If the winter’s less than sunny skies have left you feeling depleted, it is time to discover inspiring culinary tastes of Neringa, a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site of Western Lithuania.

Set on a mesmerising peninsula of the Curonian Spit between the Kuršių Marios lagoon and the emerald waters of the Baltic sea, Neringa awaits with its many natural beauty and culinary delights during the cold season.

The most important meal of the day

Before you set off to explore Neringa’s towns, sea, dunes, forests and the lagoon, start the day right with a heart-warming breakfast. Expect highest quality meal and service at a sophisticated “Nidus” hotel restaurant (G. D. Kuverto st 15, Neringa, open on weekends). The menu caters for all meals of the day: order the most popular dish in “Nidus” among the small and big visitors - its famous cottage cheese pancakes that will fill you up with energy and good spirits for a day of fun in Neringa.

When exploring the charming coastal town of Nida, visit the time-defying, legendary cafe “Kuršis” (Naglių st 29, Neringa, open Mon - Sun). Its hearty traditional Lithuanian and European cuisine dishes will make sure you are back not only for breakfast, but a satisfying lunch and a cosy dinner.

A tasty break

While discovering the many sightseeing wonders of Neringa, including its vast panoramas of Parnidis dune, the buried fishermen villages of Nagliai reserve and the nostalgic lighthouse of Nida, real coffee lovers will delight with a pit stop in “Vero Cafe” (Naglių st 31A, Neringa,

Mon - Sun 9:00–19:00) for a selection of specialty coffees, teas and snacks.

The colder winter days are a perfect backdrop for tasting the local bakery pleasures in Nida’s “Gardumėlis” (Pamario st 3, Neringa, open daily). Enjoy the unmistakingly yummy aromas and freshly baked buns, pies, cakes and biscuits - fresh out of the oven.

A majestic lunch

After admiring the nostalgic Neringa’s villages and dreamy sceneries and trails of sandy dunes, beaches and pristine forests, pop in to Juodkrante’s celebrated cafe “Žvejonė” (L. Rėzos st 30, Neringa, open on weekends only). Loved by locals and visitors alike, it offers a friendly atmosphere, locally-sourced fish dishes and other popular bites.

The famous Juodkrante’s restaurant “Juodasis kalnas” (Ievos kalno st 22, Neringa, weekends only) welcomes guests with an intriguing, ever evolving menu by chef Donatas Kučikas. The current stars of the restaurant include pikeperch cutlets with seasonal vegetables, Neringa’s signature fish soup and the famous potato pancakes of “Juodasis kalnas”.

“I met my Lithuanian wife in Southern Italy, near Sicily. And then she declared: that’s it, let’s go home. I haven’t been out of the kitchen ever since!,” chef Donatas described his relocation to Juodkrante.

If you are after an authentic pizza while in Neringa, make sure to visit pizzeria “Malkinė“ (Naglių st 18, Neringa, weekends only). Fresh out of a wood-fired oven, morsels of the best pizza in the Curonian Spit will satisfy even the pickiest taste buds. An ever-popular black wooden hut, set in the “art zone” of Nida by the glistening lagoon has recently won an award as the friendliest business of Neringa.

Never without fish

Neringa’s fishermen and their generous catches are a real pride and joy of the locals. For the connoisseurs of seafood, Pervalka town’s gem „Vėjopačio užeiga“ (Pervalkos st 19A,

Neringa, in winter, call in advance to pre-book +370 656 90604. ) is a sure hit. This unique home of good food, overlooking the lagoon, invites guests to relish fresh fish dishes without a regular menu: a welcoming family of foodies, who look after the home, will cook up a feast of culinary discoveries. Try the crucian carp “ribs” and the perfectly traditional Curonian fish soup.

Don’t forget to bring back something special from your trip to the ones at home. On winter’s weekends, Nida’s outdoor cafe „Tik pas Joną“ (Naglių st 6, Neringa) offers a selection of locally-caught smoked fish. Here is a secret from in-the-know locals - if you come at midday, you have a chance to get your hands on the freshest, still warm, straight out of the smokery fish.

Gourmet dates

At the start of the trail to a picturesque Urbo hill, you will find an elegant hotel “SPA Nida”, with its fine dining restaurant “22 MYLIOS“ (Taikos st 18, Neringa). For stylish brunches, relaxing dinners and sophisticated dates, chef Marius Pyragius serves a seasonal, sustainable, locally sourced menu. The minimalist, yet indulgent dishes are inspired by Scandinavian simplicity and careful attention to detail.

As the short, adventure-filled winter days in Neringa draw to an end, head to Nida’s nightlife highlight - the hubbubbing „Sangrita“ (Taikos st 32, Neringa, weekends only). Expect quality music, alluring cocktails, fashionable bar snacks and good company to toast the trip away into the small hours.

It is time to make your cold season exciting - embark on a wintry adventure of tantalising tastes and sightseeing in Neringa.

Photo credis: restaurants “Juodasis kalnas“, “22 MYLIOS“, “Nidus“, cafe “Kuršis“, pizzeria “Malkinė“.