Archives for “Riga” tag

The new summer season has started. Zulu bar is open!

Zulu bar I discovered two summers ago although it has been open since 2010. The bar is open for anyone. What is so special about it? The way to Zulu bar – it takes you through Andrejsala. At first it might look like it’s not the right way, but it is, just keep going.

It is located right at the yacht harbor, so you might get the chance to talk some “yacht people” into showing you Riga from Daugava by yacht. A little further is the pier of Andrejsala – a very nice place for a walk, there you might meet fisher men, they are very friendly. When I asked one how the fishing was, he wanted to talk and offered me an apple. So friendly! And the atmosphere itself in Zulu bar is very open and friendly. I think not many local people know about this place, but the bar is really cool though.

I like the idea where they offer the option to any customer to be a barman for one evening. You just need to call to Ieva + 371 29709889, ask her for all details when, how and how much it is, and you are a barman for the night!

But Zulu bar is not open every day, it depends on the weather. So it might be closed when you’re there, but you can still sit or lay down, because couches are always available.

Visit Sala Bakery for delicious cakes and cookies. You can also have a really good lunch there.

Sala is in the building next to my work so I visit it quite often for buying cookies, cakes and other pastries. I am a bakery fan, one of Sala’s regular customers. If you try any bakery here in Latvia, you will see what I am talking about. It is fantastically good here. From Sala bakery I like the spinach rolls and cookies with seeds … njam… njam.

I can not just pass this bakary without buying anything. But still, even if it weren’t on my everyday way to work, I would go a long distance for a good bakery anytime.  

I have many opportunities to try a little of everything they have. When you stand at the cookies and cakes, you’ll be overwhelmed by all the options, but don’t give up and try something. 

There are more great bakeries like Sala in Rīga, check out “Mārtiņa Beķereja” – delicious!

Cakes in small doses are good for your smile!

This is a new entertainment place in the centre of Riga, it just opened September of last year. Before that it used to be a music school, but they moved out. Kaņepes Culture Center is only one year old, but already brings a lot of people together. This place loves everybody – the young and old, artists, IT specialists, kids, teachers and professors. Even pets and other animals.

From the outside Kaņepes Culture Center looks like any typical building, which needs to be renovated. But when I entered it, I saw a lot more. During the day it is open for kids for creative art lessons. On the first and second floor there are exhibitions. But in the evening it brings together a lot of nice, positive, creative (or not so creative), good people. Music is played live. There is no musical equipment like big speakers, microphones and other stuff and this makes it extra live, and creates extra atmosphere.

There is no fancy interior, but they do not need it anyway. People come together to listen to music, talk, play table games, and enjoy exhibitions and generally have a good evening. There is also a bar, where they serve drinks and smiles. And the best thing: they love bicycles. 

Recently they started to teach the percussion.

This Saturday February 2nd: Masterclass with Russian blogger Dmitry Chernyshev. Entrance 10Ls, language: Russian.

Ostas Skati is a restaurant at the end of Ķīpsala, so… a nice place where to end your tour around Ķīpsala. I haven’t been there during the winter, but in summer it is a beautiful place to have dinner or just a drink with your friends. First of all Ķīpsala itself is a nice island. The location with with a view of Riga is great. And this restaurant improves the view with a good atmosphere, service, music and good food.

I like that this is not a crowded place, at least it wasn’t the times I was here. It’s a good place if you want to have a conversation with your friends but not in the city center and still… not far from it. And the atmosphere is improved by the water – a little wind, boats, waves and sun.

Ostas Skati has indoor seating, and two summer terraces. You can see one of them in picture. The other terrace is a tent on the water – perfect to hide from the wind, while still being outside.

New year, new season and Ticket to Heaven is open!

If you are in Riga during the warm season which is from late Spring till early Autumn check out this bustaurant.

I discovered this place on my walk around Andrejsala two summers ago when I came across this bus. Since that time everyone who is visiting me has to go for a hot chocolate with me to bustaurant. Ticket to Heaven was put here not for taking passengers to Great Britain, but for letting people dream.

Bustaurant is a two floor cafe with a terrace. I like the interior, maybe I’m wrong, but to  me it is something like eclecticism – different styles in one place, ensuring a cozy atmosphere. At different tables and on different chairs and couches, they let you day-dream. It shows that there are no boundaries to creativeness and fantasy and this is what I like here.

Call your friend, take a walk to Andrejsala, go to the Bustaurant, order tea, coffee or any other drink and converse and relax. From here you can see the Old town. Boats will pass by- making high waves and interrupting your dream for a few seconds. When the boat is gone and the water is calm again you can dream again, and maybe your dream will come true.