Where to Eat in Riga

Where to find the tastiest local treats after your tour of Riga! Also check out my guide to Latvia's perfect beer snack, fried garlic rye bread.

The Old Town branch of Mārtiņa beķereja (Martin's Bakery) does scrumptious pīrāgi (pastries filled with bacon, mushrooms or cabbage), vēja kūka cream cakes and coffee for bargain prices.

Troubadurs Gourmand is a veteran French-run cafe offering mouth-watering croissants, baguette sandwiches and macaroons.

For a good value Latvian bistro meal, head to the outpost of the Lido chain in Old Town. The šašliks (meat skewers) and aukstā zupa (cold beet soup) go down a treat.

Many restaurants do great value business lunches on weekdays. Try Buberts near the Art Nouveau district for tasty and healthy meals as well as yummy pastries.

Vegetarians and vegans can feast at the uptown Hare Krishna restaurant Rāma.

Zviedru vārti is a family-owned restaurant serving delicious, good value Latvian classics like grey peas with bacon, potato pancakes and rye bread soup with fruit and whipped cream for dessert. The Old Town terrace is lovely on a warm afternoon.

For a historic atmosphere  and a hearty feed, Lāsīte is a medieval cellar doing huge portions of game dishes and Latvian specialties.

For top Latvian contemporary cuisine, watch the cooks do their magic in the open kitchen at 3 pavāru restorāns (3 Chefs Restaurant). 

Don't miss Riga's huge Central Market, right next to Old Town. Five former zeppelin hangers are packed with fresh fruit and veg, local cheese, sausages, pickles, pastries, smoked fish and everything else for a picnic. The food court is nice for a budget lunch, too.

Delve into the dark Soviet past.

Get a taste of Jurmala on a walk amongst the villas or a full day jaunt.

See spectacular Sigulda or culture-packed Kurzeme.