Guidebook for Rīga
Drinks & Nightlife
Cocktails in 0.7l jars (and you can just ask for something tasty at the bar if stuck for ideas on what to have).. Loads of boardgames and friendly staff
Tims Mints
5 Jāņa sētaCocktails in 0.7l jars (and you can just ask for something tasty at the bar if stuck for ideas on what to have).. Loads of boardgames and friendly staff
ONE ONE
18A Šarlotes ielaBest electronic music venue in Riga - guest DJs every week
Amazing selection of hard-to-imagine beer flavors.. After careful tasting sessions :) I always opt out for the most basic options but if you're feeling adventurous, try the caraway seed or salty beer..
75 locals recommend
Labietis
9a Aristida Briāna ielaAmazing selection of hard-to-imagine beer flavors.. After careful tasting sessions :) I always opt out for the most basic options but if you're feeling adventurous, try the caraway seed or salty beer..
Great atmosphere, really friendly owner, cheap drinks, weekends live music and DJs. And most of all - great crowd!
11 locals recommend
Aleponija
22 Ernesta Birznieka-Upīša ielaGreat atmosphere, really friendly owner, cheap drinks, weekends live music and DJs. And most of all - great crowd!
Live music and different events every day. Great international crowds (more expats than tourists) and easy atmosphere.
78 locals recommend
Kanepes Culture Centre
15 Skolas ielaLive music and different events every day. Great international crowds (more expats than tourists) and easy atmosphere.
Pretty hard to find and off the beaten track bar for heavy music lovers.. and they have their own phone app for the jukebox :)
Bārs "Kad Zebras Deg"
104 Dzirnavu ielaPretty hard to find and off the beaten track bar for heavy music lovers.. and they have their own phone app for the jukebox :)
Soviet-feel-bar & student-type food place ;) with an outside seating
13 locals recommend
Gauja, kafejnīca
32 Stabu ielaSoviet-feel-bar & student-type food place ;) with an outside seating
Great coffee, food and atmosphere (and the waffle brunch on weekends). At night, DJs and more groovy atmosphere.
26 locals recommend
Stabu Mākonis
42 Stabu ielaGreat coffee, food and atmosphere (and the waffle brunch on weekends). At night, DJs and more groovy atmosphere.
Tallinas Pagalms
34 Miera ielaHipsters rejoice :) Sega-Mega drive, vinyl djs and vintage feels
Herbārijs
67 Dzirnavu ielaRooftop bar near our house
Iconic bar on the top floor of the hotel. Pricey but worth a visit to see the city from above. (heard they have a great brunch but haven't tried)
91 locals recommend
Skyline bar
55 Elizabetes ielaIconic bar on the top floor of the hotel. Pricey but worth a visit to see the city from above. (heard they have a great brunch but haven't tried)
Hāgenskalna Komūna
49 Nometņu ielaTrendy hipster bar 'on the other side' of the river :) if you end up there...
Lokāls Veldze
40F Kalnciema IelaFood and drink.. and some good vibes on the other side of the river
Nice fun bar with record music playing. They have cheap bar snacks here too.
8 locals recommend
Vinilbārs
39 Kalnciema IelaNice fun bar with record music playing. They have cheap bar snacks here too.
Tu jau zini Kur.
10-3 Tallinas ielaCheck what's on.. pretty alternative stuff
Laska bar
8b Ernesta Birznieka-Upīša ielaReally cool courtyard + Novuss table + nice housy music :)
Cafe Leningrad
4 Krišjāņa Valdemāra ielaIf you want to feel a bit of Soviet vibe in food, drinks, decor :)
Stargorod
1 Republikas LaukumsBeer and pub-food
Walters Un Grapa
41 Miera ielaMy favourite bar-owner and vibe, love this place
Krogs "Zobens un Lemess"
10 Aristida Briāna ielaFor those who love a bit more 'darker' music
Food Scene
Austra
Great locally sourced produce, seasonal menu
Galerija Istaba
31B Krišjāņa Barona ielaAmazing food and atmosphere
Cozy, very pretty vegan eatery. Definitely try out the Latvian invented game NOVUSS - similar to pool. (closed Sundays)
30 locals recommend
Terapija Vegan Cafe
69 Bruņinieku ielaCozy, very pretty vegan eatery. Definitely try out the Latvian invented game NOVUSS - similar to pool. (closed Sundays)
24/7 canteen style eatery in case you get real hungry at night. Decent food, big portions and reasonable prices.
