include plenty of sightseeing and cultural immersion. Prices are competitive compared to courses offered by the universities.QA-1, Gedimino 26, tel. (+370) 5 231 32 39, www.lingualit.lt. Open 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. J water sports Vichy Aqua Park A big explosion of aquatic fun with a pleasantly up-lifting Polynesian theme throughout. There are dizzying water slides, a pretend beach with real waves, oodles of pools of various types (one with a bar) and all sorts of saunas and spa baths. Out in the northern suburbs, the taxi fare’s still worth it, or take bus N°53 if you’re feeling cheap.QOzo 14c, tel. 118, www.vandensparkas.lt. Open 12:00 22:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon. TAEKDC Esse A bustling restaurant in the city centre, find well-trained staff ferrying a cavalcade of good-looking international dishes with a leaning towards European cuisine to a wide range of clientèle from local business professionals to tourists. Among the favourite fare on offer are the mussels in a wine and cream sauce, Prie Katedros Two recent visits to Prie Katedros have both been entirely positive, not least in part to the totally superb beer they brew on the premises of which the honey variety tastes like no other beer we’ve tasted and leaves one delightfully wobbly after just a couple. The food is also magnificent, with the soups worthy of a massive round of applause on their own. The beer snacks are excellent too, plus there’s free wireless internet and a spooky-looking hologram to greet you at the bottom of the stairs.QB-2, Gedimino 5, tel. (+370) 605 775 55, www. priekatedros.lt. Open 11:00 - 24:00, Thu 11:00 - 01:00, Fri 11:00 - 02:00, Sat 12:00 - 02:00, Sun 12:00 - 23:00. €9. PTJASW Sole Respublika This popular Užupis venue is now better than ever. It knows its history too: on the ceilings are paintings of Napoleon’s army and tributes to the Lithuanian Uhlans who served in it. Decorated with loads of colourful touches (not least the green tiled floor) it is brilliant in summer but equally good when it gets colder: sitting at one of the windows looking out on the Užupis Angel is a treat. The food is good and highly creative (we ate a superb cheesecake with raspberry sauce) and there is a great lunchtime deal (which runs until 16:00). Good steak, great salads and service charming, much like the place itself. Go there.QD-3, Užupio 10, tel. (+370) 687 310 59, www.solerespublika.lt. Open 11:00 - 24:00. €8. PTJA6W Sonnets That rare treat a hotel restaurant worth eating in, the Shakespeare’s in-house nosh-pit excels where others barely get off the ground. Sumptuous and elegant, everything here is polished to near perfection. A diverse menu tempts diners with all manner of delicacies from classic Lithuanian dishes to ostrich with chestnuts. All overseen by friendly and efficient staff, the price tag may be a little heavy but is worth every penny.QD-2, Bernardinų 8/8 (Shakespeare hotel), tel. (+370) 5 266 58 85, www.shakespeare.lt. Open 06:30 - 24:00, Sat, Sun 07:30 - 24:00. €12. PTJALSW Vanille Lounge One of the top restaurant/lounges in the city, Vanille Lounge stands out from the crowd in what is Vilnius’s busiest nightlife and restaurant district because of its amazing menu and the high quality of the superior French bistro food. There is a seriously good drinks menu too, featuring at least a few treats you will not find on too many other bar menus in this town. There is a fixed-priced lunch available until 15:30, while in the evening the place becomes a night spot as much as a restaurant. There’s even a cigar room if that’s your thing. Fresh flowers on the bar are a superb touch.QA-2, Vilniaus 29, tel. (+370) 603 615 32. Open 11:00 - 02:00, Thu, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 04:00, Sun 11:00 - 24:00. €10. PJAXW French Azia Spa A range of Eastern-style massages with a Buddhist philosophy, plus spa treatments, body scrubs, aromatherapy and more. Thai masseurs on hand for the ultimate authentic experience. Special massages for couples also available.QB-4, Šv. Mikalojaus 5, tel. (+370) 5 244 46 46, [email protected], www. aziaspa.lt. Open 11:00 - 21:00, Sat 10:00 - 22:00, Sun 10:00 - 21:00. JA Balzac Still impressively busy most times we walk past, our last outing to Balzac was as good as