No 50178
Self drive tour
Self drive tour Independent travel Latvia

Culinary Route "Flavours of Livonia" - Liv's road


  • Farm “Bitnieki” - This is a beautiful farm that is friendly to the environment and has around 100 bee hives. Engaged in beekeeping for 40 years already. Store is open for visitors.

  • Café “Rātsgalds” - Located in the centre of Ventspils next to the Town Hall Square. Enjoy typical Latvian cuisine in a pleasant atmosphere. Meals such as fried blood sausage with bacon, served with lingonberry sauce and fried ​​potato wedges with bacon and vegetable stew with cod, served with toast are served here.

  • Café „Kupfernams“ - Located in the centre of Ventspils - the classicism style wooden building, which dates back to the 19th century and once belonged to the Kupfer family, is now included on the European cultural heritage list. Offers European cuisine with some Latvian national cuisine additions.

  • Slītere National Park - The mild North Kurzeme climate of Slītere National Park is the reason why so many rare plants are found in the - some 860 in all including Common Yew (Taxus baccata) and Baltic Ivy (Hedera helix var. baltica). Of certain value in the preservation of these treasures was the Soviet military machine, which has left behind army bases and other military objects in the area. The presence of the military meant that the area of what is now the Slītere National Park remained largely undisturbed for 50 years. The park includes one of the most popular tourist destinations in Latvia – the Cape of Kolka, also bird watching place during the spring. From Kolka to Sīkrags and Ovīši, fishing villages and other cultural objects established by the world’s smallest ethnic minority can be found here. Tourists will enjoy interesting four nature trails, bicycling routes, viewing tower, etc. The visitors centre is located at the Slītere lighthouse.

  • Fish smoking „Pie Andra Pitragā” - Visitors can take part in the smoking of fish (flea, breeze and bream), taste the produce and listen to the story of coastal fishing traditions. There are ~ 20 types of fences typical of Livs in the farm. Campsite is available.

  • Baking of carrot pies (sklandrauši) in “Ūši” - 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. Liv traditional meals. Culinary class and tasting of traditional Courland dish - carrot pies (sklandrauši).

  • Fish smoking in “Pūpoli” - "Pūpoli" is located on the coast of the Gulf of Riga, 50 metres from the sea. Visitors have the opportunity to observe the preparation and smoking of fluke, vimba, bream, perch and other fish, as well as to purchase and taste them.

  • Restaurant “Otra puse” - Family-owned company in Roja allowing guests to gain an insight into local fishermen and Latvian lifestyle traditions, promoting the local bounty of the sea and riches of the surrounding forests by preparing and serving them both in traditional versions stemming from the past and modern concepts of Latvian cuisine.

  • Restaurant “Mare” - The restaurant is located in the centre of Roja, offering a beautiful view to the River Roja and port. There is an opportunity to enjoy meals for different tastes.

  • Café „Rēderi“ - Located in a building that dates back from the previous century and is situated next to the hotel “Rēderi”, 200 metres from the rocky beach of Kaltene. Guests can enjoy European cuisine and traditional Courland dishes prepared from local produce, mostly fish.

  • Household “Bandenieki” - Old household where the owners are beekeepers. Upon request, provides an educational programme and visits for schools and events.

  • Restaurant „Usma SPA” - This restaurant is located in a lovely place on the north bank of Lake Usma, and is open for visitors all year long. Preparing fish of Lake Usma - eel, tench and pike perch, also venison hunted in the surrounding forests. You can buy smoked eel and bream here, participate in fish tasting of Lake Usma.

  • Campsite „Bukdangas“ - Located on the shores of Lake Usma, it provides diverse water- and land-based recreational opportunities, a free picnic area and outdoor fireplace, as well as catering services. Tasting of the Lake Usma fish dishes - eel soup, dried fish, trout sandwiches. You can also catch and cook the trout yourself.

  • Farm „Kurzemnieki“ - Located in a very picturesque place - Talsi Hillocks Nature Park. This farm grows and processes apples. Visitors can go on an informative tour, as well as taste and purchase products.

  • Farm „Kangari“ - The farm grows vegetables and fruits to produce tasty preserves, syrups, jams, chutneys and dried fruit. You can taste and purchase the products, go on a tour of an escargot farm, and taste escargots cooked Burgundy style. Produce tasting and purchase.

  • Fisherman’s farm “Dieniņas” - The owners are local fisherman who are happy to sell various types of smoked local fish to visitors. Tour groups can take part in active leisure related to cultural aspects of smoking tasty fish.

  • Mills “Rideļi dzirnavas” - The water mill, renovated in the 1920ties, provides the opportunity to learn about the historical mechanisms where a modern exposition was created, and to get acquainted with the flour milling process, and taste pancakes and local fish in the café "Cope".

  • Café “Būda” - Located in Engure. The café specialises in different seafood dishes. Tasting of eight types of fish caught in the Baltic Sea, which are traditionally prepared.

  • Restaurant „Valguma pasaule” - Located on the southern shore of Lake Valgums. Prepares meals using only natural spices and mostly Latvian products. Elegant dishes are offered in the glass room, and soup is cooked on a campfire.

  • Fish products “Reiņa zivis” - Family-owned company specialising in the production of hot smoked fish products, using only natural alder wood during the smoking process. Organises tastings for tourists - which allows you to witness the whole production process with your own eyes and taste all the products of the company.

