What is in season in Vilnius. and what to order when the market changes.

Spring

  • Nettle and sorrel: Lithuanian wild greens through April and May. Nettle goes into soups; sorrel into šaltibarščiai variants.
  • Birch sap: Sula birch sap is tapped in March, drunk fresh or fermented into a mild summer drink across Lithuanian markets.
  • First new potato: Lithuanian early potatoes appear in late May. New potatoes with curd cheese is the canonical spring plate.

Summer

  • Šaltibarščiai cold beet soup: Electric-pink summer soup with kefir, boiled potatoes, dill and cucumber. Every Vilnius kitchen runs it from June through August.
  • Baltic herring: Fresh and pickled Baltic herring through June and July, sold by the kilo at Halės Turgus fish counter.
  • Berries and honey: Lithuanian forest berries and small-producer honey peak through July and August at Tymo Turgus farmers market.

Autumn

  • Forest mushrooms: Lithuanian foraged mushrooms (boletus and chanterelle) peak September to October, served in cepelinai stuffings and stews.
  • Cepelinai with mushroom sauce: Autumn brings cepelinai with mushroom-cream sauce variants alongside the standard pork-and-cracklings stuffing.
  • Game: Wild boar, venison and beaver appear on Lokys and Druskininkai menus through the autumn hunting season.

Winter

  • Kūčios (Christmas Eve): December 24's 12-course meatless Lithuanian Christmas Eve dinner with kūčiukai poppy-seed biscuits and beetroot soup with mushroom-stuffed dumplings.
  • Skilandis smoked stomach: Skilandis is at its peak in winter, sliced thinly at Halės Turgus smoked-meat stalls as a cold-weather plate with rye bread.
  • Žagarėliai (angel wings): Lithuanian fried-dough Christmas treat sold at the Cathedral Square Christmas market through December and early January.

Book food experiences in Vilnius

Vilnius: Lithuanian Flavors Experience★ 4.9 (61)

Guided tour · 2.5 hours

Vilnius: Lithuanian Flavors Experience

A food tasting tour shows you that Lithuanian food extends much further than potato or meat dishes. You will indulge in Lithuanian snacks and beverages, which, for the...

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