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Riga is a classic European city. A cup of coffee, either black or with cream, and miniature pastry in an elegant cafe are an intimate part of local way of life. In Old Town squares and public gardens, you will find open-air beer gardens where locals and tourists sip beer, drink coffee, and watch the passers-by.
Riga’s cafes and restaurants are known for their high quality and relatively low prices. The cost of a meal is 2-3 times lower than in Europe, and approximately two times lower than in Moscow. The service quality is usually higher than in many other European countries.
If you want a good Latvian meal for a reasonable amount of money, the first destination point in Riga are the ubiquitous LIDO restaurants. This Latvian chain maintains a variety of buffet-style restaurants around the center of Riga, and the food is quite fresh. There is a wide variety of soups, salads, fruits, and deserts, and you may select your main course directly from the chefs. Shashlik and grilled salmon are particular favourites.
For simpler fare, try Latvian fast food. These include pelmeni (Russian meat dumplings), pancake and kebab restaurants. These restaurants do not have such a wide variety of meals, but the quality is generally higher than in western fast food restaurants, and you can often get a cool glass of fresh-squeezed juice or kefirs to accompany your meal. Prices are the same as McDonald’s, which also operates in Riga.
For those who prefer a delicious sit-down meal with excellent service, Riga offers a wide variety of cuisines, bridging East and West taste relations. Pizzerias and steak-houses are as popular as Armenian, Russian and Georgian restaurants. Sushi bars compete for customers alongside Indian, Thai, and Ayurvedic cuisine. Fusion cooking is popular in Riga and there a variety of chefs who produce excellent dishes, such as grilled chicken in a lime, dill sauce. The average price of a meal is 5-10 Lats.
And, finally, traditional restaurants. Part of them are at the hotels, others are separate. Please find more detailed information in the sections.
Photo TAVA
