Expatriates Forums in Latvia

NIGHTLIFE IN LATVIA / LATVIA NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

Latvia Info — Mon May 14, 2007 6:17 am

Author: Latvia Info

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 6:17 am

NIGHTLIFE IN LATVIA

GENERAL

Riga has a good range of excellent restaurants, bars and cafes. From standard bars to more mature music clubs and raging discos, Riga has no problem providing nightlife. It's just a matter of being able to choose where to lose your money, and your sleep. The town is small enough to cover on foot, though as the night gets longer, so does the distance between places.

PLACES TO UNWIND IN RIGA

A. Suns
Elizabetes 83/85 (Berga bazārs),
Riga
Tel: +371 67 288-418

Club Essential
Skolas 2,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 242-289
Website: www.essential.lv

de Lacy's
Šķūņu 4,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 229-045

Dickens Pub
Grēcinieku 9/1,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 213-087
Website: www.dickens.lv

Lidojošā Varde
Elizabetes 31a,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 321-184
Website: www.flying-frog.lv

Lounge 8
Vaļņu 19 (entrance from Gleznotāju),
Riga
Tel: +371 67 359-595
Website: www.lounge8.lv

Mi6
Kalēju 52,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 227-611

Orange Bar
Jāņa sēta 5,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 228-423
Website: www.orangebar.lv

Rīgas Balzams
Torņa 4 (Jēkaba kazarmas),
Riga
Tel: +371 67 214-494

Skyline Bar
Elizabetes 55 (Reval Hotel Latvija),
26th Floor,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 772-222

FOOD & DINING IN LATVIA / LATVIA DINING GUIDE

Latvia Info — Mon May 14, 2007 6:15 am

Author: Latvia Info

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 6:15 am

FOOD & DINING IN LATVIA

GENERAL

Pork and potatoes still may reign in Riga, but the last years have brought immense variety to the dining scene, so that even in this cream based nation, one doesn't have to compromise one's cholesterol. Between genuine sushi bars and real ethnic establishments there are also weaker attempts at exoticism, and prices aren't as low as one would expect in Eastern Europe.

Hors d’oeuvres are very good and often the best part of the meal. Overall, cuisine can be heavy but almost always tasty and nourishing.

National specialties

• Kotletes (meat patties).

• Skabu kapostu zupa (cabbage soup).

• Alexander Torte (raspberry- or cranberry-filled pastry strips).

• Smoked fish (including salmon or trout).

• Sweetbread soup with dried fruit.

• Piragi (pastry filled with bacon and onions).

• Sorrel soup with boiled pork, onions, potatoes and barley.

• Potatoes feature regularly on the menu, prepared in a variety of ways.

• There is a large selection of excellent dairy products on offer, such as skabs krejums (sour cream).

National drinks

• Riga’s Black Balsam is a thick, black alcoholic liquid which has been produced since 1700. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, but some of the ingredients include ginger, oak bark, bitter orange peel and cognac. It is drunk either with coffee or mixed with vodka.

• There are several good local beers, including the dark beer Bauskas Tumsais and the pale Gaisais.

• Kvass is a refreshing summer drink.

• Sparkling wine is popular.

Tipping: Restaurant bills usually include a tip. It is customary to give a little extra for good service.

PLACES TO DINE IN RIGA

Ai Karamba!
Pulkveža Brieža 2,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 334-672
Website: www.aikaramba.com

Bestsellers
Dzirnavu 33 (Albert Hotel),
Riga
Tel: +371 67 142-748
Website: www.alberthotel.lv

Charlestons
Blaumaņa 38/40,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 770-573
Website: www.charlestons.lv

Columbine
Aspazijas bulv. 36/38 (Metropole),
Riga
Tel: +371 67 225-411
Website: www.metropole.lv

El Primero
Smilšu 6 (entrance from Aldaru),
Riga
Tel: +371 67 323-664

Fellini
Marijas 13 (Berga Bazārs),
Riga
Tel: +371 67 284-801
Website: www.fellini.lv

Indian Raja
Vecpilsētas 3,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 221-617

Melnie Mūki
Jāņa sēta 1,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 215-006

Salt ’n’ Pepper
13. Janvāra 33,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 226-836

Velvets
Skārņu 9,
Riga
Tel: +371 67 215-075

SHOPPING IN LATVIA / LATVIA SHOPPING GUIDE

Latvia Info — Mon May 14, 2007 6:13 am

Author: Latvia Info

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 6:13 am

SHOPPING IN LATVIA

General

If there were only two words to sum up the shopping experience in Latvia, they would have to be ‘really expensive.’ Prices of imported goods tend to be inexplicably high, with simple things like a pair of Nike trainers costing in lats what they would in euro most anywhere else in Europe. Local crafts, food and alcohol, however, are still relatively cheap. Shops are scattered throughout Riga, with the highest number being concentrated around the Old Town and near the centre. Several shiny new malls have also opened on the outskirts of Riga.

Amber is of high quality and a good buy. Other interesting purchases would include wicker work and earthenware.

Shopping hours

Mon-Fri 0900/1000-1800/1900, Sat 0900/1000-1600/1700. Some smaller shops may be closed for an hour or two between 1200 and 1500 for lunch. Food shops open 0800/0900-2000/2100. Some shops are open 24 hours.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Some banks are open Sat 0900-1300.

Currency

Latvian Lat (LVL) = 100 santims. Notes are in denominations of LVL500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of LVL2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 santims.

Currency exchange

Bureaux de change are found all over main towns, including inside shops, hotels, post offices and train stations. These tend to close at 1900. Currency may also be obtained at ATMs in towns and cities. The most convenient currencies to exchange are the Euro and the US Dollar.

Credit & debit cards

American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard, JCB, MasterCard and Visa are accepted by most hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. Some shops in Riga also accept credit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Traveller's cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import and export of either local or foreign currency.