Hors d'oeuvres are very good and often the best part of the meal.
Potatoes feature regularly on the menu prepared in a variety of ways.
Riga's Black Balsam is a thick, black alcoholic liquid which has been produced since 1700. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, but some of the ingredients include ginger, oak bark, bitter orange peel and cognac. It is drunk either with coffee or mixed with vodka. There are several good local beers including the dark beer bauskas Tumsais and the pale Gaisais. Kvass is a refreshing summer drink.