the previous one, if not better. The staff remain friendly and helpful and the food, if not exactly like the stuff made from fresh local ingredients you’d expect from a roadside restaurant in the suburbs of Bordeaux, is more than good enough to keep visiting French visitors more than happy. The complimentary bread and spread provided while you wait is not only a welcome treat but worthy of a review in itself, whilst the impressive menu continues to impress. Recommended is the classic onion soup followed by a hotchpotch of small dishes to share with friends. Note that the kitchen closes 1 hour before they lock the doors.QC-4, Savičiaus 7, tel. (+370) 614 892 23, www.balzac.lt. Open 11:30 - 23:00, Fri 11:30 - 24:00, Sat 12:00 24:00, Sun 12:00 - 22:00. €10. PTJASW Barbora Dream (Barboros Svajos) A private spa which offers every kind of wellness treatment you can imagine, from a number of different kinds of sauna and steam baths to a wide range of massages. And there’s more: a banquet hall offering the perfect location for small private parties or for impressing clients, as well as wine and whisky tasting events.QD-2, B. Radvilaitės 7/2, tel. (+370) 656 511 11, [email protected], www.barboradream.lt. Open 24hrs. JDW Spa Centre East Island Aromatic bathtubs, a wide range of Thai massages, facials etc. and a wealth of cosmetic procedures to make you feel reborn. The centre comes complete with an Oriental ambience including representations of Buddha on the wall and a tranquil Eastern soundtrack.QKonstitucijos 26 (Forum Palace 1st floor), tel. (+370) 5 272 22 27, www.east-island.lt. Open 10:00 - 21:00. A Zoe’s Bar & Grill A long-standing Vilnius favourite that more often than not gets included on a list of recommended places to visit when we’re asked by newcomers to the city for a good place to eat, Zoe’s manages to consistently get everything right from its enviable location to the eclectic menu of classic food. Featuring everything from their recommended BLT to their excellently priced Thai dishes, this year sees the place expanding their outside seating even further and bringing with it one or two gimmicks to keep visiting and easily bored children amused. Throwing in a few modern twists such as DJs at the weekend, Zoe’s is more or less perfect for a simple snack to a full blown spread for large groups. Note that at the time of going to press the kitchen was closing an hour earlier than the bar with the exception of Sundays. Also rents out mopeds: from an hour to a whole week. Vroom!QB-2, Odminių 3, tel. (+370) 5 212 33 31, www.zoesbargrill. com. Open 12:00 - 24:00, Sun 12:00 - 23:00. €10. PTJAES Moon Garden In one word: perfect. In a lot more words, this is a stunning restaurant decked out in a rather delightful mix of exposed brickwork, ironwork and white leather. Everything about the place oozes class, from the napkins to the superb service and the food, which is why you will come. The menu is deliciously brief, and changes regularly. We ate some terrific beef with tomatoes, lentils, leeks and apple puree, and for dessert the equally impressive passion fruit mousse. The homemade bread is seriously good and the wine list as good as anywhere in the city. Prices high but so is value for money.QC-5, Bazilijonų 10, tel. (+370) 5 219 99 49, www.moongardenhotel.com. Open 18:00 - 22:00. Closed Sun. €10. TJA6W Wellness Exotic Spa Morocco A wide range of massages and spa procedures, spa treatment packages for couples and a few saucy options for gentlemen. See the website for a full list of services.QB-4, Šv. Mikalojaus 5, tel. (+370) 5 212 12 15, spa@ exoticspa.lt, www.exoticspa.lt. Open 11:00 - 21:00. J plus there’s also over 100 wines to choose from either from the menu or at unbeatable prices from the attached shop. For those who can’t stand to be away from the office for too long, also find free wireless internet.QGedimino 50/2, tel. (+370) 686 004 88, www.esse.lt. Open 11:00 - 23:00, Fri 11:00 - 24:00, Sat 12:00 - 24:00. Closed Sun. €10. PTJAESW Carré Featuring several cubby holes in which to hide as well as an exceptionally long bar, Carré functions on several levels as a restaurant, bar and place to relax and drink coffee. The ambitious menu tips its hat to just about every cuisine known to humanity plus there’s an extremely well stocked bar. Popular