Melnā Bite Riga Review: What We Ate & What We Thought
Our visit to Melnā Bite was part of an official collaboration. However, as always, this does not influence our opinion. Everything you read in this review is based on our own experience, and we share both what we loved and anything we felt could have been better.
We came to Melnā Bite thanks to our collaboration with the hotel where the restaurant is. While the collaboration was the reason for our visit, we are really glad it brought us here. We enjoyed our experience, and even if we had visited completely on our own, Melnā Bite would still have earned a spot on our list of restaurants we recommend trying in Riga. Read on to learn about our experience and whether you should book your table.
First Impressions
While we were staying at the hotel, we entered Melnā Bite from inside, which was especially convenient because we could leave our jackets in the room and head straight downstairs for dinner. The restaurant also has its own street entrance, so you don’t need to be a hotel guest to visit. What surprised us most was how different the space felt in the evening. This is also where the hotel serves breakfast in the morning, yet by dinner time, the warm lighting, decorative lamps, and little details completely transform it into a cozy restaurant. The restaurant interior is like a large living room, with big windows, comfortable furniture, and bee-inspired details, and that warm, relaxed feeling definitely comes through. We felt welcomed from the moment we arrived, and even the reserved sign waiting on our table caught our attention: instead of the usual card, it was a knife set into a small piece of wood. A tiny detail, but exactly the kind that made our first impression of Melnā Bite feel thoughtful and memorable.
Quick Facts
📍 Location: Audēju iela 13, Riga, Latvia
🕒 Opening Hours: Mon–Thu & Sun 1:00 PM–11:00 PM, Fri–Sat 1:00 PM–12:00 AM (double-check before visiting)
🍽️ Cuisine: modern Latvian & European cuisine, with a focus on local flavors and contemporary presentation
💰 Price Range: €€–€€€
📅 Visited: March 2024
📞 Reservations: recommended, especially for dinner and weekends
📱 Instagram: @melnabite
The Experience
From the moment we arrived, we felt very welcomed. Our table was already set, and we were seated right next to the window with the sparkly lights outside, which added a lovely touch to the evening. Another big plus was the noise level. Even with other guests around, the restaurant stayed surprisingly quiet, making it easy to talk without raising our voices. The whole atmosphere felt relaxed and unhurried, and the service matched that feeling, attentive without constantly interrupting the table. Since we were also staying at the hotel, we knew this same space was used for breakfast in the morning, but you genuinely wouldn’t guess it during dinner. With the warmer lighting and evening setup, the restaurant completely transforms into its own space. Overall, everything felt well organized from the moment we sat down, letting us settle in, enjoy the food, and take our time with dinner.
What We Ordered
Melnā Bite focuses on modern Latvian and European cuisine, taking familiar flavors and local ingredients and giving them a more contemporary interpretation. The à la carte menu is relatively compact, which we actually like. At the moment, it features 6 small bites, 9 salads and snacks, 2 soups, 7 main courses and 4 dessert options, so there is enough variety without the menu becoming overwhelming. You can expect everything from Baltic herring, venison tartare and potato pancakes to beef cheeks, duck confit, salmon and a couple of vegetarian mains, followed by desserts such as honey cake and Pavlova. From a food-guide perspective, the menu feels focused rather than extensive, with a clear sense of place: Latvian ingredients and traditional references appear throughout, while modern European influences keep it approachable for an international crowd. We decided to try a little bit of everything, including starters, main courses, and, of course, dessert.
Complimentary Bread & Butter
€ 0
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Shortly after our waiter took our order, he brought three small buns with butter to enjoy while we waited. We always appreciate complimentary bread and butter, as it can already tell you quite a lot about a restaurant. Here, the butter was the highlight: flavorful, well-seasoned, and seemingly mixed with herbs. Unfortunately, there wasn’t quite enough of it for all three buns. The buns were warm and pleasant, although they felt more like pre-baked buns finished in the oven than freshly made in-house. We also found three buns slightly unusual for a table of two, though that is personal preference. Overall, a pleasant start, but more butter and fresher, more distinctive bread would have elevated it.
Burrata with Pickled Orange Carpaccio, Olive Oil & Pistachios
€ 13
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Our starter came from the seasonal menu, and we chose the burrata with orange, which we shared between the two of us. The burrata was beautifully creamy, and the orange was a clever pairing: its acidity and slight sweetness cut through the cheese’s richness and kept each bite fresh. The pistachios added some much-needed texture. The dish was well balanced, though the orange could occasionally dominate, slightly overshadowing the delicate burrata. Still, as a shared starter, it was light, refreshing, and a very enjoyable way to begin the meal.
Sea Bass Fillet
€ 19
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
For one of our mains, we went for the sea bass fillet, and with Riga so close to the Baltic Sea, ordering fish felt like an obvious choice. The presentation immediately caught our attention, with plenty of color and different elements across the plate, although visually, it could almost feel like a little too much was happening at once. The sea bass was well cooked, with tender flesh and nicely crisped skin, while the confit potatoes added richness and the vegetables freshness and texture. The cream sauce complemented the fish without overpowering it. Despite the busy presentation, the flavors themselves felt balanced and purposeful. The portion was on the smaller side, but with starters and dessert, it was more than enough.
