Old Vilnius Cafe Deli — Restaurant in Darien

Grand Duke's (63rd & Harlem) little brother/sister! I had a Groupon from the place that was nearing expiration - the only reason I hadn't gone is that it's kind of far and inconvenient for me. But knowing that the food would be along the lines of the Lithuanian food at its sister restaurant, I knew it would be well worth the trip.

Started out with a cup of mushroom barley soup - good stuff, though suspiciously much like the sauce that adorns several entrée offerings. But that's OK - it's still good. As they say, "when in Lithuania, do as the Lithuanians do" - that includes ordering a half liter of Svyturys beer. Goes great with dinner - would've ordered more, but the meal fills one up pretty well, so more beer isn't always a good idea.

Time for dinner. As usual, I have a tough time figuring out just what I want - there are soooo many good options. I decided to do a "Make your own Combo" - three decent sized options from the dinner menu at $18.99. I had to order potato pancakes as the ones at GD's are awesome (I've ordered the dinner potato pancake dish at GD as an entrée and taken some home too). The potato pancakes here were good - though could have been crispier - they were a little mushy. Next - breaded pork! This was awesome as expected - served over some mashed potatoes which were a little bit of overkill with the potato pancakes. This had the "soup sauce" on it that I previously mentioned.

Finally - my third option on the combo... Siberian Dumplings with Pork. This was something new to me and I like to try different stuff - but often get into the trap of ordering things I've had and loved before. Well... add another item to that category! These were like raviolis with a thinner pasta around the meat in a light broth with a fresh pork-like bacon topping on the dish. Wowsa. Flavor and then some - if bacon lovers stumbled upon this dish, pig farmers wouldn't be able to keep up with demand.

I decide to take one of the potato pancakes home - which left a little room for dessert. They had a turtle cheesecake that looked interesting, so I ordered it. Another hit! This was a piece of good cheesecake with a layer of hot fudge-like chocolate between the graham cracker crust and the cheesecake at the tip of the serving - and going back about halfway. But here's the kicker - it was warm while the cheesecake itself was cold. Not entirely sure how they managed to do that!

Now - after a gangbuster review like this, five stars would usually follow. But here's the thing - the place has its "rough edges". Overall, the servers are nice - but they miss things. They brought me a bread basket, but no plate (used the plate that the cup of soup was on). Also. no silverware or napkin at the table - had to ask for that. They have about 28 spot lights on the ceiling - 12 were out - and it didn't look as if they were out "by design". Entrée was slow to come out as well - I wasn't in a hurry anyway, but it was a little longer than what would be "usual". So given the hiccups - fours stars is appropriate. I'll definitely be...

Old Vilnius Cafe and Deli is one of those no-frills, straight-to-the-point spots that delivers exactly what it promises: solid, authentic Lithuanian food. The atmosphere isn’t flashy or overly cozy—it’s simple, clean, and all about the food. And honestly? That’s part of the charm.

The menu is full of classic dishes, and everything we tried tasted homemade and full of tradition. The dumplings were a favorite—comforting, hearty, and super satisfying. Portions were generous, prices were fair, and nothing felt overdone or overcomplicated. Just good food, made right.

Service was friendly and efficient—no fuss, no fluff. You order, you eat, you leave full and happy. And the deli section? A great bonus. Lots of unique items, from meats and cheeses to cookies and candies you don’t see in typical stores.

If you’re into Eastern European cuisine or just want something different from the usual, Old Vilnius is 100% worth a visit. It may not be fancy, but it absolutely...

If you’re craving something that reminds you of home — or just want to try some hearty Eastern European dishes — this place hits the spot. I grabbed a to-go plate with mashed potatoes, veggies, and a cutlet, and washed it all down with a bottle of traditional bread kvass. Everything tasted homemade and satisfying. 🥔🥕🍞

Prices? Yeah, a bit on the higher side for a takeout box, but honestly — it’s worth it for the nostalgia and quality. The variety isn’t massive, but it covers the essentials. And besides food, they’ve got a bunch of cool Eastern European groceries and specialty items you won’t easily find elsewhere.

The store itself is on the cozy (read: small) side, but that kind of adds to the charm. If you grew up with this kind of food, it’ll warm your soul. If you’re new to it — it’s a fun culinary adventure.

Definitely planning to come back whenever I’m in the area. Glad I...