Where to Eat in Latvia: Restaurants We Tried & Recommend

Where to Eat in Latvia: Restaurants We Tried & Recommend

Latvia gave us plenty of opportunities to stop for a good meal while exploring the country. From traditional Latvian dishes to casual cafés and restaurants, we tried a mix of places along the way, combining planned stops with a few spontaneous finds. As always, we paid attention to the food, service, atmosphere, prices, and whether we would actually return. Here is where we ate in Latvia, what stood out, and which places earned our recommendation.

What Does Latvian Food Actually Taste Like

Latvian food is hearty, earthy, and shaped by the country’s northern climate and agricultural traditions. Expect plenty of potatoes, rye bread, barley, cabbage, onions, peas, mushrooms, dairy, pork, fish, and seasonal berries, with dill and other fresh herbs often adding brightness. Its flavors developed through Latvia’s Baltic roots, as well as centuries of influence from neighboring Germany, Russia, Sweden, Poland, and other Northern European countries. German traditions brought hearty meat-and-bread cooking, while Russian and Slavic influences appear in dishes such as soups, pickled vegetables, and beetroot preparations. Swedish and broader Nordic cooking also share an appreciation for fish, potatoes, rye, and simple seasonal ingredients. As a food guide, the easiest way to know what to expect is to think comforting rather than heavily spiced: dishes tend to rely on ingredient quality, smoking, pickling, baking, fermenting, and slow cooking rather than strong spices. Expect a table where dark rye bread, smoked fish, potatoes, creamy sauces, pickles, and rich meat dishes feel completely at home, balanced by fresh berries, herbs, and lighter seasonal produce.

Things to Know Before Visiting Latvia

Where We Actually Ate in Latvia

Most of the restaurants we tried during our Latvia trip were in Riga, where we explored everything from traditional Latvian dishes to modern takes on local ingredients. We also ventured beyond the capital, with a few memorable meals in Sigulda. Some stops were planned, while others were spontaneous finds along the way. Here are the restaurants we actually visited, what we ate, and which ones we would happily recommend for your own trip.

Our Latvia’n Food Map: Where We Ate & Saved for Next Time

We put together this Latvia food map with all the restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and food spots we tried during our trip, so you can easily see where everything is as you plan your own waddle around Latvia. Most of our stops are in Riga, with a few favorites in Sigulda, too. We also pinned a few places we wanted to try but did not have enough time (or stomach space) for. Consider them saved for our next Latvian adventure, or perhaps inspiration for yours.

Beers at Rīgas Ķirsis

📍 Location: Audēju iela 8, Riga, Latvia
💶 Price: €€
🌐 Website: Rīgas Ķirsis | Riga Cherry

By the time we arrived in Riga, it was already evening, but before heading to bed, we wanted to grab at least a couple of beers. We found Rīgas Ķirsis almost by accident, conveniently located in Riga’s Old Town, and it turned out to be a fun first stop. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, but what really caught our attention was their beer stock exchange. Drinks are priced according to demand, so when everyone starts ordering one beer, its price goes up, while less popular choices get cheaper. It was genuinely fun watching the prices change and deciding whether to follow the crowd or take a chance on something that had dropped in price. The concept made a simple couple of beers much more entertaining, and we would definitely recommend stopping here when you are in Riga.

Two More Beers

📍 Location: Kalēju iela 9/11, Riga, Latvia
💶 Price: €€–€€€
🌐 Website: Two More Beers

While exploring Riga’s Old Town, we stopped at Two More Beers, a beer-focused restaurant inside the historic Konventa Sēta complex. The name gives away what to expect, but the beer selection goes far beyond just two more. They have 26 beers on tap and more than 100 bottled beers, including plenty from local Latvian brewers.

We liked that this was more than simply a place to grab a drink. The menu pairs beer with proper food, including a venison burger served in a potato and hemp-seed waffle, pork ribs, and prawns with chorizo. The restaurant also has dedicated areas for watching sports, making it a lively option for an evening in Riga.

