Riga boasts an incredible café scene, with a dedication to craft coffee and locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients. In my opinion, the Latvian attention to detail rivals that of the Japanese and Scandinavians. So it should be no surprise that the city is also full of passionate bakers. After much taste-testing, I’ve compiled this list of the best bakeries in Riga. Do you have a favorite?
Better Bread
Better Bread is Riga’s first 100% gluten-free bakery. All the loaves, buns, and cakes are made of organic ingredients and baked fresh every morning. Some items are vegan as well. Go early for the best selection, as they tend to sell out. There’s only one small table inside, which I was fortunate to snag, and a few outside in warmer months, so plan to take your bread to go.
Beze Konditoreja
The display cases inside Beze Konditoreja are filled with pretty confections that are surprisingly affordable; I don’t feel the least bit guilty about ordering two at a time! I especially like the creamy fruit tarts. Cakes and desserts are also available for pre-order should you wish to make your next event a little more special.
Cruffins
For something a bit more modern, head to Cruffins. Opened in August 2023, this sleek bakery has already achieved cult status in Riga thanks to its instagrammable creations. A cruffin is a cross between a croissant and a muffin, typically filled with pastry cream and/or jam. I opted for raspberry, but have been told the pistachio is a popular choice.
Kūkotava
It might be on my list of the city’s best cafes, but Kūkotava is first and foremost a bakery. Whether you need a flaky pastry for breakfast, or a beautiful full-size cake for a special occasion, you’d do well to join the queue at this long-standing spot.
Laci
Historic Latvian bread maker Laci has a shop on Tērbatas iela, and the aroma wafting out its doors is irresistible. Inside on the counter, baskets overflow with freshly baked cinnamon buns and savor pies. Cases by the door are stacked with pretty pastries and topped with trays of marmalade candy. Whole cheesecakes and tortes are also available.
Mārtiņa Beķereja
A local favorite, Mārtiņa Beķereja serves up tasty treats at affordable prices. Martin’s is so popular that it can be hard to find a seat in the Old Riga outlet. Take your items to go instead and enjoy them on a nearby park bench. I recommend the cabbage hand pies and mixed berry tarts.
Mīkla
As soon as you open the door to Mīkla, you are enveloped in the most delicious freshly-baked aroma. Sourdough bread and cardamom buns are the house specialties, but you can’t go wrong with anything here. Mīkla’s head baker studied in Sweden and Japan before coming home to Riga to elevate traditional Latvian flavors and ingredients.
Rigensis
Rigensis is the quintessential European bakery. Baskets in the windows overflow with tantalizing strudels, Danishes, and pretzels, while loaves of bread are stacked on shelves behind the counter. The seating area is surrounded by stone walls with half-timber trim, transporting you to the Middle Ages.
Ze Donats
The wildly colorful donuts at Ze Donats are a big hit with my friends and family. The hazelnut cream flavor (lazduriekstu kremigs) is the big winner, but part of the fun is trying the dozens of creative donuts on offer. Don’t limit yourself to just one!
Which do you think are the best bakeries in Riga?
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Yes to Rocket Bean Roastery – The food was delicious, and they even let the kids into the back to watch the beans being roasted! We’re also big fans of Kukotava, except I always walk out with way more than I intended…
Ha! You and me both 🙂
Excellent post! I can’t wait to try some of these next year when I have more free time! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
I can’t wait to see what great new places you find next year. It seems like Riga’s cafe scene grows bigger and better every week!
Really good list! I agree with all of those I have been to and am looking forward to those on the list I have yet to visit. Two suggestions for your consideration: Mon Amour on Jana iela in old town and La Kuka on Grecnieku. La kuka allow dogs, too, which Is an added bonus whee I am concerned.
Thanks again for a great and inspiring post!
Thanks for the suggestions, Tina! I’ve just found out that Mon Amour is owned by the cousin of a friend so I’ll definitely be checking that one out. Would you and the pup care to join me at La Kuka sometime soon?
Bagels seem to be popular in the Baltics right now. Two just opened recently in Vilnius, but I wouldn’t exactly compare them to NYC bagels. I hear that a new donut shop is opening here soon. Excited for that!
There was a fancy donut shop in Kaunas, too. It’s nice to see the Baltics are expanding their repertoire! 🙂
Have I been to any of them? They all look and sound wonderful.
You’ve had the chocolate-covered cheesecake at Makonis 🙂
Yet again – a post that makes me want to throw a couple of things in a suitcase, buy a ticket, and spend a week in Latvia! 🙂
You should consider doing that!!
I love visiting different cafeterias when travelling! Even here in Amsterdam I often visit different coffee shops where I taste different coffee. Rocket Bean Roastery would be on my list, for sure!
Rocket Bean should be on everyone’s list! 🙂
Never have been to anyone of these…. But I’ll surely visit all of them one day….. All the cafes are wonderful….. Thank you for sharing such amazing coffee houses in Riga with the addresses too….. And great image work…. Extremely loved the post……
Now that’s something hard to find, a coffee shop/roastery that makes food on the premises that’s good too. More and more it seems, I run into places that farm the food out and it’s not always fresh.
Sounds like Rocket Bean is a real gem to savor.
What’s their specialty brew?
Rocket Bean is definitely a gem! Their specialty brew changes all the time. The waiters will describe the day’s beans in detail so you can select which you’d rather try. Tasty and educational!