One thing that continually impresses me about Riga is its well-developed cafe scene. First-time visitors to the city might be surprised to find expertly-brewed coffee, delectable pastries, and free WiFi at nearly every turn. Many cafes offer affordable business lunch sets of two or three courses for less than 10 euros, without sacrificing quality. But with so many outstanding options, how can you choose? After eating my way across the city, these are what I consider to be the best cafes in Riga.
Don’t see you favorite mentioned below? It’s probably on my list of Riga’s best bakeries.
I wasn’t much of a coffee drinker before moving to Europe, but that has certainly changed. The reason? A.L.L. Cappuccino. This tiny espresso bar was recommended by nearly everyone I met, and is always packed even late into the night. And once I tried one of their cappuccinos, it was easy to see why. The smooth, rich coffee is topped with towering peaks of foam, making it as fun to drink as it is delicious.
The queen of Riga’s cafe scene is tucked away in the Art Nouveau district a few steps from the magnificent buildings on Albert Street. Art Cafe Sienna exudes old world charm, with its elegant antique furnishings and courteous waitstaff. The windowsills are stacked high with vintage art books and white gloves are available should you wish to flip through one. Sienna’s mouthwatering quiches and tarts come from Vincents, one of the best restaurants in town. Prices here are a little high, but it’s a lovely way to treat yourself.
There are two locations of this cozy tea house tucked within Riga’s leafy parks. Both feature expansive windows to maximize the view, making them the perfect place to rest and recharge. Simply choose your tea from the dozens on offer and recline on pillows strewn about the floor. The staff will bring the tea to you!
A swath of central Riga between Gertrudes and Stabu iela has become packed with dining options in the last few years. Cafeterius Riga beckons customers with its cozy window nooks and keeps them happy with outstanding service and tasty treats. I followed the advice of the friendly gal behind the counter and tried their homemade Riga Black Balsam Currant cake. I encourage everyone to do the same – it’s fabulous! Quiches, salads, and sandwiches are also available.
With its rustic atmosphere and mismatched antiques, Fazenda feels as welcoming as Grandma’s house. The extensive menu of soups, salads, and salads makes this one of my favorite spots for lunch in Riga. And I always end the meal with a slice of marzipan ice cream cake. It’s the best dessert in town!
Index Cafe is a dependably choice if you want a simple pre-made sandwich or wrap. If you want to pair a sandwich with soup at lunchtime, you can do so for the bargain price of €4.60. A more robust business lunch menu is also available.
According to online reviews, Innocent Cafe has the best coffee in Riga because it serves the Illy brand. While I prefer the brews at some of the other places on this list, I am a big fan of Innocent’s hearty two-course Latvian lunch specials. If cold beet soup is on the menu, order it! Innocent Cafe also boasts an ample breakfast buffet every day of the week.
KD Konditoreja
I popped into this unassuming place near the Powder Tower by chance and it was love at first bite. KD Konditoreja offers an array of freshly baked pastries, like the strawberry and custard croissant pictured below that had me swooning. The cafe also offers affordably-priced breakfast and lunch dishes like omelettes and potato pancakes.
Come twelve o’clock, in-the-know Rigans flock to La Kanna for its excellent-value business lunch and well-stocked bar. The Mediterranean- and Asian-inspired menu is a light and healthy alternative to some of the stodgier local fare. I’m a big fan of La Kanna’s risottos!
Makonis (which means “cloud” in Latvian) is the cornerstone of the Stabu iela food scene. I stop by often to partake of the tasty lunch specials and outrageously delicious cheesecake. On weekends, Makonis causes a sensation with all-you-can-eat waffles and it’s fun brunch cocktails. The cafe is so popular, a second location has opened in the newly trendy Teika neighborhood.
Vegetarians and vegans take note! Miit serves up healthful and creative fare seven days a week, though is particularly popular for its all-you-can-eat pancake brunches on Saturdays and Sundays.There is an endless supply of crepes in a variety of flavors (plain, beet, carrot, chocolate, etc) along with hot and cold salads, dips, veggies, and fruit. Everything is so plentiful and filling, even carnivores will leave sated. Promise!
The menu at Mr. Fox proves that food can be both healthy and delicious. Salads and Buddha bowls feature whole grains, organic produce, and I like that you can customize most dishes to suit your tastes. Vegan and gluten-free options are plentiful, though you can also add chicken, fish, and eggs. This is my new favorite place for breakfast in Riga.
Housed in a formerly derelict sports building next to some tennis courts, Pagalms is a surprisingly chic cafe. Pagalms has become a peaceful spot to while away an afternoon over coffee or lunch, especially when the weather is warm enough to sit outside on the terrace. I’m a fan of the cafe’s wholesome lunch sets and weekend brunch plates.
