Food is an inseparable part of human life, and proper nutrition is the foundation of good health. Poor eating habits can disrupt both physical and mental well-being, cause fatigue. It is particularly important during the stressful exam periods when an improper food choice can lead to energy shortages, decreased concentration, and impaired memory.
At VILNIUS TECH, the restaurants "Maisto Imperija" and "Confetti" offer menus that feature dishes with high nutritional value that contribute to feeding students' appetites and nurturing their overall well-being.
Healthy food for everyone
Students, researchers, and visitors at the Plytine campus can enjoy a variety of healthy dishes at the "Confetti" restaurant every day. As its manager, Aidas Poleninas, explains, each dish is carefully crafted by selecting quality ingredients and avoiding artificial flavor enhancers, sugar, and other unhealthy additives.
"Our slogan is 'Healthy food for everyone.' Therefore, we prepare our dishes in such a way that they absorb as little fat as possible, or are completely fat-free. When preparing meat dishes, we don't use flour or regular breadcrumbs; instead, we use vegetables or oat breadcrumbs, and we replace added sugar with berries and agave syrup. According to the nutritional calculations by dietitians, the treats in our display cases are classified as snacks, not desserts," shares the restaurant's manager.
What also makes "Confetti" special is that it offers a wide variety of healthily prepared vegetables, including pickled vegetables grown by the restaurant owners themselves.
The meat dishes are made from products supplied by Lithuanian farmers, and the eggs come from free-range chickens. In this restaurant, even the sauces are made in a healthy way, without using starch, flour, or other additives.
"Confetti" also caters to international students, offering them the opportunity to enjoy both traditional Lithuanian dishes and their own native foods. Those who don't eat meat or avoid gluten can also choose from several options each day.
"Only professionals with extensive experience in their fields work on menu creation and food preparation. When feeding students and faculty, it's important for us that they receive quickly absorbed foods as well as complex ones—i.e., slow-release carbohydrates. Eating such food ensures sustained energy throughout the day, easier digestion, and better absorption of nutrients. Therefore, it's essential that each dish we serve is of the highest quality and nutritional value," says Aidas Poleninas, manager of "Confetti".
Taste and aesthetics are key
"Maisto Imperija" is a well-known, long-standing part of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Faculty of Business, that welcomes students and staff beyond their own faculties.
The restaurant manager, Valdas Petrusis, explains that the menu is designed to suit both those looking for a full meal and those in need of a quick snack, with 15-20 dishes available daily. A significant portion of the menu is vegetarian and caters to those with dietary restrictions as well as international tastes.
"We offer a wide selection of dishes for those who don't eat meat, especially pork, as some members of the university community come from countries where religious beliefs prohibit it. We also prepare a lot of chicken dishes. We offer different meals every day, but there are also some dishes available every day, such as the much-loved pork chops. However, our main vision is to create a restaurant where everyone can find something to suit them," says V. Petrusis.
"Maisto Imperija" prepares food only with fresh ingredients, and the dishes are created by professionals only. According to the restaurant's director, they buy meat and organic vegetables from Lithuanian farmers. Seasonal availability is also very important, so the team constantly considers what can be prepared from the ingredients available on any given day.
"For us, the most important thing is the taste and appearance of the food, which is prepared with lots of love. We always try to work with a smile on our faces," says V. Petrusis.
Where to find the restaurants:
- "Maisto Imperija" – Sauletėkio al. 11, S2 Auditorium Building, 1st floor.
- "Confetti" – Plytinės g. 25, 1st floor and Islandijos g. 3.
