Pilies Katpėdėlė — Restaurant in Vilnius

I really enjoyed my evening meal here. It's a modern yet authentic restaurant with interesting decor of a modern artistic nature, plus a menu which should suit most people while still giving an insight into the local cuisine. It was easy getting a table early evening on the Wednesday of my visit, but as the night progressed it filled out quickly so I’d recommend a reservation, particularly on more popular nights. The table I was allocated was large and spacious plus glasses, cutlery etc were all spotlessly clean.

The menu is great with a good range and a lot of the dishes presented with a photograph, meaning there can be no doubt what you’re ordering, with even each item being listed in three languages. The menu also had some good text about the history of Lithuania’s food, which I really recommend taking the time to read - it certainly ensured it was a cultural experience. The staff are all really friendly and initial drinks were brought quickly. There’s a good range of drinks, including wines with a nice number served by the glass as well as bottle.

The food was also served in good time considering how busy the place was. The herring soup starter was divine. It was cold, which would normally put me off, but it was so flavoursome with plenty of fish pieces that I could have had multiple portions of it, even though it was large! It was served with a small warm jacket potato, which was a first for me, but worked really well. For the main dish I ordered the assorted roast meat dish, which was incredible. Again the portion size was large (I actually wondered whether I had actually ordered a sharer) but every item was a delight. The proportion between meat and vegetables was spot on and served on the wooden board was great. Unfortunately there was no chance I was indulging in any desert but the choice looked good.

Once I’d finished eating there was no sense of being rushed out of the restaurant which was lovely. The staff remained friendly and easy to get hold of when needed, and best of all the prices were amazing, offering incredible value for money. I was gutted I wasn’t in the city a few more nights because I’d have loved to return - this place comes highly...

The menu says Boletus soup in English. Not knowing the word boletus I ask the waiter what it is. He doesn't know. I suggest beans, he says yes. I look it up and it's mushrooms. It comes with sour cream so I tell him no sour cream as I don't like it. He says OK. Ten minutes later it comes with sour cream in it. I send it back. Ten mins later I get another bowl. No spoon. Main course. I ask for the schnitzel. 20 minutes later it arrives. The schnitzel is rock hard. I send it back and I am asked if I want something else. I order chicken which comes with mashed potatoes and mushroom sauce. I asked for fries instead of mash and am told no. OK I get that it is all pre-made and ready to go in the oven but how hard is it to substitute fries for Mash. There were 3 other customers in the whole restaurant but am told 35 minutes until its ready. It arrived after 25 mins and it was dry but I said nothing. He wants me to order dessert and I say no just the check. He brings me the check but no deductions for slow service and poor quality food. Even the small beers were overpriced at €2,30 each. Unfortunately the waiter asked if it was all good. I told him mediocre. He said the schnitzel was oooked perfectly per the "technology". Like in a microwave. I suggested that they didn't argue with a customers opinion or they wouldn't ever get any returning. It was no wonder it was empty. Keep walking up the street to the other Lithuanian restaurant, they are much better. This was poor overpriced tourist food from a cook who thinks he's a chef. He's not good enough for McDonalds let alone a Lithuanian restaurant. Poor, poor, poor. Stay away...

it’s a very standard Lithuanian chain restaurant with fine meals, but does not top Etno Dvaras or even Čili pizza. if you want something authentic, this is an okay place, but just not the best quality.

if you want a good sweet drink i would get the gira here, it was sooo nice! but sweet!

the potato pancakes with salmon is a very nice idea for a dish, unfortunately the potato pancakes were very soggy due to being stacked with salmon and cheese curd sauce. they could’ve been fried a little thinner and on a higher heat. the portion size was amazing though, and the ingredients were fresh. i would’ve wished either for the sauce to be more tangy, or to add an element of tartness or something pickled to it. the mushrooms were not so tasty, a bit too salty and slimy.

i liked the chicken cutlets a lot, although they could also have been fried a bit more intensely. the flavour was plain and the texture a little too chewy, but it tasted homely. i also loved the mushroom sauce and pickle salad, very good! and the mashed potatoes too, yum!

good food, just not the best :). the staff are absolutely amazing here though, super friendly and...