Eight places in Kaunas for a different Lithuanian taste experience

When planning a weekend in Kaunas, you can get the whole package – from tasting curd doughnuts beloved by generations to enjoying Michelin-level venison tartare in a monastery. Filled with local flavors, a blend of history and modern charm, these eight places in Kaunas will be appreciated by both budget travelers and gourmands.

"Kaunas is a city best explored while enjoying leisurely meals. In a cafe where time has visually stood still, you can taste the best curd doughnuts, while just nearby – dine among Gothic vaults. On summer evenings, modern Lithuanian cuisine dominates the streets of Kaunas, where meals in restaurants and bars are complemented by views of the night city," says gastronomy tour guide Kristina Sneidere.

We have compiled eight tested stops – from affordable coffee shops to Michelin-acknowledged dinner restaurants – where you can experience the atmosphere of Kaunas.

Cafe Spurginė with a line for curd doughnuts 

Spurginė's authenticity and taste have remained consistently good for decades. The cafe's interior and staff, some of whom have been working there since Soviet times, intrigue and attract both locals and city guests. The long lines for warm curd doughnuts and savory pastries show that this place hides something more than just trendy nostalgia. Moreover, coffee and a doughnut here still cost only around 3 euros.

Višta puode and the legendary steak 

Here you can taste Lithuanian cuisine made from tested recipes rooted in rural traditions. The chefs still prepare the Astra chicken steak according to a 1971 recipe — it has become the establishment's calling card. Alongside classic staples, the menu also features modern flavors, such as beef sausages with potato-celery puree or cucumber and lime ice cream.

Monte Pacis and a view of the lagoon 

Monte Pacis is located in a 17th-century monastery overlooking the Kaunas Lagoon. The restaurant provides an experience where a historical atmosphere meets a modern approach to local products. Raimundas Dambrauskas, the chef of this Michelin Guide-featured restaurant, emphasizes the importance of local ingredients by choosing herbs and vegetables from nearby farms. One of the menu's special appetizers is organically raised venison tartare served in crispy wheat baskets, a nod to Lithuania's oldest grain crops. It is complemented by cream cheese, local beer, snail caviar, and pine bud jelly made from trees growing on the grounds of the Pažaislis Monastery.

Castle farmers' market - the Lithuanian version of Āgenskalns market 

Every Saturday, local vendors gather at the foot of the 14th-century Kaunas Castle with berries, herbs, meat, and cheeses. This is the best place to get a feel for the city's daily rhythm and see what locals prefer to put in their shopping baskets.

Kultura - a cafe with character 

Kultura offers exquisite specialty coffee, rich sandwiches, and traditional kugelis (potato pudding) with mushroom sauce. In the evening, the place transforms into a meeting point where, accompanied by DJ music, you can enjoy craft beer and cider (prices from €5.50). The preserved Soviet-era interior gives this cultural space a special "twist".

Genys Brewing Co. beer hooligans 

Genys Brewing Co., dubbed the beer hooligans of Kaunas by locals, offers bold and experimental drinks. Here you can taste a sour ale with peach and bergamot notes, a kombucha-inspired mango and passionfruit beer (€6.50), or a low-gluten IPA (€6.00). This selection will appeal to those looking for unusual flavors outside the standard offerings.

Knygnešys - a bar for the brave and adventurous 

Knygnešys, or "book smuggler", offers a mysterious speakeasy bar experience with hidden doors. Entering the 17th-century vaulted cellars creates an authentic sense of history, while the modern cocktail menu (from €12) will delight fans of both classics and experimentation.

Kamerinis - a secret cocktail laboratory 

The Kamerinis bar, located on the premises of the Chamber Theatre, operates as a cocktail laboratory where bartenders tailor drinks to each guest's individual preferences. Outdoor seating is available year-round, while the relaxed atmosphere and live music evenings attract a creative crowd that appreciates not only the drinks but the overall evening experience itself.

About "Kaunas IN" 

The Kaunas IN agency helps create favorable conditions for the development of business, tourism, cinema, and international marketing sectors in Kaunas. The agency's areas of responsibility include attracting international investment, promoting and supporting business development, increasing the attractiveness of Kaunas as a tourist destination, and providing comprehensive support for filmmakers.