Latvia blends medieval charm with Art Nouveau splendor in the heart of the Baltics. From the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Riga to pristine beaches along the Baltic Sea, this compact country offers rich history, vibrant culture, and unspoiled nature.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Latvia through its food.
Riga Central Market Food Tour
Guided exploration of Europe's largest market housed in five historic zeppelin hangars. Taste smoked fish, local cheeses, rye bread varieties, honey, and traditional Latvian pastries with commentary on Latvian food culture.
Old Town Culinary Walk
Walking tour through Riga's medieval Old Town stopping at traditional Latvian bakeries, specialty food shops, and local eateries. Taste pīrāgi, grey pea soup, Latvian cheeses, and Black Balsam samples.
Latvian Amber Spirits and Craft Beer Tour
Evening tour exploring Latvia's craft beer scene at local microbreweries including Labietis and Mežpils, with tastings of Latvian craft spirits and the infamous Black Balsam herbal liqueur at a traditional Latvian tavern.
Kalnciema Quarter Saturday Market Tour
Saturday morning tour of Riga's most beloved artisan farmers market on the left bank of the Daugava. Meet local producers, taste organic cheeses, artisan breads, seasonal preserves, and cold-pressed juices.
Tour formats
Different ways to experience Latvia's food scene.
Street food tours
Pīrāgi (bacon-filled pastry) crawl in Old Town, smoked fish stalls at the Central Market, and flatbread from market vendors
Market tours
Guided tours of Riga Central Market focusing on specific pavilions — meat and fish halls are the most impressive. Kalnciema Saturday market for artisan producers.
Restaurant tours
Multi-course Latvian cuisine tasting menus at Milda, Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs, and modern restaurants like Muusu combining food with cultural commentary
Specialty tours
Black Balsam heritage tastings, craft beer microbrewery tours, traditional Latvian food preservation workshops
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Latvia home with you.
Latvian Home Cooking Class at Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs
Learn to prepare traditional Latvian dishes including pīrāgi (bacon pastries), grey pea stew, and Latvian rye bread with the restaurant's head chef. Finish with a sit-down meal of what you've cooked paired with Latvian craft beer.
Rye Bread Baking at the Ethnographic Open Air Museum
Learn the ancient craft of Latvian dark rye bread baking using a wood-fired oven at the Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum. The class covers traditional recipes and the cultural significance of rye bread in Latvian identity.
Modern Latvian Cuisine Class at Rīga Culinary School
Contemporary cooking class focusing on modern Latvian cuisine techniques used in Riga's top restaurants. Learn to work with local ingredients like Baltic herring, grey peas, and foraged greens in contemporary preparations.
DIY self-guided food tour
Self-guided Latvian food route through central Riga covering market, bakeries, and local restaurants
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Stop 1: Riga Central Market (Nēģu iela 7) — smoked fish in the Fish Pavilion, honey varieties, and fresh produce (7:00-9:00 AM for best selection)
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Stop 2: Pīrāgu Māja (Kalķu iela 11) — fresh-baked pīrāgi (bacon pastries) for breakfast €0.80-1.50 each
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Stop 3: Daily Bread (Dzirnavu iela 72) — artisan sourdough sandwiches and coffee for a light lunch €5-7
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Stop 4: Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs (Peldu iela 19) — traditional Latvian lunch: grey peas with bacon, beer soup, and a local beer €12-16
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Stop 5: Laima Chocolate Shop (Brīvības iela 21) — taste and buy the famous Latvian chocolates and confections for gifts
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Stop 6: Black Balsam Bar at Hotel Roma or Folkklubs — evening tasting of Latvian herbal liqueur in three varieties (original, black currant, cherry) €4-6/shot
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Arrive at Riga Central Market before 9:00 AM on weekdays for the best selection and least crowds — the fish pavilion is particularly impressive early morning
Grey peas with bacon (pelēkie zirņi ar speķi) is Latvia's unofficial national dish and should be tried at Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs or Lido for an authentic experience
Latvian rye bread (rupjmaize) is denser and more flavorful than anywhere else in Europe — buy a loaf from the Central Market and pair it with local butter and cheese
Black Balsam (Rīgas Melnais Balzams) is most traditionally drunk straight as a digestif or mixed with blackcurrant juice — the herbal recipe dates to 1752
The Kalnciema Quarter Market on Saturday mornings (9:00-14:00) is where Riga's food community shops — essential for artisan cheese, organic produce, and craft food products
Latvia has an exceptional wild mushroom culture — in autumn (September-October) you can find dozens of varieties at the Central Market that rarely appear elsewhere in Europe
Latvian beer (alus) culture is strong — try local craft breweries Labietis on Aristida Briāna iela, or ask for Cēsu Alus (Cēsis Beer) which dates to 1590 and is Latvia's most historic brewery