Latvian food is hearty, filling and made for a long night out: rye bread, smoked fish, peas with bacon and plenty of beer. Here is what to order in Riga – and which drinks to brave.
Latvian food at a glance
45%
Riga Black Balsam, the national liqueur
1930
Central Market opened in old Zeppelin hangars
3,000+
stalls at Riga Central Market
≤1.2%
alcohol in Latvian kvass
~€15
indicative price of a simple restaurant meal
Latvian dishes to try
🫘 Grey peas with bacon
Big grey peas fried with bacon and onion, served with kefir or sour cream – the classic Latvian pub dish.
🍞 Rye bread
Dark, dense rye bread with caraway. Look for rye-bread pudding (maizes zupa) for dessert.
🐟 Herring and smoked fish
Salted herring with potatoes and cottage cheese, or hot- and cold-smoked fish from the coast.
🥟 Pelmeni
Dumplings with sour cream – a cheap, filling favourite.
🥧 Sklandrausis
A sweet rye pie filled with potato and carrot, protected as a traditional EU speciality.
What to drink
🥃 Riga Black Balsam
A 45% herbal liqueur from a 1752 recipe. Try it neat, in coffee or mixed with blackcurrant juice.
🍺 Latvian beer
Aldaris, Cēsu and Valmiermuiža are the classics; Labietis is the craft favourite.
🍸 Balsam cocktails
Many Riga bars mix Black Balsam into cocktails and hot drinks.
🥤 Kvass
A fermented rye-bread drink, very low in alcohol and refreshing the morning after.
🥂 Say “Priekā!”
That is “cheers” in Latvian – the stag should learn it on day one.
Where to eat
Riga Central Market – five huge pavilions built from First World War Zeppelin hangars, part of the UNESCO-listed historic centre – is the place for smoked fish, rye bread and local snacks. LIDO, a Latvian buffet chain founded in 1987, serves home-style Latvian food. For the group dinner, book a table well in advance.
Group dinners in Riga
FAQ
What is the national dish of Latvia?
Grey peas with bacon (pelēkie zirņi ar speķi) is the classic Latvian dish, usually served with kefir or sour cream. Rye bread is the other staple.
What is the national drink?
Riga Black Balsam, a 45% herbal liqueur made from 24 natural ingredients to a 1752 recipe.
Is kvass alcoholic?
Only slightly – in Latvia it can contain up to 1.2% alcohol.
How much does dinner cost in Riga?
Indicatively about €15 for a simple meal and about €30 a head for three courses at a mid-range restaurant, without drinks.
