Vegan meal at Moksha

Moksha is a humble little vegan restaurant with an Indian and Thai fusion menu. Although it is known as a vegan restaurant, it does offer fish dishes. The restaurant is small, with just a few tables, and it can get quite busy, so it’s worthwhile to make a reservation. The restaurant has a cozy ambiance with deep house/ chill techno music playing in the background.

The server was personable and welcoming. However, the service was slow, as there was only one server.

I ordered the Thai Green Curry with Fish (€ 12) and Tom Yum (€ 7). The curry and soup were delicious and mildly spiced. The flavors were distinct, and the ingredients were fresh.

The Tom Yum soup was different from the ones I’ve had. It tasted more like an Indian curry soup with Thai elements. It was creamier, just a little tangy, and had a stronger coriander taste. The chopped onions added sharpness and crunch to the soup.

The fish in the Thai curry was tender, and there was a generous amount of vegetables, such as green peppers, broccoli, bamboo, and button mushrooms. The basmati rice was a nice accompaniment to the curry.

A good place in Kaunas for Vegan Thai/Indian food.

Moksha

Website：http://www.moksha.lt

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday 11a.m. – 21:00 p.m.

Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 21:00 p.m.

Sunday Closed

Telephone: +370 676 71649

Address: Vasario 16-osios g. 6 Kaunas 44250

RØST Bakery: A Must-Visit Spot for Cinnamon and Cardamom Buns

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RØST is a bakery and cafe tucked away in an alleyway in Rottermann city. The interior design and decor are different from many cafes in Tallinn. The muted color brick and tile walls, open kitchen, and wooden furniture resemble a Scandinavian-style cafe.

The cafe makes its own sourdough bread along with sandwiches and pastries.

The whole cafe is enveloped with the aroma of cinnamon and coffee. You could smell it from a mile away.

The cinnamon and cardamom buns were amazing! They were soft with sweet cinnamon and cardamom sticky filling. The Cappuccino was the best I have had in Tallinn. The coffee had a good depth of flavor with bitter and sweet notes. The milk foam was creamy and dense, unlike the cappuccino from other cafes where the milk foam was light, airy with bubbles, and the coffee flavor was mild.

I would say that this is my favorite cafe in Tallinn. If you want good coffee and pastries, then this is the place to be.

RØST Bakery

Website: https://rost.ee/

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday (8:30a.m. – 18:00 p.m.)

Saturday (9:30 a.m. – 17:00 p.m.)

Sunday (closed)

Telephone: +372 5622 3239

Address: Rotermanni 14, Tallinn

Italian food at Gianni’s Cafe

Gianni is in the Sadama neighborhood, not too far from Rotermann City. It has a cafe and restaurant. I initially planned to dine at the restaurant. However, I was unaware that the cafe was attached to the restaurant, so I ended up in the cafe. The cafe has a simple menu, while the restaurant offers a more extensive upscale menu consisting of seafood and meat dishes. The cafe’s decor was elegant and airy. However, I thought the chairs were a bit gaudy.

Insalata Con Petto Di Pollo

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

The salad was delicious, with a beautiful Balsamic vinaigrette. The greens were fresh, and the chicken was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano encapsulated each bite with a lovely nutty, sharp, and savory taste. The overall flavor was all-rounded, coating your whole mouth.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the pasta. It was oily and bland. The taste of the oil overpowered the whole dish. In addition, the pasta was a little firm for my taste. I requested that the pasta be cooked a little softer, and the chef was kind to make a new plate.

Gianni Cafe was announced as the best cafe in Tallinn in 2018. I was expecting better service and food; perhaps the restaurant’s food and service would be more promising.

Gianni

Website: http://www.gianni.ee/en/cafe/

Opening hours:

Cafe

Monday – Friday	8:00 — 20:00
Saturday	9:00 — 21:00
Sunday	10:00 — 20:00

Restaurant

Monday – Sunday

12:00 — 23:00

Telephone: +372 626 3684

Address: Jõe 4a, 10151 Tallinn

Legendary pancake house

Kompressor serves the best pancakes in Tallinn and is located in the old town. The huge portions and reasonable prices make this place very popular amongst locals and tourists. I highly recommend making a reservation. You can call or make a reservation online through their website. The outside of the restaurant does not look like a restaurant at all (I actually walked past it); with barred windows, dark entrance, and dull facade, it reminded me more of a prison. When you enter, the whole room is filled with the aroma of pancakes and has a pub feel, with the low lighting and wooden furniture. The menu offers a wide range of sweet and savory pancakes along with salads, soups, and snacks. Gluten-free pancakes are available but need to be preorder. Orders are done at the bar, and they only accept cash.