If you love beer, this is a great place to browse the menu and try something new. And with its location right in the Old Town, it is an easy stop to add while exploring central Riga.

The menu is much more interesting than a typical beer bar, with plenty of unusual Latvian-inspired choices alongside familiar comfort food. We tried a mix of dishes, including the salted herring with cottage cheese, potatoes, and pickled onions, which was creamy, fresh, and nicely balanced by the sharpness of the onions, while the sweet potato fries with homemade chili mayo made an easy and tasty side. We also sampled stewed moose meat served on rye bread, probably the most unusual dish of the meal and a fun way to try something local. The menu clearly likes to experiment, from herring and moose to more playful combinations such as a chocolate donut burger. That variety made choosing what to eat almost as entertaining as choosing the beer. Read more in our review: Two More Beers. 

Melnā Bite

📍 Location: Audēju iela 8, Riga, Latvia
💶 Price: €€€
🌐 Website: Melnā Bite

After a full day of waddling around Riga, we were ready for a proper dinner, so we headed to Melnā Bite in the heart of the Old Town. The restaurant has a cozy, traditional feel and focuses on Latvian-inspired food, making it a great place to try local flavors while staying right in the center of Riga.

We liked the relaxed atmosphere and the fact that the menu lets you explore Latvian cuisine without leaving the Old Town. After such a packed sightseeing day, it was exactly the kind of place we wanted to sit down, enjoy a meal, and slow down for the evening.

We didn’t just stop by for a quick dinner. We tried several dishes from across the menu, including starters, main courses, and desserts, which gave us a chance to sample a good variety of the food at Melnā Bite. Because we tried so many dishes, we decided to write a separate, full review of our experience, where you can see exactly what we ordered and what we thought of each dish.

This visit was a collaboration with Melnā Bite, but, as always, our review is truthful and reflects our genuine experience and opinions. To see what we actually ate and whether we enjoyed it, read our full Trying Latvian Food at Melnā Bite in Riga review.

Avēnija Nr. 9 (Sigulda)

📍 Location: Pils iela 9, Sigulda, Latvia
💶 Price: €€
🌐 Website: Avēnija Nr. 9

Although this restaurant isn’t in Riga, we included it because we tried it during our day trip to Sigulda. Located right in the center of Sigulda, Avēnija Nr. 9 is a family-style restaurant serving a broad selection of European and Latvian-inspired dishes.

We stopped here for lunch while exploring Sigulda, making it a convenient place to take a break before continuing our sightseeing. It was a nice change from eating in Riga and gave us the chance to try somewhere outside the capital. If you’re following our itinerary and heading to Sigulda for the day, keep this lunch option in mind.

We ordered the burger with fries, a pizza, dessert, and a couple of beers, giving us a chance to sample a few different parts of the menu. The food was well prepared and satisfying, with the burger and fries arriving as a straightforward, familiar combination, while the pizza was equally easygoing and enjoyable. The dessert provided a sweet finish, although it didn’t leave a particularly lasting impression.

From a food perspective, we would describe the experience as solid but fairly average. Nothing was poorly executed, and the portions were enough to leave us comfortably full, but there wasn’t a particular dish or flavour combination that really stood out. That said, consistency and convenience count for something, especially when you are spending the day exploring Sigulda. If you’re looking for a casual lunch spot with a varied menu, Avēnija Nr. 9 is a perfectly good option.

Flygarden

We also had breakfast at Flygarden at Riga Airport, making it our final meal in Latvia before our morning flight home. After an early start and with a 9 a.m. flight ahead of us, we mainly wanted something convenient and filling before heading to the gate.

Flygarden offers breakfast and all-day food, especially for an airport restaurant. There is plenty to choose from, ranging from soups and salads to burgers, starters, hot dishes and lighter options, so you’re unlikely to struggle to find something before your flight. Since we were still in Latvia and wanted to try something a little more traditional, we decided on the potato rösti. It was nice, although, once again, nothing particularly stood out from a food perspective. Still, for an airport breakfast, it was pretty good, and the variety of choices makes Flygarden a convenient option if you have some time before your flight.

