Riga looks as if someone has stopped time. No stress, no anxiety, and especially when it snows, the Latvian capital exudes a magic that is the envy of any mediocre magician. Two days, seven or a lifetime: Riga can be anything, from a place of refuge to a home. Nowhere is winter more authentic, warmer and friendlier than on the 56th parallel. Latitude in this city that welcomes everyone with a big hug like an old friend. Arnis Jakobsons takes the same approach when he shows strangers around his home. This month we’re just going for a walk.
Hotels in Riga
If you want to stay well and cheaply, check into the Hotel Tallink. The location is perfect for any exploration tour, and cafés and co. are just around the corner. Also great: Neiburgs right in the old town with its cozy rooms full of designer interiors. Visionapartments ‘ accommodation at Skolas iela 20 makes you feel at home even when you’re abroad.
Hotel Tallink, Elizabetes 24, Riga LV-1050, www.tallinkhotels.com
Neiburgs, Jauniela 25/27, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1050, www.neiburgs.com
Riga – VISIONAPARTMENTS, Skolas iela 20, Riga, visionapartments.com
Restaurants in Riga
Delicious brunch is served at the Innocent Café, where the Latvian caramel cream tastes particularly good. Really good coffee is served at Rocket Bean, Miit or the Vest Café. If you’re a vegetarian, Raw Garden or Fat Pumpkin are the places to go. The latter is well frequented and waiting times are almost unavoidable. In the afternoon, sit down in the Tea House, treat yourself to a piece of cake and enjoy the view of the water. Makonis Café is an all-rounder for everything from coffee to burgers – a safe spot for any time of day or night. In the Austra restaurant you can watch the chefs at work, in Koya you can make reservations for those who have something to celebrate – although the prices are still at a dream level compared to home.
Innocent Café, Blaumaņa iela 34, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1011, www.innocent.lv
Rocket Bean, 29/31 Miera Street, Riga, www.rocketbean.lv
Miit, Lāčplēša iela 10, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1010, www.miit.lv
Vest Café, Stabu iela 1, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1010, www.instagram.com
Raw Garden, Skolas iela 12, Riga LV-1009, www.thebeginningsrestorani.lv
Fat Pumpkin, Grēcinieku iela 11, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1050, www.facebook.com
Tea House, Krišjāņa Barona iela 2A, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1050, www.apsara.lv
Makonis Café, Stabu iela 42, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1011, www.makonis.eu
Austra, Krišjāņa Barona iela 41/43, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1011, www.eatdineaustra.lv
Koya, Andrejostas iela 5k-15, Ziemeļu rajons, Riga LV-1045, www.koyarestaurant.com
Shopping in Riga
Birch water is all the rage in Latvia, and you can find even more regional specialties and design goods at Riija. Istaba is the perfect place to take a break and enjoy a coffee in the gallery before exploring the Latvian art on the lower floor. Founded in 2009 by Latvian fashion design students, Paviljons has since become a permanent fixture. Here you’ll find freaky pieces by creative youngsters. The Kalnciema market is a real treasure trove. You will look in vain for Chinese junk and kitschy goods, but you will find everything here that Latvian craftsmen turn, carpenter, bake and produce themselves.
Riija, Tērbatas iela 6/8, Centra rajons, Rīgas pilsēta LV-1050, www.riija.lv
Istaba, Krišjāņa Barona iela 31A, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1011, www.facebook.com
Paviljons, Ieriķu iela, Vidzemes priekšpilsēta, Riga LV-1084, www.instagram.com
Kalnciema Market, Kalnciema iela 35, Zemgales priekšpilsēta, Riga LV-1046, www.kalnciemaiela.lv
Party
One man’s cocktail is another man’s beer. Pubs and bars line the streets of the Altriga district, and during the week the stores around A. Briana Street. If that’s not enough, you can dance until dawn at Piens Club or head to Kanepe, a cultural center where every night is unforgettable.
Piens Club, Aristida Briāna iela 9A, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1001, www.piens.nu
Kanepe, Skolas iela 15, Centra rajons, Riga LV-1010, www.kanepes.lv
Quarters
There are numerous architectural monuments to admire on Alberta iela, and the Kalnciema district is home to the restored wooden houses that look so good on Latvian postcards. The industrial district of Andrejsala is becoming more and more of a hip stronghold, delighting locals and newcomers alike with its cafés, clubs and bars.
Must do
If you stroll along the canal and visit the Freedom Monument, take another detour to the main store of Laima, the Latvian chocolate equivalent of Lindt and Co.
Laima, Tallinas iela 72/74, Latgales priekšpilsēta, Riga LV-1009, www.laima.lv
Events
New Year’s party 31.12.
With concerts and fireworks on the banks of the 11. November into the new year.
Arnis Jakobsons
is a music student,
loves the smell of coffee and freshly laundered bed linen,
hates dog hair on the sofa.
Here are our tips for a short trip to Sintra.