Heading back to Riga on business in September. Traveled there last year and took in some sights there and in Lithuania.

This year I’m building in a few days in Helsinki before hopping the ferry to Tallinn for a few days. Then finishing up in Riga.

I’m sure someone reading has been to one or both. Any tips or recommendations from the area are happily accepted!

This post was edited on 6/20/24 at 4:31 pm

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Posted by Zappas Stache

Utility Muffin Research Kitchen

Member since Apr 2009

42743 posts

Posted on 6/20/24 at 4:48 pm to wiltznucs

Helsinki is a nice town, but very, very expensive. But you probably knew that already. Hietalahden kauppahalli is a food hall, and I typically don't like food halls, but this one is really quaint and charming. Helsinki Bryggeri Brewhouse is kind of hidden but on the weekend its pretty lively and has live music. They also have Sati which is a traditional Finnish farmhouse ale that is similar to belgian sours. Restaurant Natura is a good FtoT type place. We rented bicycles and used those to get around and there is a little lake just north of the Center of town that is nice to ride around. There is a little cafe out there, Sinisen Huvilan Kahvila, where you can sit and look over the lake towards Finlandia Hall which is a famous building designed by Alvar Aalto. We also toured Aalto's house and studio but unless you are an architecture nerd probably isn't worth doing.

Tallinn has the most amazing medieval old town I have ever seen. It's actually 2 areas, one up a hill and the other down below. It can be so crowded with tourists that you don't want to spend much time there so hopefully in Sept it won't be so crowded. Just outside the north gate to old town is a hippy, artsy area full of bars and restaurants. Burger Box has been there since the first time I went to Tallinn in 2002. It was a shack back then but they've cleaned it up some since. Humalakoda Pub has good pub food and beer.La Tabla is a cool bar with good food and Restaurant F-Hoone is good too. Just a short walk from that area is Kalamaja which is a old neighborhood of wooden houses built to accommodate russian workers coming over in the late 1800s. The area reminds me of old houses in NOLA like in the Irish channel.

One of my favorite places in Riga is Labietis Pagan Brews.

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Posted by wiltznucs

Apollo Beach, FL

Member since Sep 2005

9316 posts

Posted on 6/21/24 at 10:00 pm to Zappas Stache

Good stuff. Looking forward to both. I’ve heard Tallinn is amazing. Big fan of the Baltics.