Guidebook for Rīga
Food Scene
A great place for a coffee and cake, and wonderful conversations. It is peaceful and right in the heart of the Old Town.
11 locals recommend
Parunāsim kafe'teeka
4 Mazā Pils ielaA great place for a coffee and cake, and wonderful conversations. It is peaceful and right in the heart of the Old Town.
Fazenda
7 Nometņu ielaNice place for a meal.
Small cafe not far away from the apartment. One can find breakfast, lunch, cakes, coffee and other snacks there.
Lapsas Māja
28 Tērbatas ielaSmall cafe not far away from the apartment. One can find breakfast, lunch, cakes, coffee and other snacks there.
Great place for groups, meeting friends, having a good meal and, if available, live music. Located in Berga Bazars.
38 locals recommend
Andalūzijas Suns
83 Elizabetes ielaGreat place for groups, meeting friends, having a good meal and, if available, live music. Located in Berga Bazars.
Hipstery place that offers not only coffee, but also meals, cakes and salads.
There is a souvenir shop "Muhamors" just near it.
58 locals recommend
MiiT Coffee
10 Lāčplēša ielaHipstery place that offers not only coffee, but also meals, cakes and salads.
There is a souvenir shop "Muhamors" just near it.
Not really a "restaurant", but offers very good quality/halthy food (cooked meals, snacks, cakes, coffee) for affordable prices.
16 locals recommend
Terra
9 Blaumaņa ielaNot really a "restaurant", but offers very good quality/halthy food (cooked meals, snacks, cakes, coffee) for affordable prices.
Largest market in Europe (so they say!). Visit to buy fresh groceries - vegetables, fish, diary, etc. The local producers are located further in the outdoor market or in the halls.
192 locals recommend
Riga Central Market
Largest market in Europe (so they say!). Visit to buy fresh groceries - vegetables, fish, diary, etc. The local producers are located further in the outdoor market or in the halls.
Medieval restaurant - food, decoration and outfits of the staff are as it used to be in the Medieval times. You may even hear some live medieval style tunes there!
31 locals recommend
Rozengrāls
Rozena ielaMedieval restaurant - food, decoration and outfits of the staff are as it used to be in the Medieval times. You may even hear some live medieval style tunes there!
Kanela konditoreja , konditoreja-kafejnica
84 Dzirnavu ielaBecause muffins are always a good choice :)
Nice little spot for a short break.
16 locals recommend
Muffins and More
9 Ģertrūdes ielaBecause muffins are always a good choice :)
Nice little spot for a short break.
Fazenda Bazars , restorans
14 Baznīcas ielaFine dine restaurant. Among the best and oldest in Riga. The chef - Mr. Vincents - is the promoter of slow food in Latvia.
Many Latvians will remember his TV show that run for years and years and always ended with a phrase: "What can be better than this?!"
For reservations: http://www.restorans.lv/en/
50 locals recommend
Vincents Restaurant
19 Elizabetes ielaFine dine restaurant. Among the best and oldest in Riga. The chef - Mr. Vincents - is the promoter of slow food in Latvia.
Many Latvians will remember his TV show that run for years and years and always ended with a phrase: "What can be better than this?!"
For reservations: http://www.restorans.lv/en/
36. Line Grill Restaurant
2B Baznīcas ielaA small, traditional restaurant by the beach. You will probably see no tourists in the area of Jurmala.
23 locals recommend
Kūriņš
47 Kaugurciema ielaA small, traditional restaurant by the beach. You will probably see no tourists in the area of Jurmala.
Shopping
Food and clothing. The closest large mall reachable by car or a longer walk.
69 locals recommend
TK Spice
29 Lielirbes ielaFood and clothing. The closest large mall reachable by car or a longer walk.
Clothing, groceries and cafes. Nice shopping centre in the Old Town.
216 locals recommend
Galerija Centrs
16 Audēju ielaClothing, groceries and cafes. Nice shopping centre in the Old Town.
A little bit more pricey shopping mall (for Riga standards!) that hosts a good grocery store that will offer better quality or rare finds.
78 locals recommend
Stockmann
8 13. janvāra ielaA little bit more pricey shopping mall (for Riga standards!) that hosts a good grocery store that will offer better quality or rare finds.
Nicest/modern crafts in Riga.
"La Kanna" cafe for brunch/lunch is right across the street.
22 locals recommend
RIIJA
6/8 Tērbatas ielaNicest/modern crafts in Riga.
"La Kanna" cafe for brunch/lunch is right across the street.
Getting Around
Plenty of transport options back to the apartment from "13. janvara iela" bus/tram stop. One can buy tickets in "Narvesen" kiosks there.
13. janvāra iela
13. janvāra ielaPlenty of transport options back to the apartment from "13. janvara iela" bus/tram stop. One can buy tickets in "Narvesen" kiosks there.
Lidosta "Rīga"
Airport. Takes about 45min to 1h to get to/from the city centre by bus.
