Guidebook for Rīga
Arts & Culture
Koka Rīga tells the story of wooden buildings in the city. Riga has the highest number of 19th century wooden buildings of any city in Europe, and they are considered cultural heritage, and hence receive protected status.
6 locals recommend
Koka Rīga
12 Krāsotāju ielaKoka Rīga tells the story of wooden buildings in the city. Riga has the highest number of 19th century wooden buildings of any city in Europe, and they are considered cultural heritage, and hence receive protected status.
The house which used to house the KGB headquarters is open for visitation, with tours of the cellars, where the detention cells were, and an exhibition of the history of the KGB in Latvia. The "corner house" was a feared building for many years, as everyone in Latvia has someone in their family, or knows someone who was detained, interrogated or even killed in this building. The content is heavy, but presented in a very engaging way.
48 locals recommend
The Left Door Bar
12 Antonijas ielaThe house which used to house the KGB headquarters is open for visitation, with tours of the cellars, where the detention cells were, and an exhibition of the history of the KGB in Latvia. The "corner house" was a feared building for many years, as everyone in Latvia has someone in their family, or knows someone who was detained, interrogated or even killed in this building. The content is heavy, but presented in a very engaging way.
Kim? Laikmetīgās mākslas centrs
2 Sporta ielaContemporary art gallery.
Latvian National Museum Of Art
1 Jaņa Rozentāla laukumsEntertainment & Activities
Tallinas ielas quarter is a new creative quarter, home to a wide variety of events, artist spaces, concerts, exhibitions and much, much more. It is a short walk from the flat, and shows just why Riga is taking over from Berlin as the most hipster city in Europe!
22 locals recommend
Tallinas ielas kvartāls / Tallinn Street Quarter
Tallinas ielaTallinas ielas quarter is a new creative quarter, home to a wide variety of events, artist spaces, concerts, exhibitions and much, much more. It is a short walk from the flat, and shows just why Riga is taking over from Berlin as the most hipster city in Europe!
Shopping
M50 is a shop selling clothing and design items made by young Latvian designers. Sounds expensive? Not at all. Prices are same, or similar to most high street shops, but you get unique, hand made garments in return and support local clothing designers. After having visited this shop I can not buy clothing anywhere else, it is absolutely beautiful. Recently a creative bar was added to the shop, housing drinks as well as a wide variety of creative activities, such as workshops, classes, etc.
6 locals recommend
M50 Bar & Design Store
17 Miera ielaM50 is a shop selling clothing and design items made by young Latvian designers. Sounds expensive? Not at all. Prices are same, or similar to most high street shops, but you get unique, hand made garments in return and support local clothing designers. After having visited this shop I can not buy clothing anywhere else, it is absolutely beautiful. Recently a creative bar was added to the shop, housing drinks as well as a wide variety of creative activities, such as workshops, classes, etc.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful, recently regenerated park around the corner from the flat. Has a great playground for kids, as well as an exercise yard with an agility course for dogs.
63 locals recommend
Rose Garden
88 Aleksandra Čaka ielaBeautiful, recently regenerated park around the corner from the flat. Has a great playground for kids, as well as an exercise yard with an agility course for dogs.
A beautiful park a few minutes walk from the flat, features a hill in the middle of it, very popular with kids and sleds in the winter time.
11 locals recommend
Grizinkalns Park
54 Pērnavas ielaA beautiful park a few minutes walk from the flat, features a hill in the middle of it, very popular with kids and sleds in the winter time.
Food Scene
One of the very few vegan spots in Riga, with a menu featuring everything from great breakfasts and brunches, lunches, dinners, and the most incredible vegan cakes ever! Try it on a weekend for all you can eat brunch.
30 locals recommend
Terapija Vegan Cafe
69 Bruņinieku ielaOne of the very few vegan spots in Riga, with a menu featuring everything from great breakfasts and brunches, lunches, dinners, and the most incredible vegan cakes ever! Try it on a weekend for all you can eat brunch.
Austra
Very nice restaurant, has good lunch deals.
Great restaurant serving Latvian inspired food, such as beetroot pasta or birch sap mojitos. The interior feels like someone's living room.
9 locals recommend
Fazenda Bazar, restaurant
14 Baznīcas ielaGreat restaurant serving Latvian inspired food, such as beetroot pasta or birch sap mojitos. The interior feels like someone's living room.
Galerija Istaba is an eating establishment upstairs, and a gallery/design shop downstairs. The cafe has no menu, instead the server comes to tell you the specials of the day. Everything is delicious, and the show downstairs is great for trendy souvenirs and presents.
42 locals recommend
Galerija Istaba
31B Krišjāņa Barona ielaGalerija Istaba is an eating establishment upstairs, and a gallery/design shop downstairs. The cafe has no menu, instead the server comes to tell you the specials of the day. Everything is delicious, and the show downstairs is great for trendy souvenirs and presents.
Fast food burger joint, with amazing burgers, including great choices for vegetarians and vegans. Also offers gluten free bread, so there is something for everyone!
11 locals recommend
Street Burgers (Blaumaņa)
10 Blaumaņa ielaFast food burger joint, with amazing burgers, including great choices for vegetarians and vegans. Also offers gluten free bread, so there is something for everyone!
Drinks & Nightlife
Avotu Ezītis miglā
32 Avotu ielaNice local bar.
New bar with absolutely incredible sustainable design interiors all done by the owner, Pavel, who also happens to be a total cocktail making whizz. Tell him what you like and don't like, and he'll whip up something amazing.
Laska bar
8b Ernesta Birznieka-Upīša ielaNew bar with absolutely incredible sustainable design interiors all done by the owner, Pavel, who also happens to be a total cocktail making whizz. Tell him what you like and don't like, and he'll whip up something amazing.
KKC is a creative space, housing a bar downstairs, and exhibition and concert space upstairs. It was started by a creative group of friends who wanted to regenerate the beautiful building it is in, which had stood empty and unused for many years. The venue is home to countless cultural events of all sorts. It is a rare place in Riga where people chat to each other regardless of whether they have met before. A great time is guaranteed!
78 locals recommend
Kanepes Culture Centre
15 Skolas ielaKKC is a creative space, housing a bar downstairs, and exhibition and concert space upstairs. It was started by a creative group of friends who wanted to regenerate the beautiful building it is in, which had stood empty and unused for many years. The venue is home to countless cultural events of all sorts. It is a rare place in Riga where people chat to each other regardless of whether they have met before. A great time is guaranteed!
Nice bar with vintage decor. Serves a variety of drinks and foods. Super laid back. Great for a drink with friends.
13 locals recommend
Gauja, kafejnīca
32 Stabu ielaNice bar with vintage decor. Serves a variety of drinks and foods. Super laid back. Great for a drink with friends.
Restaurant, bar and live music venue "Ala" serves the best authentic Latvian food in the entire city, has the biggest selection of Latvian beer, and has live music every evening. On Wednesday nights the venue becomes Latvian dance central. It doesn't matter if you don't know any dances, someone will lead the way.
90 locals recommend
Folkklubs ALA pagrabs
19 Peldu ielaRestaurant, bar and live music venue "Ala" serves the best authentic Latvian food in the entire city, has the biggest selection of Latvian beer, and has live music every evening. On Wednesday nights the venue becomes Latvian dance central. It doesn't matter if you don't know any dances, someone will lead the way.
Essentials
Rimi
46 Krišjāņa Barona ielaThe closes big supermarket!