10 Best Restaurants In Riga Latvia

The maze of Riga’s tiny streets hides a never-ending trail of treasures for gourmands. From traditional Mediterranean cuisine to contemporary takes on Latvian classic dishes, here are the best restaurants and cafes in the Latvia capital.

1. Uzbekistana

Restaurant, Asian, Vegetarian

Tucked away from the busy streets of city centre, the charming and elegant Uzbekistana is the perfect choice to try out Uzbek and Central Asian cuisine. Beautifully decorated with Uzbek artifacts, traditional ceramic plates and drapery, the restaurant is a great example of a authentic Uzbek cuisine and is dedicated to presenting Uzbek culture. Its universal popularity is down to the food and ambience. The restaurant offers filling meals of meat, grilled vegetables, honey pastries or the king of Central Asian cuisine – a wedding pilaf, prepared according to the strictest traditional Uzbek recipes and served in the middle of the table by the chef himself.

3 pavāru restorāns Tam labam būs augt

Situated in the historic building of Jacob’s Barracks, the airy and modern restaurant 3 Pavaru (3 Chefs), also known as ‘It shall grow well’, is a much-welcomed addition to Riga’s restaurant scene. Featuring contemporary Latvian cuisine, the restaurant has quickly become popular due to the exciting interpretation of traditional Latvian dishes by three local celebrity chefs. Bright and trendy interior design, with an open-plan kitchen in the centre of the room, ensures a relaxed and cosy atmosphere, allowing guests to truly focus on their meal. From light lunches of soups and salads to more substantial dinners, the restaurant changes its menu following the availability of seasonal produce.

2. La Kanna

Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean, European

Trendy and artsy La Kanna restaurant features classic dishes of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, whilst offering spectacular view of the busy and vibrant streets of the city centre. From chicken, lime leaf and lemongrass soup with rice noodles, and bacon fried with goat cheese and fresh tomato salsa, beet carpaccio and warm bread, to risotto with fresh salmon, spinach, the restaurant caters to every meal of the day. La Kanna also has a fairly decent wine-list, and serves some of the best local beers. On weekends, La Kanna features a great buffet brunch, offered until half past two.

Riviera

Situated next to one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau streets in Riga, the lovely Riviera restaurant features modern European and Mediterranean cuisine. This charming restaurant is wonderfully decorated as a cosy country cottage, using soft colours and glass elements created by designers from Dizaina Līnija, a respected Latvian design studio. The lovely interior seating and open-air terrace provide a great place to relax during summer, perfect for people-watching. Menu highlights include smoked salmon with avocado, caviar, poached eggs and mustard-olive oil sauce, black cod cooked Nobu-style and served with almond sauce, or the catfish fillet baked with nuts and greens, bathed in a mushroom velouteé sauce.

Riveria, Antonijas 13, Riga, Latvia, +371 26 605 930

Charleston

Considered a staple of Riga’s restaurant scene, Charleston has two lovely seating areas: a cosy tearoom furnished with mahogany touches, and a grand, bright yellow dining hall. Established in 1999, the restaurant is renowned for its classy, warm ambience, impeccable and friendly service and high quality food. The restaurant mostly serves contemporary European and Italianfood, and uses the best of fresh seasonal Latvian produce. In addition to an exhaustive menu of classic dishes, on offer is Riga’s widest selection of BBQ dishes. Carefully marinated from four to 14 hours over alder wood, and topped with several splashes of Charleston’s home-made sauces, these fish and meat delicacies are as succulent as they are delicate.

Charleston, Blaumana iela 38/40, Riga, Latvia, +371 67 770 573

Vina Studija

Situated on the corner of Terbatas and Stabu streets, the cosy and trendy Vina Studijarestaurant is the perfect choice for a weekday night out or a lazy lunch with the friends on the weekend. The restaurant features contemporary European cuisine and has an impressive wine list of more than 700 wines, with bottles available to take away or enjoy in the restaurant. With an open-air summer terrace, elegant contemporary design and ever-changing artwork by contemporary Latvian painters on the walls, the restaurant exudes elegance and savoir vivre. Booking in advance, especially on weekends, is well advised.

Vina Studija, Stabu iela 30, Rīga, Latvia, +371 67 276 010

Andaluzijas Suns

Named after Luis Buñuel’s famous surrealist film Un Chien Andalou and housed in an ancient polygraph workshop, Andaluzijas Suns is a cosy continental wine and beer pub with an exhaustive menu of quick bites and hearty meals. Ranging from tempura prawns, onion rings and classic antipasti selection with Parma ham, chorizo, olives and sun-dried tomatoes to succulent burgers, Tex-Mex tortillas and Latvian-style pork chops for the main course, there’s an exhaustive selection available for hungry diners and snack-fiends alike. The friendly, English- speaking staff also offer a wide range of beers, shots and wines. In the summertime, this lively spot blooms with a terrace next to a fancy surrealistic fountain in Berga, a hidden shopping gallery.

Andaluzijas Suns, Elizabetes 83, Riga, Latvia, +371 67 288 418

Fabrikas Restorans

One of the pearls of Riga’s riverside restaurants, Fabrikas Restorans sits on the Daugava shore, offering spectacular views over the old town. Situated in an old factory building, this high-end restaurant is well loved by expats and the rich and famous of the city. Its classy and romantic décor, occasional live piano music and a no-rush atmosphere make it the perfect location for a relaxed dinner in a stunning setting. In Fabrikas’ menu, you will find a solid selection of international dishes, but French recipes inevitably take the lead with delicacies such as foie gras with artichokes and mushrooms, julienne with mushrooms or freshly sourced seafood.

Fabrikas, Balasta dambis 70, Riga, Latvia, +371 67 873 804

3. Fazenda

Restaurant, European, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free

With a sister branch situated in the old town, the cosy Fazenda restaurant, located in the city centre, serves a modern take on Latvian and European cuisine. From freshly made quiches, filling sandwiches and light salads for lunch or breakfast to more hearty main meals, delicious and sweet cakes and cookies for dinner, accompanied by a glass of homemade wine or cup of hot coffee, the restaurant instantly makes its guests feel at home. The delicious dishes include warm avocado and goat cheese salad with caramelised onions, or salted herring fillet with oven- baked potatoes and cottage cheese, guaranteeing a well-spent evening in Riga.

4. Istaba

Restaurant, European, Vegetarian

An eclectic combination of art gallery, shop and modern restaurant, intimate Istaba is headed by a local celebrity chef. The venue’s interest in local contemporary art is well reflected in the eclectic interior design, with non-matching china, DIY-feel furniture and a cute location in a balcony above the art gallery and shop. The restaurant’s menu changes daily, yet options usually include cold and hot appetizers, a selection of salads and the main course of fish or meat, as well as vegetarian option, followed by desserts and accompanied by a toothsome glass of wine.

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