I ordered the pancake with chocolate sauce and ice cream for 5.30 euros. The portion was big. I was not expecting such a big portion of just 5.30 euros. I was quite stuffed after.

The pancake was much thicker than the French crepe. Nevertheless, the pancake was delicious with savory, buttery notes. The milk ice cream was delicious, and the chocolate sauce was not overly sweet.

This is definitely a place to visit when you are in Tallinn.

Kompressor

Website: http://kompressorpub.ee/en/

Opening hours: Everyday 11:00 a.m to 23:00 p.m (Take note that kitchen closes at 21:45p.m.)

Telephone: +372 646 4210

Address: Rataskaevu 3, 10123, Tallinn

Niklāvs: Seasonal Latvian Flavours in the Heart of Riga’s Old Town

Niklāvs is situated in Rīga’s Old Town in a building that once housed the studio of a well-known 20th-century Latvian painter, Niklāvs Strunke, which inspired the name of the restaurant “Niklāvs.” The bright interior is enhanced with paintings of Niklāvs Strunke and other Latvian artists.

Niklāvs serves mainly traditional Latvian cuisine, including some European dishes. The restaurant offers breakfast, brunch, business lunch on weekdays, and an a la carte menu. In addition, there is a featured menu every month—Head Chef’s specials—a selection of 4 dishes using locally grown farmers’ produce and ingredients, including wild vegetables and berries picked by the head chef herself, giving customers a taste of seasonal produce. Reservations can be made online.

There is a small pavement terrace outside for dining. It was a beautiful day, so I opted to sit outside. Their pavement terrace is connected with the restaurant and shops along that row, so non-customers can walk through, which I found distracting.

I went for the 3-course business lunch for 7.50 euros. The 2-course meal is 5.50 euros.

My waitress was a bubbly young woman. There was a liveliness to her tone of voice.

The starter was a refreshing salad with a simple yogurt dill dressing. I love the salad’s vibrant colors.

The main course had Middle Eastern flavors. The chicken, drizzled with a savory tomato sauce, was fall-off-the-bone tender. The bulgur had a mild buttery, nutty flavor and was a delicious accompaniment to the chicken and sauce.

The dessert was caramel pudding. The texture resembles a blancmange with a sweet, creamy flavor.

I had an enjoyable lunch and would return to try more elaborate dishes on the menu.

Niklāvs

Website: http://www.restoransniklavs.lv/en/

Telephone: (+371) 20019156

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 a.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Address: Grēcinieku iela 2, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia

A Harbor of Tranquility

Situated near the Gauja River in the beautiful, charming historic town of Cesis, Santa Villa is a classy summer cottage-style hotel surrounded by lush, tranquil forests. The minimalist Nordic interior design of the building and rooms blends well with its natural surroundings.

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The restaurant

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The restaurant’s modern chic interior is decorated with paintings by Latvian contemporary artist Ieva Iltnere and a la mode ceiling lamps. It is accompanied by Vienna bistro chairs and a turquoise upholstered banquette bench. In addition, there is a spacious terrace with views of the forest.

Day 1

Lunch

Red currant lemonade with lemon and blueberries (3 euros)
The burger with four-week-old grilled beef (farm Rukisi) was served with fresh salad, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, cheese, BBQ sauce, and fried potato straws (9.20 euros).

The red currant lemonade was a refreshing treat with a twang.

The highlight of the burger was the aged beef. It was so flavorful that each bite clothes your whole palette.

Dinner

Trout fillet with seasonal vegetables steamed in parchment parcel served with grapefruit, orange salad, and raspberry vinaigrette (14.60 euros).

The trout was a little bland but fresh and cooked perfectly. The salad was tangy and sweet, with a crunch of fresh greens and almond flakes. The dish’s presentation reminded me of the lush forest of the region.

