Riga, the capital of Latvia, is undeniably the centre of various tastes – traditional, modern and global. But Pierīga also has a lot to offer to taste seekers and all the curious ones. It’s important that you can get around Pierīga easily from the capital by public, shared and personal transport. To some extent, Pierīga is like an undiscovered gem on the gastronomic map of Latvia, and it is definitely worth a visit. To better understand what and where to look for and taste, we have prepared a review of must have stops for a journey of taste in Pierīga.
Carnikava lampreys
The distinctive and historical flavour of Carnikava, which is often dressed up in modern attire, is the lamprey. “Carnikava lamprey” is a fish – a lamprey – that is caught in a certain region – in the River Gauja in the territory of Carnikava region, at a certain time, from 1 August to 1 February. These long, snake-like and very tasty fish can be prepared in different ways – fried, grilled, served in soup or salad, but the best-known recipe in the Carnikava region is char-grilled lampreys. Carnikava also hosts the Lamprey Festival every year, which usually announces the start of the lamprey catching season on 1 August. During the grandiose festival, there’s an artisan market open all day, as well as a festive procession, sports activities, a boat parade, a concert, and lamprey speed eating competition. One of the central events of the festival is the cooking of Carnikava lamprey soup in a 400-litre pot. However, during the rest of the year, you can buy lampreys at the Carnikava market or from fishermen and manufacturers of various lamprey products, such as “Zibs” and SIA “Krupis”.
Arctic pallia grown in Latvia
Latvians love a good fish. Both the proximity of the sea and the many lakes and extensive rivers have given the Latvians the chance to explore the world of fish flavours since the very beginning of time. However, it’s not enough. Modern innovations and the perseverance of the owners make it possible to breed even arctic pallia in Latvia – in the fish farm “Zivs uz ledus”. The farm, cherished by two brothers, is a recirculation type of fish farm, where Arctic pallia are bred in a modern farm created by themselves. The fish are GMO-free, antibiotic-free, and their growth is not stimulated in any way. As the owners emphasise, it is important for them to create a product that they would be willing to give to their children, and along with their attitude to work, to promote their attitude towards nature and not to harm it.
A unique experience by the seashore
Jurmala is a resort town very close to Riga. It is a city permeated with rest, relaxation, pleasant and delicious experiences. In Jurmala, there’s a popular pedestrian street – Jomas Street, where it is possible to enjoy both traditional and global flavours in various restaurants. However, for those who want a special experience and exquisite tastes, it is worth visiting the Light House Jurmala restaurant, which is located right on the seashore. While being here, you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere with a stunning view of the sea. The menu offers a wide variety of Mediterranean dishes, seafood, vegetables and juicy meat dishes prepared on the grill.
Family restaurant “Hercogs” in Mārupe
Family restaurant “Hercogs” is the place to go to enjoy a taste journey with the whole family, including you four-legged friends, who are welcomed in the restaurant. The restaurant’s menu includes traditional seasonal dishes that allow you to enjoy local flavours, as well as more exotic, global and modern dishes. In addition to the extensive menu, “Hercogs” offers business lunches on weekdays, and brunches on Sundays. There is a separate room where children can play and a banquet hall on the second floor.
“Vistiņas Karbonādes Steiki”
As the name of the place suggests, this is a restaurant where you can taste chicken, chops, steaks. The grill restaurant with a cosy atmosphere and open kitchen has charcoal-grilled dishes in its menu. The place uses only the products of local farmers, home producers or processing companies in the preparation of the dishes, and the origin of the products is indicated next to each dish (the exception is products that cannot be grown or obtained in Latvia, for example, pepper, salt). Ageing of beef is the speciality of “Vistiņas Karbonādes Steiki”.
Shashlik “Piepē”
The taste of Latvia is unimaginable without shashlik. It is a meal that requires care and skill to prepare, but at its core it is simple and accessible. That’s exactly what the “Piepe” barbecue restaurant is like – a place where taste and experience surpass interior design. The menu includes pork and chicken shashlik, charcoal-grilled lamb and salmon, as well as side dishes. A visit to “Piepe” is an opportunity to get both an authentic experience and also to taste shashlik as is – hot from the spit and without any excess.
Truffles grown in Latvia
Latvians are born mushroom pickers who go to the forest with a basket every autumn to preserve the taste of forest mushrooms. That is why the love for mushrooms and the inspiration gained in France have inspired the local owners of the farm “Jaunavas” and Truffland.com to grow their own truffles, which are not characteristic of Latvia, but it is the world’s most exclusive mushroom. Truffland.com sells truffle plants, provides advice on cultivating truffle gardens, offers truffle production and its tasting, as well as rural tourism in the only open truffle farm in the Baltics.
“SierŠtelle”
Cheese is also one of the tastes of Latvia, especially caraway cheese, which is traditionally sieved in Latvia to be put on the table when we celebrate the summer solstice. Caraway cheese is also the beginning of “SierŠtelle” – it was the first cheese made by the company, which has now grown considerably. Currently, the company’s product range includes many natural, unripened soft cheeses, such as cheeses with almonds, cinnamon, persillade, pumpkin seeds, sun-dried tomatoes and many other flavours. You can book your visit in advance so that you don’t have to think too much about how the cheese with cinnamon tastes and come to the tasting at the “SierŠtelle” factory in Ogre, where you can get answers to all questions related to the taste, as well as other matters. And you can enjoy cheese products in ready-made dishes at the cafe “Policijas akadēmija '98” in Ogre, where all “SierŠtelle” products are available and can be tasted in the dishes offered on the menu.
Goat’s milk and its products
Milk and milk products include the flavours of each country and region. Although cow farming and cow’s milk products dominate in Latvia, in Pierīga you can taste goat’s milk and products made from it. The certified organic farm “Lejnieki” is a family business that has been doing goat farming for 20 years. The farm offers pasteurised goat’s milk, three types of yoghurt, two types of white cheese, smoked cheese, cheese with caraway, three types of cheese to spread, goat’s milk cheeses ricotta and feta, as well as cottage cheese. At the farm, it is possible to see how sheep are reared, how products are made, as well as taste and buy them. Before going to the farm, you must contact the owner at least three days in advance.
Garlic world
Garlic is a truly versatile plant that you can build a whole world around. This is exactly what the owners of “Ķiploku pasaule” have tried to achieve in their work and products. The farm not only grows garlic, but also makes various products from it, such as side dishes, sauces, snacks and even sweets. By booking in advance, anyone interested can visit the tasting, where groups can see both the garlic field and enjoy nature, taste the products and buy them directly from the producer.
Blueberries from Salaspils
Wild blueberries are a part of childhood taste and an adventure for almost every Latvian. “Salaspils mellenes” is a farm that has modernised this experience and introduced new flavours of blueberries – bush blueberries. At the farm, it is not only possible to buy blueberries and their seedlings, but also self-pick bush blueberries, participate in master classes and go on excursions. Every blueberry lover can learn how to grow and care for blueberries. It is also a place for family celebrations – an event tent for children’s parties and family celebrations for up to 30 people. “Salaspils mellenes” is a family-friendly berry garden.
