Updated: March 2026 | Last reviewed: March 2026
Riga has quietly become one of Europe's most exciting food cities. The MICHELIN Guide Latvia 2026 recommends 34 restaurants — two with a Michelin star, five with Bib Gourmand status, and 27 in the main selection. In this guide, you'll find seven standout restaurants across every price range, plus practical tips for making the most of Riga's dining scene in 2026.
1. Why has Riga become a food destination?
2. Which Riga restaurants have Michelin stars?
3. Where to eat brilliantly for a fair price?
4. Which new restaurants are worth visiting in 2026?
5. Where to try authentic Latvian cuisine?
6. Where to find the best Asian food in Riga?
7. Restaurant comparison table
8. How to choose a restaurant for special occasions?
9. How to round out a food trip to Riga?
10. Frequently asked questions
Why has Riga become a food destination?
In just three years, Riga has gone from an overlooked culinary market to a city with 34 MICHELIN-recommended restaurants. The reason is straightforward — a generation of local chefs combining exceptional Nordic ingredients with world-class technique, at prices that would be two to three times higher in Paris or Copenhagen.
Since the MICHELIN Guide first included Latvia in 2024, the impact has been dramatic. According to Latvia's Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), 91% of MICHELIN-listed restaurants have seen a significant increase in international guests, and 87% have grown their revenue.
2026 hasn't been without challenges — several well-known restaurants closed in early January, including the seafood restaurant Tails and Old Town's Barents. Market saturation and high labour costs are pushing the industry to evolve. But those that remain are offering better quality than ever.
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Which Riga restaurants have Michelin stars?
Two Riga restaurants hold one Michelin star in 2026 — Max Cekot Kitchen and JOHN Chef's Hall. Both serve tasting menus that showcase Latvia's seasonal ingredients, and dinner at either is an event, not just a meal.
Max Cekot Kitchen — Latvia's first Michelin star
★ MICHELIN
Hidden inside a former wood processing factory on Jelgavas iela, this is Riga's most celebrated restaurant. Max Cekot Kitchen serves a 15-course tasting menu that changes with the seasons — every dish built from hand-picked local ingredients, some grown in the restaurant's own garden.
Address: Jelgavas iela 42, Riga
Hours: Thu, Fri, Sat 18:00–23:00
Price: tasting menu ~€150 per person (drinks separate, +12.5% service)
Reservations: essential, book at maxcekot.com
Don't miss: the Chef's Table — only 4 seats directly in the kitchen, where the team cooks and explains every dish
Chef Max Cekot has held Latvia's only Michelin star for three consecutive years. The open kitchen lets you watch the creative process unfold, and sommelier Uldis Grigalis offers wine or non-alcoholic pairings for every course.
JOHN Chef's Hall — an innovation lab
★ MICHELIN
JOHN Chef's Hall, led by chef Kristaps Sīlis, takes a contemporary author's approach to Latvian ingredients. The restaurant announced a concept change in early 2026 — check the restaurant's website for the latest details before visiting.
Price: tasting menu ~€120–180 per person
Reservations: essential, well in advance
Where to eat brilliantly for a fair price?
The MICHELIN Bib Gourmand highlights restaurants where excellent quality meets honest pricing. In 2026, five Riga restaurants hold this distinction — and two are new additions. The average bill at these places runs €25–50 per person, which for this level of cooking is remarkably accessible.
SMØR Bistro — opening of the year
BIB GOURMAND NEW 2026
Half a level below the street, in warm terracotta tones with marble-topped tables, SMØR Bistro serves Nordic-French cuisine that earned both a Bib Gourmand and the "Opening of the Year" award in 2026. Chef Kaspars Barsukovs personally visits Riga Central Market every morning, and the menu shifts with what's freshest.
Address: Krišjāņa Valdemāra iela 27-29, Riga
Hours: Mon–Thu 12:00–22:00, Fri–Sat 12:00–23:00, Sun 12:00–21:00
Price: ~€30–50 per person
Lunch tip: Danish smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches) make an excellent quick lunch
Website: smorbistro.com
Milda — the Baltic tradition keeper
BIB GOURMAND
A small restaurant in the heart of Old Riga, named after the figure atop Latvia's Freedom Monument. Here, Latvian pelmeni, grey peas with bacon and sour cream, and Lithuanian cepelinai meet modern presentation. Portions are generous, and the service is warm and genuine.
