There’s one main reason that brought me back to Latvia after almost two years—far too long. But I’ll tell you about that later. It’s thanks to that very reason that I got to rediscover a part of my home I miss deeply—something no other country in this beautiful world could ever offer.

What is it, you’ll ask? A proper humid sauna (we also call it a black sauna), foraging for mushrooms and discovering the most aromatic chanterelles, the sound and waves and cold waters of the Baltic Sea, life in a wooden house where food is cooked on or in a wood-burning stove—which makes all the difference in the world. No country will ever substitute sipping a perfect cappuccino in front of my old Sunday school church, just as no other place will let me indulge in cottage cheese and raisin pie the way I used to enjoy it with my grandmother. And for you travellers, I’m happy to share my list of places to visit, eat at, or enjoy a drink. These are the places I visited this time—others, next time. PS. Numbers indicate a photo in the gallery.

COFFEE

Kalve Coffee
Better Bread
Kūre
Melnais Gulbis (Cesis)
Fomins Coffee (Liepāja)

EAT

Street Pizza
Riis (the best mochi and amazing dumplings)
Masa
B7
Fish Corner
Boo The Burger
Truff le Pig
Kukotava (except for matcha)
Allora
Mazās Irbes Pica (Mazirbe)

BREAKFAST

Mimosa

THE BEST PIRAGI (meat-filled patties)

Pie Dzirnakmeņa (Ieriķi)

BAKERIES

Boulangerie Liepāja (my absolute favourite croissants)
Kukul (cottage cheese pie and traditional crumble cake)
Kūre (cardamom bun).

SPA

ESPA - pools, saunas and procedures in the heart of Riga

HEALTH

Premium Medical

BEAUTY

EK Nails - manicure and pedicure (felt like heaven after a too-simple procedures France)
ANT Beauty - for body procedures
Sievietes Labsajūtai - fabulous full body experience

NATURE

Kolka, Mazirbe, Ērģļu Cliffs, Cenu Bog Trail

STAY

Hotel Bergs Suites
Virgabali (traditional and beautiful houses + sauna)

VISIT

Rūmenes Muiža (by appointment)
Cesis

LOOK OUT FOR

Amoralle
For Lovers and Trees
Slow beachwear
Muta comforwear
Room 88 jewellery
Krista Bitmete
Pas de Marque

OTHER BEAUTIFUL LATVIAN BRANDS

13:13 perfumery
Telmas Botanica
Gardenia eco candles
Varme

If you happen to be in Cēsis over the summer, don’t miss the charming Simple Concept Shop. And if you can’t make it in person, you can still enjoy their beautiful local artisan pieces online.

Summer taste of Latvia