www.virtualriga.com
Lats
Wizz Air: 90 200 905
SNAPSHOT
The Midsummer Festival, 18-22 June, is when many retire to the country, so you may find little to do in town on the 23rd. Before, try the Midsummer Fair in Dome Square. Sample the Janu cheese (cottage cheese with caraway seeds), along with beer, bread, honey for sale.
FROM AIRPORT TO CITY
Bus 22 leaves from the stop opposite the terminal every 10-30 minutes and takes 30 minutes to reach Abrenes Street in the city centre. It costs 0.60 lats (€0.85). Get tickets from the driver.
FOOD
Dada
Audeju 16, +371 673 59662 Mongolian restaurant with cool interior décor – you choose the noodles, vegetables, sauce and meat, then present them to the chef for cooking.
Orient
Jomeas 33, Jurmula, +371 776 4 490, www.restoran-orient.lv If you’re heading for the seaside town of Jurmula, with its 33km of white-sand beach, 25km west of Riga, visit Orient. Carp with garlic, 5.40 lats (€7.60).
FRIENDS
Paddy Whelans
Grecinieku Street 4, +371 672 10150, www.pub.lv The first Irish pub in Riga is a sports bar, and its Old Town setting makes it easy for watching the World Cup. Salmon sandwich with fries, 5.25 lats (€7.43).
Bombadier Pub
Lacplesa 35, +371 26 368131 A fine sports bar if you’re English, with Blighty beer and a big plasma screen. Young’s oatmeal stout, 1.50 lats (€2).
INSIDER TIP
If you’re suffering a wretched hangover after watching your team storm through to the next phase, try the local remedy: cold beetroot soup and pickled gerkins!
Words Clive Morris |
