Where to Eat in Riga?

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Where to eat in Riga? What are the best restaurants in Riga?

Riga, Latvia’s capital, is well-known not only for its beautiful Old Town and historical sites but also for its lively food scene. It has everything from cozy coffee shops with great coffee to upscale restaurants for fine dining, catering to all tastes and budgets. Whether you’re looking for traditional Latvian food, international dishes, or just a good beer, Riga has you covered. In this guide, we’ll take you through Riga’s diverse food offerings, including affordable places, luxury dining, top beer spots, and cozy coffee houses.

Continue reading to find out more about the best food in Riga.

Where to Eat in Riga?

What are the best places to eat in Riga? What are the best restaurants in Riga?

Here’s our list of favorite restaurants and cafes in Riga, suitable for different budgets and tastes.

1. Traditional Latvian Food

Where to eat in Riga if you are craving traditional Latvian food?

Here is a list of our favorites:

1. Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs – A cozy basement restaurant and bar offering a diverse menu of traditional Latvian cuisine, live music, and a good selection of local beers. Certain evenings feature folk dance events, welcoming both beginners and seasoned dancers to enjoy the beauty of Latvian traditional dance.
2. Lido – A popular restaurant chain known for its tasty Latvian dishes at affordable prices. The buffet-style restaurant serves a variety of main dishes (mostly meat-based), along with options like soups, salads and local desserts. The food is made of natural and high quality ingredients (no artificial additives).
3. Lokāls “Karbonādes” – A popular restaurant that offers one of Latvian favorite dishes – meat chops, or as they’re called in Latvian, “karbonādes.” The restaurant serves pork, chicken and zucchini chops.
4. Salve Restaurant – A restaurant that offers traditional Latvian and Baltic dishes in a cozy setting. Menu items include fried Latvian herring, rye bread dessert, black peas with smoked bacon, salted Baltic herring with potatoes and cottage cheese, pork knuckle with stewed cabbage, Lithuanian cepelinai, and other unique local dishes.
5. AKA Latvian Cuisine – a cosy traditional Latvian restaurant in the Old Town. The restaurant offers a selection of popular Latvian dishes for reasonable prices.
6. Province restaurant – A small and homey restaurant that offers traditional Latvian and Baltic dishes. Menu items include soup in bread, Lithuanian cepelinai, roast pork with stewed cabbage, Latvian smoked sprats, Latvian cheese platter, fried salmon fillet and more.
7. Rozengrāls – an amazing restaurant serving medieval Latvian food. Tucked away in the heart of Old Town, Rozengrāls takes you on a gastronomic journey to the Middle Ages with its authentic decor, medieval recipes, and folk music playing in the background.
8. Black Magic – A restaurant that serves the renowned Latvian alcoholic drink, Black Balsam, along with desserts and cocktails made from it.
9. Mārtiņa Beķereja – The oldest patisserie in Latvia. They offer various traditional Latvian cakes and pastries (both sweet and savory). You can find several branches in Riga’s City Centre.

