Danish restaurateur in Lithuania urges Baltic states to create a joint cuisine

Danish businessman Niels Peter Pretzmann, who opened the Dublis restaurant in Vilnius more than a decade ago and later founded several Michelin Guide-recognised venues including Red Brick, Nineteen18, 14Horses and Deep Roots, is calling on the Baltic states to jointly develop what he calls a New Baltic Cuisine.

He points to Denmark's experience roughly 20 years ago, when chefs from the Noma restaurant created the New Nordic Cuisine manifesto, transforming what had been a poor food culture into a globally recognised gastronomic scene. Pretzmann believes Lithuania alone is too small to achieve a similar transformation and suggests the Baltic states should cooperate closely, for instance by holding a single joint Michelin ceremony for the whole region, similar to how Denmark, Sweden and Norway share one event.

Rising incomes changing dining habits

According to Pretzmann, Lithuania's standard of living has been rising quickly, allowing more people to spend on better food rather than status symbols. He believes this shift is gradually changing customer expectations and experiences in restaurants across the country.

Investment and security concerns

Since making his first investments in Lithuania 25 years ago, Pretzmann has put roughly €50–60 million into the country, including establishing the 600-hectare organic Farmers Circle farm near Ukmergė. He acknowledges that Russia's aggression raises long-term concerns about future investment, though he is not currently scaling back. Near-term plans include opening a cocktail bar at Nineteen18 this autumn and adding a street-food area and a new wine-cellar entrance at Deep Roots.

Asked about his personal taste, Pretzmann named various types of pancakes as his favourite Lithuanian dish, while also praising cepelinai.