Saloons, cafes and other places in small towns and the countryside which offer tasty dishes made of local products and on the basis of traditional Latvian recipes – ones which differ from region to region.
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Latvia
The “Karlamuiza” guesthouseLocated in Kārļi, the guesthouse is in a building that used to serve as the servant’s home for the former noble estate. It mostly uses local ingredients and only prepares meals on the basis of individual orders that are filed in advance. Latvian cuisine: Roast meats, apple bread, homemade ice cream, bread soup, cranberry fool, wild mushroom sauce, homemade wine. Special foods: Trout from the Kārļi stream. |
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Latvia
The “Putelkrogs” caféThis family-run café is on the edge of the Jelgava-Tērvete road, at the historic Pūteļi dairy processing plant. Latvian cuisine: Goat’s cheese, cold beet soup, grey peas with bacon, herring with potatoes and cottage cheese, roast pork, veal with wild mushroom sauce, pork roast in heather honey, crepes with heather honey, rye bread, birch juice, cranberry beverage, vodka, local beers. Special foods: Zeppelins a la Pūteļkrogs, served with wild mushroom sauce, chicken filet stuffed with tomatoes, goat’s cheese and dried tomatoes. |
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Latvia
Pub MEKEOpened on June 21, 2011, at the 51st kilometre of the Tallinn-Riga highway, the MEKE KROGS pub is a typical example of the roadside pubs which used to be built along the sides of roads and near homesteads, castles, mills and windmills. This particular one is located into renovated cattle shed that is more than 100 years old – a lovely log building that is named after the former baron of the local estate, von Mecke. Alongside it is the handsome parish building which was erected in 1907 with red bricks from Tūja. Latvian cuisine: Sorrel stew with grits, cold soup, pounded beef, mutton and vegetable stew, grits with smoked meat and mushrooms, herring with cottage cheese, bread soup. Special foods: Porridge with bacon bits and Meke spicy sausages. |
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Latvia
UpeniteThe “Upenite” country house is located on the southern shore of Lake Ciritis. This farm nurtures Lettigalian traditions, serves Lettigalian foods, produces dairy products (including cheeses), grows local plants (which you can purchase), and offers a chance to visit a proper Lettigalian black sauna. The owners themselves will serve as the sauna masters. Master’s classes in the baking of tortes are offered. |
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Latvia
Brewery VALMIERMUIZAS ALUSTourists can learn about the history of the estate and the brewing of beer, beginning with raw materials and ending with finished products. The visit is enriched by tastings of live beer and stories about Latvia’s traditional holiday beverage. Alongside the brewery is a store which sells live beer, homemade goodies and selected souvenirs. The “Valmiermuižas alus virtuve” saloon popularises Latvian beers and uses beer in various dishes. A modern approach to homemade products is used to prepare foods and beer-based snacks. There is a beer garden during the summer, and the saloon merges traditional things with modern ones. Latvian cuisine: Smoked pork, filet of pike from Lake Burtnieks, green pea mash, with loganberries, quince, pumpkin birch juice and mushroom sauce as accompaniments. Special foods: Slice of pork marinated in unfiltered winter beer. |
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Latvia
The Dzirnavu saloon of the Birini CastleThe saloon is in the park of the Bīriņi Castle alongside a lake. It offers a lovely view from the summer terrace. The saloon is in the old windmill building, with antique objects preserved in the interior. Latvian cuisine: Grey peas with bacon, herring with potatoes, sautéed chicken and potatoes, chanterelle sauce, sautéed cabbage with hunter’s sausages, apple tart. |
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Latvia
House of traditions "Zvanitaji" in RucavaThe wooden building was erected in the late 19th century and features a museum which demonstrates the way in which people lived more than 100 years ago. Exhibits include household objects, the Rucava folk costume, socks and decorated mittens. Various events involving discussions, singing, games, dancing and weaving are organised, as are cultural and educational programmes such as “Evening Activities” and “A Rucava Banquet” with local foods from lower Kurzeme. Latvian cuisine: Buns, sourdough porridge, homemade bread, honey, herbal teas. |
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Latvia
The Klajumi horse farmThe farm features twelve friendly horses from Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus, as well as three eager dogs of various species, along with rabbits, chickens, cows and cats. Here you will feel the true country spirit in four adjoining farms – Klajumi, Ganiņi, Ķemeri and Krasti. The location is near the “Rings of the Daugava” Nature Park, and you can go horseback riding along the border between Latvia and Belarus. Latvian cuisine: Schnitzel of mushrooms, potato dumplings with dried mushrooms or meat, cream sauce and onions, baked chanterelles with new potatoes, sautéed vegetables and mushrooms, strawberries with ice cream, moonshine liquor. Special foods: Cranberry fool a la Klajumi |
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Latvia
Baking carrot buns "Usi"The farm is located in the north-west of Latvia, which was historically inhabited by Livonians and, nowadays, is often called the Livonian coast. Farm is one of the first homes in Kolka, 1.2 km from Kolkasrags, the furthest northern point of Courland separating the Baltic Sea from the Gulf of Riga. The owner of the farm demonstrates the way in which the traditional Northern Kurzeme dessert that is a carrot bun and is known as a "sklandrausis" is prepared. Sklandrausis is registered in the EU food quality scheme as a product with traditional speciality guaranteed. Hikers can take a tour to see the industrial history of Kolka, complete with theatrical elements and tasting of Latvia’s best sprats. Latvian cuisine: Porridge with fried onions and meat, kefir, herbal teas. Special foods: Carrot buns. |
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Latvia
The “Kucuru dzirnavas” guesthouseThe windmill building (1875) is now a museum and offers well known wedding traditions. Guests can catch fish in the local pond and then cook them. |
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