Vitebsk has the usual range of Belarusian eating options: a handful of restaurants serving Belarusian and Russian cuisine, some cafes, and Soviet-era stolovayas (canteens) that remain functional and very cheap. Draniki — potato pancakes, the Belarusian staple — appear on almost every menu and are consistently reliable. The city centre has a growing number of more contemporary cafes around the main squares and the riverside promenade.
Expect meals to be unhurried and portions to be generous. Prices are low by Western European standards. Most restaurants have menus in Russian only; pointing and a willingness to be surprised works well enough.