Address: Kungu iela 8, Riga (Old Town)
Price: ~€15–30 per person
Reservations: recommended — the restaurant is small
Website: restoransmilda.lv
Milda is the best choice for showing foreign guests what authentic Baltic cuisine tastes like — no pretension, just heart.
Snatch and Shōyu — the other Bib Gourmand winners
Snatch (contemporary European in an industrial setting) and Shōyu (Japanese ramen and rice bowls in a cosy space) have held their Bib Gourmand status for three consecutive years. Both are accessible without extensive advance planning and offer excellent meals for €20–40.
Which new restaurants are worth visiting in 2026?
Two new restaurants joined the 2026 MICHELIN selection — The Catch and Māsa. Each brings a distinctive approach that adds genuine variety to Riga's dining landscape.
The Catch — Japanese izakaya with a Baltic accent
NEW MICHELIN 2026
On Antonijas iela, in a vaulted brick cellar, The Catch serves refined sushi, sashimi, tempura and robata grill dishes. It's the sibling restaurant of Bib Gourmand winner Snatch, and won the 2026 MICHELIN Service Award for Sergejs Šiporovs and his team.
Address: Antonijas iela 12, Riga
Price: ~€40–70 per person
Atmosphere: intimate, with soft lighting and handmade ceramic tableware
Māsa — Mediterranean flavours in central Riga
NEW MICHELIN 2026
Minimalist interiors in muted grey and sand tones, where local ingredients meet Mediterranean and Asian inspiration. Cocktails and small bites lead into cosmopolitan mains — Māsa is the kind of place that feels modern and comfortable at the same time.
Price: ~€30–50 per person
Best for: casual evening with friends or a relaxed date night
Where to try authentic Latvian cuisine?
Latvian gastronomy builds on seasonal local ingredients — wild mushrooms, berries, Baltic Sea fish, and farm-raised meat. The best chefs present these products with contemporary technique while respecting the spirit of tradition.
3 Chefs (3 Pavāri) — open kitchen since 2011
MICHELIN SELECTED
Founded by Latvian chefs Mārtiņš Sirmā and Ēriks Dreibants, this open-kitchen restaurant has become a Riga institution. Executive chef Pāvels Skopa personally selects ingredients from local farms, and the menu evolves with the seasons. Bonus: 3 Chefs offers cooking masterclasses where you prepare dishes under the chef's guidance.
Price: ~€30–50 per person
Best for: groups of friends, couples, families
Neiburgs — an Old Town classic
MICHELIN SELECTED
Set in a historic Art Nouveau building with large windows overlooking Old Riga, Neiburgs serves Latvian-favourite flavours with seasonal produce from the Central Market and local farms, woven together with international influences. A summer terrace operates from May through September.
Address: Jauniela 25/27, Riga (Old Town)
Price: ~€25–45 per person
Website: neiburgs.com
Pavāru māja — the Green Star in Līgatne
MICHELIN GREEN ★
If you're willing to make the 1.5-hour drive from Riga, Pavāru māja in Līgatne is Latvia's only MICHELIN Green Star holder, recognised for sustainability in gastronomy. The road leads through the stunning Gauja National Park — combine it with a hike or a visit to Sigulda.
See our full guide to adventure activities in Latvia — from fine dining to freefall adrenaline.
Where to find the best Asian food in Riga?
Riga's Asian restaurant scene is surprisingly strong — from MICHELIN-recognised Japanese spots to authentic ramen. The top picks are The Catch (sushi, robata grill), Shōyu (ramen), and COD Robata Grill (Japanese izakaya in Old Town).
COD Robata Grill (on Kaļķu iela) is a MICHELIN-selected restaurant serving authentic Japanese dishes on small sharing plates — perfect for groups. The cocktail bar in the cellar is a destination in its own right.
Shōyu (Bib Gourmand) — a tiny, cosy spot where house-made noodle ramen with rich broth is the star. At ~€10–20, it's Riga's most affordable MICHELIN-listed restaurant.
Restaurant comparison table
| Restaurant | MICHELIN status | Cuisine | Price/person | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Cekot Kitchen | ★ Star | Modern Latvian | €150+ | Special occasion, birthday |
| JOHN Chef's Hall | ★ Star | Author's tasting | €120–180 | Culinary experience |
| SMØR Bistro | Bib Gourmand | Nordic-French | €30–50 | Date night, lunch |
| The Catch | Michelin Selected | Japanese izakaya | €40–70 | Sushi, group dinner |
| Māsa | Michelin Selected | Mediterranean-Latvian | €30–50 | Relaxed evening |
| Milda | Bib Gourmand | Traditional Baltic | €15–30 | Authenticity, foreign guests |
| 3 Chefs | Michelin Selected | Modern Latvian | €30–50 | Groups, cooking classes |
| Neiburgs | Michelin Selected | Seasonal Latvian | €25–45 | Old Town atmosphere |
| Shōyu | Bib Gourmand | Japanese ramen | €10–20 | Quick, budget-friendly |
How to choose a restaurant for special occasions?