Parunasim bills itself as “the most romantic cafe in Riga.” I don’t know if that’s true, but Parunasim does have one of the best locations. The cafe is hidden within an alcove of St. Jacob’s Church, which dates to the Middle Ages. Pricing, though, is definitely 21st century. The creamy fruit pies here are delightful, and go equally well with coffee or wine.
Caffee Pasedet immediately grabs your attention thanks to its quaint half-timber facade. The interior is just as striking, with brightly colored retro decor. In addition to an excellent value business lunch set (two courses and a soda for €5.30), Pasedet serves a variety of soups, salads, and pastas.
Not really convenient to anything, Pietura is a neighborhood cafe well-worth seeking out. I was first taken there by a Latvian food blogger and we were both impressed by the fresh food and large portion sizes. Bonus: the staff often have the TV turned to Animal Planet, my favorite channel.
Since its grand opening in 2015, Rocket Bean has skyrocketed (see what I did there?) to number one cafe status thanks to its fantastic coffee and bright convivial atmosphere. During the week Rocket Bean dishes up business lunch sets and breakfast on weekends. But the real draw is the coffee, which is sourced directly from growers around the world and roasted on site. According to Rocket Bean’s owner, Martins, “coffee is like bread: it’s better when it’s fresh out of the oven.” Couldn’t agree more! A second more-convenient location has opened on Dzirnavu iela.
Rocket Bean finally has a worthy competitor in the coffee brewing game. Strada roasts its beans on site and knowledgeable baristas can make recommendations based on your tastes and mood. Even better are Strada’s desserts – the strawberry cake was so good I considered having another slice!
In 1910, Vilhelms Kuze opened a confection shop in Riga and soon became one of the city’s largest chocolate producers. While the unfortunate Kuze died in a Soviet labor camp in 1941, his name – and his chocolate – lives on at the charming V. Kuze cafe. Here you can sample chocolate truffles, marzipan figures, assorted cakes, and pastries in vintage 1930s style. V. Kuze also has the best hot chocolate in Riga!
Which do you think are the best cafes in Riga?
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I wish I had this list a couple months ago…maybe next time!
Yes, the guide books for Latvia are sorely lacking in cafe and restaurant recommendations. I’ve made it my personal mission to try out as many places as possible. Blogging is hard work 🙂
You’ve got some of my favourites in this list – I love to sit outside of Aspara in the summer and All Cappuccino is just so cute and cosy! I’ll keep in mind to check out some others from this list next time I’m in Riga. 🙂
My all time favourite, though, not only in Riga but in the whole wide world is Innocent Cafe in Blaumana iela 34. My “home cafe” last summer was Žanna in Tomsona 2 (just the perfect quiet corner, although I didn’t like their coffee so much :/), I used to spend hours there working as I didn’t really have wifi at home. Other than that I also love some of the places in the “embassy district” if you know where that is. So many great lunch spots, such as MiiT, Caffee Pasedet and Trusis Kafe (there are more but I can’t remember all the names). Plus they post their lunch offers on Facebook every day so I would just pick out my meal at work and run when I had the time.
I miss Riga so much! :'( 😀
Wow, Innocent Cafe is your favorite in the whole world? That’s some praise! I’ll definitely have to check that place out, along with the others you’ve mentioned. I have been to Trusis to try their coffee, which someone else recommended, but I was turned off by the complete lack of baked goods. I can’t drink coffee with out some sort of cake or pastry. I still need to try their lunch offerings. I’ve also been to Miit, but only for their pancake brunch. There’s too many places from which to choose!
Any plans to return to Riga?
I won’t be up north until the second half of this year but when there I always make an excuse to go on a weekend getaway to Riga. I’ll just see where life brings me. Also I’d love to spend new year’s there!
By the way, I remembered a couple more. Check out Piens (also a nice nightlife spot for some sangria) and the Valmiermuiža beer store/bar for some nice Latvian beer.
I’ve been to the Valmiermuiza place – great food in the restaurant and interesting craft beers! I’ll add Piens to my list of places to try soon 🙂
Ooh, I’m definitely bookmarking this post! We might (fingers crossed) be going to Riga this summer and I’d love to try these places out, especially Aspara Tea House – looks like my kind of joint! Lovely. Thanks for this compilation!
Ooh, I do hope you visit! I’d happily enjoy some tea with you at Aspara! Keep me posted on your plans 🙂
Ok, I’m ready to plan my visit!
