My experience in Riga: the city

Thanks for this site, real awesome, wish every country in the world had such sincere information.

Anyway, I have been in Riga twice, one time for a holiday and the other time for a work trip.

Usually before visiting a country I get the respective Lonely Planet book which I usually find very helpful to help me learn about the city and show me around. But...for Latvia there isn't one dedicated book, the ones that include Latvia also include other Baltic states...mmmm...is it possible that this country doesn't have that much to offer? I beg to differ.

The following I especially enjoyed:

The old city obviously, its a photographer's paradise. While walking around you have to look up too, magnificent building decorations, picturesque streets, and beautiful churches, which are worth a visit too.

The museum of Occupation is something one should not miss, very moving.

The war museum at the Pulvertornis is also worth a visit.

My best experience was however the National Museum of Art, amazing! Paintings by Janis Rozentals are impressive. While there, a pianist came to rehearse, and later an opera singer joined in, creating a superb atmosphere of music and art! All the art around the city left me with a very good impression of the Latvian people, and really hope more people start appreciating this city....including Lonely Planet

And the girls? Well, that deserves another post!

By the way, what is typical Latvian food, and where can I taste that?

Thank you, for your visit, and your opinion. It seems I'm as admin starting to get delighted for the first time in years by this site, getting such replies . You are welcome!


Traditional is everything which comes from the Earth of Latvian lands (except marijuana so far). Fried, boiled and and backed up potatoes, steamed vegetables (carrots, cabbages, zucchini, squash...), cucumbers, tomatoes, salads. This all preferably is mixed with creamed or oil sauces. Non-vegetable dishes include pork of all kinds of preparation, beef, chicken; also chicken eggs of all kinds. Latvians obviously prefer natural "kitchen" food to fast food.

The most notable and branding place, which you can visit to taste Latvian food, is Lido network. One of the points is located right at the Riga Airport. Another notable ones to visit are LIDO Recreation Centre (Riga, Krasta str. 76) - the biggest one of multiple floors and squares. "Russian Yard" (Riga, Ķengaraga Street 3) is also promising, as it offers many of the traditional Russian dishes as well, which Latvian food inherits a lot from.

Have a nice day and appetite

Thanks very much for the detailed explanation, took note of those two spots ;) I will surely visit.

Cheers