During our ten days in Riga, we visited the Riga Central Market a handful of times. But contrary to the masses, we were there for something more than the food stalls.
We were after local produce, yummy cheeses, and trying to understand the hype of this place… only to be left with the certainty that snacking your way through the market and having a full meal elsewhere is best.
We’re sharing what food and drinks to try and what to pass on at the Riga Central Market.
The Riga Central Market is Europe’s largest market and has been around for over a century; however, it hasn’t always been a market. When the market was first built, it was actually hangars for World War I German Zeppelin aircraft.
Those hangars have been converted into five pavilions offering a variety of food, including one with multiple restaurant stalls.
Walking through the market, you’ll be greeted by tourists and locals alike. And in our experience, as you walk through the different pavilions, fewer and fewer tourists surround you, as most only visit the food stall part of the Riga Central Market.
Want to tour the market? Book a guided Riga Central Market tour with tastings here.
Our hot take…
Visit the historic Riga Central Market? Definitely, the old zeppelin hangars turned into a market is really cool. Eat there for a full meal??… Hard pass. There are better places to eat in town. The food was far from amazing, especially compared to the food in Riga, which took us by complete surprise!
Pass on the dumpling station that has a line a mile long. Pass on the beers that are offered with the trendy seats. And pass on the food stalls offering international cuisine.
Instead, try these five things.
- Flaky Local Meat Pastries
- Uniquely Flavored Cheeses
- Kvaas
- Local Beer — served in plastic bottles
- Local Honey
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What To Eat At The Riga Central Market
The Flaky Meat Pastries
- Cost | €1-3
- Type of Food | snack or small meal
Our first time in the Riga Central Market we were so overwhelmed with how large the market was and how many people were in there. So, naturally, we decided to grab something small to eat, just to stop and take it in.
We landed on a local pastry shop in the corner where we could get a warm, flaky pastry stuffed with meat. And holy smokes, it was delicious!
The man running the counter was super friendly, and though neither of us understood each other, we were able to communicate and try some of his baked goods!
Uniquely Flavored Cheeses
- Cost | under €5 for three meals with cheese for two
- Type of Food | snack or turned into a meal with other add ons
Okay, we originally weren’t going to get cheese from the market. And holy smokes, we are so glad we did. After grabbing a beer from the beer stall listed below, we stood along the counter right at the cheese stall.
And I suppose that was our best mistake.
We watched as locals and tourist came to get cheese from here. A group of guys came and got cheese to share between the five of them to have with their beer, and it was under €4, so we decided to get some too.
And holy smokes, the woman running the cheese stall is so friendly. The cheeses are delicious, and you can try them all. And if you’re lucky, she’ll have deer jerky to really take a picnic or your snacking to the next level!
Traveler’s Tip | Grab more cheese than just for now, and take it on a day trip from Riga to Sigulda or Kemeri National Park!
Kvaas
- Cost | €1.90
- Type of Food | local soda
After having beer our first time in the market, and having plans to go grab a beer in town later during the day.. we decided to instead try a local non-alcoholic beverage, the Kvaas.
While kvaas reminds me of the Dutch word for cheese, this drink was far from savory.
In fact, it is a very sweet, almost cola-tasting drink.. very similar to a local drink we enjoyed in Slovakia earlier this year.
I was super surprised to learn after having the drink that it’s actually a fermented drink.. because it truly didn’t have even the slightest bit of tang I’m used to with fermentation!
And when I was looking up more information on kvaas, I’m reading time and time again that it’s a savory fermented drink.. which I didn’t taste at all.. again, I thought it was sweet — so you’ll definitely need to try it for yourself!
Local Beer
- Cost | €4-5 per beer (high compared to restaurant prices)
- Type of Food | alcoholic beverage
The beer at the first beer stall when entering the restaurant hall from the main road is where to grab beer — it’s cheap and is poured in a really fun way.
Unlike other places to grab a beer in the market, the prices are on the lower end, though not as low as some restaurants in town.
You can try the Riga honey beer here.. but be forewarned, even as honey lovers (like my husband, who eats honey on his bananas, kind of honey-lover), the beer was too sweet for us!
Traveler’s Tip | Don’t go too crazy with your drinking here… the toilet in the market will cost you .70 cents per use!
Local Honey
- Cost | €2-3 per small jar
- Type of Food | great for allergies and sickness
When we were in Latvia, both Jay and I were feeling under the weather. Walking through the market, there was a honey stand right on corner of the back half of the restaurant hangar.
The moment we saw the honey, we both knew we had to get some. Surely a spoonful of local honey a day would help with our sickness.
We told the gentleman working what we were after and why we wanted the honey, and he was so happy to recommend a very specific one to help meet our needs.
And let me tell you, the honey was amazing!
If you’re sick in Riga or you’re struggling with the local allergens, grab some local honey and it will help ease your symptoms!
Is The Riga Central Market Worth It?
Do you need to visit the Riga Central Market? Yes, but maybe not for the food.
