Parks and gardens
Lucavsalas atpūtas parks
It is located on the spit of the Lucavsala island, in a picturesque place where the Bieķengrāvis and Mazā Daugava river channels meet. Designed for active recreation with the whole family. There is a specially designated area for you and your pet to swim and sunbathe. Free car parking, public toilets, sports and children’s playgrounds.
Address: Northern part of Lucavsala island
Ziedoņdārzs
A cozy garden east of the center of Riga, founded in the 1930s. The park is surrounded by quiet neighborhoods with wooden and small stone two-story houses. The park has a specially designated area for walking dogs, where you can play with your little companion. In the surrounding area there is a dog groomer, as well as several pet-friendly cafes.
Address: Aleksandra Čaka Street, 88
Viesturdārzs
The oldest park in the city in a quiet area of Pētersala with an interesting landscape and dendrological heritage, several monuments and the Aleksandr Gate in the classicist style. Here you can find sculptures of ducks and granite leopards. There are several coffee shops nearby where you can bring your dog, and also a pet store.
Address: Eksporta Street, 6
Grīziņkalna parks
A large park east of the center of Riga, in the historical district of the same name, on a small hill 24 meters high. There is a children’s playground and a special enclosure for walking dogs, equipped with all kinds of obstacles for training and games. Your dog will definitely not be bored here. The park has many benches, a fountain and a public toilet.
Address: Pērnavas street, 54
Markets and public spaces
Āgenskalna tirgus
The oldest and largest market on the left bank of the Daugava, which openly welcomes man’s four-legged friends. There is a flea market, a food court; workshops, cultural and educational events are held. The market bills itself as an inclusive, green and diverse space where there is something for everyone. The market building will open after renovation in 2022.
Address: Nometņu Street, 64
Kalnciema kvartāla tirgus
Open only on Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00. The farmers market is a popular place among the residents of Pārdaugava with natural products from all over Latvia. There’s even a horse carousel with a big stuffed dachshund! In order to climb it, you will have to be patient and wait in a long line. When launching the carousel, a specially trained person loudly urges the horses on with the exclamation “Igo-go!”.
Almost every Saturday, the market space is organized in some thematic direction—it corresponds to entertainment, cultural and educational events. Creative workshops, theatrical performances, concerts and various celebrations are also held.
Address: Kalnciema street, 35
Tallinas kvartāls
Hipster, bustling art space with active nightlife. There are many bars, cafes, and a wide variety of events for every taste. Stroll through the nightclubs and admire remarkable street art with your furry friend.
Address: Tallinas street, 10-3
Sporta 2 kvartāls
A dynamic, youth art quarter, which includes various commercial outlets, cafes, and spaces for various events. Previously, the Laima confectionery factory was located on this site. Read the detailed text about this place in the article Neighborhood.
Address: Sporta Street, 2
Kaņepes Kultūras centrs
A cultural, social and political art space focused on creative and cultural experimentation. Here you can drink a glass of beer, listen to music and watch an arthouse film with your pet.
The main part of the space is located in the restored historical building, and in the summer there is also an open-air veranda.
Address: Skolas street, 15
Cafes and restaurants
Kalve
An espresso bar where a professional barista will prepare you a cup of high-quality espresso or, for example, a cortado—a drink based on espresso and hot milk in a 1:1 ratio. There is a small but tasty assortment of baked goods: pastéises, muffins, cookies, tartlets, etc.
Coffee chain. See locations here.
Zefīrs
A restaurant where you can try delicious pizza or a hot dog in a stylish room or on the outdoor terrace, and also have a cup of coffee or a glass of beer. The restaurant is located in the “Sporta 2” kvartāls, on the site of the production premises of a confectionery factory.
Address: Sporta Street, 2
RIIS
A small Asian restaurant that specializes in a narrow culinary theme—traditional Chinese dumplings—wontons with shrimp, to which you can optionally add chicken or pork, as well as chicken broth and sauce. Restaurant visitors especially recommend adding pickled hot cucumbers to the wontons.