  • Restaurant „Neptūns“ - Oldest restaurant in Jurmala with a 50 year history, situated in the dune zone, where you can enjoy the sea air and pines soughing. A wide selection of grilled food prepared on an open fire throughout the year. We offer meals and drinks according to seasonal specialities.

  • Lamprey farm „Krupis” - Lamprey catching and processing traditions started long ago in Carnikava, in the place where the River Gauja enters the sea. On the tour you can find out about lamprey and their preparation methods, as well as enjoy them grilled, jellied or in the form of lamprey sushi.

  • Saulkrasti - The largest town in the region dates back to the 19th century, when three local fishing villages – Neibāde, Pēterupe and Katrīnbāde – became a popular location for leisure and swimming.  Opening of a rail line between Rīga and Saulkrasti in 1905 and road and railroad line, installed during the 1930s, also contributed in development of resorts. Today Saulkrasti is attractive because of its white sand beach, as well as various annual events, the Saulriets trail, the White Dune, the unique bicycle museum, Sea Park, the “Centrs” swimming facility, Sun Square, etc.

  • Igate Caste Mill Cafe - Igate Castle Mill Café is built on the foundations of the old mill. The wheels of the mill are still turned to grind the grain to get flour. The flour is then used by the cooks to prepare traditional Latvian meals. As seasons change, the chef comes up with special offers. In the Mill Café you can enjoy great meals, celebrate different life events in a small company of family or friends.

  • Restaurant “Lauču akmens” - Restaurant with a summer terrace on the seafront with a view of the beach, large Lauči stone and a possibility to enjoy the sunset. The restaurant specialises in the preparation of fish meals.

  • Pub “Meke” - At the 51 km mark of the highway Rīga – Ainaži stands the only pub in Latvia, and probably in the Baltics, located in a 110 year-old log cattle shed. Varied, Latvian cuisine with modern serving style and taste.

  • Tavern „Sidrabiņi” - The tavern is located in the old log building close to Liepupe Church. There is an old cattle-shed next to the tavern where we make meat and sausage products that you can purchase in the Sudrabņi meat and sausage store. We offer tours and tastings.

  • Hotel and restaurant „Liepupes muiža” - Hotel and restaurant in the renovated Liepupe Manor building. The restaurant combines wonderful delicacies of sophisticated modern urban cuisine with old country food making traditions. The meal is based on fresh seasonal products delivered by local farmers or grown in the manor's own ecological herb garden.

  • Home-made ice-cream „Gogelmogels” - The farm keeps more than 250 chickens and produces home-made ice-cream. We offer tours of the farm, ice-cream tasting, a story about the history of ice-cream.

  • Tourism and Recreation Complex „Meža Salas” - „Meža Salas” is remote from the big roads, in the middle of the forest. The hosts give you the opportunity to organize private events, listen to the magic of nature, and regain strenght in sauna procedures. Guests can enjoy Latvian specialties prepared on the campfire, in a large pan, smoked or grilled. The owners organize culinary seminars.

  • Open-Air Exhibition of Latvian Plants and Herbs - Near one of the Jumpravmuiža lakes – Lake Auziņezers – stands the largest open-air exhibition of herbs in Vidzeme. During the visit you will get to know healthy herbs, find out about their usage in food and phytotherapy, enjoy green cocktails.

  • N.Bomja Bakery “Lielezers” - The story of this bakery started more than 25 years ago, near Limbaži, when craftsman Alberts Blumbergs’ knowledge and experience was put into practice and very delicious rye bread was made. Every loaf of bread is handmade. We also offer tours in the bakery and tasting.

  • Household “Dzirnupes” - "Dzirnupes" is a traditional country house near Limbaži. Guests are offered overnight accommodation in the old log bar, which is well-equipped for guest reception. The landlord Juris Palelionis produces folk musical instruments - stump drums and unusual knitting tools, as well as demonstrantes the process of their creation. There are Latvian vegetables grown in the farm, from which the hostess prepares a variety of traditional dishes.

  • Farm „Lielkalni” - Grows two hectares of uncommon berries four years ago – golden currants, viburnum, large-fruit hazel trees, sea buckthorn, the black elder, five-flavour berries, the Chinese gooseberry, edible honey-suckle, etc. Producing health-boosting syrups, jellies, jams and teas. Tourists can taste the teas, seasonal berries, syrups, jellies and other treats, all of which are also available for sale.

  • Restaurant „Pļavas” - Small, quiet and cosy hotel with a popular gourmet restaurant near the Tallinn highway, in Ainaži, where the air is filled with the aroma of pines and the sea. In the cosy atmosphere of the restaurant you can enjoy a leisurely and delicious meal while feeling the closeness to nature.

  • The Ainaži Maritime School Museum - The museum was opened in 1969 in the building of the maritime school that was opened in 1864 at the suggestion of Krišjānis Valdemārs.  The school trained more than 1,000 sea captains and helmsmen.  The exhibition at the museum relates to the operations of the school, as well as the building of sailing ships on the Vidzeme shoreline during the latter half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century.  There is a collection of anchors, as well as the top of the Ainaži lighthouse, which was once washed away by the sea, but has been restored.