Taste of Latvia

Latvian cuisine is a hearty, earthy reflection of its agrarian roots, heavily relying on pork, potatoes, rye, and forage from the deep forests.

Latvian Karbonade breaded pork chop

Karbonāde

The unofficial national dish. A pounded, breaded pork chop typically served with dill potatoes and a creamy mushroom sauce.

Grey peas with bacon traditional dish

Pelēkie Zirņi ar Speķi

Grey peas boiled and stewed with fried onions and diced smoked bacon. Traditionally eaten at Christmas, but available year-round.

Dark rye bread Rupjmaize

Rupjmaize

A dense, dark rye bread that is a staple of the Latvian diet. It's even used to make sweet desserts like Maizes zupa (rye bread soup).

Riga Central Market

To truly understand Latvian food culture, visit the Riga Central Market. Housed in five repurposed WWI Zeppelin hangars, it is one of the largest markets in Europe.

Must try: Smoked fish, pickled vegetables, fresh berries, and local honeys.

Interior of Riga Central Market pavilions