with a young and moderately sophisticated crowd, the place attracts punters with the added bonus of the occasional DJ, plus there’s a large terrace out the back open during the warmer part of the year.QB-1, Gedimino 9, tel. (+370) 687 901 59. Open 11:00 - 22:00, Fri 11:00 - 01:00, Sat 12:00 - 01:00, Sun 12:00 22:00. €7. PTJAUSW La Provence Deliciously expensive for a reason, La Provence has been packing them in since it first opened its doors way back in 2001. Exclusive, theatrical and a magnet for all manner of well-heeled VIPs, these people understand flavour like few others, infusing it into a wide range of dishes from octopus salad through seasonal seafood to a classic tiramisu made on the premises. Although meat and fish dominate, there are a couple of vegetarian main courses on offer to keep everyone satisfied. The wine menu is both perfectly thought out and frightfully ostentatious. Do yourself a favour and learn the exchange rate before ordering some of the four-figure bottles of champagne. Recommended. QB-4, Vokiečių 22, tel. (+370) 5 262 02 57, www.laprovence.lt. Open 18:00 - 24:00. Closed Mon, Sun. €22. PTJAS East Island Exotic Spice up your life with a range of massages including several delivered with the aid of stones, honey and even chocolate. They also offer their all body massages alongside a range of facials, body masks and scrubs.QC-4, Didžioji 40/2, tel. (+370) 5 212 55 99, www.eastisland.lt. Open 11:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 22:00. J Baltic-American Clinic Highly recommended modern professional health care and diagnostics, now bigger and better than ever.QNemenčinės 54a, tel. (+370) 5 234 20 20/ (+370) 698 526 55, www.bak.lt. Open 24hrs. A Gourmet Burgers International Fine dining RJ Hair Culture Go home with a completely different hairdo to the one you came with courtesy of this rather good beauty salon. It’s worth noting that they’ve worked abroad, so there is no language barrier (not always the case when trying ot get a haircut in this town). If you want make-up done, you will need to make an appointment in advance.QB/C-3, Dominikonų 16, tel. (+370) 640 540 00, www.rjhair.lt. Open 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 16:00. Closed Sun. J Dentists where to eat balTICK Language Services QD-2, Bernardinų 9-4, tel. (+370) 5 212 29 24, [email protected], www.baltick.lt. where to eat Sue’s Indian Raja The best restaurant in Vilnius continues to impress with a fabulously pungent menu of dishes, all made from hand-picked and hand-mixed spices by a crack team of Indian chefs overseen by the uniquely charming Wing Commander Rajinder Chaudhary. Our last outing saw us putting away a mild pork korma and a consistently outstanding and nicely spicy butter chicken after demolishing way too many onion bhajis for our own good. The service remains excellent, the location is unbeatable and the bill at the end of it may be a little shocking for local prices but if you compare it to what you’d be expected to pay for an average Indian on any British high street then it simply doesn’t compare. Magic, and thoroughly recommended.QB-2, Odminių 3, tel. (+370) 5 266 18 88, www.suesindianraja.lt. Open 11:00 - 24:00, Mon 12:00 - 24:00. €10. PTJAVSW directory Interpreters where to eat Indian Grill Brazil A marvellous restaurant specialising in churrasco and espeto corrido cuisine, which for the uninitiated is a Brazilian buffet extravaganza wherein diners help themselves to endless portions of salad and other dishes whilst a procession of waiters do the rounds armed with large skewers loaded with grilled meat which is cut at the table and dropped onto the plate. Unquestionably one of the best restaurants in the country, there’s also an accompanying set menu for the less adventurous.QF/G-2, Saltoniškių 9 (Panorama), tel. (+370) 671 886 65, www.grillbrazil.lt. Open 10:00 - 23:00. €8. AW directory where to eat Boom! Burgers Very centrally located - it’s on the other side of the street to the Cathedral you in fact need to look carefully to find the entrance of Boom, as it hardly stands out. Once in, you will find a bright place serving gourmet burgers which are cooked to order: we asked for a medium cooked hamburger with onion rings and it was exactly as we wanted. The cheesecake comes with ice-cream, a