Essentials
Mēness aptieka
32 Mazā Nometņu iela24/7 phamacy
Rimi
46 Krišjāņa Barona ielaMedium size grocery store.
Drogas
15 Mārupes ielaYou can buy toiletries, cosmetics, detergents, etc there.
I hope you do not need to visit a doctor while in Riga, but this is the most convenient private clinic in case you do need:
http://ars-med.lv/en/
If possible (not urgent), rather make a call for an appointment.
7 locals recommend
ARS Medicine center
5 Skolas ielaI hope you do not need to visit a doctor while in Riga, but this is the most convenient private clinic in case you do need:
http://ars-med.lv/en/
If possible (not urgent), rather make a call for an appointment.
Hairdressers, mani&pedi, beauty treatments, massages, and a sports centre.
Located on the 5th floor of shopping mall "Galerija Centrs".
Good level of service and very often you will be able to make an appointment on a short notice.
The also have many branches across Riga if required.
For appointments: http://www.kolonna.com/en/our-services/
KOLONNA DAY SPA Domina
3 Ieriķu ielaHairdressers, mani&pedi, beauty treatments, massages, and a sports centre.
Located on the 5th floor of shopping mall "Galerija Centrs".
Good level of service and very often you will be able to make an appointment on a short notice.
The also have many branches across Riga if required.
For appointments: http://www.kolonna.com/en/our-services/
Parks & Nature
I love this park. A calm place between Old Town and Art Noveau/Jugendstil quartier.
87 locals recommend
Kronvalda Park
12 Kalpaka bulvārisI love this park. A calm place between Old Town and Art Noveau/Jugendstil quartier.
Great place to spend with kids. Check what is on before you go: http://www.botanika.lu.lv/eng/
24 locals recommend
Latvian University Botanical Garden
2 Kandavas ielaGreat place to spend with kids. Check what is on before you go: http://www.botanika.lu.lv/eng/
Uzvaras parks
Nearest park. Space to chill after a longer day.
Best place to go for the beach if you require also some cafes and restaurants. Please ask me for less touristy/secret spots :)
13 locals recommend
Majori
Best place to go for the beach if you require also some cafes and restaurants. Please ask me for less touristy/secret spots :)
Great place to spend a day outdoors. To see very old architecture, find some souvenirs and a traditional restaurant. Often, especially during summer, it hosts markets and events.
Bus Nr 1 will take you there if you don't have a car.
Check what's on before you decide to go: http://www.brivdabasmuzejs.lv/lv/language
57 locals recommend
The Ethinographic Open Air Museum Lativa
21 Brīvdabas ielaGreat place to spend a day outdoors. To see very old architecture, find some souvenirs and a traditional restaurant. Often, especially during summer, it hosts markets and events.
Bus Nr 1 will take you there if you don't have a car.
Check what's on before you decide to go: http://www.brivdabasmuzejs.lv/lv/language
Great for a day out in nature. The area has an old castle, a park, forest, small caves and river Gauja with a small beach down in the valley.
26 locals recommend
Turaida Castle
10 Turaidas ielaGreat for a day out in nature. The area has an old castle, a park, forest, small caves and river Gauja with a small beach down in the valley.
If you have forgotten how an absolutely calm, quiet and pure place feels, this is a great place to visit. You will need to drive through a forest road to reach the lake, from there take a walk as per indications and be not afraid to go into the meadows to see the horses.
P.S. There are a bunch of fisherman villages along the road from Riga to Engure lake that offer freshly cooked fish and local produce.
Also, stop at Plienciems for a white, sandy less crowded beach (off the main road and through the village)
Engures ezera dabas parka fonds
If you have forgotten how an absolutely calm, quiet and pure place feels, this is a great place to visit. You will need to drive through a forest road to reach the lake, from there take a walk as per indications and be not afraid to go into the meadows to see the horses.
P.S. There are a bunch of fisherman villages along the road from Riga to Engure lake that offer freshly cooked fish and local produce.
Also, stop at Plienciems for a white, sandy less crowded beach (off the main road and through the village)
Sightseeing
Art Noveau/Jugenstil quartier. Must see in Riga for architecture lovers. A few of the nicest restaurants/cafes are located there too.
86 locals recommend
Albert Street
10 Alberta ielaArt Noveau/Jugenstil quartier. Must see in Riga for architecture lovers. A few of the nicest restaurants/cafes are located there too.
St. Peter's Church
1 Reformācijas LaukumsSee Riga from above! Wonderful spot for sightseeing.
Drinks & Nightlife
Located on the 26th floor of a hotel. Offers great views over Riga. Great cocktails, party music and international crowds. It charges a small entrance fee that includes a welcome drink.
91 locals recommend
Skyline bar
55 Elizabetes ielaLocated on the 26th floor of a hotel. Offers great views over Riga. Great cocktails, party music and international crowds. It charges a small entrance fee that includes a welcome drink.
B-bars
2 Doma laukums