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About
Riga: Fast Facts
Emergency
112
Health
Tap water is safe to drink
Apteka = pharmacy
Language
Latvian
Most are fluent in Russian
German is a common second language
Some English is spoken
Electricity
220 volts
2 round prong
Money
Euro
Many credit cards are accepted
Dining
Lunch is the main meal
Menus often come with German or Russian translations
Cafes are more affordable but usually only accept cash
Food & Beverages
Beer = Aldaris, Cesis
Black Basalm liquor
Caraway cheese
Caviar (red)
Cepelinai or zeppelins = meat stuffed potatoe dumplings in sour cream, onion, and bacon sauce
Kartupeju pankukas = potato pancakes
Kefir - fermented milk
Kvas = soft drink, mildly alcoholic 1%, made from rye bread flavored with fruit or herbs,
Pannkoogid = pancakes served with berry sauce
Pelezkie zirni = grey peas with bacon
Piragi = small leavened pastry with bacon or cabbage filling
Putra = pork fat with meat or smoked fish
Ruguspiens = curdled milk
Sparkling wine = Rigas Sampanietis
Shopping
Many shops close on Sunday
Value Addded Tax
21%
Minimum purchase of 44 euro
Souvenirs
Amber
Black basalm liquor
Emihls gustavs chocolate
Knitwear
Laima chocolate
Linens
Woodwork
Safety
Car theft is a common problem
Pickpockets
Avoid using ATMs in quiet spots at night
Avoid using the tunnels around the Central Station at night, use the traffic light crossings instead