11 Drinks and Foods You Need to Try in Riga, Latvia
11 Drinks and Foods You Need to Try in Riga, Latvia
Riga is a fantastic city to explore through its food and drinks. Latvian cuisine is full of hearty traditional dishes, dark rye bread, smoked fish, delicious pastries and comforting desserts. And when it comes to drinks, you can discover everything from crisp local lager beers to the famous Riga Black Balsam.
Whether you are visiting Latvia for a weekend city break or spending a longer holiday exploring the Baltics, make sure you leave some room for local flavours!
Here are 11 Latvian foods and drinks you should try in Riga — including traditional dishes, local beers, chocolate and sweet treats.
1. Latvian Dark Rye Bread (Rupjmaize)
Latvian dark rye bread, known as rupjmaize, is one of the most iconic foods in the country. It is made primarily from rye flour and traditionally prepared using a sourdough starter.
Unlike light, fluffy white bread, Latvian rye bread is dense, dark, slightly sour and full of flavour. It is served with many traditional meals and goes particularly well with butter, cheese, smoked fish or bacon.
You can also try fried garlic rye bread, called ķiploku grauzdiņi. These crispy pieces of bread are usually served as a snack with beer and are especially popular in pubs and traditional Latvian restaurants.
Where to try it: Riga Central Market, traditional Latvian restaurants and local bakeries.
2. Grey Peas with Bacon (Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi)
If you want to taste one of Latvia’s most traditional dishes, order pelēkie zirņi ar speķi.
This hearty meal is made with large Latvian grey peas, fried bacon and onions. It is simple, filling and deeply connected to Latvian food culture. Traditionally associated with Christmas and winter celebrations, it is also available in restaurants throughout the year.
The combination of soft peas, salty bacon and onions makes it a perfect comfort-food dish, especially during the colder months.
Where to try it: Look for it on the menu at traditional Latvian restaurants and local taverns.
3. Latvian Bacon Pastries (Pīrāgi)
Small, delicious and difficult to resist, pīrāgi are traditional Latvian pastries filled with smoked bacon and onion.
These little crescent-shaped buns are a favourite at family celebrations, holidays and gatherings. They are usually baked until golden brown and taste wonderful when served warm.
You can find different variations, but the classic bacon-and-onion filling is the one to try first. They make a great snack while exploring Riga or browsing the market.
Where to try them: Local bakeries, Riga Central Market and traditional food shops.
4. Smoked Baltic Fish
Latvia has a long coastline along the Baltic Sea, so fish is an important part of its food culture.
One of the best local treats to try is smoked fish. Look out for smoked sprats, mackerel, salmon and other seasonal varieties. Latvian smoked fish is often enjoyed with dark rye bread, butter and fresh herbs.
For an authentic experience, visit Riga Central Market and explore its fish pavilion. You will find plenty of local products, including smoked and pickled fish.
If you enjoy seafood, this is one of the most interesting ways to discover the flavours of Latvia.
Where to try it: Riga Central Market, traditional restaurants and fish shops.
5. Sklandrausis – A Traditional Latvian Sweet Tart
Looking for something a little different? Try sklandrausis, a traditional open tart originating from Latvia’s Kurzeme and Livonian cultural regions.
It has a rye-flour pastry base filled with a mixture of potato and sweet carrot. The filling is often seasoned with caraway, creating an unusual combination of sweet, savoury and earthy flavours.
Sklandrausis is a protected traditional speciality and an important part of Latvia’s culinary heritage. It is not quite like a typical cake or pie, which makes it especially interesting for visitors.
Where to try it: Traditional bakeries, Latvian food markets and shops selling local specialities.
6. Latvian Lager Beer – Try a Local Brew
Latvia has a long brewing tradition, and beer is one of the country’s most popular alcoholic drinks. If you enjoy a cold lager, Riga is a good place to sample some Latvian brands.
Here are three names worth looking out for:
Užavas – A well-known Latvian brewery from Užava, Kurzeme, producing traditional beers with a distinctive local character. Try its pale lager for a taste of Latvian brewing tradition.
Bauskas – A historic Latvian beer brand from Bauska, known for its traditional brewing style and range of beers. It is another excellent name to look for when exploring local beer.
Valmiermuiža – A well-regarded Latvian brewery offering a selection of beers, including crisp and fuller-bodied options.
For a first taste, order a local pale lager and compare it with a darker or unfiltered beer. You may discover a new favourite!
Where to try it: Riga’s pubs, beer bars, restaurants and supermarkets.
7. Riga Black Balsam (Rīgas Melnais Balzams)
You cannot visit Riga without hearing about its most famous traditional spirit: Riga Black Balsam.
