Riga is one of the most cosmopolitan capitals in Europe, defined
by its tasteful modernization and local culture. New cafes, chic
bars and arty restaurants are blossoming all over the city and are
known for their high standards in quality and low prices. In fact
the overall cost of a meal is usually three times less than
elsewhere on the continent. The variety of national cuisines on
offer is extensive, ranging from; Latvian, Japanese to Scandinavian
and Indian, but like all cities it is difficult to find the perfect
restaurant, that presents both quality food and good prices. In this
section, you’ll find reviews and descriptions of our favourite
restaurants that we and our customers have discovered on their
Baltic holidays & city breaks travels of Riga.
Sumo was the first Japanese restaurant and is found in the Old
town. The menu offers a wide range of authentic Japanese dishes and
the service is quick and attentive. Sushi lovers won’t be
disappointed with the food at Sumo and will be pleased to have tried
this restaurant during a short city break stay. However, if Sumo is
fully booked, try Kabuki or Planet Sushi, both are great
alternatives to Sumo for Sushi, sake and classic Japanese cuisine in
Riga. Both these restaurants have affordable prices and offer
exemplary service. For great Chinese cuisine, then try and find Soho
which is tucked away in an office complex. The head chef Mateo has
prepared food for the Chinese president and is a master of his art.
It might not be the most inspiring of venues, but the food is
authentic and always of a high quality.
If you’re already missing your local Indian restaurant, then
visit Sue’s Indian Raja, in the Old Town. The food is exemplary and
served in an authentic Indian atmosphere by helpful staff. It’s an
extremely cozy restaurant, found below street level and is a maze of
small and large rooms and is suitable for those romantic breaks and
even for larger parties that want a private space. Probably a very
good idea for those on stag nights, that want a sectioned off area
to have a lot of fun. Good quality Indian restaurants are hard to
come across in the Baltic States, but this is a real weekend break
gem. Another Indian alternative is Nataraja, also in the Old Town,
which has belly dance performances, live music and over 140
traditional dishes. Definitely another good dining option, for your
Riga holidays.
A well known establishment that is regarded highly amongst
Latvian cuisine critics is Charlestons. This restaurant has an
excellent reputation for its polite service, inexpensive
international cuisine and presents a warm & friendly atmosphere.
Also in the centre, we would recommend dining in Esplanade at the
Reval Hotel. The restaurant is spacious, tastefully decorated and
offers a creative menu & buffet, which is always of the highest
quality. Both Charleston’s and Esplanade are excellent places to
try, many of our repeat clients have commented positively about
these establishments.
One of the most popular and certainly most famous gourmet
restaurant is Vincents on Elizabetes street, located just outside
Riga’s Old Town. Vincents is the creation of English chef Martin
Ritins, who has managed to create one of the most exquisite city
break dining experiences in the whole of the Baltics. The menu is
forever evolving and improving, to the delight of its very happy
customers and frequent celebrities. Since its opening in 1994,
Vincents has served food for; Prince Charles, Elton John, B.B.King,
Paco Rabane and many others. All the dishes are artistically
presented and served by attentive staff, that make you feel relaxed
and settled. Undoubtedly, Vincents is one of the top tables for a
weekend city break in Riga, we highly recommend booking a table, to
coincide with your holiday.
Kamala is probably the best vegetarian restaurant in the
Old Town
and one of the best we’ve been to in the Baltic States. The menu is
in constant rotation, keeping the colour and ingredients of the food
in balance with the body that the earth is aligned to on that day.
One of the main health ingredients is called 'gi.' This exquisite
ingredient is an intricately prepared, cholesterol-free golden
butter with a unique aroma. If you want to retrieve some of your
lost energy and dine in a spiritual oasis, then we invite you to try
the Kamala during your travels in Latvia.
There is an ever increasing choice of quality Italian and
Mediterranean restaurants, which is great for pasta and pizza
lovers. One of the most authentic restaurants, is Da Sergio on
Terbatas street and has been rightfully described as an ‘Island of
Italian culture.’ The chef specialities are mouth watering, the wine
list is comprehensive and the bread is baked daily on the premise.
Da Sergio will always prove to be a perfect choice for refined food,
where the price reflects the quality. Fellini is another charming
restaurant with a sophisticated design. The food is of a high
caliber and they have an extensive wine list. Fellini proves itself
with its consistency, many evenings have been spent here and all
have been enjoyed. If you’re looking for something a lot less formal
and more fun, we can recommend Sandy's Beach. The restaurant is
designed as a sea beach bar, with live Djs on the weekends and the
waitresses are dressed in Bikinis. The food is a mixture of
Mediterranean, Greek and Italian and they serve some great
cocktails. Sandy’s beach is great for fun stag weekends and groups
looking for a livelier atmosphere. The food isn’t bad at all and the
place is a lot of fun.
Tower is a Scandinavian Restaurant in the Old Town and is a
highly refined and elegant establishment, perfect for those wanting
luxury city breaks. The menu offers many delights and specialties,
such as; snails, reindeer and chocolate parfait. Tower is well
furbished and has a tranquil atmosphere, helped by subtle lighting
and appropriate music. Great for intimate dinners and a high class
gourmet experience. Another recommended restaurant, which never
fails to impress, is Black Monks (1 Jana) in the Old Town. The
relaxed ambiance, gentle music and lighting greats a homely and
intimate feel. The food and service is of a high standard and has
been a popular choice for Rigans and tourists for sometime. Black
Monks is an exceptional restaurant and we’d be delighted to make
table reservations for your Riga holiday break.
For a completely different holiday dining experience, then you
must try the Lido Recreation Centre. The LIDO centre is one of the
most attractive public catering enterprises in the world and is one
of the most popular places for family recreation. The building is
constructed from pine logs and thatched roofs and the traditionally
costumed staff serve the variety of Latvian cuisine from hulking
cauldrons. Everyday there are special attractions to be enjoyed,
from open-air dancing, LIDO beer, concerts in summer and skating in
winter. The LIDO centre is much more than a spectacular restaurant,
it has become for many a superb city break attraction.
Like all vibrant cosmopolitan cities, there are many places open
around the clock to eat. Although for the majority of citybreak
travellers this is of no importance, it is an essential requirement
for those party revelers that like to drink ‘n’ dance into the early
hours of the morning. Especially for men, celebrating a friends last
nights of freedom on stag do’s in Riga. A favourite haunt has always
been Chili Pica, which is open till 6am on Saturdays. The pizzas
come in four different sizes and there are no less than 50 to choose
from off the menu. Pitta Inn is open 24hrs and serves authentic
Lebanese kebabs, salads and pizzas, to compliment those liquid
diets, that the majority of Latvia lads parties are running on.
Another 24hour restaurant is Anspeteri in Riga’s centre and is set
on 2 levels and tends to be a little more pricier. |
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