Top 24 Latvian Foods

Kartupeļu pankūkas are Latvian potato pancakes, a quick mid-week meal that almost everyone knows how to prepare. They are made with a combination of grated potatoes, eggs, and flour, seasoned only with salt and pepper. Fried until golden brown, kartupeļu pankūkas are traditionally served with sour cream and lingonberry sauce. Although these pancakes were considered a cheap meal, they have recently started to appear on many coffee shop menus in the country.Expand

Ķiploku grauzdiņi is a traditional snack and the Latvian version of garlic bread. In order to prepare it, rupjmaize rye bread is cut into slices, then pan-fried in butter or oil on both sides for a few minutes. The slices are removed from the pan, drained on paper towels, then rubbed with garlic cloves on both sides. Ķiploku grauzdiņi can also be baked in the oven, and the slices are then just drizzled with oil or smeared with butter. Before serving, this Latvian garlic bread is sprinkled with salt. It's recommended to serve it with a glass of cold beer on the side.Expand

Syrniki is a dessert consisting of fried cottage cheese pancakes that are usually garnished with honey, fruit jam, sour cream, or applesauce. It is part of the Russian (where it's sometimes also called tvorozhniki), Belarusian, Ukrainian, Latvian and Lithuanian cuisine. Cottage cheese is traditionally first swetened with sugar, then combined with flour into a dough which is fried in hot oil until it develops a golden-brown color. Syrniki can be served for breakfast or consumed as a tasty dessert after a large meal.Expand

These crescent-shaped pastries are one of the national Latvian dishes that appear in numerous varieties throughout the country. When prepared with yeast, they are traditionally larger in size and served as a snack. The smaller versions, usually made with a thin, buttery pastry, are intended to be eaten alongside various hearty soups. Nevertheless, all of the varieties are filled with flavorsome mixtures of onions, minced meat, bacon, cabbage, or creamy cottage cheese.Expand

Aukstā zupa is a refreshing Latvian cold soup with an unusual, deep pink color. It is made with beets, cucumbers, kefir, hard-boiled eggs, and milk sausage. Greens such as dill and scallions are essential, and most people also enjoy the soup with a dash of vinegar. All of the ingredients are mixed together, seasoned with salt and pepper, and the soup is then left in the refrigerator until well-chilled. It's recommended to serve the soup with a few slices of dark bread on the side. Aukstā zupa is a seasonal dish, so it's practically impossible to find it in restaurants during winter, but most places have the soup on their menus in summer.Expand

Frikadeļu zupa is a Latvian meatball soup with numerous variations and recipes. The soup is usually prepared with a combination of water, carrots, celery, and potatoes. It is flavored with bay leaves and peppercorns. The meatballs are made with ground beef or pork (or a combination), milk, eggs, onions, flour, and breadcrumbs. After the mixture is formed into small balls, everything is simmered together until the vegetables and meatballs are fully cooked. When served, this nourishing soup is typically enriched with the addition of sour cream and finely chopped parsley or dill.Expand

Rupjmaize is a traditional bread consisting of whole-grain rye, baked in a hearth oven and shaped into an elongated loaf. It has a unique flavor that is both sour and sweet. The bread pairs well with smoked fish, cold cuts, and strong, pungent cheeses such as Roquefort.Expand

Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi is the national dish of Latvia. This type of stew is made with local grey peas (similar to chickpeas), fried onions, and diced speck. The dish was invented when locals used their supplies of dried and preserved food. It is recommended to serve this dish with kefir or a few slices of dense rye bread on the side, such as īstā rupjmaize.Expand

Originally a creation of Roman-Catholic monks, and now popular internationally, kringle is a delicious flaky pastry, usually shaped as a pretzel and filled with various ingredients. It was primarily introduced in Denmark, under the influence of Austrian bakers, and later it spread throughout Nordic countries and eventually to the United States, where it gained great success. Each region has created its distinct varieties, using local and seasonally available ingredients. In Denmark, kringle is usually made with either puff pastry or yeasted dough, filled with sweet concoctions that include butter and sugar, marzipan, and raisins. In the 19th century, Danish bakers introduced the tradition of preparing kringle to the United States, specifically Racine Wisconsin, where the pastry was slightly adapted to the now-famous oval shape. Kringle in Racine is always made with traditional Danish laminated dough, in which the pastry layers are generously spread with butter and filled with the lavish combination of fruits, nuts, or cream cheese. Both American and European kringle can be found in bakeries and grocery shops, but while the luscious American creations are usually enjoyed as desserts, the Danish prefer to eat their traditional pastry as an afternoon snack or a perfect accompaniment to coffee or tea.Expand

Riga Black is a heritage-driven Latvian brand built around the original 1752 recipe for its signature herbal bitter, combining traditional craftsmanship with a clearly defined regional identity. The brand’s foundation lies in the use of natural, locally sourced botanicals, which are infused through a controlled maceration process to create a complex, balanced flavor profile. Its core product, Riga Black Balsam, has expanded into a broader portfolio that includes fruit-infused editions, dessert-like variations, and premium releases, all of which maintain the characteristic depth of the original formula. The visual identity - most notably the iconic ceramic bottle - emphasizes its apothecary origins and reinforces the sense of authenticity and continuity. While rooted in centuries-old practice, Riga Black positions itself as a modern brand that integrates tradition, natural ingredients, and contemporary drinking culture, making it one of Latvia’s most distinctive and globally recognized products.Expand

