Riga: Central Market Latvian Food Tour with 20 taste samples
Learn about Latvian gastronomy in the largest open-air market in Europe. Sample a selection of 20 traditional local food samples as you learn about the history of this...
A dark herbal liqueur made from 24 botanicals including wormwood, valerian and gentian, sold by Latvijas Balzams since 1752 as the city's defining drink.
Riga Black Balsam was first formulated in 1752 by Riga pharmacist Abraham Kunze as a medicinal cure for stomach ailments. The drink became Empress Catherine the Great's reputed favourite, securing its survival into the Russian Imperial era. Production passed to Latvijas Balzams during the Soviet era and continues today from the company's Riga plant. The 45 percent ABV liqueur is drunk neat at room temperature, mixed with hot blackcurrant juice in winter, or stirred into cocktails at Black Magic Bar in Old Town. The 24-herb recipe remains a guarded secret.
4 editor picks for Rīgas Melnais Balzams (Riga Black Balsam) in Riga, ranked by editorial score. All Riga signature dishes · Rīgas Melnais Balzams (Riga Black Balsam) across every city.
Centrāltirgus Pīrāgi Counters ★ 4.5
centraltirgus-maskavas · Nēģu iela 7, Rīga, LV-1050
The bakery pavilion at Centrāltirgus runs multiple counters baking traditional Latvian pīrāgi, bacon-onion pastry pockets that anchor a Latvian lunch.
Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs ★ 4.4
vecriga · Peldu iela 19, Rīga, LV-1050
Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs sits in a historic wine cellar below Peldu in Old Town, pouring 32 taps of Latvian beer and cider with folk music five nights a week.
Black Magic Bar ★ 4.3
vecriga · Kaļķu iela 10, Rīga, LV-1050
Black Magic Bar on Kaļķu in Old Town is the dedicated Riga Black Balsam stop, a medieval-themed bar pouring cocktails built around the city's 1752 herbal.
B Bārs ★ 4.0
vecriga · Doma laukums 2, Rīga, LV-1050
B Bārs on Doma laukums anchors the Old Town cathedral square with classic cocktails, a respected bartender team and a European bistro menu until late.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Rīgas Melnais Balzams (Riga Black Balsam) makes more sense with someone from Riga explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Book food experiences in Riga
Riga Central Market & Traditional Food tasting Tour
Discover Latvian cuisine and one of Europe’s largest markets through fascinating stories and authentic food and drink tastings. Continue to Riga Old Town for a traditi...
Riga: Soviet Bunker, Seaside Fortress + Authentic BBQ lunch
Explore a Soviet-era communication bunker and Mangalsala Fortress on a tour from Riga. Learn about the Cold War and the Soviet Union from your guide, and enjoy a tradi...