Day 2

Breakfast

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The buffet breakfast had a simple but healthy spread. There were croissants, waffles, crepes, salads, fruits, yogurt, scrambled eggs, etc. The crepes were sensational. They were so delicious, salty, and savory with a hint of sweetness. The yogurt was homemade with fresh fruits. I like the presentation of the dishes: jams, cheese, and herring in individual tiny glass jars, and whipped butter and yogurt in individual bowls. Coffee is self-served from an automatic coffee machine.

The breakfast was the same throughout the three days I was there, which was not a problem because I was only there for three days. However, the spread could be more diverse, especially for guests who will be there longer.

Day 3

Lunch

slow-cooked chicken breast with birch-sap rhubarb reduction, baby asparagus, avocado salad, and hempseed-caviar sauce (10.70 euros)
beef meatball soup with seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs, and sour cream (5.40 euros)

It was a chilly day, and the hearty meatball soup was a fabulous warming soup. The chicken was tender and juicy. The rhubarb reduction accentuated the flavor of the chicken with a lovely sweetish sourish taste.

I love that fresh and local ingredients, especially fruit-based sauces and dressings, were incorporated into the dishes. I had a relaxing time here and enjoyed every moment of basking in nature.

Santa Villa

Website: http://www.villasanta.lv/en

Telephone: +371 64 177 177

Address: Gaujas iela 88, Cēsis, Cēsu pilsēta, LV-4101, Latvia

Café by Ķīšezers Lake

Cabo café is located on the shores of the beautiful Ķīšezers lake. This laid-back café is open all year round with a huge terrace overlooking the lake. It is a popular surfer hangout spot in the summer. The restaurant also offers a sports academy that provides various water sports activities and classes.

I cycled from Riga’s old town, and it took about 45 minutes. It was a delightful bike ride. I got to see the suburbs of Riga and stunning European-style houses in the wealthy Mežaparks residential area.

Customer service was pretty much non-existent. I entered the café, and no one greeted me. Two staff walked past me and completely ignored me. I did not feel welcomed. The restaurant uses a paging system whereby customers are given a digital coaster after placing an order. When the food is ready, the coaster will beep, and the customer is to take the coaster to the counter and pick up their food.

I got the creamy tomato soup with basil-pesto sauce and croutons for lunch. The soups have a half or full-portion option. I went with the half portion for the creamy tomato soup for 2.90 euros. The Pasta Carbonara was 6.20 euros. The soup tasted like a cream of tomato soup. The croutons were lightly sautéed, so they became very soggy in the soup. The carbonara was a substantial portion. It was very rich and overbearingly creamy. I ate about 1/3 of the pasta and could not take another bite.

It was not an exciting meal experience.

If not in the area, I would not make a special trip to this café – terrible service and mediocre food.

Cabo Café

Website: http://www.cabo.lv/

Telephone: +371 28 639 556

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Address: Roberta Feldmaņa iela 8A, Ziemeļu rajons, Rīga, LV-1014, Latvi

A taste of Punjab

Singh’s is an Indian restaurant boasting authentic Northwestern Indian and Punjab cuisine. There are three branches in Riga. I went to the one on Ģertrūdes street. There are two floors. The 2nd floor has three dining halls suited for private dining and events. The decor has a subtle Indian yet modern flair with dark wood leather upholstered chairs, red, orange, green, and white square ceramic tiles, and three big black and white pictures on the wall of what seemed like India during colonial times.

The service was good, but the waitresses lacked emotion and connection.

I ordered a plain papadum (2.50 euros), Murgh Makhani (pieces of chicken cooked with tomato and ground cashews in rich buttery sauce) (9.95 euros), plain basmati rice (2.95 euros), and a coke (2.50 euros).

The papadum was huge. The biggest papadum I have had was the size of a teenager’s hand. It was a new papadum-eating experience for me. Some dips came along with the dish (three different types of chutneys and an onion salad). I have only eaten papadum either on its own or with rice and curry.
I wanted something spicy, so I asked the waitress if they could make the curry spicier. The waitress told me that it was quite spicy, and I assured her that I could handle the heat (having the stereotypical thinking that it’s Europe, they don’t eat spicy food… how spicy can it be?). True enough, it was spicier than I expected. The chicken pieces were tender; unfortunately, the buttery tomato sauce was not prominent. I have had spicy curries in the past, and they were full of flavors.