Extra Riga Tip: Riga Central Market

If you’re looking for another place to eat in Riga, Riga Central Market is definitely worth considering. The market is best known for its huge selection of fresh produce, meat, fish, dairy, bakery products, and other groceries, but you’ll also find plenty of things you can eat straight away. The market has a food court with different options, and we stopped there during our visit. We were very hungry, so it was exactly what we needed. If you’re exploring the market and want something casual and local rather than a sit-down restaurant, we would definitely recommend adding the Central Market to your Riga food list.

Under the Zeppelin Roofs: Exploring Riga Central Market

How Much Does Eating Out in Riga Cost

Riga is fairly affordable for eating out, especially compared with some of the more expensive European capitals. During our trip, we ate at several restaurants and tried everything from casual lunches and local dishes to desserts and drinks. Across the restaurants we visited in Riga, we spent a total of €148.70, which gives you a useful idea of what we paid during our trip.

For a casual lunch, you can generally expect to spend around €10–€20 per person, depending on the restaurant and what you order. A sit-down dinner with a main course and drinks usually costs more, especially if you add starters or dessert, but we found prices still reasonable compared with many other European capitals.

Of course, there are plenty of ways to spend less, especially by eating at Riga Central Market, where you can find both groceries and ready-to-eat food, or choosing casual cafés and food spots. We also liked that Riga gives you plenty of options at different price points.

Based on our experience, food didn’t feel like an expensive part of our Latvia trip. And since we love trying different dishes when we travel, €148.70 across the restaurants we visited felt pretty reasonable. We definitely didn’t come to Riga to survive on supermarket sandwiches.

Riga Food Tips We Wish We Knew

A few things are worth knowing before you start waddling between Riga’s restaurants, cafés, markets and food halls:

• Reservations are not always necessary. Unlike some bigger European capitals, we found Riga fairly easy to navigate without booking every meal in advance. For casual restaurants, especially during the day, you can often waddle in. For a specific popular restaurant or a busy evening, booking ahead is still a good idea.
• Cards are widely accepted. We had no real problems paying by card or contactless during our trip, so there was no need to carry large amounts of cash. Having a card handy is definitely the easiest option.
• Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. You don’t need to approach tipping in Riga the same way you might in the US. If you receive good service, rounding up or leaving a small tip is a nice gesture, but we didn’t find it particularly pressured.
• Try Riga Central Market. Don’t think of the Central Market only as a place to buy groceries. It also has ready-to-eat options and a food court, making it a great place for a casual, affordable meal while you explore.
• You’ll find plenty of different cuisines. Riga has much more than traditional Latvian food. You’ll come across international restaurants, casual cafés, burgers, pizzas, beer spots, and plenty of modern dining options, so even if you are traveling with picky eaters, there should be something to keep everyone waddling.
• Save room for Latvian food. While international options are everywhere, we recommend trying some traditional Latvian dishes during your visit. We made a point of ordering local food when we could, including potato-based dishes, and it was one of the more interesting parts of exploring the local food scene.
• Airport food can actually work. If you have an early flight, Riga Airport has several places where you can grab breakfast or a proper meal. We had breakfast at Flygarden, which had a surprisingly broad menu, so you don’t necessarily need to leave the airport hungry.
• Don’t underestimate the food portions. Depending on where you eat, portions can be quite generous. After a full day of waddling around Riga, we found that a proper lunch could easily keep us going until dinner.

Buy Us a Ko-fi

Riga surprised us with how varied and accessible its food scene is. From traditional Latvian dishes and the lively Central Market to casual beer spots, modern restaurants, and even surprisingly decent airport food, there is plenty to explore beyond the typical tourist menu.

We tried several restaurants during our visit, and while not every meal became a new favorite, we always found something enjoyable. If you are planning a trip to Riga, leave some room in your itinerary for food. Whether you want to try traditional Latvian flavors, grab something casual, or sit down with a beer after a long day of waddling, Riga gives you plenty of options. And, naturally, we recommend arriving hungry.

Travel Bold. Eat Well. Waddle Wild.

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