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Despite being brand new, it's a very well run place. Fabulous decor and excellent food. Reasonably priced given the quality. Filet of beef with foie gras mousse 13 Ls. Offered Champagne by glass (5.5 Ls). Lots of seafood and fish in the menu.
The array of seafood ranges from Mediterranean octopus carpaccio or seafood and sesame seaweed salad to steamed turbot with cauliflower puree, basil sauce and tomato tartar ‘to die for’. The results are simply executed, gently sauced and super-fresh.
There are meat and vegetarian alternatives alongside the seafood and a more informal menu is available in the bar.
24, Jauniela
www.lecrabe.lv
+371 67212416
This is a good cheap hotel which provides bed and breakfast. I booked it using its own website. The rooms are large and clean and have fridges. You can borrow a kettle, etc from reception at no charge.
Valdemara Street, Riga. Take the number 22a bus from the airport and get off at the Art Museum, 2 stops after crossing the river. Then at the same stop take the number 8 trolley bus 4 stops. The hotel is across the road. Each fare is 0.4 Lat (about 42p!)
From our experience, Riga has one of the greatest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe.
A third of buildings in the centre of Riga were built in this style. These date between 1896 and 1913, with the most striking examples being found around Albert St. If you’re in Riga, we really recommend you take in some of this stunning architecture.
Script, act out and record your own film at one of the leading film sets in eastern Europe!
Travel company Riga Out There have just launched this exciting activity as part of their new 'unusual things to do in Latvia campaign'.
Once each film group has made its film, it is given the opportunity to present their film at one of Riga’s leading cinemas with critical feedback given by one of Latvia’s top film directors.
You do not need to have any film background - just turn up in Riga with a group of friends and start dreaming of film stardom!
Andrejsala is the new, trendy district of Riga. If you are visiting Riga then ask around for information about any special parties, exhibitions or clubbing events being held in the bohemian port area of the Latvian capital.
A glamourous club, it's like walking into a fashion shoot party.
Enjoyed a VIP clubbing night out in Riga on Saturday night. Forget the reputation some people have given to Riga - there was nothing sleazy about this night out. In fact, it was quite the opposite with a VIP entrance to a club, reserved seats, champagne and top tunes all through the night.
The nuclear bunker tour in Latvia is funny, weird and a really good day out. My friends and I combined it with a trip to the shooting range in Latvia.
I first heard about the tour in a story I read in easyJet's in-flight magazine about a crazy underground nuclear bunker in Latvia's countryside.
The bunker is in the middle of nowhere and is absolutely the most strange place I've ever been to. Plan to go back and do it again in the winter for the full-on Soviet winter vibe.
dADa is a restaurant decorated in the style of Dadaism. It's whacky yet stylish. The food is a bit like Mongolian Barbecue: you fill up a bowl with fresh meat and vegetables and it's cooked for you and brought to your table in no time. And it tastes wonderful!
dADa also has a wonderful selection of drinks. A good place to go before a night on the town and then return the next day to cure the hangover!
I absolutely love this place.
Galerija Centes, Kalêju iela 30
Tel: 7104433
The medieval Latvian city of Sigulda is celebrating 800 years this summer.
If you are in Latvia this weekend then get yourself to Sigulda for its official 800-year birthday party celebrations, which will include a celebration by Latvia's top band - Brainstorm
An Olympic-standard bobsleigh track which visitors to Latvia can try out.
This adrenaline rushfest is also available during the summer months care of the new summer bobsleigh.
Riga
www.out-there.eu/en/Riga/show/event/18/Summer+Bobsleigh+Run
If you are flying into Riga pick up a free copy of the excellent airport magazine - Gateway Riga. It is a great source of info about all things Latvian and serves as an ideal reference guide during any visit to the country.
You can also download a pdf file on the airport's website...
Expats and tourists have the opportunity to play football for a team in Latvia's top amateur league!
It is possible to play against or for league team Riga United.
If you are planning to move to Latvia to live and work, then you can join a Riga United training session and, who knows, you might be turning out for the red and white of United!
Alternatively, if you are interested in playing Riga United FC while on your holiday, then you just need to contact the club through their sponsor's website.
Whether you are looking for a business or a leisure accommodation in Riga or in the Baltics. Let us suggest you the best choice for all your needs. Choose from a variety of apartments or just ask for a tourist service to enrich your stay. Feel like at home away from home and enjoy Riga, the pearl of the Baltic !
For the chance to be lord or lady of the manor for the day, without needing the finance to go with it, check out Kalnamuiza Manor House in Latvia. The manor house offers a secluded five-star getaway from the big city life of Riga.
Nobody thinks to check out one of Europe's most beautiful cities from its rooftops. Fantastic views of the city from several different vantage points and next to no tourists with the same idea.
Some of the places you can do by yourself but we did it with a local company who had access to all of the places we wanted to see.
Authentic Indian restaurant - lovely food - good for vegetarians. English spoken.
Vecpilsetas street 3, Riga
Tel./Fax: 7212614
www.indianraja.lv/
Nice apartment, clean and tidy. Paid a deposit of 75 euros and paid rest when we got there no problems... good location near everything in Riga centre. Gloria is very helpful if you have any problems and gave us advice during our stay.
A relatively tourist-free little cafe by day, it turns into a hipster hangout by night, complete with great indie music, awesome barstaff, and pretty much just cool, laid back Riga kids. I definitely recommend it, but only if you don't act like a tourist when you visit - that would totally ruin what an awesome place it is!
I went to Riga last year, and this was one of my favourite bars, not just in the city but ever. A really cool alternative atmosphere, combined with chilled-out indie kids prove that Riga is a young, hip, cool city.
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