Blogger Alex Hunter, who attracts fans around the world with his web show “Attaché” and colorful content, returns to Vilnius. On April 1-3, at the hospitality and tourism forum “Future Hospitality and Tourism Forum 2025”, Alex invites you to learn firsthand about global culinary tourism trends. According to the famous brand consultant, the Lithuanian capital is a gastronomic paradise full of surprises, where you can experience something new every time. A traveler who has experienced Vilnius at different times of the year highly appreciates Lithuanian culinary magic, traditions and authenticity.
Introduced Vilnius to a wide international audience
Travel and food expert A. Hunter, who has thousands of followers, visited the capital twice last year – in winter and summer. The blogger admired Vilnius’ architecture, was interested in its history and explored the capital’s gastronomy. He later presented his travel insights to an audience of 200 subscribers on his YouTube channel, in the award-winning show Attaché, which he produces with WindowSeat.
"Travel has always been an important part of my life: I flew on a plane for the first time when I was six weeks old, and when I was ten, I moved with my family to Hong Kong, where an undiscovered world opened up - now I look for the same strong impressions every time I visit new places," says the traveler.
Before his first visit to Vilnius, Hunter had visited more than 70 countries, but the Lithuanian capital left a special, indelible impression on him. The internet celebrity's most memorable visit was in the winter of 2024.
"It was very cold and the question kept running through my mind: 'Why am I here?'" Only after I got used to the cold weather did I begin to admire the snow and the reflections of lights in the windows of the city's cafes. When I opened their doors, warmth, the aromas of fragrant cakes and excellent coffee flooded in. In addition, the Christmas atmosphere gave the city a unique bright mood. Once was enough to make me want to explore Vilnius in all seasons, but that winter trip was the one that stuck in my memory the most," he recalls.
Vilnius – a city of exceptional gastronomy
In his search for hidden gastronomic gems in various countries, Hunter reveals that he often interviews local taxi drivers, baristas, vendors, and other strangers.
"Sometimes the best places are so simple - markets, narrow city alleys and cafes with handwritten menus. Vilnius is full of such places, but at the same time - the Lithuanian capital is like a new gastronomic paradise with a clear identity. The cuisine of this city is unique: it does not try to copy other countries, it turns to traditions, and flavors are constantly rethought."
Back in 2010, Vilnius seemed to be quietly emerging, but now it is “singing” loudly. There is more confidence, curiosity, and chefs who dare to push new boundaries, but still respect traditions and local seasonal dishes. This is evident in the ingredients, the presentation of food, and the wine chosen for the dishes,” says the food expert.
A. Hunter appreciated the gastronomic uniqueness of Vilnius even before four restaurants in the capital – "Demo", "Džiaugsmas", "Nineteen18" and "Pas Mus" – received recognition from the "Michelin" guide.
"What fascinates me most is the dynamic between deep traditions and bold experiments." In a restaurant "At Nineteen18, I experienced what it means when one bite can take you to your mother's kitchen and the next to a Nordic-style fermentation lab. It's thoughtful, unexpected, and completely original - it's definitely worth coming to Vilnius," says the traveler.
Discuss how the Baltic States are changing culinary tourism
A. Hunter is excited to return to Lithuania in the spring – a time of year that Vilnius has yet to discover for foodies. In April, he will greet guests from the stage at the Future Hospitality and Tourism Forum 2025, a conference organized by Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which aims to highlight the important role of tourism in promoting economic growth and regional cooperation.
The blogger will present the latest trends at the invitation of the city's business and tourism development agency Go Vilnius. In the presentation "Gourmet Escapes: How the Baltics Are Redefining Culinary Travel", Alex Hunter will discuss how the Baltics are changing the culinary tourism scene, emphasizing that food opens the door to culture and identity.
"Vilnius has a lot to offer both locals and visiting tourists - our gastronomy is modern, interesting and full of history. By contributing to such an event, we want not only to share this unique feature of the city, but also to draw attention to the potential of the Baltic gastronomy to attract more and more travelers from all over the world," says Vilma Daubarienė, Head of the Tourism Department at Go Vilnius.
The entire conference "Future Hospitality and Tourism Forum 2025" will focus on sustainable tourism, digitalization and innovation in the hospitality sector, the development of gastronomic tourism, and will also discuss international transportation, conference tourism, wellness, and other topics.
