Page 311 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK 309

Disabled Visitors
Few restaurants, besides the
new ones, offer easy access for
disabled people in the Baltic
States, but the situation is
improving. Tallinn is slightly
ahead of Vilnius and Rīga in this
regard. Hotel restaurants are a
good option for disabled visitors
as they have more facilities.
Smoking
Smoking in enclosed public
spaces, such as restaurants, bars,
Dining outside at Domini Canes, right at the heart of Rīga’s Old Town (see p321) clubs, hotel lobbies, buses and
trains, is banned in the Baltic
Menus
somewhat lower than in other States. The only option for
English-language menus are European countries, as is the smokers is to sit at an outdoor
commonplace in the capital cost of alcoholic drinks. Prices table in the summer, although
cities and tourist resorts. In small are highest in the capital cities, some restau rants even prohibit
towns and the country side, particularly in tourist spots. outdoor smoking. However, a
however, such menus are much Tax is always included in the few cigar bars have been
scarcer. Most people in the price. Cover charges are quite licensed to allow smoking.
Baltic States speak some English, rare, and usually only apply to
so it may be possible to ask for restau rants or bars which
help in deciphering the menu. include special live music sets. Recommended
After Russian, German is the Cafés are the most affordable Restaurants
most common language in eating option, but many only There is a broad choice of
Latvia and Estonia. Consequently, accept cash. However, credit restaurants in Estonia, Latvia
menus often come with German and debit card payment is and Lithuania, and the listings
or Russian translations. becoming common throughout on pages 314–31 cover a wide
the Baltic States. range of eateries and cuisine
types across all three Baltic
Vegetarians States. They include characterful
Tipping
Meat is integral to Baltic cafés, taverns and traditional
cuisine. Although there is Tipping is a relatively new restaurants serving hearty
an increasing choice of concept in the Baltic States. national or local fare, numerous
vegetarian (vegetaar lane in Service charges are usually ethnic eateries, some vegetarian
Estonian, veģetārie in Latvian included in the bill though venues and elegant fine-dining
and vegetaras in Lithuanian) some leading restaurants add options offering international
dishes on offer in most decent a service charge to the total, or marvellously inventive
restau rants, these vegetarian which should be clearly fusion menus.
menu options are limited to indi cated. Tipping is generally Throughout the listings, those
the capital cities. only expec ted in larger establishments that stand out
establishments with table from the crowd for their
service. The general rule is to exceptional cuisine and service,
Reservations
leave 10 per cent or less of the ambience or historic or unique
Reservations are usually made total bill. Tipping in cafés and setting have been flagged as a
by phone, although in some bars is rare. DK Choice. Among these high-
cases they can be made via the lighted restaurants are some of
Internet. It is unnecessary to the Baltic States’ finest and most
make a booking for lunch, but it Children innovative dining options. A few
is sensible to reserve a table for Although children are examples are Tchaikovsky in
dinner, in a good restaurant in welcome in restaurants, only Tallinn (see p316), serving superb
one of the capital cities, a few popular chains offer Russian–French fusion cuisine,
particularly on a Friday or provisions such as half portions. DikĮu Pils in Valmiera, Latvia (see
Saturday even ing. In big ger towns and cities, p325), offering modern takes of
however, menus for children local specialities made with
are becoming more common. fresh ingredients and Lithuania’s
Paying
It is usually possible to arrange Uoksas restaurant in Kaunas (see
The price of eating out has for some thing off the menu p329), serving highly creative
increased considerably in the to be prepared to meet international dishes prepared
Baltic States, but it is still children’s needs. with the latest technologies.