Beef Burger “Melnā Bite”
€ 15.90
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
For our second main, we chose the Melnā Bite burger, served in a brioche bun with pickled onions, bacon, spicy sauce, and French fries. The beef was juicy and well cooked, while the pickled onions added acidity that helped balance the richness of the meat and bacon. The fries also deserve a mention: nicely crisp on the outside, fluffy inside, and very well prepared. Overall, the burger felt well executed and satisfying, though the bacon, brioche, and sauce sometimes competed with the beef rather than letting it remain the star of the dish.
Alaska
€ 8.50
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
For dessert, we shared the Alaska, combining meringue, vanilla ice cream, mango sorbet, and dark chocolate. The chocolate had a satisfying crispness, adding texture before giving way to the softer meringue and ice cream underneath. Despite having several sweet elements on one plate, the flavors were surprisingly well balanced. The mango brought a welcome acidity and freshness, while the berries helped cut through the richness of the chocolate and vanilla. There was quite a lot happening on the plate, but unlike some overly complicated desserts, the individual components still worked together rather than competing for attention. Rich, refreshing and texturally interesting, it was a strong finish to the meal.
Singapore Sling
€ 11
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
For our cocktail, we went with the Singapore Sling, and it was another drink where presentation clearly mattered. Served with an elaborate garnish and presented on a wooden board, it immediately felt a little more special. Flavor-wise, it was fruity and refreshing, with the pineapple coming through nicely without making the cocktail overly sweet. The citrus brought enough acidity to keep everything balanced, while the gin and herbal notes added some complexity behind the fruit. From a cocktail perspective, the different flavors were well integrated, with no single ingredient overpowering the others. A well-balanced, easy-to-drink cocktail with a presentation that made it memorable.
Alongside the Singapore Sling, we also tried one of the draft beers from Melnā Bite’s beer selection. It was refreshing, nicely served, and an easy choice to enjoy alongside dinner. Overall, the drinks complemented the meal well, although this time we didn’t have a particular Penguin Picks™ that stood out enough for us to say you absolutely have to order it.
Our dinner at Melnā Bite was slow-paced in the best possible way. We never felt rushed, the atmosphere remained relaxed throughout the evening, and the service was attentive without being intrusive. While no single dish or drink became our must-order Penguin Picks™, the experience worked very well as a whole. The food was thoughtfully presented, the flavors were generally well balanced, and we left having genuinely enjoyed our evening.
Melnā Bite delivered a well-paced, thoughtfully presented dinner, with careful attention to both the food and the atmosphere. Not every element reached the same level, and no single dish completely stole the show, but the kitchen showed a good understanding of flavor, texture, and presentation throughout the evening. Combined with attentive service and a relaxed setting, it is a restaurant we would happily recommend for dinner in Riga.
Our Verdict
★★☆
Melnā Bite combines thoughtfully presented food, a warm atmosphere, and attentive service in a setting that feels surprisingly intimate for a hotel restaurant. While no single dish became our ultimate favorite, the meal worked well as a whole, with balanced flavors, creative presentation, and a relaxed pace that let us really enjoy the evening. Add the convenient Old Town location, and Melnā Bite is an easy restaurant to recommend for a relaxed dinner in Riga.
Would We Recommend It? ✅ Yes
Best For: Couples • Foodies • Relaxed Dinners • Riga Old Town Visitors • Hotel Guests • Date Nights
Less Suitable For: Budget Travelers • Very Large Portions • Quick Meals • Anyone Looking for Traditional Latvian Food Only
Value for Money
For two people, our total came to a little over €75 including food and drinks. As part of a collaboration, we received a €70 voucher and only paid the difference ourselves. At full price, we still think the value for money is reasonable, especially given the Old Town location, attentive service, presentation, and overall quality of the meal. It is not a budget dinner, but for a relaxed evening with starters, mains, dessert and drinks, the pricing felt fair for the experience.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Best Time to Visit: We visited for dinner, which we recommend if you want to experience the restaurant’s warm lighting and relaxed evening atmosphere.
- Reservations: Recommended for dinner and weekends. Our table was ready when we arrived, making the experience smooth from the start.
- Getting There: Melnā Bite is located in Riga Old Town, inside Wellton Centrum Hotel & SPA. Hotel guests can enter directly from inside the hotel, while there is also an entrance from the street.
- Parking: Riga Old Town is easiest to explore on foot. If arriving by car, look for paid parking outside or around the edge of the Old Town and walk to the restaurant.
- Public Transport: The restaurant’s central location makes it easy to reach by Riga’s trams and buses, followed by a short walk through the Old Town.
- Dress Code: Smart casual or casual works perfectly. The atmosphere feels polished, but certainly not formal.
- Experience Tip: Don’t rush dinner. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxed, making Melnā Bite particularly suited to a slower evening meal where you can enjoy several courses and drinks.
Overall Miškolin Guide Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Food | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Service | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Atmosphere | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Location | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Penguin Pick™ | n/a |
| Overall Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) |
Miškolin Guide Award
The Miškolin Guide is Lifeguin’s food rating system for restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and other food spots. Places can earn 1 to 3 spatulas, with more spatulas indicating a stronger recommendation.
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