This website uses cookies to remember your preferences, measure audience engagement and site statistics.
Privacy policyChampagne city guide
Vilnius is probably the easiest place in Lithuania to build a day around good drinks. The city has a strong restaurant and wine scene, with wine bars, contemporary restaurants, cocktail spots and elegant hotels all mixed into a compact centre.
The Old Town is an obvious starting point, but don’t stop there. Naujamiestis and the area around Užupis have a different, more contemporary feel, with cafés, restaurants and independent places worth exploring.
If you’re visiting Vilnius for Champagne, make some room for the local food. Lithuania has a very different culinary tradition from the classic wine-producing countries of Western Europe, and Vilnius is a good place to see how those traditions are being used in modern restaurants.
Try cepelinai, the potato dumplings that are probably Lithuania’s best-known dish, or šaltibarščiai, the bright pink cold beetroot soup that is particularly popular in summer.
There’s also plenty beyond the traditional dishes. Modern Lithuanian restaurants increasingly work with local and seasonal ingredients, so you may find things like freshwater fish, mushrooms, berries, fermented foods and game appearing in more contemporary dishes.
And if you want to explore local drinks, look beyond wine. Lithuanian beer, fruit and berry wines and gira all give you a different perspective on the country’s drinking culture.
The Old Town is the obvious place to begin. It’s one of the largest surviving medieval old towns in Central and Eastern Europe and is packed with restaurants, cafés, bars and small streets that are very easy to explore on foot.
Then cross the Vilnia River into Užupis. The neighbourhood has a distinctly different atmosphere, with independent cafés, galleries and creative spaces. It’s a good place to wander without having a specific destination in mind.
For a more modern city feel, head towards Naujamiestis. This is where you’ll find a growing number of newer restaurants, bars and other places that have helped expand Vilnius beyond the traditional Old Town food scene.
Vilnius is probably the Lithuanian city where I’d spend the most time exploring the Champagne Hunters map before deciding where to go. There are enough restaurants and bars that you can build your own little Champagne crawl around whatever part of the city you’re exploring that day.
And don’t be afraid to mix things up. Have Champagne with dinner one night, try a Lithuanian beer or fruit wine the next, and order a glass of something local when you see an interesting bottle on a list.
If you visit somewhere already on our map, leave a comment and tell other Champagne Hunters what the selection was like. And if you discover a great spot that’s missing, add it to the map yourself.
Featured partners are marked. Everything here is on our map.
Join the Champagne Hunters community and we’ll send you a free PDF with 5 easy Champagne cocktail recipes and perfectly matched bites for every occasion.
By signing up, you agree to receive emails from Champagne Hunters. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Our map grows because Champagne hunters like you add the places they love. No sign-up needed.
Add a spotYes. Vilnius has the broadest selection of Champagne and wine-focused venues in Lithuania, with options ranging from casual wine bars to restaurants and hotels.
Start with the Old Town, but also explore Užupis and Naujamiestis. The city is compact enough that you can easily move between neighbourhoods on foot.
The Champagne Hunters map shows you what’s currently listed. If you visit somewhere already on the map, leave a comment with your experience – particularly if they offer Champagne by the glass or their selection has changed.
Yes, some places offer Champagne by the glass, although availability varies. Check the individual listings before heading out.
Start with cepelinai if you want something hearty and traditional, or šaltibarščiai for something lighter and particularly refreshing in summer.
If you prefer contemporary food, look for restaurants working with Lithuanian seasonal ingredients such as mushrooms, berries, freshwater fish, fermented products and game.
Šaltibarščiai is Lithuania’s famous cold beetroot soup, made with beetroot, kefir, cucumber, dill and other ingredients, usually served with boiled potatoes. Its bright pink colour makes it hard to miss.
Try Lithuanian craft beer, fruit and berry wines or gira. Lithuania’s beer culture is particularly interesting, while fruit and berry wines give you a chance to taste something much more connected to the local climate than conventional grape wine.
There isn’t one single answer. The Old Town has the highest concentration of places and is easiest for exploring on foot. Užupis has a more alternative, creative feel, while Naujamiestis is worth checking for newer restaurants and bars.
Walk through the Old Town, visit Vilnius Cathedral and Gediminas Tower, cross into Užupis and explore the city’s viewpoints and churches. Vilnius is particularly good for simply wandering, so leave some space in your itinerary for that rather than planning every stop.
