Page 310 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

308 TRA VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

Restaurant culture in Estonia, Latvia and and popular resort towns also have a fairly
Lithuania has changed dramatically in impressive choice of dining options.
recent years. Although traditional food is Good food is an integral part of Baltic
still very popular, there has been a huge culture and the abundance of traditional-
increase in all kinds of new restaurants style restaurants in each country attests to
specializing in everything from eclectic the pride many people take in their national
international cuisine to quality pizza. The cuisine. Traditional Baltic food may not be
considerable rise in the diversity and par ticularly subtle, but it is tasty and makes
standards of restaurants has happened for a hearty meal. It is often best enjoyed in
across all three Baltic States, although there the countryside where portions are
is far more variety and choice of cuisine in generous and ingredients tend to be
the capital cities. A few other large cities deliciously fresh.

Types of Restaurants
Restaurants and cafés in the
Baltic States are locally referred
to as restoran and kohvik in
Estonia, restorāns and kafejnīca
in Latvia, and restoranas and
kavinė in Lithuania. Both types
of estab lishment vary widely in
the type of food they offer.
Restaurants can either be very
luxurious and modern places or
basic food-and-beer joints that
do not differ significantly from
pubs. Similarly, cafés can be
plea sant and stylish. Most of
them offer a decent but cheap
meal of hearty proportions.
Sometimes they act as a meet- Rustic styling at Estonian restaurant Kuldse Notsu Körts in Tallinn (see p315)
ing place for local drinkers. All
cafés have a good selec tion of are common in small towns and Big breakfasts are rare in the
alcohol on sale. Most modern in the countryside. Sometimes, Baltic States. Until quite recently,
bars often have a small but they are rustically furnished the only breakfast foods
good-quality menu which is places that offer an excellent available were pastries or
available until late. Locally run standard of traditional food pancakes. These days, however,
pubs are known as kõrts in and local beer. Fast food has restaurants offer a range of
Estonia, krogs in Latvia and not really taken off in the breakfasts, including variations
baras in Lithuania. Although rare Baltic States and can only be on the English fry-up. Lunch is
in Tallinn, Rīga and Vilnius, pubs found in central locations in still the main meal of the day
the capitals. for many people. Nonetheless,
eating out has become such a
recreational habit that
Dining Hours
res taurants often fill up in the
The rise in restaurant culture evenings, although people
has seen a proliferation of tend to eat early, normally
restaurants which keep similar between 6pm and 9pm.
opening hours throughout the Café culture is big in the
Baltic States. They open bet ween Baltic States. Most cafés open
10 and 11am and close between any time from 8am to 10am
11pm and midnight. In small and close around 9pm or
towns, restaurants are more 10pm, although in small
likely to open later and close towns they often close earlier.
earlier, and in some very In more remote places,
seasonal destinations a few many cafés remain closed
restau rants are open only on Sundays. Pubs and cafés
Bright contemporary dining room at one of during summer months, always have an array of
Riga’s best restaurants, Neiburgs (see p321) closing entirely out of season. snacks available.