Just say when! The guest room is ready 🙂
Rigensis was my favorite. I think we were there three times. The peanut desert I got was to die for! I will come back to Riga just for that desert 🙂 I remember Index Cafe, and a place in Old Town where we got chocolate cheesecake. That place was very good but I guess it’s considered a restaurant and not a cafe. Riga has such a wide selection. Here, I think we have one or two and they are not very good. I love Europe!!!!
I’ll definitely be talking about the chocolate cheesecake place in another post!
So many interesting and nice cafes in Riga, I particularly like the look of the Aspara Tea House, it’s such a unique place to stop by 🙂
I love that tea house, such great people watching from those big windows 🙂
I’ve just learned about a new vegan restaurant that is supposed to be amazing. I’ll be sure to include it in my next cafe round-up!
Thank you for this post 🙂 It’s very helpful indeed , sienna caffee is on my wish list , just waiting for the summer when I am back home in RÄ«ga 🙂
All cappuccino is amazing , I went there by a chance and every time when I am in RÄ«ga It’s one of the places I am looking forward to sip a cup of delicious latte 🙂
http://ellinelledaydreams.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/arbooz-kafe-in-riga-and-sneak-peak-into.html
Also you should try fazenda bazaar http://ellinelledaydreams.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/fazenda-bazaar-in-riga.html
I loved it 🙂
Thanks, Elina! Now I’m even more excited to try out Fazenda this week!! 🙂
All Cappuccino seems perfect to me! I am a big fan of skinny latte so I guess I would spend hours there blogging and sipping my coffee…
You’d have good company, Agness! 🙂
Very impressive list, Heather! All of these places look and sound wonderful. My week in Riga last year was far too short, and sadly did not include any of these cafes. I have been to Fazenda for a late night after-theater snack and drink, so cannot say anything about their coffee. If you have any visitors who need to avoid gluten, then do pick up something from ‘Tira Maize’ (http://www.tiramaize.lv/?lang=en). Although not convenient for you, nor a place to hang out, for anyone who cannot eat gluten-free, it’s a fantastic place.
You’ll just have to come back, Daina! 😉
Thanks for the gluten-free tip. I’ve also learned about a new vegan place that I need to try. It would be nice to include some alternative options in my next round up!
Caffienated chocolate milk?! Yes please! I LOVE this post, these cafes are all so gorgeous, and it looks like you really experimented with new foods and beverages at each one! Hard to believe you weren’t much of a coffee drinker before going to Europe!;-)
It’s kind of hard for me to believe, too, considering I now drink coffee nearly every morning 🙂
These places all look rather wonderful Heather. You’ve done a lovely job and where there’s cake, I’m there! I will be in Riga in a few weeks, and I can’t wait!
Thanks, Victoria! I’ll be more than happy to meet you at any one of them 😉
Another handy post. I’m really looking forward to going back to Riga now.
Just wait until I do my restaurant guide! 🙂
I love this! I am so glad you put this list together. I can’t wait to try some of these!
I can’t wait to put together part two!
I’ve started researching for my upcoming trip and your blog is my go-to source for Riga, haha. I’ll probably send you a mail with some questions soon. Could we meet at Rigensis on July 26 or 27 though? 😀
I’d love to meet up, but will be in Sweden on those days. Are those the only two days you’ll be here? And I’ll be happy to answer any of your questions 🙂
Hi there – I am so glad I found your page!! I am doing a 10 day tour of the Baltics with my mother next month and we are doing Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallin and Riga, found your website very informative as I am so much into food, architecture and the cultural aspects of travel. I have been to 40 countries so far, and I am planning of also starting a blog, along with my soon to be Holistic Nutrition site – however as you say its a lot of work!! Only started instagram so far….. I was also wondering if you have a restaurant guide for Riga? Thank you, Jacqui
Hi Jacqui, I’m so excited for you! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Baltics and think they are a perfect destination for anyone who loves architecture, history and food! I’ve received several requests for Riga restaurant recommendations lately so am planning to share a blog post in the next few weeks, just in time for your trip! If you enter your email address in the “subscribe” box on my website, you’ll receive the new posts in your inbox. (I never send ANY spam or anything other than new blog posts.) Otherwise, be sure to check back before your trip! And definitely let me know if you have any questions about Riga or Tallinn. – Heather
Hi, thank you for a great blog!
I am going to Riga on holiday in late July and was wondering if you have any restaurant recommendations? I’m going with my inlaws so Im trying to find some really nice restaurants 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Christian, I’ve gotten several requests for a Riga restaurant guide so am planning to put one up on the blog in the next few weeks. So definitely check back before your trip! You can also enter your email address in the “subscribe” box and receive new posts in your inbox. (No spam, ever.) I hope you enjoy your trip!