Riga has so many fabulous dining options that it can be hard to choose between them. My original list of the city’s top restaurants – which you can find here – skews towards the higher end. But good food doesn’t always have to be expensive! This post ranks many more restaurants in Riga, including some budget-friendly and vegetarian options. (Pricing information and addresses can be found at the bottom of this post.) Know of other spots that deserve a place in this list? Be sure to share them in the comments!
- Bon Vivant Belgian Beer Cafe
- Easy Wine Restaurant & Bar
- Entresol
- Fat Pumpkin Vegan Restaurant
- Foodbox Turkish Bistro
- Forest
- Indian Raja
- LIDO
- Maja
- Moltto Grill & Wine Bar
- Monterosso
- Muusu Restorans
- Naples
- Rossini
- Singh’s Indian Restaurant
- Stockpot
- Valmiermuiza Beer Kitchen
- Zivju Lete
Bon Vivant
Riga’s best (only?) Belgian restaurant, Bon Vivant, is the place to go to satisfy your hankering for a steaming pot mussels. (Try the Leffe Blonde version – it’s my favorite!) The classic pub also boasts several dozen Belgian brews, all with their official corresponding glasses, which, as we all know, makes the beer taste even better.
Easy Wine
You might be surprised to find a wine bar in this list, but the food at Easy Wine is top notch. The menu offers a wide array of tapas and bruschettas, as well as salads, pastas, and more substantial plates. Everything is meant to pair with one of the dozens of wines on tap. The wines are stored in special compartments with dispensers that allow you to taste whichever ones you like. Simply insert Easy Wine’s card into the slot, then choose your wine and pour size. Genius!
Entresol
For a little taste of France head to Entresol. Award-winning head chef Raimonds Zommers has created an innovative compilation of canapes which perfectly compliment his heartier fare. While the menu changes often, past winners have included a scallop served elegantly in its shell, creamy potato soup, and foie gras with chorizo. Entresol also offers a business lunch which comes with your choice of two canapes plus a full-size main course.
Fat Pumpkin
Vegetables are the star at Fat Pumpkin, and this carnivore was impressed. I even enjoyed the vegan mayo that came with my portobello burger! The restaurant is known for its burgers, but there is something for just about everyone. The raw cakes and tarts looked especially tempting, but I was too stuffed by the end of the meal to try them.
Foodbox
Think you can’t get good doner kebab or falafel in Riga? Think again! This popular eatery next door to the Swedish Embassy turns out tasty Turkish fare, from lavash wraps to heaping platters of falafel and iskender kebab. Thanks to its convenient location, Foodbox is packed come lunchtime. An outdoor terrace is open during warmer months, and delivery is also an option.
Forest
For an elegant pre-theater meal, I suggest Forest Restaurant. It is located across the canal from the Opera House, and service is fast by Riga standards. Another reason: the seasonal international cuisine is as pretty as it is scrumptious. Reservations are essential.
Indian Raja
Spicy food can be hard to come by in Riga, which is surprising since it can be a great way to warm up on a chilly Baltic night. Thankfully, Indian Raja turns up the heat with some truly fiery curries. Some of the dishes are so hot that the Latvian waitresses will actually warn you against ordering them! Don’t listen.
LIDO
If you want to experience authentic Latvian home cooking, your best bet is to head to one of the many LIDO restaurants located around Riga. Don’t be put off by the cafeteria-style atmosphere – the food here is delicious, and the affordable prices mean you can sample many different items without breaking the bank. Simply grab a tray and fill it with as much as you can carry. Everything I loaded on the tray pictured cost around €10 in all. LIDO has many locations, including one at the airport, but my favorite is Lido Vermanitis on Elizabetes iela.
Maja
Maja, which is Latvian for “house,” is located across the river in Riga’s Kalnciema Quarter, a neighborhood known for its wooden Art Nouveau architecture and Saturday craft market. The restaurant is tucked inside a restored wooden home , and dining there feels almost intimate. The menu features farm-fresh local produce and game in addition to some innovative Continental fare. A discounted business lunch menu makes Maja popular during the week, so it’s best to book ahead.
Moltto Grill
If any of the best restaurants from my original list falters, Moltto will be the first to take its place. Grilled meats and fish are the specialty here, accompanied by a tantalizing array of roasted veggies and interesting sauces. Be sure to ask about wine pairings from the knowledgeable staff!
Monterosso
Riga’s first Italian restaurant continues to impress diners more than a decade after its debut, with classic Italian fare served up in fine European style. Monterosso’s stunning dining room and impeccable service hearkens back to the golden 1930s, while the delectable food whisks you away to the Amalfi Coast. I was very happy with my selections off the seasonal specials menu, though the regular options are equally satisfying. Be sure to save room for dessert!
Muusu
Muusu exceeds expectations for a restaurant located in tourist central. Head chef Kaspars Jansons creates seasonal menus of modern European cuisine with Scandinavian flair. As ever, I’m a big fan of their desserts. A second location, Muusu Terase, can be found on the river near the ferry port. (I haven’t been and have heard mixed reviews.)
Naples
A crispy pizza hot from a wood-fired oven and the azure waters of a private swimming pool. What do these two things have in common? Both can be enjoyed at Naples, an Italian eatery in Riga! I’ll admit to thinking it sounded too good to be true, but the pizza and view are among the city’s best. I went for lunch during the week and managed to snag a table right next to the marina, though I imagine reservations are needed on summer weekends.
