Ribs & Rock (Grēcinieku 8, Riga) — every big city has a place that specializes in the art of BBQ; in Riga, that place is Ribs & Rock restaurant. It’s the first to offer such a wide variety of rib dishes, and the only ones who serve them in the company of solid rock music. […]
Planeta Sushi (Šķūņu 16, Riga) – for those in a mood for Japanese food, this place is a good start. Heavy glossy menus illustrate the dishes on offer. Predictably these include a range of bento spreads, the pick of which is probably the Ninniku Bento with its tiger shrimps fried in ninniku sauce with rice […]
Ostas Skati (Matrožu 15, Riga) – this restaurant already draws a crowd by virtue of its location by the river. Ostas skati (Latvian for “Port Scenes”). Dishes served here include: Salmon fillet with buckthorn sauce, risotto, made in red-wine, with mushrooms and eggplant puree; Sturgeon fillet with rosemary and tomatoes in olive oil, with pickled […]
Monhe Negro (Kalēju 23, Riga) – the Spanish spelling of this restaurant is a bit off (“black monk” in Spanish is really “monje negro”). Regardless, that minor error hasn’t prevented its owners from serving a variety of Latin American dishes – from Peruvian ceviche, to chicken enchiladas (€7), guacamole, tapas with Manchego sheep-milk cheese and […]
Le Dome Fish Restaurant (Le Dome Hotel & Spa, Miesnieku 4, Riga) – this is one of Riga’s finer restaurants, focusing on seafood (an international catch of the day, such as pikeperch or sturgeon, and a choice of whole freshwater fish or fillet). There’s also Baltic herring in spicy breading with black root, spinach and […]
Koya (Andrejostas 4, Riga) – this restaurant is located by the waterside on the bank of the River Daugava, a stone’s throw from where gleaming white cruise ships and ferries pull up at the city-center Riga Passenger Port. Items served there include Caesar salad with chicken breast and sheep-milk P’tit Basque cheese, kohlrabi salad with […]
Il Sole (Juras 23/25 (Baltic Beach Hotel) Jurmala) – located within the five-star Baltic Beach Hotel at Jurmala, this seaside Italian restaurant is managed by its chef, Olesja Kislicka, a graduate of the highly regarded IFSE culinary institute near Turin. Diners can indulge in a plate of classic Italian meats and a leafy salad. Appetizers […]
Ginger & Fred (Tērbatas 2, Riga) – located in a historic building near Vērmanes Gardens, this restaurant is unique in that it works in theatrical productions (making it, in effect, a dinner theater destination). Dishes include garlic soup (made according to one of Monet’s recipes) and pan-fried trout in red-wine sauce with artichoke-saffron cream (based […]
Felicita (Skārņu 22, Riga) – this restaurant is located within the picturesque garden of a residence belonging to Italian actor & singer Albano Carrisi. The ambiance this restaurant provides perfectly complements the Italian dishes served here (ranging from beef fillet steak with sautéed mushrooms, beer-caramelized onions and red wine sauce; to tagliata di manzo; and […]
Aquarius (Bulduru prospekts 33, Jurmala) – another seaside restaurant with the resort enclave of Jurmala, Aquarius’ dark hardwood floors, and grey linen draped tables (topped with fresh flowers and funky lamps) provide the perfect setting for a classy dining experience. The dishes most recommended at this elegant restaurant are the beef carpaccio with grilled tiger […]