Why Riga?
Riga, the city of little-known superlatives
Home to Europe's biggest food market, its oldest zoo and its finest collection of art nouveau buildings, Riga is a city of little-known superlatives. Its compact center is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site packed full of architectural treasures and there's plenty to explore on both sides of the river Daugava, including topnotch restaurants and buzzy creative quarters.
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Baltic Sea. It's considered a cultural center and is home to many museums and concert halls. The city is also known for its wooden buildings, art nouveau architecture and medieval Old Town. The pedestrian-only Old Town has many shops and restaurants and is home to busy Livu Square, with bars and nightclubs.
Cafés
My favorite cafés in Riga
Café Kukotava
Cafe in Riga that provides lovely ambience and mind-blowing, delicious cakes that are freshly baked on the spot. Serves breakfast. Vegetarian friendy.
Address:
Tērbatas iela 10
What I like about it:
Hundreds of fresh cookies, muffins and other types of pastries in the nice small cafeteria based in the center of Riga. Cake and the bakery very fresh and high quality. VERY tasty traditional honey.
Rocket Bean Roastery
ROCKET BEAN ROASTERY is the fastest-growing specialty coffee shop and roastery in the Baltics.Specialty coffee beans, which correspond to high standards, come from Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, and other exotic places.
Address:
Miera iela 29/31
What I like about it:
Amazing place, very proffessional coffee maschine, helpfull staff. Impressive interior decisions make athmosphere interesting.
Big Bad Bagels
Bagels are baked right in their little shop – every morning you can get a fresh bagel which is baked in accordance with the decades old traditions of NY artisan bakeries.
Address:
Baznīcas iela 8
What I like about it:
Nice location. Quick service. Good food. Fresh ingredients. Good selection of fillings and you get a good amount of filling in the bagel. Good selection of freshly squeezed juices and smoothies.