Liene’s guidebook
Bars where locals go to meet up
It used to be more just local, but now it's more a mixed place, but still popular to go. It's a culture center, a bar and a meeting place.
The building used to be an old musical school.
78 moradores locais recomendam
Centro Cultural Kanepes
15 Skolas ielaIt used to be more just local, but now it's more a mixed place, but still popular to go. It's a culture center, a bar and a meeting place.
The building used to be an old musical school.
Vest Riga
1 Stabu ielaAlķīmiķis
12 Lāčplēša ielaA beer brewery where people meet up.
Labietis
9a Aristida Briāna ielaA beer brewery where people meet up.
A kind of club, night local where people go to dance. I think mostly electronic music.
18 moradores locais recomendam
ONE ONE
18A Šarlotes ielaA kind of club, night local where people go to dance. I think mostly electronic music.
Čē
82 Dzirnavu ielaAlso another local favourite bar where people tend to go.
Night local, club. People go there to meet up and dance.
17 moradores locais recomendam
Autentika (B2)
2 Bruņinieku ielaNight local, club. People go there to meet up and dance.
Roberts books
51 Dzirnavu ielaBook shop, a bar and a small concert venue.
Food scene
A gathering place where to eat, drink daytime, but also to stay up late, as it's one of the few places that offer to eat in late hours and it's a proper menu, not a junk food. And the prices are normal.
38 moradores locais recomendam
Andalūzijas Suns
83 Elizabetes ielaA gathering place where to eat, drink daytime, but also to stay up late, as it's one of the few places that offer to eat in late hours and it's a proper menu, not a junk food. And the prices are normal.
It's on top of a pretty central shopping center - Galerija Riga. It's romantic and you can see some of Rigas rooftops. Also they make good cocktails, if you are interested in that. The food is good enough too, but I would advice it, if you want something a bit romantic and with rooftops.
22 moradores locais recomendam
Herbārijs
67 Dzirnavu ielaIt's on top of a pretty central shopping center - Galerija Riga. It's romantic and you can see some of Rigas rooftops. Also they make good cocktails, if you are interested in that. The food is good enough too, but I would advice it, if you want something a bit romantic and with rooftops.
Great atmosphere and local producers, also street food on some occasions.
104 moradores locais recomendam
Quarteirão Kalnciema
35 Kalnciema IelaGreat atmosphere and local producers, also street food on some occasions.
It's a cafe and a restaurant/bar that is existing already 25 years and the menu is close to exactly the same.
8 moradores locais recomendam
cafe osiris
31 Krišjāņa Barona ielaIt's a cafe and a restaurant/bar that is existing already 25 years and the menu is close to exactly the same.
Local kebeb place, the owner is latvian and from Rēzekne. People tend to enjoy it.
26 moradores locais recomendam
Ausmeņa Kebabs
12 Skolas ielaLocal kebeb place, the owner is latvian and from Rēzekne. People tend to enjoy it.
Coffee and brunch
MiiT Coffee
10 Lāčplēša ielaSpecialty coffee place. Pretty good with good vibes.
Rocket Bean Roastery
29/31 Miera ielaSpecialty coffee, sweets and food.
Neighborhoods
Within Riga there is an area known as the Quiet Center, sometimes referred to as the Art Nouveau District due to the vast amount of architecture from the early 1900’s. It is home to some of the nicer wine bars, restaurants and cafes in Riga.
The Quiet Center is really one of those spaces in Riga that allows you to experience just how glorious the city was back in the 1900’s. You are surrounded by amazing buildings with stunning facades full of detail. The most famous streets here for Art Nouveau would be Albert Street and Elizabeth Street. You will find many gems of Art Nouveau architecture off the more famous streets as well; Vilandes, Rupniecibas and Ausekla ielas all have great examples of Rigas Art Nouveau.
Cobbled streets still exist, many of them one way, which means traffic is low. A large number of 1900’s apartment houses are still inhabited by families giving a sense of community and plenty of Embassies have chosen to occupy apartments in the awe inspiring Art Nouveau buildings that seem to appear on every corner. The only disturbance in this area is between 10.00 and 13.00 when cruise ships dump hundreds of tourists into the area, herding them like cattle around this quiet area. Luckily for you, our Art Nouveau tours do not herd people around, nor do we hold up large umbrellas or sticks with numbers on the end of them!
In the Art Nouveau District you will find some lovely places to stop for a coffee or cake, or possibly a full meal. There are a number of places on Antonijas street worth visiting. There is also the Art Nouveau Museum, a fantastic museum showing life inside of an Art Nouveau apartment. This apartment was once occupied by the famous Latvian Architect, Konstantine Pekshens and is by far one of the best of Riga’s Museums. Enjoy this area, slowly, explore and take it all in.
86 moradores locais recomendam
Albert Street
10 Alberta ielaWithin Riga there is an area known as the Quiet Center, sometimes referred to as the Art Nouveau District due to the vast amount of architecture from the early 1900’s. It is home to some of the nicer wine bars, restaurants and cafes in Riga.
The Quiet Center is really one of those spaces in Riga that allows you to experience just how glorious the city was back in the 1900’s. You are surrounded by amazing buildings with stunning facades full of detail. The most famous streets here for Art Nouveau would be Albert Street and Elizabeth Street. You will find many gems of Art Nouveau architecture off the more famous streets as well; Vilandes, Rupniecibas and Ausekla ielas all have great examples of Rigas Art Nouveau.