pinch of salt and a drop of olive oil and is one of the best we’ve tasted. Decent music and friendly service.QB/C-2, Gedimino 1, tel. (+370) 652 145 34. Open 11:30 - 22:00, Fri 11:30 - 23:00, Sat 12:00 - 23:00, Sun 12:00 - 22:00. €6. PTJASW Brazilian HEALTh where to eat Lithuanian Forest Traditional with a twist, Forest is one of those places which is determined to prove that Lithuanian cuisine can be progressive. Simple yet innovative, expect superb grilled meats and some of the best salads in the city alongside specials such as gnocchi and pacheri. It’s all prepared fresh on the premises using the finest seasonal ingredients, and is served in a bright, contemporary setting. Well worth your time and money.QB-4, Vokiečių 8, tel. (+370) 698 167 28, www.restoranasforest.lt. Open 11:00 - 24:00, Fri 11:00 - 02:00, Sat 12:00 - 02:00, Sun 12:00 - 24:00. Also at Žirmūnų 2, Savanorių 1. €7. PTJAUSW Korean TASTE - JHK and DD’s Place Given that Vilnius has never had a decent Korean restaurant it is easy to see why this place is so popular. The welcome you get from the amazing staff is overwhelming, and prepares you well for the food, which is equally impressive. Let the staff recommend you something: we went for the saewoobulgogi seafood barbeque: not cheap but well worth the price. Make sure you try the Sujeonggwa: traditional Korean punch made with cinnamon (and much else) served in a teapot for bargain €2.60.QC-4, Vokiečių 2, tel. (+370) 659 269 09, www.koreantaste.lt. Open 11:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 24:00. €12. PTJASW where to eat Kybynlar In a word, magnificent. This hugely popular Karaite restaurant is a mustsee for anyone visiting Trakai. Alongside their delicious classic beef or mutton (not lamb, as it says on the menu) kibinai is a small collection of other Karaite dishes plus a few more of Turkic origin. Highly recommended is the šorpa, a fabulous soup complete with big lumps of beef and potato and just a hint of spicy warmth. The small winter restaurant expands to mammoth proportions during the summer, making for a truly lively place to eat and drink. They even do take-away.QKaraimų 29, tel. (+370) 528 551 79, [email protected], www.kybynlar.lt. Open 11:00 - 22:00. €6. PTAUSW Trattoria da Flavio The exuberant owner Flavio has turned this hotel restaurant into a very Italian affair serving excellent food. We felt like kings with the great staff fussing over every detail: they really want to make you feel welcome. The menu changes several times per week and is written on a board in Italian: the staff will translate and explain it to you in detail. We ate involtini alla messinese with tomatoes and oregano, and it was delicious. The tiramisu was just as it should (unlike many others in Lithuania).QB-5, Ligoninės 5, tel. (+370) 5 262 48 46. Open 18:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon, Sun. €11. TJA6SW Vapiano Redolent of a millionaire’s greenhouse, it’s all stone, marble and oak with a particular emphasis on flora and natural light in here, the perfect environment in fact for quality Italian food in the city. Featuring open kitchens making pasta, salads and pizza, the food is made using fresh ingredients and comes in ample portions. We’ve eaten here four times now and can’t complain at all. A super place to eat in an area crying out for this kind of quality. Note that the kitchen closes 30 minutes before they lock the doors.QA-00, Konstitucijos 7a (Europa), tel. (+370) 5 238 34 89, www.vapiano.lt. Open 11:00 - 23:00, Sun 12:00 - 22:00. €6. PTASW vilnius.inyourpocket.com trakai Italian St. Valentino An unbeatable location and years of terrific service mark St. Valentino out as one of Vilnius’ most beloved and respected restaurants. Certainly, the city’s business community continues to favour the place over any other, and it is easy to see why. The often adventurous Italian food is a cut above the norm (try the duck liver ravioli), and the cosy, clever interior layout affords discretion and privacy for those who require it. More than recommended.QB-3, Vilniaus 47/18, tel. (+370) 652 657 77, www.stvalentino.lt. Open 07:30 23:00, Thu, Fri 07:30 - 24:00, Sat 09:00 - 24:00, Sun 10:00 - 23:00. €10. PTJASW Marché de Provence This now well established Old Town restaurant specialises in not only the cuisine