A birthday, anniversary or proposal — the right restaurant sets the tone for the entire evening. Here are practical recommendations for every occasion, so the experience is memorable from the first cocktail to the last dessert.
Birthday or anniversary: Max Cekot Kitchen Chef's Table (only 4 seats in the kitchen) or SMØR Bistro private room (up to 40 guests). Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead for either.
Romantic dinner: Māsa (intimate atmosphere, cocktails) or Neiburgs (Old Town terrace views in summer).
Group or friends' night out: The Catch (sharing plates), 3 Chefs (open kitchen, cooking classes) or COD (cocktail bar downstairs after dinner).
Business dinner: SMØR Bistro (professional yet relaxed) or Riviera (Mediterranean cuisine with an excellent wine list, Michelin Selected).
Pro tip: demand at top restaurants spikes during holidays and long weekends. For Michelin-starred restaurants, book at least a month in advance. For Bib Gourmand spots, a week ahead is usually enough.
How to round out a food trip to Riga?
Riga's best restaurants are just one part of what the city offers. A memorable visit can be completed with experiences that stay with you just as vividly as the finest tasting menu — and many of them make excellent gifts, too.
If you're spending several days in Riga and looking for something beyond the dining scene, consider these options:
Freefall from 4,000m — a tandem skydive with Skydive Latvia is one of the most striking experiences available in Latvia. About 60 seconds of freefall at ~200 km/h — no prior experience required. Price: €239. The airfield is approximately one hour from Riga.
Oxygen Jump from 5,500m — the highest civilian tandem jump in Eastern Europe. With oxygen masks and ~90 seconds of freefall — an experience only Skydive Latvia offers. Price: €490.
Experience gifts: both restaurant dinners and skydives make excellent presents. Skydive Latvia gift cards have no expiration date — they can be used any season. From €30. Try our gift ideas generator for more inspiration.
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Frequently asked questions about restaurants in Riga
How many Michelin-starred restaurants are in Riga in 2026?
In 2026, Riga has two restaurants with one Michelin star — Max Cekot Kitchen and JOHN Chef's Hall. In total, 34 Latvian restaurants are included in the MICHELIN Guide.
Do I need to book ahead at Riga restaurants?
At Michelin-starred restaurants — absolutely, at least a month ahead. At Bib Gourmand restaurants, booking a week ahead is recommended, especially for weekend evenings. Simpler spots often have walk-in availability.
What's the average bill at Riga's Michelin restaurants?
At Bib Gourmand restaurants (Milda, Shōyu, Snatch, SMØR) — €15–50 per person. At Michelin Selected restaurants — €25–70. At starred restaurants, tasting menus start at ~€120–150 per person, excluding drinks.
Which Riga restaurants are best for budget travellers?
Shōyu serves Michelin-recognised ramen for €10–20. Milda offers authentic Latvian food for €15–30. Both hold the Bib Gourmand, meaning exceptional quality-to-price ratio.
Where in Riga can you eat with a group or celebrate a birthday?
SMØR Bistro offers a private room for up to 40 guests. 3 Chefs runs cooking masterclasses for groups. The Catch and COD are well-suited for informal group dinners with sharing-style dishes.
Do Riga restaurants offer vegan or gluten-free menus?
Most MICHELIN-listed restaurants offer vegan and gluten-free options — Max Cekot Kitchen has a full vegetarian tasting menu. It's best to mention dietary requirements when booking.
What's the best time of year to visit Riga for food?
Spring and summer (May–September) bring terraces and longer days. But Riga's restaurants excel year-round — winter menus often feature game and foraged woodland ingredients that you won't find in summer.
Where can you get the best sushi in Riga?
The Catch (Michelin Selected) is the top choice for premium sushi. Shōyu offers ramen and rice bowls at more accessible prices. COD Robata Grill combines sushi with robata-grilled dishes.
Is a restaurant gift card a good gift in Latvia?
Restaurant and experience gift cards are among the most popular gift categories in Latvia. Experience gifts — from Michelin dining to a tandem skydive — create memories that last longer than material presents. Skydive Latvia gift cards have no expiration date.
