Taste of Riga: 6 of the best places to eat in the Latvian capital
Image: Andrejs Strokins / Facebook (galerija Istaba)
Out and about in the Latvian capital of Riga and looking for a bite to eat? Try some of these trendy foodie hotspots to enjoy the best of local cuisine
11 February 2019
Text:
Elise Morton
Austra
Wholesome Latvian-fusion dining
Using seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients to create Latvian-fusion dishes, Austra manages to be both fashionable and unpretentious, high-end yet reasonably priced. Its grey and white minimalist interior provides an effortlessly chic backdrop to casual lunches or more special occasions, with the food evolving from lighter lunch fare to more elaborate, innovative dishes in the evening. For a little live-action cooking, head up to the open-plan kitchen on the second floor. Top tip: stop by for a set lunch and feel smug that you’ve enjoyed one of the best bargains to be had in the city.
Reigys Ausmeņa
Latvia’s answer to a doner kebab
You’ve had doner kebab, now try Latgalian. Reigys Ausmeņa is a hipster hotspot that adds an east Latvian touch to kebab and falafel pitas that are washed down with the bread-based drink kvass or šmakovka (Latgalian moonshine). Enjoy the pot plant decor and a little linguistic fun as you attempt to read the menu: the writing is, quite literally, on the wall, and it’s all in Latgalian dialect. Open until 2am, this spot is ideal for lunches or post-party snacking.
MiiT
Enjoy a flat white as you fix your flat tyre
Trendy cafe-cum-bike-shop-cum-veggie-haven Miit began life as a bicycle repair shop that also served drinks, and has since evolved into a speciality coffeehouse and vegetarian bistro. On weekdays you can enjoy an exceptionally tasty and reasonably priced set lunch (soup, main course, plus salad), while coffee snobs can rejoice all week long in the expertly brewed offerings: Chemex, French Press, Aeropress, V60. Got a flat tire while on the way to Mitt’s wonderfully central location? You can still get your ride repaired at the bike shop behind the bar.
Fazenda
Regional flavours and rustic elegance
With locations both in Centrs and up-and-coming Āgenskalns, Fazenda brings together vintage with refined, yet vibrant, international dishes. The atmosphere combines the vibe of a Latvian farmhouse with that of a summer spent in Provence, while the on-site bakery will see you ditching the diet. Enjoy a breakfast of barley pancakes with maple syrup or a lunch of flavourful lamb goulash followed by a homemade crème brûlée.
Istaba
Grab a bite and get your creative juices flowing
Why go to a gallery and then a café when you could go to both at once? This kind of efficiency is the name of the game at Galerija Istaba, where in-house restaurant Bufete opens up onto a fantastic view of the exhibition space. In line with the gallery’s name – “Istaba” means “room” – each table at Bufete is designed to remind diners of a particular room, while the restaurant’s chefs deliver a simple, but high quality menu. Along with the gallery and restaurant, Galerija Istaba is home to a shop selling artisan jewellery, postcards, crockery, CDs and books.
For more hard-to-find spots in St Petersburg and other Russia cities download our New East Travel Guide app. For recommendation on where to stay in Russia and beyond, check out our edit of amazing hotels and hostels across the New East.
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