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Rīga, Big Night

Book a week ahead. Two of them have stars and the rest do not need one.

7 places

  1. 01

    Max Cekot Kitchen

    One star, an open kitchen you sit at, and a tasting menu that is genuinely inventive rather than merely expensive. Book weeks out. Sit at the counter — that is the whole show.

    Jelgavas iela 42

  2. 02

    JOHN Chef's Hall

    The other star. Kristaps Sīlis cooks Latvian ingredients with a modern hand and no folklore about it. The bread course alone justifies the evening.

    Valkas iela 1

  3. 03

    3 Pavāru restorāns

    Three chefs, one long menu, in the Jacob's Barracks. Been the safe grand-occasion answer in this city for a decade and has not slipped.

    Torņa iela 4

  4. 04

    Barents

    Oysters and cold white in a stone room. Half an hour here beats a whole evening somewhere trying harder.

    Smilšu iela 3

  5. 05

    Bibliotēka Nº1

    On the edge of the park with the canal below the window. Ask for the corner table when you book, take the tasting menu, walk home through Vērmanes dārzs.

    Tērbatas iela 2

  6. 06

    Ferma

    Farm-to-table done without the sermon. The menu is short because it is honest about what came in that week.

    Valkas iela 7

  7. 07

    Kest

    Small plates and a wine list that changes constantly. Tell them what you drank last time and let them choose — they have never got it wrong.

    Skanstes iela 17