Where to have good coffee: 9 proven places

All Cappuccino

/ Little Italy /

In Italy, as we know, they have a great respect for coffee – and knowledge on how to make it properly.

There are two All Cappuccino coffeehouses in Riga: on Vilandes iela 13 and Antonijas iela 11.

This family business, managed by a married couple, has been running for more than 15 years, which is very rare in Riga.

Not only do they prepare great coffee but also handmade sweets, delicate cakes (try the carrot cake, we beg you), and pastries. They also serve prosecco and wine.

Address: Vilandes iela, 13,   Antonijas iela, 11

Katkevich

/ The only coffee shop on Maskachka / 

Cafe Katkevich is located in the historical district of Riga – Maskavas forsstate.

Place has been created to change image of the neighborhood and bring different people together at the same table.

The lattes here are so delicious, warm and milky! It seems like it couldn’t get any better, but for those who like something more foamy with a little bit of sweetness, you can get a fleur-de-lis.

We recommend combining coffee drinks with a warm red fish and vegetable salad. It may seem unusual, but it’s very tasty!

Address: Lāčplēša iela 114

The atmosphere of a coffee shop is what people go looking there for: a trendy noisy place with talkative baristas with a chamber-like quiet corner available where it is customary to talk in a half-whisper.

Kalve

/ Fashionable third wave coffee house / 

Kalve is the point of attraction for all coffee drinkers who can tell the difference between lungo and ristretto. Kalve’s story began with love for coffee culture and desire to launch a coffee roasting campaign.

Here you can not only buy high quality specialty roasted beans, but also drink coffee of all tastes while sealing the positive experience with delicious baked goods (banana bread, we dream about you).

Recommendation from Neighborhood: filter with notes of sourness and chocolate, complemented by a goat cheese bun, tomatoes and caramelized onions.

Address: Stabu iela 38 ( and two more around the city)

Mikla

/ Cappuccino and almond croissants /

The founder of Mikla is Uvis Janičenko. After many years of training in the best gastro places around Denmark, Sweden and Spain, he decided to create his own bakery in his native Latvia.

This place is a world of minimalism and perfect baristas. The grains here are from Kalve, it’s always crowded and smells like almond croissants mixed with cappuccino.

Mikla is located in the Quiet Center, not far from the Art Museum. After a coffee and croissants, it’s especially good to take a walk, check out the museum and get inspired for doing something new and interesting.

Address: Dzirnavu iela 42 (but the guys also opened in the old town)

In a coffee shop, it’s more than just the coffee that’s important, but also people, buns and the concept itself.

Caffeine

/ Schoolboy’s corner with caramel lattes and first love / 

Caffeine is a coffee chain filled with gallons of syrup (and the tastiest cheesecake in town). Inside, coffee shops resemble co-working spaces or in some cases even the cafe from “Friends.

And if you loved toffee as a child, just ask here to add caramel syrup to your coffee. It works like a charming time machine.

Address: Krišjāņa Barona iela 13 (and many more locations throughout the city)

Kukotava

/ Selected coffee menu and doughnuts /

At Kukotava, pastry chefs bake desserts inspired by the best European pastry traditions every day.

Black classic coffee and a raspberry doughnut. Isn’t it perfect? It’s the kind of duo that will win any heart.

Or here’s another win-win combo: salmon pastry and a delicate, airy cappuccino with slight berry sourness in the espresso. Choose a table by the window and enjoy.

Address: Tērbatas iela 10/12

Troubadour Gourmand

/ Espresso and the morning paper / 

Bernard – that’s the name of the person who owns this coffee shop. He is the Frenchman who showed post-Soviet Riga how nice it is to drink coffee sitting at a table outside and eating it with a freshly baked croissant.

The first association that comes to mind when mentioning Troubadour Gourmand is early morning, strong, bitter espresso with a walnut aftertaste, noise of the coffee machine and lively conversations around. Troubadour Gourmand is a wonderful place to grab the morning paper, sit at a small table and enjoy another doppio espresso with some water and prosciutto baguette.

And that’s the perfect start for a day. Dolce far niente as they say.

Address: Krišjāņa Barona iela 52

Miit coffee

/ Oatmeal Flatbread at a Giant Wooden Table  / 

Miit coffee is any vegan’s and vegetarian’s paradise. They seem to have all the vegan milk in the world (from soy milk to banana milk and back). And the large wooden table in this café provokes people to step out, getting to know each other out of the blue.

Especially notable is the fact that this place is open on weekdays until 10 p.m., a rarity for Riga. Here you may also buy specialty coffee beans from various European roasters.

Our favorite: an oatmeal flan with spicy, astringent and yet very balanced, pleasant flavor. Eating it with a coconut bar is a must try.

Address: Lāčplēša iela 10