Journalists from The Observer - one of the UK’s oldest and most influential newspapers - recently visited Bernelių Užeiga, a Lithuanian restaurant in East London, Beckton. In their review, the writers warmly praised Lithuanian cuisine, preserved the original Lithuanian names of the dishes, and declared the experience one that “everyone should try.”

The visit came as a complete surprise. According to the restaurant’s team, they had no idea that guests from The Observer were dining there that evening. They only discovered it the next day, when a photographer arrived. The surprise grew even greater when the article appeared both in the newspaper’s printed Sunday edition and online, published on the first day of 2026.

“An evening at Bernelių Užeiga is an experience I would recommend to anybody,” the article by Séamas O'Reilly stated. The restaurant is described as a warm, lively place where diners can immerse themselves in the “spirit of Eastern Europe.”

The review is rich in atmospheric detail, from the décor and music to the food and the general mood of the night. The writer recalls being greeted at the door by two security guards “straight out of a John Wick movie,” who asked for ID because it was a live-music evening, featuring singer Vaidas Jonikas.

The energy inside was so high that guests soon filled the dance floor. Live music, the author notes, has become an essential part of the Bernelių Užeiga experience.

The food received particularly enthusiastic praise. The Observer journalist ordered a tasting menu for two, made up of eight dishes: two soups and a generous selection of classic Lithuanian potato-based dishes. The famous cold beet soup (šaltibarščiai) is described as vividly pink and refreshing, followed by a parade of pancakes, blood sausages, and other traditional favourites.

Notably, the author kept all dish names in their original Lithuanian form. The review mentions šaltibarščiai, baravykienė, Kėdainių blynai, Žemaičių blynai, karčemos vėdarai, cepelinai su mėsa, and blyneliai su varške. According to the restaurant’s management, this is more than just positive publicity. The fact that a major British newspaper chose to preserve the authenticity of Lithuanian language and cuisine represents meaningful recognition for all Lithuanians.

The article also draws attention to the restaurant’s location. Bernelių Užeiga occupies the former Shepherd’s Inn pub building in Beckton, East London. Since the early 2000s, this area has become a hub for the Lithuanian diaspora, so much so that locals have nicknamed it “Bektoniškės” - a kind of Little Lithuania on London’s map.

Founded in 1791, The Observer is the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper, making this feature a significant accolade for Bernelių Užeiga. 

The full original article can be read here:
https://observer.co.uk/style/restaurants/article/berneliu-uzeiga-london-a-lithuanian-experience-id-recommend-to-anybody