after which the place is named but also serves dishes from a number of other European culinary destinations. The regularly changing bill of fare is positively packed with good things including at the time of going to press sea snails, a great gazpacho and main dishes including venison, oven baked lamb and duck with orange. There’s also some super desserts and an excellent wine list to compliment everything. Their shop in the same building offers a range of quality food from home and abroad.QC3, Pilies 27, tel. (+370) 686 777 07, www.marchedeprovence.lt. Open 12:00 - 24:00. Last kitchen order 22:30. €20. PJASW Forto Dvaras This perfectly located restaurant on the busiest street in Old Town provides consistently good food at affordable prices. Complete with colour photographs to help you choose, the menu is packed with classic dishes including the marvellous kepta duona, a good choice when waiting for a main dish, soup served in a loaf of bread and some simple but recommended desserts. We recently had the borsch with meat followed by some truly outstanding potato pancakes with bacon and mushroom sauce of which both can also be ordered for vegetarians. The service is friendly and efficient.Q C-2, Pilies 16, tel. (+370) 656 136 88, www. fortodvaras.lt. Open 11:00 - 24:00. €5. TJASW Senoji Trobelė This intimate, folk-themed restaurant is unquestionably one of the best examples of its kind in the country. We like the place, especially on a sunny day when it’s possible to eat and drink on their fine terrace. The food is classic unpretentious local cuisine, tastes good and is equally superb value for money. If you’d like to take a little piece of the place home (and believe us, you will), their unique crockery is available for sale.QA-5, Naugarduko 36, tel. (+370) 609 990 02, www. senojitrobele.lt. Open 11:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 23:00. €7. TAULSW Local Seasonal Food La Storia Just perfect. A tiny yet cosy restaurant with just seven or so tables. Duties are shared between the two owners: Maria runs around serving, Arūnas cooks. We ate chanterelles with potatoes and cream sauce, and probably the best ever panna cotta with strawberries we’ve eaten. The menu changes every few days, with the emphasis always on only the very freshest, natural ingredients. Highly recommended.Q C-4, Savičiaus 6, tel. (+370) 616 806 80. Open 12:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon, Sun. €13. TJA6ES Steak Hazienda Steakhouse A magnificent steak house, widely regarded as the best in Lithuania, a title it has held for more than a decade and a half. All of the raw material is sourced locally from the finest beef farms, where cattle graze on Lithuania’s best grasslands. The restaurant can boast to know the provenance of every single steak they serve, right down to knowing what the cattle were fed. The setting - at the charming Mabre hotel - is not to be overlooked either. Magnificent.QD-3, Maironio 13 (Mabre Hotel), tel. (+370) 5 212 13 89, www. mabre.lt. Open 12:00 - 24:00. €17. PTJAW Meat Lovers Pub Cooking meat to perfection, we had a steak that couldn’t be argued with, a soup that was up there with soups costing five times as much and some pork that was absolutely the best meat we’ve eaten in Vilnius for months. The service is decent, and all things considered there are few places offering better value in Vilnius right now.QB-3, Šv. Ignoto 14, tel. (+370) 652 512 33, www.meatloverspub.lt. Open 11:30 - 24:00, Sat 12:00 - 24:00, Sun 12:00 - 21:00. €7. PTA6SW St. Hubertus Name your game! The patron saint of hunters delivers on (almost) everything from boar to pigeon, the classic-cut steaks from porterhouse to tomahawk, the starters from Baltic herring to ceviche. Order a half-lobster as an add-on to your steak. Unveiled in 2014, we found the saint with a few teething problems as a couple of items on the menu were not available. But with a peaceful courtyard sheltered from the road and the elements, and some amazing sauces giving further flavour to the meat, we expect St. Hubertus to blossom.QB-4, Vokiečių 24, tel. (+370) 5 261 65 73/(+370) 686 047 08, www.st-hubertus.lt. Open 12:00 - 24:00. €15. JAXW Mini-Guide December 2014 - May 2015 Vilnius Hotels Restaurants Bars Sights Maps
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