10 locals recommend
Lauvas nams
82 Brīvības iela24/7 canteen style eatery in case you get real hungry at night. Decent food, big portions and reasonable prices.
Latvian cuisine + live traditional music in the evenings + huuuge selection of beer
90 locals recommend
Folkklubs ALA pagrabs
19 Peldu ielaLatvian cuisine + live traditional music in the evenings + huuuge selection of beer
Daily handmade Russian dumplings (Pelmeni), run by family, usually sold out by afternoon, so get your lunch in early ;)
Pelmeņi. Mājas virtuve
1A Centrāltirgus ielaDaily handmade Russian dumplings (Pelmeni), run by family, usually sold out by afternoon, so get your lunch in early ;)
Stunning view by the canal, amazing desserts and menu overall. Good stock of craft beers
18 locals recommend
Pagalms
2B Kronvalda bulvārisStunning view by the canal, amazing desserts and menu overall. Good stock of craft beers
My favourite food place in Riga, really big portions for the price and food is nice.. My fav- goats cheese salad is usually too big to finish even for a hungry person :D live sports on TV
22 locals recommend
Burga
36 Dzirnavu ielaMy favourite food place in Riga, really big portions for the price and food is nice.. My fav- goats cheese salad is usually too big to finish even for a hungry person :D live sports on TV
Very very tasty, go for the food and selection of GIN (#99gintour) :) and quite large children's corner
38 locals recommend
Andalūzijas Suns
83 Elizabetes ielaVery very tasty, go for the food and selection of GIN (#99gintour) :) and quite large children's corner
Cydonia Gastropub
84 Dzirnavu ielaamazing lunch deals + good food all day & cool children's room
Love the location by the canal, nice vibes, quirky style + the famous eclairs and good bartenders :)
6 locals recommend
Kas dārzā
1 Radio ielaLove the location by the canal, nice vibes, quirky style + the famous eclairs and good bartenders :)
Stunning and lovely tea house with glass walls and floor seating.. favourite place to be when it's snowy outside.
11 locals recommend
Apsara Tea House
2G Tērbatas ielaStunning and lovely tea house with glass walls and floor seating.. favourite place to be when it's snowy outside.
MiiT Coffee
10 Lāčplēša ielaMy fav brunch (all you can eat pancakes) and craft coffee
Ausmeņa Kebabs
12 Skolas ielaHipster kebab shop (clean and quite fancy)
Martins' Bakery
80 Brīvības ielaSuper cheap and tasty pastry bakery (cash only)
Our fav kebab place, pretty authentic turkish food with special Saturday menu.
Foodbox , turku bistro
6A Antonijas ielaOur fav kebab place, pretty authentic turkish food with special Saturday menu.
Burgers almost next to our house (try the sweet potato fries)
11 locals recommend
Street Burgers (Blaumaņa)
10 Blaumaņa ielaBurgers almost next to our house (try the sweet potato fries)
Pica Lulū
5A Blaumaņa iela24/7 Pizza sold by a slice
This Soviet styled eatery on the edge of Mežaparks, is legendary for its quality and unfiltered beer. Pickles, bread, onions, tomato sauce, vodka or beer and shashlik! Pork, lamb and chicken is on offer most of the time (cash-only and Soviet-style customer service) :)
BBQ
22 Mores ielaThis Soviet styled eatery on the edge of Mežaparks, is legendary for its quality and unfiltered beer. Pickles, bread, onions, tomato sauce, vodka or beer and shashlik! Pork, lamb and chicken is on offer most of the time (cash-only and Soviet-style customer service) :)
