Vilnius is a city that certainly isn’t lacking in cafe culture, and the city has no shortage of places to stop for a cup; from the al-fresco terraces that spill out onto the charming and picturesque streets of the old town, to the ubiquitous chain Caffeine Roasters that can be seen on almost every street corner of the city, seemingly Lithuania’s equivalent of major global brands such as Costa or Starbucks.
However, Vilnius isn’t particularly well-known by coffee lovers for its speciality coffee scene, often overlooked and overshadowed by the other Baltic capitals, Riga and Tallinn. Things are changing though. The coffee and cafe culture is young and still evolving, but events such as the Dark Times conference are slowly putting it on the map. In recent years, locals like Polina Lyapustina have launched a zine, KaffeZine, as well as starting the Society of Coffee Enthusiasts, a group hosting classes and gatherings for coffee lovers throughout the city. Vilnius’ Burgeoning coffee culture may not be as developed or well known as Melbourne, Portland, or San Francisco, but it’s certainly on the rise.
Crooked Nose & Coffee Stories
Crooked Nose and Coffee Stories is a speciality cafe and micro-roaster located near the historic centre of the city. Owner Emanuelis Ryklys is deeply involved in Vilnius’ coffee scene and has created not only an achingly cool space drink a good cup of the city’s best coffee, but also as a social hub for the city’s creatives and hipsters to congregate. Crooked Nose & Coffee Stories serves a range of speciality brews prepared using a Chemex, AeroPress, or pour-over as well as hosting coffee tasting sessions in both English and Lithuanian. The food offerings are limited but here you will be able to sample šakotis, the traditional Lithuanian wedding cake that comes out looking a little like a tree after baking and being turned over a spit.
Where: Šaltinių g. 20, Vilnius.
Opening times: Thurs & Fri 10am – 4pm.
Online: Check out their Instagram, Facebook page and website.
StrangeLove Coffee Co.
After Crooked Nose, StrangeLove is possibly the best speciality coffee shop in Old Town Vilnius. The cafe has its own roastery, meaning that you will be able to sample a range of different beans prepared with different methods by the meticulous baristas. The Instagrammable interior can be very cosy when enjoying a coffee next to the fireplace on their second floor but in summer, the outdoor terrace opens out onto Kalnų parkas, one of the city’s most beautiful parks.
Where: B. Radvilaitės g. 6B, Vilnius.
Opening times: Mon to Fri 8am – 8pm; Sat & Sun 10am – 8pm.
Online: Check out their Instagram, Facebook page and website.
Taste Map
Taste Map originally started out as an independent roastery but became so successful that it has now opened two stores in Vilnius, one in the city centre on M. K. Čiurlionio street., and another branch, Taste Map Rise beside the Neris River on Gynėjų street. With their history as a roastery, you know that the coffee is carefully selected, serving beans from all over the world; Columbia, Brazil, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Kenya.
Where: Gynėjų street 14 (Rise Vilnius) and M.K.Čiurlionio street 8, Vilnius.
Opening times: Mon to Fri 7am – 8pm; Sat 9am – 8pm; Sun 10am – 7pm.
Online: Check out their Instagram, Facebook page and website.
Coffee 1
Across a small bridge from Vilnius city centre in the bohemian, Independent Republic of Užupis you’ll find a great, independent cafe. Although it was once situated in narrow, nondescript premises on Užupio Street, it has since moved across the road to a much larger, modern venue with both upstairs and downstairs seating. Although the coffee isn’t necessarily the best you’ll find in the city, the staff are incredibly friendly and they offer a great range of tasty treats such as cookies and traditional tinginys, which translates as “lazy cake,” because it’s an easy-to-make combination of chocolate, sugar, and biscuits.
Where: Užupio g. 9, Vilnius.
Opening times: Mon to Fri 7.30am – 8pm; Sat 8am – 8pm; Sun 9am – 7pm.
Online: Check out their Instagram and Facebook page.
Brew
Brew, or Kavos Virejai, is one of my favourite spots in Vilnius in terms of coffee and atmosphere. It’s a little dour, with dark walls and leather couches, but relaxing nonetheless. We stepped in to escape the cold on a snowy winter morning and found the place packed with students working busily at laptops and a few small groups of people holding business meetings. The coffee offering, as you would expect, is diverse with two different types of espresso and several types of filter coffee – from full-bodied AeroPress to mild and flavourful Chemex brews.
Where: Pylimo g. 19, Vilnius.
Opening times: Mon to Fri 8am – 9pm; Sat & Sun 10am – 9pm.
Online: Check out their Facebook Page.
Backstage Cafe
Of all the cafes on this list, Backstage may be the hardest to stumble across, hidden far from the old town on T.Ševčenkos Street. Luckily this means that you may be the only tourist to venture in this ultra-cool, exposed-brick minimalist cafe. Expect a warm welcome from the cafes dog and mascot (you’ll see him on Backstage’s logo) who will probably greet you at the door and follow you to your table. Expect to spend a few hours there browsing through their stacks of books and magazines – in both Lithuanian and English – while avoiding the tourist crowds.
Where: T.Ševčenkos Street 16h, Vilnius
Opening times: Mon to Fri 10am – 9pm; Sat & Sun 11am – 8pm.
Online: Check out their Facebook page and Instagram.
Chaika
Decorated in Soviet-kitsch paraphernalia with turf-covered walls, Soviet-era tableware and stacks of board games waiting to be played, Chaika is possibly one of the quirkiest cafes in Vilnius. It’s also gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly, meaning those that have a completely plant-based diet can feel free to gorge on the wide array of cakes and other baked goods.
Where: Totorių Street 7, Vilnius
Opening times: Mon to Weds 9am – 7pm; Thurs & Fri 9am – 9pm; Sat & Sun 11am – 7pm
Online: Check out their Facebook page, Instagram and website.
2 Responses
Great list! I can’t wait to explore these cafes on my next trip to Vilnius. The recommendations sound amazing, especially the one with the cozy atmosphere. Thanks for sharing your insights!
Loved this guide! I’ve been looking for cozy spots to enjoy coffee while exploring Vilnius. The recommendations are spot-on, especially the one about Cafe de Paris – can’t wait to visit! Thanks for the tips!