The Falstaff Restaurant & Bistro Guide Nordics 2026 as well as the first-ever Falstaff Café Guide Nordics were presented in Vilnius in cooperation with Lithuania Travel, the national tourism organization. The event brought together leading figures from the gastronomy and coffee scenes, providing a platform for exchange within the industry.
Lithuania is one of the most dynamic culinary destinations in the Baltic region. While Vilnius is regarded as the center of the modern restaurant scene, the country’s gastronomic identity remains deeply rooted in its rural areas—shaped by agricultural traditions, regional products, and a close connection to nature.
A total of 315 cafés across the Nordic and Baltic regions were evaluated for the first Falstaff Café Guide Nordics 2026, underscoring the growing importance and diversity of coffee culture in the region.
“With nearly 2,000 entries across the Nordic and Baltic countries, this guide highlights the exceptional quality and diversity of the region’s restaurants and offers inspiring guidance for both local connoisseurs and international gourmet travelers,”
Tove Oskarsson Henckel
Editor-in-Chief of Falstaff Nordics
Tove Oskarsson Henckel
Editor-in-Chief of Falstaff Nordics
The collaboration with Lithuania Travel contributes to strengthening Lithuania’s international visibility as a gastronomic destination and further deepening the connection between Baltic and Nordic culinary cultures.
Although many of Lithuania’s top rankings went to restaurants in Vilnius, the Falstaff jury’s evaluations reveal an increasingly diverse scene across the entire country. Culinary excellence is developing not only in the capital, but also in coastal regions, smaller cities, and rural areas—driven by regional creativity and authentic culinary traditions.
“Through the magazine, our experts guide thousands of readers not only to restaurants in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda, but also encourage them to discover creative chefs in other parts of the country. In doing so, meaningful connections between the Baltic and Nordic regions become visible—shaped by diverse gastronomic traditions and interpretations.”
Olga Gončarova
CEO of Lithuania Travel
Olga Gončarova
CEO of Lithuania Travel
At the same time, Lithuania’s café and specialty coffee scene is gaining international recognition. A new generation of baristas, roasters, and café operators is developing distinctive concepts and shaping an urban coffee culture that is increasingly attracting attention beyond the country’s borders. Across the country, chefs and coffee experts work with local ingredients, seasonal products, and international influences, creating a diverse gastronomic landscape that ranges from fine dining to innovative café and roastery concepts.
A gallery below showcases impressions from the award ceremony, highlighting key moments and the personalities shaping Lithuania’s dynamic culinary scene.
