A pictorial of Latvian breakfasts!

European hotels pride themselves in having bounteous breakfasts and the Baltic nation of Latvia is no different. While they may vary in style and lavishness, you’re sure to find a selection of both sweet and savory items. Also, breakfast buffets usually offer a peek at what nationality is a frequent visitor, because there will be items to cater to them. I was happy to be hosted to experience it!

Neiburgs hotel bills itself as a “mindful” hotel, which I experienced as modern furnishings, sustainable practices, but with comfy and luxe touches. The hotel is in Riga’s — Latvia’s capital — historic Old Town on a side street that still has nightlife. I wanted to crash some of the gatherings, they seemed so fun.

On their extensive breakfast buffet, they definitely have all the fixings for a traditional British “breakie” as they say: soft boiled eggs, roasted mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans, “sausage” and bacon. I put sausage in quotes, because here and elsewhere, the Latvians consider hot dogs to be sausages!

I figured that a Baltic nation would have some smoked salmon and gravlax-style salmon and I was right! I learned from chefs that they do a kind of gravlax without pepper and dill, just lightly curing with salt and sugar. The salmon becomes silky and mild, almost like sashimi.

They had several creamy type of desserts in shot glasses, but I was trying to save my sugars . . . though I was lured by their deep, dark honey! It’s actually not overly sweet, it’s more nutty. It would be fabulous with a cheese plate.

The buffet also had lots of fresh exotic fruits, but since I knew they weren’t Latvian, I passed on.

Sigulda is a nature-blessed and beautiful exurb of Riga, about an hour away. Aparjods is a hotel with a rustic Latvian architecture and feel. It wasn’t surprising that they streamline to traditional Latvian breakfast offerings, very authentic.

I have never figured out if the breakfast buffets served salad items because Europeans actually like it for breakfast or they are catering to travelers who have jet-lag. At any rate, they had marinated artichokes.

Of course, they have the classic breads:

Bauska is a cute town in the south of the country, closer to the Lithuanian border. Many people in Riga I talked to had been from Bauska. Mazmezotnes Manor is a former Lord’s manor, with several buildings on the very handsome property.

Lots of tasty veggies and herbs are grown on-site. Though the restaurant is only available to guests, the chef is quite the gourmet. Inadvertently running late, he whipped up a veritable feast within minutes, with enough food for a buffet!

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