Zvaigzne CAFE
6 Krišjāņa Valdemāra ielaCoffeeeee!
Stars Coffee
41 Aleksandra Čaka ielaCoffeeeee!
If you're not afraid to venture out of the city, this is the most amazing local Shashlik place
Sašliks pie Aļika, Tališu virtuve
23 Atlantijas ielaIf you're not afraid to venture out of the city, this is the most amazing local Shashlik place
Sightseeing
This is a cool area to explore. Mostly that whole spot in the middle by the water. There’s a pier where you can walk, see the view and quietly drink a beer (it’s not legal, so brown bag it). It’s a harbor and there are cool restaurants, a paintball spot, some shops
12 locals recommend
Andrejsala
This is a cool area to explore. Mostly that whole spot in the middle by the water. There’s a pier where you can walk, see the view and quietly drink a beer (it’s not legal, so brown bag it). It’s a harbor and there are cool restaurants, a paintball spot, some shops
Gorgeous building, free wifi :D Has a cafe, restaurant, some exhibitions, an IT expo., etc.. STUNNING VIEW from the top floors
41 locals recommend
National Library of Latvia
3 Mūkusalas ielaGorgeous building, free wifi :D Has a cafe, restaurant, some exhibitions, an IT expo., etc.. STUNNING VIEW from the top floors
This is right near the Vinilbars and is also a cool place during the week with music and food vendors. (mostly in Summers, check before going)
104 locals recommend
Kalnciema Quarter
35 Kalnciema IelaThis is right near the Vinilbars and is also a cool place during the week with music and food vendors. (mostly in Summers, check before going)
Both during the day and during the evening, it’s bustling with activity.
The buildings themselves used to be a hangar for Zeppelins. Inside, one of the pavilions, there is the best Pelmeni spot run by a grandmother and her grandkids.
Outside of the market there are also tons of people selling stuff. Lot’s of crap, but also old and antique soviet trinkets. I got a book of old soviet stamps here for about 20 euro. Pretty cool stuff.
Nearby check out the shop Deficīts for tacky Soviet souvenirs.
192 locals recommend
Riga Central Market
Both during the day and during the evening, it’s bustling with activity.
The buildings themselves used to be a hangar for Zeppelins. Inside, one of the pavilions, there is the best Pelmeni spot run by a grandmother and her grandkids.
Outside of the market there are also tons of people selling stuff. Lot’s of crap, but also old and antique soviet trinkets. I got a book of old soviet stamps here for about 20 euro. Pretty cool stuff.
Nearby check out the shop Deficīts for tacky Soviet souvenirs.
For 5 EUR, you can go up to the 15th floor and get a panoramic view of Riga (outdoors)
22 locals recommend
Latvian Academy of Sciences Observation deck
For 5 EUR, you can go up to the 15th floor and get a panoramic view of Riga (outdoors)
Riga is famous for being the Art Nouveau capital of Europe as they have the most art nouveau architecture. Lot’s of whimsical floral patterns, columns, architecture etc. This area has some galleries, some museums, and is also where most of the embassies are located.
13 locals recommend
Art Nouveau Building Apartment
8 Alberta ielaRiga is famous for being the Art Nouveau capital of Europe as they have the most art nouveau architecture. Lot’s of whimsical floral patterns, columns, architecture etc. This area has some galleries, some museums, and is also where most of the embassies are located.
