Apart from exploring the nature and history of Lithuania, MICE planners can organise culinary trails for event delegates.

There are many restaurants in Vilnius Old Town where tourists can try out delicious traditional Lithuanian cuisines. However, MICE visitors with more discerning taste may want to head towards Restaurant Amandus located next to Artagonist Hotel. Chef Deivydas Praspaliauskas, who founded this restaurant, specialises in modern cuisine using seasonal ingredients sources locally or imported from specific places where that ingredient grows exclusively or has ancient traditions. There is no point writing about the food during the tasting session specially designed for MICEreview, as the chef develops new menus for different occasions. Simply put, the chef’s creations not only taste great but is also a feast to the eye as detailed attention is given to food presentation as well. Restaurant Amandus can create degustation menus for MICE event reception. http://www.amandus.lt/en/

A tasting session at DŽIUGAS Cheese House is a must. Dziugas’ cheese has a distinct flavour that is easy to recognise at every stage of maturity. The different stages of Dziugas Cheese include  ‘mild’ (over 12 months), ‘piquant’ (over 18 months), ‘delicate’ (over 24 months) and ‘gourmet’ (over 36 months old).  The in-house specialist will guide guests through the session, pairing the cheese of different stages with the grapes, pear, jam, honey and wine. https://www.dziugashouse.lt/en/

Lithuania is a beer drinking country. At the Leciai Beer House in Vilnius, delegates can learn about the beer-making process and try out many types of lager and beer. The environment may be more suitable for small teams of four to five people at any one time to fully appreciate the beer ‘education’.

Traveling slightly further out of Vilnius, Restaurant Kybynlar located in the tourist destination of Trakai is a potential lunch or dinner venue for MICE groups. Restaurant Kybynlar has two cozy rooms of 50 seats and an open-air terrace of 150 seats. A highlight in its menu is the Kybyn, an oven-baked pastry in the form of a half-moon filled with lamb or beef filling. This reviewer did not find this dish particularly interesting, as similar pastry can also be found elsewhere in Lithuania, and in neighbouring countries, and even in Asia. However, Balych Canachta - a delicious fish stew with vegetables - has a generous serving of fresh boneless fish slices, while the dessert Katlama - a traditional Karaim pastry with sweet peas and cottage cheese - is a good finale to the meal without being too sweet. www.kybynlar.lt

There are much more restaurants to discover in Vilnius, so MICE organiser should plan culinary themed programme for its participants.