A guide to eating, exploring, and feeling the spirit of Vilnius by LeverX SAP Quality Manager Alexander Krakasevich.
Vilnius may be one of Europe’s smaller capitals, but it’s bursting with character — red-tiled rooftops, cobbled streets, and forests that seem to grow right into the city center. It’s a place where baroque architecture and street art coexist, and where even November weather invites you to linger over a coffee on a terrace.
Our guide for today, Alexander Krakasevich, has been an SAP Quality Manager at LeverX for a little over a year — just as long as he’s lived in Lithuania.
“Somehow, this city’s spirit has always felt familiar,” he says. “Maybe it’s the red-tiled roofs, the winding hills, the forest-like parks right in the middle of the city, or the fact that a quick drive takes you to lakes and cliffs carved by glaciers: Žalieji ežerai and Pūčkorių atodanga.”
Let this article be the start of your self-guided tour through Vilnius — a journey through Lithuanian history, art, and truly great coffee.
Begin your exploration at Halės turgus, a lively market just a short walk from the train station. It’s perfect for a first taste of Vilnius: grab lunch, pick up edible souvenirs, and watch the city move around you.
Bring home šakotis (a tree-shaped layered cake), tinginys (a chocolate “lazy cake”), dark rye bread, or herbal white cheese. If you’re hungry, try Spoon Out — the city’s best soup spot — or Eerie Onigiri, a tiny Japanese eatery open only on weekends.
Don't miss a chance to come here in the evening. The market transforms as stalls give way to lively bars and food stands.
Start your cultural stroll at the Gate of Dawn (Aušros Vartai) and make your way through Town Hall Square, along Pilies Street, and up to Gediminas Tower — named after the city’s legendary founder. The views from the top reveal how Vilnius blends centuries of history with a distinctly modern pulse.
If hunger strikes, stop by Smash by Mama Sakė Paeis for a quick bite. But don’t miss Lithuania’s most beloved street food: kibinai, crescent-shaped pastries originally made by the Karaite community. You can find them in bakeries and supermarkets all over the city, with fillings ranging from traditional meat to mushroom and cottage cheese.
From Cathedral Square, stroll down Gediminas Avenue, the city’s central promenade (closed to cars on weekends). Stop for inventive gelato flavors at Angolo Italiano, then keep walking toward Žvėrynas, a peaceful neighborhood filled with wooden villas and greenery.
Here you’ll find Mindaugo kepyklėlė, one of the city’s most beloved bakeries, and Espresinė, a cozy café that closes as soon as they sell out — often before noon.
Vilnius has an exciting dining scene that mixes tradition and creativity.
Stop by Biržų duona or Prezo, two popular bakery chains specializing in traditional Lithuanian bread and pastries.
Vilnius has fully embraced specialty coffee, with stylish cafés scattered across the city.
Try Brew, Kavos Reikalai (also great for coffee gear), Raštine (a Japanese stationery store and a café under one roof ), Kiras (retro design and excellent hojicha lattes), Tastemap, or Backstage (great for brunch).
Other favorites include:
When the sun sets, Vilnius shows a different side — best enjoyed from above.
Stop by Make Heads Turn (Didžioji g. 8) for quirky Lithuanian-designed pins, stickers, and postcards.
If you plan to explore the rest of Lithuania, pick up Surink Lietuvą magnets at tourist information centers (in Vilnius, find one at Pilies g. 8) — each region’s magnet fits together like a puzzle to form the country’s map.
Beer lovers shouldn’t miss Gero alaus parduotuvė (Naugarduko g. 41), a shop with a beer selection that rivals Belgium’s. Just remember — alcohol sales in Lithuania stop at 8 PM (and 3 PM on Sundays).
Amid its historic hills and cobblestone streets, Vilnius also shines as a modern, fast-growing tech hub. One of its most striking contemporary buildings — the glass skyscraper at 25 Lvivo Street — houses the LeverX office, a bright and spacious space for innovation and collaboration.
If you’re in the neighborhood, look up — the building’s sleek glass façade is visible from afar, reflecting both the old city’s charm and the new Vilnius spirit. Feel free to drop by and say hello; LeverX is always open to curious visitors and creative minds.