Ādažu Medus is a family-run beekeeping enterprise from the Latvian municipality of Ādaži, built on sustainable apiculture and full control of every production stage - from maintaining bee colonies to the final packaging of honey. They manage more than 140 hives and collect honey exclusively within the local area, giving their products a distinct regional character. Their assortment includes liquid and creamy honey, honey enriched with propolis or freeze-dried fruit, natural beeswax, handcrafted candles, and a small line of cosmetics based on bee-derived ingredients. They are recognized for consistent quality and carefully designed packaging, which has earned them several awards. Their products are available in stores across Latvia, and part of the assortment is also exported to international markets, reflecting the brand’s steady growth within the segment of authentic bee products.Expand

Smiltenes Piens is a Latvian dairy company with a long-standing tradition built on processing locally sourced milk and producing a broad range of everyday dairy products. Its assortment includes fresh milk, cream, yogurt, cheeses, and various fermented dairy items, all emphasizing natural flavor, consistent quality, and carefully controlled production. The company combines modern processing technology with traditional dairy practices, preserving the nutritional value of the raw milk and maintaining a distinct regional character in its products. The brand’s visual identity remains simple and home-oriented, underscoring its connection to local origins and reliability. Through this approach, Smiltenes Piens positions itself as a trustworthy Baltic dairy producer focused on authenticity, purity, and practical everyday use.Expand

Laima is one of Latvia’s oldest and most iconic confectionery brands, with a heritage dating back to the early 20th century and closely tied to the development of modern chocolate and candy production in Riga. The brand built its reputation on high-quality cocoa, traditional recipes, and a wide range of chocolates, pralines, caramels, and seasonal sweets that blend nostalgic flavors with contemporary variations. Its portfolio includes dark, milk, and white chocolate bars, filled pralines, and classic products that have become cultural staples in Latvian gastronomy. Laima is also recognizable for its elegant packaging and strong visual identity, reinforcing its status as a symbol of tradition, reliability, and everyday indulgence. Through its combination of history, craftsmanship, and emotional value, Laima holds a special place in the Baltic confectionery world and remains one of the region’s most significant and enduring chocolate brands.Expand

Skrīveru Saldumi is a Latvian confectionery brand rooted in a long-standing tradition of handmade sweets and simple, home-style recipes. Their assortment includes caramels, soft candies, chocolate treats, and classic milk-based sweets known for their gentle sweetness, creamy texture, and nostalgic flavor profile. The brand builds its identity on quality ingredients and consistent taste, offering products that are part of everyday consumption, especially appreciated by local consumers. Its packaging and visual style emphasize tradition and a “homemade character”, making the products accessible, familiar, and an authentic representation of regional confectionery culture. Skrīveru Saldumi stands out as a brand that values continuity, simplicity, and reliable quality, without pretension but with a clear local identity.Expand

Riga Gold is a distinguished canned fish brand from Latvia, representing a blend of rich tradition, artisanal craftsmanship, and modern quality standards. Owned by Gamma‑A, the leading producer of sprats and sardines in the Baltic region, Riga Gold has grown into one of the most recognized exporters of premium seafood delicacies from Northern Europe. Their production process relies on traditional preservation methods - from the careful selection of freshly caught fish in the Baltic Sea, through meticulous manual processing, to smoking over natural alder wood, which gives the final products their characteristic aroma, golden-bronze color, and rich, layered flavor. The brand’s most iconic product is smoked sprats in oil, neatly arranged in tins or glass jars and preserved in vegetable or olive oil with a touch of sea salt. Riga Gold is widely respected for combining authentic recipes with high nutritional value. Thanks to its consistent vision and exceptional quality, Riga Gold today holds a leading position among European canned fish brands, satisfying the tastes of even the most discerning consumers.Expand

Labietis. Pagan Brews is an independent Latvian brewery from Riga that has, since 2013, built its identity on blending pre-industrial brewing traditions with a modern craft sensibility. Instead of relying solely on hops, the brewery incorporates local herbs, berries, honey, spices, and forest botanicals, creating beers inspired by Baltic pagan heritage. Its portfolio includes dozens of core and seasonal releases - ranging from light ales and rich, layered porters to braggots and experimental fermented beverages - all defined by natural ingredients and earthy, botanical flavor profiles. The philosophy centers on expressing local terroir and the character of the surrounding landscape, with many ingredients hand-foraged and some beers fermented with wild yeast. Labietis also maintains an open, community-focused approach: at their taproom in Riga, visitors can observe the brewing process and explore a wide selection of beers that merge folklore, nature, and innovation into a distinct and expressive craft identity.Expand

Valmiermuižas Alus is a Latvian craft brewery located on a historic estate in Valmiermuiža, where it has been producing natural, unpasteurized beer since 2008 using traditional methods and carefully selected local ingredients. Its brewing philosophy emphasizes slow fermentation and a minimalist approach based on four essential components - water, barley malt, hops, and yeast - which results in clean, balanced, and full-flavored beers. The brewery offers a broad range of styles, including light lagers, richer dark beers, seasonal releases, and special editions, allowing for diverse aromatic and taste profiles. Visitors can tour the brewery, explore its production process, and participate in guided tastings that highlight the region’s brewing heritage. With its strong connection to local terroir, artisanal craftsmanship, and commitment to authenticity, Valmiermuižas Alus stands out as one of the most distinctive representatives of the modern Latvian craft beer scene.Expand

SOIRA, Ltd is a cheese producer based in Latvia. The company specializes in the production of a variety of cheeses. SOIRA, Ltd focuses on quality ingredients and traditional cheese-making techniques.Expand