Honestly, I was not blown away by the food, and I was not a fan of the price either; it was a little high.

Singh’s

Website: http://www.singhs.lv/

Telephone: +371 66 220 000

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 23:00 p.m.

Friday 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Address: Ģertrūdes iela 32, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1011, Latvia

Rocket Bean Roastery: A Must-Visit Café Near Riga’s Art Nouveau District

Rocket Bean Roastery is a specialty coffee house in Dzirnavu, just a block away from the Art Nouveau district. The café has a chill vibe, with big glass windows and retro, rustic decor. Soft electronic music plays in the background.

Rocket Bean Roastery’s main branch is located on Miera Street and is also the coffee production site. The main branch occasionally organizes coffee cuppings, training, and educational trips. Rocket Bean Roastery roasts its own coffee, which can be purchased at both cafés. Lunch and dinner menus are available.

I got to the café around 11:00 a.m. I wanted to order a pancake, but they were no longer taking breakfast orders at that hour. The glass display case had one last open sandwich with arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, pickled cucumber, and an egg. The guy behind the counter suggested that I could order that. So I got the sandwich (3.50 euros) and a Cappuccino (3.40 euros). The Cappuccino was aromatic, intense, creamy, full-bodied, and bitter without being overwhelming. At the bottom of the cup is a picture of a thumbs up with a phrase ( Vella milti, ku’ labs). I tried looking up what the phrase means but had no luck. I found that the word “labs” means good in Latvian. If I had to make a guess, it could probably mean’ good job for finishing the coffee.’
The sandwich was light and healthy. Fresh ingredients on rye bread with sesame dressing.

A cool place to hang out and have a great cup of coffee.

Rocket Bean Roastery (Dzirnavu)

Website: http://www.rocketbean.lv/

Telephone: +371 27 337 746

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. – 21:00 p.m.

Saturday to Sunday (closed)

Address: Dzirnavu iela 39, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1010, Latvia

Rocket Bean Roastery (Miera street)

Telephone: +371 20 215 120

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m.- 21:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday 9:0 a.m. – 21:00 p.m.

Address: Miera iela 29, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1001, Latvia

Lido Riga: A Local Favourite for Affordable Latvian Cuisine

My local tour guide and Airbnb host recommended this buffet restaurant chain for Latvian cuisine. It is where the locals go, especially for lunch. There are 16 branches in Riga, and the locations are available on their webpage. The biggest and most impressive Lido restaurant is the Lido Leisure Center. It is located in a three-story log building with a garden, a winter skating rink, and an amusement park. The restaurant’s basement is the brewery, the ground floor is the buffet restaurant, and the third floor is for fine dining.

The Lido restaurants serve almost the same food, with bigger branches offering a more extensive range of choices. There are salads, starters, poultry, meat, fish, potatoes, drinks, desserts, etc. Not only is the food impressive, but the price is reasonable. I was amazed at how cheap it was for the variety and amount of food I ordered. The ingredients were fresh and of good quality. The flavors of the food have both Western and Eastern European influences.

Lido Vermanitis is the largest chain near the old town. I ordered three different kinds of salad (beet salad with pickled cucumbers, spinach salad, potato salad with yogurt dill dressing), chicken pilaf, fried boiled potato, turkey meatballs in carrot tomato sauce, and solyanka soup. All of these cost me 10.50 euros, a pretty sweet deal! It was truly a satisfying lunch!

Lido Ģertrūde is a bistro restaurant that also serves breakfast. It has a small selection of food. As my apartment was close by, I came here for dinner. I did not want anything too heavy, so I went vegetarian. I ordered the basmati rice with vegetables, mashed potatoes, and steamed vegetables, and it cost me only 5.50 euros. The mashed potato was creamy and smooth. The rice was savory and sweet (from the raisins)… delicious!

I highly recommend this place for affordable, mouthwatering Latvian food. Visit the larger branches, such as Vermanitis and Leisure Center, for more food selections. As they are also more popular, it may be difficult to find a table during lunch hour. If you decide to go for lunch, try to go early or after 2 p.m. (my experience).

Lido

Website: https://www.lido.lv/en/

Lido Vērmanītis

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Telephone: +371 67 221 318

Lido Ģertrūde

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Saturday 24 hours

Telephone: +371 27 800 633