A local’s guide to Vilnius: gardens, bars and a castle on a hill

The Lithuanian capital is a destination on the rise, with a thriving nightlife and food scene. Chef Liutauras Čeprackas shares his highlights of his home city

Traditional Lithuanian food is not particularly thrilling to look at, but it reminds me of my youth. Žemaičių Asotis in uptown Vilnius is the place I usually go to when I want to eat some cepelinas (potato dumplings stuffed with minced pork) or vedarai (potato sausage stuffed into the large intestine of a pig). This is Lithuanian comfort food. All the dishes served here are what you would find outside the city. It’s basically our version of a traditional British pub, where local people gather and eat.