Where to eat in Riga: 6 must-try food spots you'll love

The Latvian capital impressed me in many ways, the food scene was definitely one of them. From cozy cafes to modern kitchens, Riga has so much to offer, and at an affordable price. Compared to the Western part of Europe, menu prices are must more budget friendly, but lucky for us, this does not mean you have to compromise on the quality or taste of food. So, let's see some of my favourite spots in this city.

Riga Central Market

Before you dive into Riga’s food scene, it’s worth remembering that great meals are part of travelling slowly and staying grounded. If you enjoy building small moments of calm into your trips, you can download my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder — a gentle resource with simple routines, grounding rituals, and check-ins to help you feel more present and at ease wherever you’re exploring.

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KŪŪK

Let's start with some caffeine! This central spot is perfect for a morning coffee and some pastry. The interior is beautiful, and the atmosphere is cozy. You can also work from here, in case you are looking for a remote work spot.

Delicious coffee, cakes...

...and a cozy atmosphere!

Cadets de Gascogne

Another spot where you can fuel up before a busy day of exploring Riga. I especially loved the big windows of this one, as it is overlooking some of the central part of the city, it is the perfect spot for a slow morning and watching people pass by.

See what I meant about the big windows?

This was in winter, but I imagine the decoration is pretty and fitting all year round!

Baltā Casa

This was the best food I had in Riga! Baltā Casa is a modern Latvian restaurant offering some well known dishes and also, local, Latvian food. The interior is clean and modern, service is wonderful and the food is simply incredible. We went at dinner time, but you can visit this place for breakfast and lunch too! I think I will definitely come back for more on my next visit.

I tried the fish soup, which was so delicious, nothing like I've ever tried before!

I also loved the modern, chic design of the restaurant

Herbārijs, kafejnīca

If you are looking for a place with nice interiors and a great view, you will love this food spot! The restaurant is filled with plants, giving it a very cozy and homey feel, The staff were attentive and nice, and the prices were affordable. I especially enjoyed the alcohol-free wine, it was one of the best I've ever had!

I tried the butter-fried pear and marinated fennel salad, it was perfect for a tasty, but light dinner!

Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah

This hotel restaurant was on my saved food spots list before visiting Riga, but I did not expect what a lifesaver this place would be. You see, to get to the Latvian capital we flew early in the morning from Vilnius, landing at Riga airport at around 6.40am, on a Sunday! So early that there was no way we could check in at our accommodation yet, and there were no cafes open at this tome of the day. That's when I figured (and this is a top travel tip if you are in similar shoes) that the Grand Poet Hotel offers a buffet type of breakfast. This was such a blessing, when you're trying to find somewhere to stay on a cold, dark winter day. This price was not as budget friendly as other spots in Riga (€30 per person), but if you have time to kill, it definitely makes sense. The food was amazing, I especially loved the cake options for breakfast! The kitchen of this hotel is known to serve amazing lunch and dinner menus, so I would definitely recommend trying those too, if you have the time.

Of course, this is more of a continental breakfast, but through the different options you get to try local cheeses, meats, fish and pickles!

Riga Central Market

I saved the most versatile one last! This market is a perfect activity to do in Riga, and a way to try different cuisines and local dishes and delicacies. The space if filled with many food stands offering dishes from many parts of the world and also some local bites. You can definitely kill some time here and look around, as beyond food, the market has many other sections such as clothes, fresh fruit and veg, shows etc.

The market is filled with colours

The lady selling these recommended trying the pork one of these local, fried dough products, and she was not wrong. Definitely give it a try when you visit!

Hope you enjoyed my list of where to eat in Riga, I absolutely loved the culinary experiences that this city has to offer. Riga is the perfect spot to explore the Baltic kitchen and learn more about the local dishes.