This is a concert hall and event venue + the area itself is pretty cool as it’s right on the water (not so cool in winter). In summer - food and flea markets, live gigs and open-air cinema
17 locals recommend
Spīķeri
6 Maskavas ielaThis is a concert hall and event venue + the area itself is pretty cool as it’s right on the water (not so cool in winter). In summer - food and flea markets, live gigs and open-air cinema
Free concerts, exhibitions and 'minion' tower that lets you see Bolderāja on the other side of Daugava river. Nice day out
Ziemelblazma Culture Palace
36 Ziemeļblāzmas ielaFree concerts, exhibitions and 'minion' tower that lets you see Bolderāja on the other side of Daugava river. Nice day out
Parks & Nature
Botanical gardens (a bit of a travel out of centre, but I visit a botanical garden in each country I visit :) Sometimes they have cool concerts & events in the Palm House.
10 locals recommend
Botāniskais dārzs
Botanical gardens (a bit of a travel out of centre, but I visit a botanical garden in each country I visit :) Sometimes they have cool concerts & events in the Palm House.
Mežaparks in Latvian means - Forest Park.. And yes, it's the size of a forest, right next to the lake with several restaurants, cafes, activities for the whole family (rollerblade rental, crazy-golf), the ZOO, etc, etc. A great day out!
105 locals recommend
Mežaparks
Mežaparks in Latvian means - Forest Park.. And yes, it's the size of a forest, right next to the lake with several restaurants, cafes, activities for the whole family (rollerblade rental, crazy-golf), the ZOO, etc, etc. A great day out!
Nice walk, dog training zone, very nice cafe & restaurant (with weekend brunch) inside the park..
63 locals recommend
Rose Garden
88 Aleksandra Čaka ielaNice walk, dog training zone, very nice cafe & restaurant (with weekend brunch) inside the park..
Vermanes Garden
2D Tērbatas ielaA park nearest to the house
Really pretty and gorgeous park with a canal, little bridges, ducks, etc.
11 locals recommend
Arcadia Park
2B Ojāra Vācieša ielaReally pretty and gorgeous park with a canal, little bridges, ducks, etc.
Arts & Culture
Museum of national art, recently renovated building, beautiful to walk around, 2 great parks around and on the way to the Art Nouveau area.
171 locals recommend
Latvian National Museum Of Art
1 Jaņa Rozentāla laukumsMuseum of national art, recently renovated building, beautiful to walk around, 2 great parks around and on the way to the Art Nouveau area.
Contemporary art centre (Check what's on before going)
9 locals recommend
Kim? Laikmetīgās mākslas centrs
2 Sporta ielaContemporary art centre (Check what's on before going)
Laima Chocolate Museum
22 Miera ielaGreat for bringing kids..
Open-air ethnography museum (best in the summer season) + has a restaurant with traditional food and occasionally craft markets and traditional art festivals
57 locals recommend
The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
21 Brīvdabas ielaOpen-air ethnography museum (best in the summer season) + has a restaurant with traditional food and occasionally craft markets and traditional art festivals
MuseumLV
2 Andreja Pumpura ielaMy favourite gallery in the city, mostly free exhibitions of the local contemporary artists
ISSP Gallery
13 Marijas ielaGallery of the photography school ISSP.
Museum of cars and other motor-vehicles - great for taking kids, recently refurbished and made more interractive
43 locals recommend
Riga Motormuseum
8 Sergeja Eizenšteina ielaMuseum of cars and other motor-vehicles - great for taking kids, recently refurbished and made more interractive
Museum of illusions - pretty fun thing to do with or without children :)
Cosmos Museum of Astronomy and Space Technologies
1A Doma laukumsMuseum of illusions - pretty fun thing to do with or without children :)
Shopping
Galleria Riga
67 Dzirnavu iela Nearest grocery store from the house
Galerija Centrs
16 Audēju ielaAlfa
372 Brīvības gatveIKEA
2 Biķeru ielaStockmann
8 13. janvāra ielaFancier shopping than the rest :) gourmet food and designer clothing
Essentials
Rimi "Galleria Riga"
67 Dzirnavu ielaDrogas
15 Mārupes ielaMēness aptieka
154 Brīvības iela24/7 pharmacy