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2. European & Western Food

1. Street Burgers – A a top-rated burger joint offering a variety of burgers, including unique options like deer and lamb burgers.
2. Street Pizza, picērija – Located right next to Street Burgers, Street Pizza offers Naples-style pizza, Italian delicacies and drinks.
3. Ezītis miglā – A popular restaurant chain in Latvia. With a focus on European cuisine, the restaurant offers a cozy dining experience and a wide selection of beers and other drinks.
4. Kalnciema Ezītis miglā is likely the best-known restaurant in the Ezītis miglā chain. It’s a 3-story restaurant and bar with an old tram used as additional seating, making it a great spot for a fun night out.
5. Fifii – A cute, charming restaurant with a distinctive design featuring ceilings and walls decorated with artificial flowers. It’s a great spot for a fun girls’ night out, offering a variety of food, entrees, desserts, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. Reservations recommended, based on time and season.
6. Big Bad Bagels – A cafe in Riga is a must-visit spot for bagel enthusiasts. Bagels are baked fresh on-site, and there are many toppings to choose from! Whether you prefer vegetarian options like pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and hummus, or meat options like bacon, ham, salami, and pulled BBQ beef, Big Bad Bagels guarantees a burst of flavor in every bite. There is another Big Bad Bagels restaurant located in the Old Town.
7. Italissimo – A highly-rated and popular Italian restaurant serving delicious pizza, pasta and desserts. The restaurant is family-friendly with a playroom for kids. As the restaurant is so popular, you need to reserve a table in advance.
8. MUNCH BBQ – A popular barbecue restaurant serving delicious burgers, BBQ ribs, Buffalo wings and dirty fries.
9. Street Fries Kitchen – A cozy eatery offering a selection of burgers, fries, waffles, and English breakfast. They also serve healthier choices like a vegetarian salad with chickpeas and lentils, Shakshouka, and grilled salmon.
10. Andalūzijas Suns – A well-liked restaurant known for its delicious Western food. They also offer vegan options, Mexican dishes, and breakfast sets that include a full English breakfast. Situated in a peaceful inner courtyard in Riga’s city center, the restaurant boasts a charming terrace as well as indoor seating.
11. Mils. Bakery & Breakfast – Offering all-day breakfast and brunch near the city center. They also serve tasty pastries, cakes, and coffee. The on-site store has a variety of wines, delicacies and snacks.

3. Vegan Food in Riga

Where to eat in Riga if you are a vegan?

Here are a few well-rated vegan restaurants in Riga.

1. Mazā Terapija – one of the best vegan restaurants in Riga, offering a variety of dishes such as salads, soups, snacks, main dishes and burgers.
2. Kozy Eats – As the name suggests, a restaurant with a cosy vibe, offering a snack platters, starters, healthy bowls, wraps and smoothies.
3. Doctor Chef resto – A vegetarian and vegan cafe offering a variety of global dishes. The cafe menu features soups, sandwiches, vegan kebabs, falafel dishes, vegan cakes (Napoleon cake is a must try!) and more.
4. MiiT Coffee – a highly-rated coffee shop which is also famous for its vegan and vegetarian cuisine. The coffee shop serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The brunch on Sundays has a wide selection of dishes. MiiT provides a lunch deal (soup+main dish).
5. Vegstop.lv Vegan Station Galerija Centrs – a highly-rated vegan restaurant located in one of the best food courts in Riga, Burzma (on the top floor of “Galerija Riga”). The restaurant offers Beyond Meat burgers, soups, wraps, salads, snacks and more.

4. Asian Food

1. Shōyu – An authentic Japanese restaurant known for its specialty in ramen. Though it’s a bit pricey, the quality of the dishes makes it worth it. There’s a wide selection of drinks (cocktails, mocktails, beer). Reservations recommended, based on time and season.
2. Unagi Inu Riga – A well-known Japanese restaurant that offers sushi, gyoza, onigiri, temaki, miso soup, sake, and Japanese beer like Asaki and Kirin. The restaurant features a distinctive interior and cosy vibe.
3. Soraksans – a popular Korean restaurant serving traditional Korean food, including Korean BBQ.
4. Himalaya Restaurant Brivibas – an Indian/Nepalese restaurant that offers both vegetarian and meat dishes.
5. Banana Leaf – one of the best Indian restaurants in Riga, especially for people on a budget. They serve affordable, delicious Indian dishes – both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Lunch deals are also available.
6. Singh’s – one of the best Indian restaurants in Riga. A bit more expensive than Banana Leaf. There are two locations – P. Brieža street and Ģertrūdes street.
7. And Bubble Tea屿茶 – offers delicious bubble tea in Riga, with various tea types and drinks to choose from.
8. Bao Bun Latvia – a small eatery located in one of the best food courts in Riga, Burzma (on the top floor of “Galerija Riga”). They serve bao burgers, which are large Chinese bao with different toppings. While not a traditional Asian dish, they are delicious and definitely worth a try.

