Top 10 Foods to Try in Latvia: Delicious Latvian Cuisine

If you visit a new country and don’t try the local food, did you even really see the country?

A part of traveling is food, drinks, and flavors native to the area and culture. A few years ago, researching restaurants and creating a list of local dishes I wanted to try wasn’t a part of my travel planning. Over the past few years, it’s now become a priority.

Read below to see my list of the top 10 foods to try in Latvia.

Frikadelu Zupa

This dish is a Latvian meatball soup made from carrots, celery, potatoes, bay leaves, peppercorns, and beef or pork meatballs. It is often served with sour cream and parsley or dill.

Maizes Zupa

A Latvian dessert of rye bread soup with whipped cream on top. It is made by soaking rye bread in water and then adding sugar, plums, raisins, and apples to make it sweet.

Pelekie Zirni as Speki

The national dish of Latvia! The dish is simple: gray peas. onions, and bacon, but it will warm you up any day. If you have a choice, choose the big peas over the small ones since they’re more traditional.

Auksta Zupa

A cold soup with a vibrant pink color. It consists of beets, cucumbers, kefir, hard-boiled eggs, and milk sausage, and people typically serve it only during the warm months.

Piradzini

A crescent-shaped pastry stuffed with mixtures of onions, minced meat, bacon, cabbage, or cottage cheese.

Vecriga

This dish consists of choux pastry filled with curd and vanilla cream, topped with a dusting of icing sugar.

Auksta Gala

Traditionally crafted from pork ears and head, today, this gelatinous dish features high-quality chicken and beef blended with a mix of spices. It is typically served for breakfast but also serves as a main meal during Christmas time.

Kartupelu Pankukas

One of my personal favorites is Latvian potato pancakes! They consist of salt, pepper, oil, and potatoes cooked until they become golden and crunchy.

Kotletes

These minced meat patties are exactly as they sound: they consist of pork, chicken, beef, or fish mixed with chopped onions, garlic, and seasonings. Each family has its own traditional recipes, so they may also add eggs or breadcrumbs.

Putraimdesas

A main course meal of barley groats, lard, garlic, sweet vernal grass, lingonberries, and pig’s blood. The sausages are then boiled until soft.

Embark on a culinary journey through Latvia and delight your taste buds with these must-try dishes. From the comforting taste of rye bread to the savory indulgence of pīrāgi, Latvian cuisine offers a unique and delicious experience. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or an adventurous traveler, these top 10 foods to try in Latvia are sure to leave a lasting impression of Latvia’s rich culinary heritage. So, go ahead, explore the country, and savor each delectable bite on your gastronomic adventure.

Planning a visit to Latvia? Check out my complete travel guide!