Address: Tērbatas street, 71
Andalūzijas Suns
Even with the name of this establishment you can understand the dog-friendly orientation. There is even a special dog menu. There are two dishes to choose from (vegetable and meatballs) in three different sizes: for large, medium and small dogs.
Address: Elizabetes Street, 83
Ezītis miglā
A very popular chain of establishments among guests and residents of Latvia, where you can drink a cup of coffee during the day or a glass of beer in the evening, as well as enjoy hearty and high-quality food. Dogs and their people are accepted. But keep in mind that in the evenings it can get very crowded and noisy.
Chain of coffee bars. See locations here.
MiiT Coffee
Vegetarian hipster coffee shop with daily updated selection. For breakfast, for example, they offer salads, omelettes, pancakes, freshly baked buns and croissants. There are gluten-free cakes, cakes with nuts and dried fruits, giant cookies, cheesecakes filled with seasonal berries, and avocado and pumpkin toast.
Address: Lāčplēša street, 10
Rocket Bean
This chain of coffee shops offers a wide range of high-quality bean coffee from Kenya, Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Tanzania. Your dog can also appreciate the aromatic coffee if desired. But if he suddenly doesn’t want coffee, he’ll definitely appreciate free cookies for dogs. In addition to drinks and food, the cafe sells their own merchandise: hats, caps, shoppers, thermoses, etc.
Coffee chain. See locations here.
Bars
Labietis
Real Latvian beer from a Riga brewery is brewed here. They produce more than 20 varieties of craft beer, adhering to traditional recipes and cooking methods. The bar’s interior is decorated using national Latvian ornaments. You can visit the bar with your dog.
Address: Aristida Briāna street, 9a
Alus darbnīca TEIKA
Small bar in the Teika neighborhood with local beer. Lovers of low-strength alcohol come here for both traditional types of beer and unusual varieties. Located far from the noisy and crowded center.
Address: Brīvības street, 348
Vinilbārs
Located in the Kalnciema quarter. Lampy, chamber atmosphere with music and interesting beer at low prices. This is a great place to relax and socialize in pleasant company among the authentic wooden architecture of Agenskalns.
Address: Kalnciema street, 39
The shops
Novaya Riga
Update: unfortunately, the place is closed
This is not only a bookstore where they sell literature mainly in Russian (many of these books are now banned for sale in Russia), but also a lecture hall and a coffee shop. This is not just a trading store, but rather a place for a comfortable pastime, meetings and acquaintances.
Address: Krišjāņa Valdemāra Street, 17A
NorthernGrip
A family-run vintage clothing store originally from Latvia, which adheres to a sustainable fashion policy—old clothes are not thrown into the trash, but are recycled, minimizing waste emissions. Here you will find unique vintage items from the 50s to 80s of the last century, and maybe choose something for your four-legged pet.
Address: Krišjāņa Barona Street, 44
M50
A store of clothing and a variety of accessories, decorative items and home goods, adhering to modern fashion trends. You can view things through the online store, or you can come after a walk with your dog and touch and try on everything.
Address: Miera Street, 17
Shopping centers
Domina
In the large Domina mall in the Teika neighbourhood, dogs of any size were allowed in for the first time. A red or green sticker on the doors of all shops or cafes signals whether you can enter a particular place with your pet. Also, you and your pets will be welcome in Galleria Riga, Spice and other shopping centers.
Address: Ieriķu Street, 3
IKEA
The famous furniture store, originally from Sweden, offers a wide range of products for your animals. For example, cat houses, scratching post boards, blankets and soft toys, bowls, beds and much more. Unfortunately, judging by the reviews, dogs are still not allowed inside the store.
Address: Ulbroka, Bikeru street, 2
Beauty and health
GRIEZE
A beauty salon in the very center of Riga, where you can come for a haircut with your pet. Judging by Instagram, pets feel quite comfortable in the salon and enjoy watching how the masters work on your style.
Address: Ģertrūdes street, 2
DCH Studija
Fitness club with a variety of workouts and the opportunity to bring your dog. On their Instagram you can see a lot of videos of dogs running around the gym around people doing sports, or just lying on the sidelines watching their owner lift weights.
Address: Zemitāna Street, 2B
