World City Guide

Restaurants

The restaurants below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over Ls35)
$$$ (Ls20 to Ls35)
$$ (Ls10 to Ls20)
$ (up to Ls10)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one and include drinks, tax and service.

Gastronomic

Bergs
As good as it gets in Latvia; a fine dining oasis that would not be out of place in New York or London. While the staff look immaculate and the décor is spot on thankfully it is not all just for show as they manage to produce on the plate too. The current ‘in’ spot amongst the local cognoscenti.

Elizabetes 83/85, Hotel Bergs
Tel: 777 0900.
Website: www.hotelbergs.lv
Price: $$$$

Vincents
With one of Latvia’s most famous chefs, Martins Ritins, at the helm, this is still one of the best places to enjoy creative fine dining in Riga. Local business people and political movers and shakers have been joined over the years by visiting celebrities such as Elton John. Service as satisfying as the food.

Elizabetes 19
Tel: 733 2830.
Website: www.vincents.lv
Price: $$$$

Zivju Restorans
Easily the city’s best seafood restaurant, Zivju offers trout, eel and lobster straight from the pond (literally as it is in the restaurant). This freshness is backed up by creative cooking and knowledgeable service, making this a great venue for a culinary splurge. Off the main room are a trio of more private spaces, ideal for those entertaining or looking to tie up business deals. Not cheap but well worth it.

Vagnera 4
Tel: 721 6713.
Website: www.zivjurestorans.lv
Price: $$$$

Business

Columbine
Geared towards Scandinavian business people, which is no bad thing given their taste for high quality ingredients served up with a dash of flair. The cuisine rims around the Baltic, taking on culinary influences from all of the Nordic nations and presents them with a friendly smile.

Aspazijas 36/38, Metropole Hotel
Tel: 721 6161.
Website: www.metropole.lv
Price: $$$

Piramida
On its day, one of the best places in Riga for a business lunch or dinner. Problems with poor service and inconsistent cooking remain, but the refined setting is conducive to doing business and it is a favourite of local business people and perhaps more importantly for anyone looking to impress them.

Reimersa 1, Hotel Ridzene
Tel: 732 4433.
Price: $$$$

Seasons
A suitably grand restaurant in what many rate as the city’s finest hotel. The menu changes with the season as the name suggests, making it a year round favourite of the local business community right in the heart of the old town. A good place to sample fresh local produce.

Piles 12, Hotel Grand Palace
Tel: 704 4000.
Website: www.schlossle-hotels.com
Price: $$$$

Trendy

Fellini
Arguably the best Italian in Riga, this is a fashionable place to dine and be dined. The Fellini cinematic theme is pleasantly understated while the chef is actually from Naples, giving Fellini the edge over its rivals who often only guess at what real Italian cooking involves. A highlight is the first-rate homemade pasta. One of the few places in town that serves the hallowed truffle.

Berga Bazars, Marijas
Tel: 728 4801.
Price: $$$

Kabuki
Perhaps the best of the string of new venues that has helped make sushi all the rage in Riga. The choice is between ordering off the menu or just grabbing anything that tempts from the constantly moving conveyor belt. The light and crisp Japanese beers also make a pleasant change from the strong and heavy local brews.

Barona 14
Tel: 728 2052.
Price: $$$

Light
They don’t like being called a fusion restaurant, but that is the phrase that best sums up this modern and appealing space. The menu circles around various parts of Europe before delving east into Thailand with consistent quality across the cuisines at relatively impressive prices. Good cocktails too.
Dzirnavu 84/1
Tel: 728 1420.
Price: $$

Budget

Mazie Balti Krekli
The musical theme with guitars drooping from the walls and musical scores on the tables can be a bit much for some, but the portions of hearty Latvian food are exceedingly generous and also good value. Unpretentious and fun without any real sense of style or class.

Kaleku 54
Tel: 722 5071.
Price: $

Palmeni XL
Palmeni is a doughy Russian dumpling that works very well with the variety of delicious fillings on offer at this unassuming old town eatery. Open until 0400, making it particularly popular with the local clubbing set. Handy for anyone in a hurry or on a rock bottom budget.

Kalku 7
Tel: 722 2728.
Price: $

Staburags
Excellent Latvian beer accompanies the heart-busting Latvian food at this popular eatery. Portions are big but prices modest at a venue that is popular both with locals and tourists. Be warned - don’t try to drink from the jugs at the table as they are actually meant for your leftover bones.

Caka 55
Tel: 729 9787.
Price: $

Personal Recommendations

Nostalgija
Drift back to the Soviet era and pretend you are a communist apparatchik. Old world chandeliers, suitably grumpy service and a Russian themed menu have the local Russian population flocking in. A world away from the city’s trendy new eateries.

Kalku 22
Tel: 722 2338.
Price: $$

Rozengrals
New theme restaurant in the old town, opened in May 2005, which carries off a medieval ambience better than most. Dine on old Baltic favourites served by costumed staff in an experience that is much more enjoyable than it sounds. Cheesy sometimes but always enjoyable and great for first-time visitors.

Rozena 1
Tel: 722 4748.
Website: www.rozengrals.lv
Price: $$

Steak House Dome
The Dome has long held a reputation for serving up the city’s finest steaks and it seldom disappoints. A bonus for English speakers is that there is an ex-pat dinner every month on the second Wednesday. The steaks are almost as big as the bay windows that allow you to peer out on to an old town street.

Smilsi Iela 2
Tel: 732 0037.
Website: www.steakhousedome.lv
Price: $$$