Hors d’oeuvres are very good and often the best part of the meal. Overall, cuisine can be heavy but almost always tasty and nourishing.
National specialities:
• Kotletes (meat patties).
• Skabu kapostu zupa (cabbage soup).
• Alexander Torte (raspberry- or cranberry-filled pastry strips).
• Sweetbread soup with dried fruit.
• Piragi (pastry filled with bacon and onions).
• Sorrel soup with boiled pork, onions, potatoes and barley.
• There is a large selection of excellent dairy products on offer, such as skabs krejums (sour cream).
National drinks:
• Riga’s Black Balsam is a thick, black alcoholic liquid which has been produced since 1700. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, but some of the ingredients include ginger, oak bark, bitter orange peel and cognac. It is drunk either with coffee or mixed with vodka.
• There are several good local beers, including the dark beer Bauskas Tumsais and the pale Gaisais.
• Kvass is a refreshing summer drink.
• Sparkling wine is popular.
Tipping: Taxi fares and restaurant bills usually include a tip. It is customary to give a little extra for good service.

Riga has a good range of excellent restaurants, bars and cafes.

Amber is of high quality and a good buy. Other purchases include folk art, wicker work and earthenware. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900/1000-1800/1900, Sat 0900/1000-1600/1700. Some smaller shops may be closed for an hour or two between 1200 and 1500 for lunch. Food shops open 0800/0900-2000/2100. Some shops are open 24 hours.