The history of the market and the fact that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site make the trip over to the market worth it.
With that said, it has become quite touristy, and it’s easy to get lost in the tourism there. We recommend skipping the “restaurant stalls” and finding the local stalls selling truly local goods instead.
Shopping at a market like this and supporting the locals is a great way to give back to the community you’re visiting!
Visiting The Riga Central Market
Cost
You can visit the Riga Central Market for free. There is no admission or entry fee. With that said, buying things is where you spend your money. Most restaurants take cards, but cash is your best bet from the vendor-style stalls.
READ MORE | If using a credit card, make sure you have a travel card with no foreign transaction fees!
Opening Times
The market is open Monday – Saturday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. And on Sundays from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
There are some exceptions to those opening times. For example, every first Monday, the inside pavilions are closed for cleaning. To get a full list of opening times and extra market information, and info on the night market and flower market, check out the Central Market website here.
Best Times to Visit The Market
There are 40-50 thousand people who shop at the market daily; there isn’t really a quieter time to visit. If you’re hoping to spend your time in the gastro section of the market, avoiding main meal times is best.
In our experience, the outdoor stalls closed earlier than the inside pavilions, so while the market is technically open into the evening, I suggest going mid-morning instead.
Market Pavilions
There are five different pavilions and an outdoor market at the Riga Central Market. The five pavilions are each themed: vegetables, meat (you can really smell this one), fish (equally as strong smelling), dairy, and the gastro pavilion.
Outside, you’ll find stalls with fresh local produce, clothes and trinkets, and shoes and purses. You name it it’s there. It is very much like an outdoor European market you would find in other places in Europe.
MARKET TOUR | If you want to visit the market on a tour, you can book and schedule your tour here.
How To Find The Riga Central Market
The Riga Central Market can be found on most maps. But for ease, here are the best ways to find it.
Arriving To Riga By Train | Leave the train station and immediately go left under the train tracks. There will be a big crosswalk right after you get under the overpass. Cross here, and then continue straight until you run into the market.
Arriving To Riga By Bus | From the main bus station, head through the front of the bus station. From here, instead of walking under the train overpass, head right over the water. The big building directly across the water from the bus station is the Riga Central Market!
Walking From Old Town | Leaving Old Town Riga, head opposite the castle, or upriver from town. You’ll soon come to a busy bus stop with a large walking area between the tram tracks and Old Town. Cross over this, and head under the train track overpass. You’ll come out directly at the Riga Central Market entrance.
Staying near the Old Town puts you within easy walking distance of the market — browse hotels here.
Is the Riga Central Market free to enter?
Yes — entry to the Riga Central Market is completely free. You’ll only spend money if you buy food, drinks, or goods from the stalls. Most restaurant stalls accept cards, but cash is strongly recommended for vendor-style stalls.
Is the Riga Central Market worth visiting?
Yes, but more for the history and atmosphere than the food. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site built inside repurposed WWI Zeppelin hangars, the market is a genuinely fascinating place to explore. That said, it has become quite touristy, and you’ll find better food elsewhere in Riga. Our advice: visit for the experience, snack on local pastries, cheese, and honey, but save your appetite for a proper meal in town.
What is the Riga Central Market known for?
The Riga Central Market is known as Europe’s largest market, and for its five iconic pavilions housed inside former WWI German Zeppelin aircraft hangars. It has been a central part of Riga life for over a century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pavilions are each themed — meat, fish, dairy, vegetables, and a gastro hall — and surrounded by a sprawling outdoor market selling produce, clothing, and more.
What should I eat at the Riga Central Market?
Skip the restaurant stalls and international food counters — they’re overpriced and aimed at tourists. Instead, go for flaky local meat pastries (€1–3), freshly cut Latvian cheeses (under €5), local honey (€2–3 a jar), Kvaas (a sweet fermented local drink for €1.90), and cheap local beer poured from the first stall in the gastro hall. These are the finds that make the market genuinely worth your time.
How do I get to the Riga Central Market?
The market is easy to reach from most parts of central Riga. From the train station, turn left , go under the tracks, cross the road, and walk straight until you reach the market. From the bus station, head through the front entrance and look across the water — the market is the large building directly opposite. From Old Town, walk away from the castle and cross under the train overpass — you’ll arrive at the market entrance.
How many pavilions does the Riga Central Market have?
There are five indoor pavilions in total: a meat pavilion, fish pavilion, dairy pavilion, vegetable pavilion, and a gastro pavilion with restaurant stalls and food vendors. Beyond the pavilions, there is also a large outdoor market selling fresh produce, clothing, shoes, and trinkets — much like an open-air European market.
What Else To Do In Riga
We spent ten days in Riga and have come up with a full Riga series from where to find the best food, to day trips from the city, and more. Check out our Riga posts below.
READ MORE | How to Get To Riga City Center From The Airport
READ MORE | The Ultimate Guide To Riga | Latvia’s Capital