According to these articles on Lithuanian food traditions, family meals in Lithuania are reverential events steeped in formality and tradition. For them, it’s almost a holy event, one that’s deserving of the same decorum as attending church.

Every member of the family has a permanent place at the dining table. The father sits at the head of the table with the eldest son sitting to his right. All male children sit on the same side, opposite their sisters, with their mother taking her place at the opposite end of their father.

Dark rye bread, which is considered the cornerstone of Lithuanian cuisine, is set down at the most honorable place on the table – directly in front of the father. Eating doesn’t commence until he slices the bread and distributes it to every member of the family. As a show of respect, a slice of bread should never be broken with one hand because “it takes both hands to earn bread”.

People say that food can tell you a lot about the local culture. Sometimes, how people treat their food can tell you even more.

Based on their dining traditions, it seems that respecting and honoring food is of the utmost importance to Lithuanians. For Traveleaters looking to explore the cuisine of this northern European country, that can only mean good things.