This dark herbal liqueur has a history dating back to the 18th century. It is made using a complex blend of botanicals, herbs, roots, berries and spices.
The classic version has a strong, bitter and slightly sweet taste. At 45% alcohol by volume, it is definitely not an ordinary liqueur!
If you are trying it for the first time, you might prefer it mixed with blackcurrant juice, added to coffee or served in a cocktail. There are also different variations, including a blackcurrant version.
Riga Black Balsam is also a popular Latvian souvenir, so you can take a bottle home and share a taste of Riga with friends.
Where to try it: Riga bars, cocktail bars and specialist shops selling Latvian drinks.
8. Kvass – A Traditional Rye Bread Drink
Kvass is a traditional fermented drink made from rye bread. It is popular in Latvia and other countries across the Baltic and Eastern European region.
It has a slightly sweet, malty and refreshing taste, with a gentle natural fizz. Depending on the product and fermentation method, it can contain a small amount of alcohol or be sold as a non-alcoholic drink.
Kvass is especially enjoyable during summer and is often served chilled. It is a great alternative if you want to try something traditional but do not feel like drinking beer.
Where to try it: Riga Central Market, traditional food venues and supermarkets.
9. Laima Chocolate – A Sweet Taste of Riga
If you love chocolate, make sure to try Laima, one of Latvia’s best-known chocolate and confectionery brands.
Laima has a long history in Riga and is closely connected with the city’s sweet-making tradition. Its chocolates and sweets are popular with locals and make lovely souvenirs for visitors.
One product worth looking for is Serenāde, a distinctive Latvian chocolate treat with a filling that combines dried fruits and nuts. It has a flavour that stands out from an ordinary chocolate bar.
You can also explore Laima’s other chocolate bars, pralines and gift boxes.
Where to try it: Supermarkets, confectionery shops and specialist chocolate stores in Riga.
10. Rye Bread Dessert (Rupjmaizes Kārtojums)
Who would have thought that dark rye bread could become a delicious dessert?
Rupjmaizes kārtojums is a traditional Latvian layered dessert made with sweetened rye bread crumbs, whipped cream and berry jam or preserves.
The combination of dark rye, creamy layers and fruity sweetness creates a surprisingly delicious result. It is a wonderful example of how Latvian cooking transforms simple local ingredients into something special.
If you enjoy trying traditional desserts, this one should definitely be on your list.
Where to try it: Traditional Latvian restaurants and cafés serving local desserts.
11. Vecrīga Kūciņa – A Classic Latvian Cream Pastry
One of the sweetest treats to try in Riga is Vecrīga kūciņa, a beloved Latvian pastry named after the city’s historic Old Town, Vecrīga.
This round pastry is made from light choux pastry and filled generously with sweet, creamy cottage-cheese filling, often flavoured with vanilla. It is usually finished with a dusting of icing sugar.
With its delicate pastry shell and rich, soft centre, Vecrīga is a perfect companion to a cup of coffee. It is a familiar favourite in Latvian pastry shops and cafés, making it a lovely way to experience a little piece of local food culture.
Where to try it: Traditional Latvian bakeries, pastry shops and cafés around Riga’s Old Town.
Local tip: Enjoy it fresh, ideally on the same day, when the pastry is at its best!
Where to Discover Latvian Food in Riga
If you want to sample several of these specialities in one place, make time for Riga Central Market, Āgenskalna market, Lido.
Located close to the Old Town and the main railway station, the market is one of the city’s most interesting places to explore local food culture. Its historic pavilions and outdoor stalls offer a wide selection of products, including smoked fish, cheese, meat, bread, seasonal berries and sweets.
You can also visit a traditional Latvian restaurant to enjoy a proper meal of grey peas with bacon, rye bread and a local beer.
For a more modern experience, explore Riga’s cafés, craft beer bars and restaurants, where traditional Latvian ingredients often appear in creative new dishes.
Final Thoughts: Taste Your Way Around Riga!
Riga has much more to offer than beautiful architecture, historic streets and impressive Art Nouveau buildings. Its food and drink culture is another wonderful reason to visit Latvia.
From hearty grey peas and bacon to crispy pīrāgi, smoked Baltic fish, local lager beer, Riga Black Balsam and delicious Laima chocolate, there are plenty of flavours to discover.
Our tip: Do not leave Riga without trying at least one traditional Latvian dish, tasting a local beer, sampling Laima chocolate and taking home a small bottle of Riga Black Balsam.
Enjoy your culinary adventure in Riga — Labu apetīti! (Enjoy your meal!)
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Exploring Riga is even better when you combine sightseeing with local food experiences. Discover the city’s Old Town, beautiful architecture, markets and hidden corners, and make time to taste the best of Latvia along the way.
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