Cobbled streets still exist, many of them one way, which means traffic is low. A large number of 1900’s apartment houses are still inhabited by families giving a sense of community and plenty of Embassies have chosen to occupy apartments in the awe inspiring Art Nouveau buildings that seem to appear on every corner. The only disturbance in this area is between 10.00 and 13.00 when cruise ships dump hundreds of tourists into the area, herding them like cattle around this quiet area. Luckily for you, our Art Nouveau tours do not herd people around, nor do we hold up large umbrellas or sticks with numbers on the end of them!
In the Art Nouveau District you will find some lovely places to stop for a coffee or cake, or possibly a full meal. There are a number of places on Antonijas street worth visiting. There is also the Art Nouveau Museum, a fantastic museum showing life inside of an Art Nouveau apartment. This apartment was once occupied by the famous Latvian Architect, Konstantine Pekshens and is by far one of the best of Riga’s Museums. Enjoy this area, slowly, explore and take it all in.
Miera Iela, or ‘Peace Street’, is Riga’s burgeoning bohemian quarter, offering travelers a calm, hip respite from the bustle of the city center. This colorful street is lined with charming little cafes and shops, where you can while away a happy afternoon hunting for local treasures, with a break here and there to snack on Latvian delicacies. There is also a chocolate museum.
Miera iela
Miera ielaMiera Iela, or ‘Peace Street’, is Riga’s burgeoning bohemian quarter, offering travelers a calm, hip respite from the bustle of the city center. This colorful street is lined with charming little cafes and shops, where you can while away a happy afternoon hunting for local treasures, with a break here and there to snack on Latvian delicacies. There is also a chocolate museum.
New creative district in Riga Tallinn Street Quarter.
In Soviet times this used to be a depot for ambulance cars. Now this industrial area is managed by Free Riga movement that helps revive abandoned houses. Several bars and art venues have opened here - Tallinas Pagalms, as well as a branch of the popular Ezītis Miglā bar, art venue Tu jau zini kur (You know where), street food court (from May 2019).
Tallinas iela
Tallinas ielaNew creative district in Riga Tallinn Street Quarter.
In Soviet times this used to be a depot for ambulance cars. Now this industrial area is managed by Free Riga movement that helps revive abandoned houses. Several bars and art venues have opened here - Tallinas Pagalms, as well as a branch of the popular Ezītis Miglā bar, art venue Tu jau zini kur (You know where), street food court (from May 2019).
Cinema
It used to be called cinema "Rīga", now it's Splendid Palace and it's the most beautiful cinema, because of the architecture. Also they are screening great movies.
34 moradores locais recomendam
Splendid Palace
61 Elizabetes ielaIt used to be called cinema "Rīga", now it's Splendid Palace and it's the most beautiful cinema, because of the architecture. Also they are screening great movies.
Concerts, events, gathering
There are happening many cultural events, especially during summer. During summer - outdoors. But you can check maybe also in winter time you will find a good concert. Every year they have a New Year celebration that is one of the main events in Riga.
6 moradores locais recomendam
K.K. fon Stricka villa
9 Aristida Briāna ielaThere are happening many cultural events, especially during summer. During summer - outdoors. But you can check maybe also in winter time you will find a good concert. Every year they have a New Year celebration that is one of the main events in Riga.
'Piena svētki' Festival and 'Piétro' Production present - Balkan Wedding Circus - New Year's Eve party at Riga Circus.
Let's cheer the old with the new and the elder with the younger! New Year, New Life - Let's erase memories, meet new friends and melt with the old, find meaning in life and celebrate nonsense.
The traveling New Year's "Piena svētki" and "Kvartirnik" Circus continue their tour of Riga and this time revive the charming premises of the Riga Circus. The historic circus arena will be transformed into a Gypsy disco hall, an elephant house as a boudoir, and a dance club "Love Forever" will be housed in the rooms that are usually occupied by the theater troupe 'Kvadrifons'.
The officially unofficial marriage chapel will be able to marry for life, next year or until morning.
Regina will be performing music dancing around the tables, DJ Baikal and DJ Mariash, Bombay and Contour, Kosmetique, aguccifox and others will perform with DJ sets.
Featuring a site-specific performance, "Fly Away Bride" will feature a pair of artists Daniel Storm and Arthur Wirtman, while Roy Rogers and Cortney X Modnaya will be offering the most scandalous performance of the first night of the New Year.
The event is held with the blessing of true faith and trumpet. Cheers!
Riga Circus
4 Merķeļa iela'Piena svētki' Festival and 'Piétro' Production present - Balkan Wedding Circus - New Year's Eve party at Riga Circus.
Let's cheer the old with the new and the elder with the younger! New Year, New Life - Let's erase memories, meet new friends and melt with the old, find meaning in life and celebrate nonsense.
The traveling New Year's "Piena svētki" and "Kvartirnik" Circus continue their tour of Riga and this time revive the charming premises of the Riga Circus. The historic circus arena will be transformed into a Gypsy disco hall, an elephant house as a boudoir, and a dance club "Love Forever" will be housed in the rooms that are usually occupied by the theater troupe 'Kvadrifons'.
The officially unofficial marriage chapel will be able to marry for life, next year or until morning.
Regina will be performing music dancing around the tables, DJ Baikal and DJ Mariash, Bombay and Contour, Kosmetique, aguccifox and others will perform with DJ sets.
Featuring a site-specific performance, "Fly Away Bride" will feature a pair of artists Daniel Storm and Arthur Wirtman, while Roy Rogers and Cortney X Modnaya will be offering the most scandalous performance of the first night of the New Year.
The event is held with the blessing of true faith and trumpet. Cheers!