Latvia » Dining in Riga

Latvian cuisine comes from the peasant culture, and is based on crops that grow in Latvia's temperate climate. Rye, peas, beets, and potatoes are the staples; smoked bacon, sausage, and other pork products are favourites. Since Latvia is surrounded by the sea, smoked and raw fish is also available. Lots of things are flavoured with caraway seeds, especially cheese and bread. A cheese similar to smoked gouda, but more soft, is the cheapest and, arguably, tastiest variety. Latvian rye bread is heavy and flavourful, and goes well with hearty Latvian meals like pea soup, potatoes, and schnitzels (karbonades). Restaurants in larger cities often offer stews in clay pots.

Latvian cuisine is typical for temperate and northern countries, high on butter, fat, and grains, low on spice. If you are from the Mediterranean, you will find it bland, but if you come from England or Russia or the Midwestern US, you won't have trouble getting used to it. A more exotic Latvian dish is a sweet soup made from rye bread (maizeszupe).

 

Some specific food only available in this area: Biezpiena sierins curd actually, but with sweet taste, Kefirs specific diary product (vegetarian), Kiselis served for desert (vegetarian). Other mentionable food and dishes: Smoked cheese goes very well with wine, Eclair cake with sweet cream inside, Eel fish that looks like a snake, Frikadelu zupa meatball soup with bullion (high fat), Biesu zupa red coloured beetroot soup (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), Rosols - salad with sour cream, usually non-vegetarian, Kotletes meatballs served with potatoes, Gailenu merce - mushroom sauce, usually served with potatoes.

Latvian food tends to be rather heavy, using a lot of potato, cabbage, beef, pork and fish. Riga as the most vibrant and cosmopolitan city of the Baltic's offers countless opportunities to sample both local cuisine and international favourites. There are even plenty of sushi restaurants. If you want to eat cheap, try "Cili Pica" (pronounced like Chilli pizza). They have several restaurants. One is on the ground floor of Stockman shopping mall near central station. Another is next to the freedom monument. You'll get nice pizzas for a very good price. Lido is another chain of restaurants, where you can get lots of food for good prices simply by pointing at it. The Lido Entertainment Centre operates a bus to and from Riga; the centre itself provides buffet-style dining, live music and other amusements. If you're splashing out try Vincent's Restaurant which compares favourably to any up market western restaurant at twice the price.