5. Caucasus and Middle Eastern Food

1. BBQ – Šašliki Mangaļos – a very popular BBQ/shaslik (skewered and grilled meat) restaurant, located in Mezaparks. It gives off a 90s Latvia vibe. A no frills place.
2. Šašliks pie Aļika, Tališu virtuve – A highly-rated BBQ/shaslik place 10 minute drive away from Vecāķi beach. Hearty skewered meat dishes with potatoes and veggies. A no frills place.
3. Tbilisi Restorāns – a popular Georgian restaurant in the city centre serving traditional Georgian food such as Lobiani, Khachapuri, Khinkali, Kharcho and many more.

6. Food Courts in Riga

Where to eat in Riga as a group of friends who have diverse food preferences?

Try a food court! Everyone can pick what they want to eat. Riga has some great food courts to choose from.

1. Burzma – A trendy food court located on the highest level of the “Galerija Riga” mall in the heart of the Old Town.
2. Āgenskalns Market food court – A food court located on the second floor of a recently renovated food/farmers market. The food court includes several restaurants serving European cuisine.
3. Centrālais Gastro Tirgus – A food court in the Central Market with food stalls serving sushi, dumplings, burgers, pastries, and craft beer.

Where to Eat In Riga Cheap?

What are the best cheap restaurants in Riga?

Here’s a few:

1. Rāma – A restaurant in Riga is well-known for serving authentic Indian cuisine. Situated in the city center, this eatery provides a variety of traditional vegetarian Indian dishes, including vegetarian versions of some Latvian dishes.
2. Ausmeņa kebabs – affordable kebabs that come in hearty portions, perfect for a filling and satisfying meal. Probably the best kebab in Riga.
3. Lido – A popular restaurant chain known for its tasty Latvian dishes at affordable prices. The buffet-style restaurant serves a variety of main dishes (mostly meat-based), along with options like soups, salads and local desserts. The food is made of natural and high quality ingredients (no artificial additives).
4. Big Bad Bagels – A cafe in Riga is a must-visit spot for bagel enthusiasts. Bagels are baked fresh on-site, and there are many toppings to choose from. The prices range from 3 to 6 euro, and the bagels are surprisingly filling. There is another Big Bad Bagels restaurant located in the Old Town.

Best Coffee in Riga

1. Rocket Bean Roastery – Among the best coffee shops in Riga. They serve up tasty coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch, and snacks. You can find various types of beans and ground coffee at their shop. There are two locations – Dzirnavu street and Miera street.
2. Miit Coffee – A cozy coffeehouse, offering a great atmosphere along with exceptional coffee and vegan & vegetarian-friendly food. Some of the best coffee Riga has to offer.
3. Parunāsim kafe’teeka – A coffee shop in the Old Town known for good coffee in a romantic setting. It boasts beautiful furniture and decor.
4. Allcappuccino (Vīlandes) – A nice coffee shop in Riga’s “Quiet Centre” (also known as the Art Nouveau District), conveniently situated near several embassies. It’s a pleasant spot to enjoy a drink and a snack in a peaceful Riga neighborhood surrounded by beautiful historical buildings.
5. Kalve Espresso Room – A small coffee shop offering delicious coffee and pastries. There are 3 locations – Stabu street, Baznīcas street and Miera street.
6. Caffeine LV – A well-known coffee shop chain in Latvia, mostly found in Riga. Different types of coffee available, as well as pastries, cakes and light meals. The coffee options are somewhat similar to those at Starbucks.
7. Costa Coffee – A popular multinational British coffee shop that is also well-liked in Latvia. Their coffee shops can be found all around Riga.

Best Beer in Riga

1. Labietis – A popular Latvian craft beer. This brewery offers an extensive range of beers, focusing on using local herbs, spices, and techniques.
2. Valmiermuiža’s Beer Embassy in Riga – a popular Latvian brewery originally based outside of Riga (in Valmiera). Their pub and shop in Riga serves a variety of their best beers.
3. KAĶIS MAISĀ – A local craft beer place serving a Latvian beer. A wide selection of tap and bottled beers.

Do you have more questions about where to eat in Riga? Do you need more restaurant recommendations? Ask in the comments. If you want to discover other things to do in Latvia, feel free to check out our other articles about Latvia.

Featured photo by Marcus Herzberg from Pexels