We were browsing the Michelin guide for an elegant and affordable dinner in Old Town, Vilnius, and we found the perfect spot. Our visit to Vilnius was only for 24-hours, so this dinner really made it special. Here’s what we ate and why it was such a unique and worthwhile experience.
Historic Dishes with a Modern Twist
Ertlio Namas is a small restaurant focused on serving historic Lithuanian dishes with a modern twist. The menu is based on recipes from the Middle Ages, but with a refined presentation. Each course comes with a short explanation from the server about its origins, which makes the evening informative and enjoyable.
Our server was incredibly kind and knowledgeable, and the atmosphere in a historic townhouse felt relaxed but polished.
Our Tasting Menu
You can choose from a 7-course tasting menu for €60 or a 9-course menu for €70 per person. You can also opt for a wine pairing for €25 or €35, respectively. The menu changes four times a year with the seasons.
Although the food portions were plentiful, the wine pours were light. If we did it again, though, we would still choose the pairings because they were affordable and matched the dishes well. Just note that Lithuanian (and international) wines were available starting at €35 for a bottle, and they also offered a wide selection of liquor, a few beers (including zero proof), and soft drinks.
🍽️ Click here to follow our latest adventures on Facebook!
This was our tasting menu journey:
Homemade bread with beetroots and butter (16th Century)
A simple, earthy start to the meal.
Chef’s compliment
A bonus small bite to prepare the palate.
Sturgeon with eel and crayfish (18th century)
This dish was rich and smoky but also balanced with beetroot.
Pheasant with apples, parsley, and rowanberry sauce (19th century)
This dish was a bit intense in flavor, but the presentation was fantastic, with a play on a wild mushroom. Pheasant is a game meat, and not our favorite, but it was blended with a light sweetness from the apple and a tart element from the berry sauce that made it quite pleasant (pleasant pheasant?).
Bread soup with beer and veal (17th century)
This dish surprisingly ended up being both our favorite. The soup was comforting and familiar tasting, even if it sounded a bit unusual, and it had a mild, pleasant bitterness from the beer.
Poularde with swede, carrots, leaf cabbage, and cabbage sauce (18th century)
I admit I had to look up “poularde.” But one taste lets you know it’s a beautiful poultry dish with a delicious chicken flavor. Again, this was a super comforting dish that was just as good as the bread soup, especially when paired with hearty vegetables.
Venison with turnips, and boletus sauce (19th century)
This dish was supposed to be moose, but they had only venison, which was totally fine. I was actually shocked at how much I enjoyed this. I have never liked venison, yet I had it twice on this trip to the Baltics and absolutely loved it each time. This dish was lean, flavorful, and paired with lovely vegetables and a puff pastry.
Pear dessert with plums and Jerusalem artichoke ice cream (18th century)
I love my desserts to be either richly chocolate or barely sweet. This one was perfectly the latter. It was a light and delicious ending to a wonderful meal.
Some ingredients — like moose or eel — may not be for everyone, but that’s part of the appeal here. For those who prefer, they do offer a vegetarian option while keeping the historic theme. We’d recommend contacting them in advance to note any dietary restrictions. They are very nice and helpful.
Our Take
Ertlio Namas absolutely earned its nod from the Michelin Guide. Although it doesn’t have a Michelin star (yet), we picked this spot over other fine-dining restaurants for the focus on local cuisine.
It’s well worth it for the unique experience of tasting Lithuanian food throughout the centuries with a lovely guide to tell you about the history.
The price is very reasonable for a fine-dining experience, and with the vegetarian options, it’s definitely worth it, even if you are a bit nervous about the menu. We highly recommend giving it a try.
Check Out More on Lithuania and the Baltics
- Vilnius in a Day: What to Do in Lithuania’s Beautiful Capital City
- Which Baltic Capital Should You Visit? Tallinn, Riga, or Vilnius?
- How to Get Around the Baltics
- Baltic Travel Itinerary: A Week in Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius + Helsinki
Explore More Baltic Cuisine
- Best Cheap Eats in Tallinn: Our Favorite Spot in Estonia’s Capital
- Tallinn Estonia: 7 Top Places to Eat and Drink
- Riga Latvia: Our Favorite Dinner Spot with a Tasting Menu
Discover more from LiAnn and Theo Travel
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