Rossini
Rossini is my favorite Italian restaurant in Riga and I’ve dined there more times than I can count. The porcini mushroom risotto is my go-to dish and I’m delighted it’s still on the menu after all these years. The goat cheese ravioli is another stellar choice, as are most dishes off the seasonal menus. Desserts are a worthy indulgence.
Singh’s
Singh’s was opened in 2015 by Indian businessmen living in Riga. Apparently unsatisfied with the Indian food on offer, they hired chefs from their native Panjab region and set up a restaurant of their own. The result is delicious and authentic dishes served in a chic, slightly upscale setting. Should the spices set your mouth aflame, you can douse the fire with one of Singh’s refreshing cocktails.
Stockpot
In 2012, a world-traveling coupled opened a bistro to share some of the recipes they collected along the way. They include a rotating cast of soups, stews, and curries ranging from mild to make-you-cry spicy. The menu changes daily, and vegetarian and vegan options are usually available. You can order full or super affordable half portions; both are served with rice or naan bread and a heaping pile of cilantro.
Valmiermuiza Beer Kitchen
Valmiermuiza Alus is one of Latvia’s premier craft beers, hailing from the charming little town of Valmiera. Many bars and restaurants across the country serve this tasty ale, but none pair it as expertly with food like Valmiermuiza Beer Kitchen, the brewery’s “embassy” in Riga. The menu changes seasonally, as do the beers on offer, though you can never go wrong with the pork belly and a filtered light beer. Round out the meal with garlic bread and a selection of Latvian cheeses.
Zivju Lete
Seafood reigns supreme at Zivju Lete, or Fish Counter. The owners were inspired by Latvia’s fishing heritage, which you can see in both the decor and menu. Local specialties like fried sprats and pickled herring are served alongside more international fare. I recommend the fish & chips with a crisp Latvian apple cider!
Tell me: Which Riga restaurants should I try next?
PIN IT!
Bon Vivant Address: Marstaļu iela 8, Old Town, Pricing: €€
Easy Wine Address: Audeju iela 4, Old Town, Pricing: €€
Entresol Address: Elizabetes iela 22, Center, Pricing: €€€
Fat Pumpkin Address: Grecinieku iela 11, Old Town, Pricing: €
Foodbox Address: Antonijas iela 6A, Center, Pricing: €
Forest Address: Raina bulvaris 21, Center, Pricing: €€
Indian Raja Address: Skarnu iela 7, Old Town, Pricing: €€
LIDO Address: Multiple locations across Riga, Pricing: €
Maja Address: Kalnciema iela 37-5, Agenskalns, Pricing: €€
Moltto Grill Address: Gertrudes iela 20, Center, Pricing: €€
Monterosso Address: Valnu iela 9, Old Town, Pricing: €€€
Muusu Address: Skarnu iela 6, Old Town, Pricing: €€
Naples Address: Eksporta iela 4, Andrejsala, Pricing: €€
Rossini Address: Dzirnavu iela 31, Center, Pricing: €€
Singh's Address: Multiple locations across Riga, Pricing: €
Stockpot Address: Multiple locations across Riga, Pricing: €
Valmiermuiza Beer Kitchen Address: Aristida Briana iela 9, Center, Pricing: €
Zivju Lete Address: Dzirnavu iela 41, Center, Pricing: €€
“International SV” is my most favourite! Price/performace level is great. You have to try it (or maybe not because then I’ll have problems with booking… 🙂 )!
Haha, thanks for the tip Gatis! 🙂
What a lovely blog. I’m sorry I won’t have a chance to try any of them.
You never know, you might get to go back!
Hey, Heather!
It seems you’re a beer lover so I wonder if you have been in Labietis brewery (or maybe I’ve missed a post)? It’s really close to Valmiermuiža’s embassy: http://www.ratebeer.com/beermap?p=38447
It isn’t a restaurant – they serve only beer and some snacks but the beer is awesome. Usually they have 15+ kinds of beer so I suggest to have a friend or two with you so you can switch the glasses half-way. And they have “try before buy” policy there 🙂
Hi Imants!
Thanks for the tip! I have been to Labietis brewery but haven’t written about the experience – yet! I’ll soon be working on a post with some fun things to do around Riga this autumn. I welcome any other suggestions 🙂
Cheers,
Heather
Very nice blog, reading often. I’m originally from Riga myself and love to explore the restaurants whenever I visit, last time it was in 2014.
Wonder if you have ever dined in ‘Pinot’? One of my old friends recommended it highly, but we never had a chance to get there. Also, there was a nice Italian place called ‘Fellini’, next to Bergs hotel, is it still in business?
Sergey
Thanks you, Sergey! Isn’t Riga’s restaurant scene great? I haven’t been to Pinot or Fellini, but am always looking for new places to try. Thanks for the tip! If they make the next batch of recommendations I’ll be sure to give you credit 🙂
From your restaurant list it looks like you like Italian cuisine, so “Olive Oil Restaurant” is a must try!
I’ve actually enjoyed several meals at Olive Oil but somehow forgot to include it. Thanks for the reminder! Any other places you’d recommend?