Eat & Drink

Rice and Spice India

An owner-run Indian restaurant near Vilnius station, often called the city's most authentic — house-made paneer, imported spices and spice levels you set yourself.

Updated Jun 20262 min read·2 sections

Rice and Spice India — food — Photo: Facebook Rice and Spice India (official) · Facebook Rice and Spice India (official)

The short version

✓Frequently called the most authentic Indian food in Vilnius, with spice imported directly from India.
✓Choose your heat: a milder 'European' version or a genuinely fiery 'Indian' one.
✓Strong vegetarian and vegan selection; the kitchen makes its own paneer.
✓Simple, canteen-style room with warm, owner-led service — and free courtyard parking.
✓No alcohol served; on Švitrigailos g. 8, an easy walk from the railway station.

Authentic Indian cooking, spiced to taste

Rice and Spice India has built a loyal following for doing one thing very well: cooking honest, authentic Indian food. Diners regularly rank it among the best Indian kitchens in the city, crediting fresh, high-quality ingredients — house-made paneer and spices brought in directly from India — for the depth of flavour. The standout feature is control over heat: order a dish mild in the 'European style' or push it to a genuinely fiery 'Indian' level, exactly as you would back home.

The hospitality is as praised as the cooking. The owners tend to be on the floor themselves, offering attentive, friendly service that makes a plain room feel welcoming. Just set expectations on the setting — it is simple and canteen-like rather than polished — and note that some diners find prices a touch high for the portion sizes.

International Eats

More of the city's global kitchens beyond Lithuanian classics.

Station District

The railway-station quarter where Rice and Spice India sits.

Good to know

The menu leans hard on vegetarian and vegan options alongside the meat dishes, so it works well for mixed groups. Regulars point to the Butter Chicken, the aloo and paneer parathas, the lamb dishes and a properly made Mango Lassi; the Saturday Bombay Dum Biryani is a dine-in-only special worth timing a visit around. Because everything is cooked fresh, popular dishes can sell out — calling ahead to check is sensible.

Practical notes: the restaurant does not serve alcohol, and there is free parking in the courtyard behind the building. As with any small, owner-run kitchen, confirm the current hours and menu on the venue's own channels before you go.

Address: Švitrigailos g. 8, Vilnius (near the railway station).
Cuisine: authentic North Indian; strong vegetarian and vegan choices.
Good to know: no alcohol; free courtyard parking; fresh dishes can run out.