Riga is firmly establishing itself as a city of gastronomic delight, and in keeping with an increasing international presence, restaurants representing local and exotic cuisine, cafes and themed bars have opened in and around the centre. Real ethnic establishments, genuine sushi and traditional Latvian fare can be expected at prices that vary from cosmopolitan excess to down to earth goodness. Tipping has become more expected – 10% is reasonable. Latvian dishes are a must try, and the more adventurous diner would do well to follow the example of local.
Dairy products are also extremely popular and Latvian cheeses, while they might not be quite as famous as those from other European countries, are definitely worth sampling. To wash all of this down, try the local beers which are well known for their potency. Some of the darker beers include Bauskas Tumsais and Porteris while the more common pale beers are Bauskas Gaisais, Aldara Zelta and Aldara Luksusa. Another traditional Latvian tipple is Riga’s Melnais Balzams or Black Balsam. This is a thick, black alcoholic liquid which supposedly cured Catherine the Great of fever when she visited the country. Nobody knows how it’s made because the Latvians refuse to disclose the recipe but if you are sampling it, try it in your tea or coffee first as it is quite strong. Strangely enough it’s also quite an effective hangover cure which is always good to know. Follow our restaurant links for a peak at venues, menus and prices. Restaurants
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Bars & Cafès
Bar Name | Address | Telephone |
Opening Hours
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Notes
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A Suns | Elizabetes 83 | 728 8418 |
10:00 – 01:00
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Pub grub And beers |
Alus Arsenals | Pils Laukums 4 | 732 3896 |
11:00 – 24:00
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Medieval atmosphere |
Amsterdama | Audeju 2 | 722 5697 |
11:00 – 02:00
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Quaint |
Barons | Barona 108 | 728 9241 |
11:00 – 23:00
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Sports bar |
Deco | Dzirnavu 84 | 728 9241 |
11:00 – 01:00
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Trendy |
Dicken’s Pub | Grecinieku 9 | 721 3087 |
11:00 – 01:00
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British pub |
Karakums | Lacplesa 18 | 728 2287 |
14:00 – late
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African theme |
Martini’s | Zemzaru 1 | 777 2779 |
10:00 – 24:00
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Hi-tech 007 |
M6 | Kaleju 52 | 920 7883 |
11:00 – 23:00
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Bohemian |
Orange Bar | Jana Seta 5 | 722 8423 |
10:00 – 01:00
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Laid back |
Pelican – Alcatraz | Barona 88 | 729 4984 |
11:00 – 00:00
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Jazz music |
Rigas Balzams | Torna 4 | 721 4494 |
12:00 – 24:00
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Sophisticated |
Runcis | Jana Seta 1 | 722 4198 |
11:00 – 01:00
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Regular |
Skyline Bar | Reval Latvija | 777 2222 |
15:00 – 02:00
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26th floor views |
Black Cat Embassy | Raina 15 | 781 4190 |
10:00 – 02:00
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Fashionable |
Paddy Whelans | Grecinieku 4 | 721 0249 |
10:00 – 24:00
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Popular Irish pub |
Tim McShanes | Tirgonu 10 | 722 2438 |
11:00 – late
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Relaxed Irish pub |
Vina Pagrabs | Pils 22 | – |
11:00 – 23:00
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Medieval cellar |
Charlestons | Blaumana 38 | 777 0573 |
08:00 – 24:00
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Café – warm |
Coffee Nation | Blaumana 5 | – |
08:00 – 22:00
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Café – modern |
Davids Cappuccino | Dzirnavu 113 | 728 1649 |
09:00 – 21:00
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Café – quality |
Double Coffee | Stabu 15 | 727 3747 |
08:00 – 24:00
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Café – extras |
Kafijas Veikals | M. Pils 6 | 722 4216 |
08:30 – 18:00
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Café – quaint |
Kolonade | Brivibas 26 | 722 3504 |
10:00 – 24:00
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Café – outdoor |
Monte Kristo | Kaleju 18 | 722 7443 |
08:00 – 21:00
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Café – cakes |
Vienna Cafe | Radisson-SAS | 706 1184 |
12:00 – 19:00
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Café – gourmet |
Entertainment
Name | Address | Telephone |
Open
|
Atmosphere
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Grand Cabare Admiralu Klubs | Blaumana 32 | 728 3177 |
00:00 – 24:00
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Casino – cabaret style |
Tower Voodoo | Elizabetes 55 | 777 2285 |
00:00 – 24:00
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Casino – classic |
Aladins | Dzirnavu | 728 8781 |
14:00 – 06:00
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Casino – classic |
Tobago | Aspazijas 22 | 722 3222 |
00:00 – 24:00
|
Casino – colonial |
Play & Boy | Brivibas 96 | – |
14:00 – 06:00
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Casino – decadent |
Olympic | Radisson-SAS | 706 1175 |
00:00 – 24:00
|
Casino – Las Vegas style |
Renaissance | Kalku 24 | 721 2322 |
18:00 – 06:00
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Casino – renovated |
Saxofons | Stabu 43 | 731 2854 |
12:00 – 02:00
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Nightclub – cabaret |
Depo | Valnu 32 | 721 1374 |
21:00 – 05:00
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Nightclub – fashionable |
Kalku Varti | Kalku 11 | 721 2575 |
20:00 – 05:00
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Nightclub – folk rock |
Studio 69 | Brivibas 96 | 750 6030 |
21:00 – 06:00
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Nightclub – hot |
Kardinals | Grecinieku 26 | 721 0644 |
12:00 – 05:00
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Nightclub – karaoke |
4 Balti Krekli | Vecpilsetas 12 | 721 3885 |
12:00 – 05:00
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Nightclub – live bands |
Bites Bluza | Dzirnavu 34 | 733 3125 |
12:00 – 02:00
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Nightclub – live blues |
Casablanca | Smilsu 13 | 721 2420 |
08:00 – 05:00
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Nightclub – modern Arabic |
Roxy | Kalku 24 | 722 4041 |
21:00 – 06:00
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Nightclub – old school techno |
Kabata | Peldu 19 | 722 3334 |
22:00 – 08:00
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Nightclub – raving youth |
Groks | Kalku 22 | 721 6381 |
12:00 – 06:00
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Nightclub – Russian techno |
Pulkvedim Neviens Neraksta | Peldu 26 | 721 3886 |
12:00 – 05:00
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Nightclub – shagadelic |
Nautilus | Kungu 8 | 781 4477 |
22:00 – 08:00
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Nightclub – smooth |
Pupu Lounge | Marstalu 14 | 722 0732 |
12:00 – 04:00
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Nightclub – trendy |
Voodoo Club | Elizabetes 55 | 777 2355 |
20:00 – 05:00
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Nightclub – trendy |
Jockey Club | Elizabetes 49 | 709 9800 |
20:00 – 06:00
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Strip Club |
Grand Kabare Admiral | Blaumana 32 | 728 3177 |
13:00 – 04:00
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Strip Club – erotic shows |
Banana Moon | Arhitekyu 1 | 721 0122 |
20:00 – 05:00
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Strip Club – Gentleman’s |
Dolls | Aspazijas 25 | 750 9260 |
21:00 – 09:00
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Strip Club – low key |
Sezams | Caka 32 | 728 8781 |
00:00 – 24:00
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Strip Club – no limits |