Lithuania’s gastronomic scene continues its remarkable ascent as the second edition of the otable jump from last year’s 26 – reaffirming Lithuania’s place on the global culinary map.
At the heart of this culinary celebration are four Vilnius-based restaurants that have once again retained the coveted MICHELIN stars: Demo, Džiaugsmas, Pas mus, and Nineteen18. These prestigious accolades honor exceptional cooking and reinforce Lithuania’s status as a serious player in the world of fine dining.
The “Bib Gourmand” category, awarded to restaurants offering outstanding food at a great value, saw its numbers double this year. Augustin, B‘ARN Bistro, and Kristoforas, all based in Vilnius, joined the list, while previous recipients – 14Horses, Gaspar’s, Le Travi (Vilnius), and Nüman (Kaunas) – proudly retained their honors.
In addition to the star-rated and Bib Gourmand selections, the MICHELIN Guide’s list of recommended restaurants in Lithuania continues to grow. New additions include MOTÍF in Vilnius and Alba Bistro in Klaipėda. These join a strong lineup of returning favorites such as Amandus, Elven, Somm, and Telegrafas in Vilnius, DIA and Uoksas in Kaunas, and Monai in Klaipėda – to name just a few.
According to Lukas Savickas, Lithuania’s Minister of Economy and Innovation, the new MICHELIN Guide results reflect the maturity and international competitiveness of Lithuania’s gastronomy.
“This is a great example of how careful work, investment in quality, and creativity bring real economic impact. Our restaurant sector, despite a challenging geopolitical and economic environment, demonstrates resilience and the ability to create added value,” said Savickas.
Adding further excitement, the MICHELIN Guide announced special awards this morning:
- Young Chef Award: Darek Medvedev of Augustin
- Sommelier Award: Martynas Pravilionis of HeJi
- Service Award: Lina Marija Balčiūnaitė of Red Brick
- Opening of the Year Award: Chef Arnas Petronis of B‘ARN Bistro
Olga Gončarova, head of Lithuania Travel, emphasized the broader impact of this recognition.
“Our chefs and restaurant teams are proving that they not only maintain a high level of mastery but also continuously strive to improve. These results are not just recognition of current achievements – they are also a strong incentive to further develop gastronomic tourism opportunities in Lithuania.”
With global gastronomic tourism on the rise, this spotlight on Lithuania offers a compelling draw for international travelers. Research indicates that nearly 60% of tourists would consider extending their stay if presented with Michelin-rated dining options – a powerful opportunity for Lithuania’s tourism sector.
The announcement culminates in a live broadcast of both the MICHELIN Guide ceremony and Lithuania’s first Bocuse d’Or national selection competition, airing this evening at 6 PM on the Lithuania Travel Facebook page.
