POTAMI / Restaurant — Restaurant in Riga

Disappointing Experience Despite High Hopes

As someone originally from South-East Europe and a long-time lover of Greek cuisine, I had high expectations for this restaurant based on its Instagram presence. Unfortunately, the reality fell far short.

The only genuinely positive aspects were the stylish interior and the beautiful view of the Daugava River, and that’s where the praise ends.

The service was awkward from the beginning. We didn’t feel particularly welcomed, and the staff seemed disengaged. When I asked about the fresh catch of the day, the waiter simply said there was none. I then asked for a recommendation, and he pointed us to the lamb chops. We ordered them medium, but what arrived was one of the most flavorless and poorly prepared meat dishes I’ve ever had. I almost never leave food unfinished at a restaurant, but this was one of those rare exceptions.

When I mentioned that the meat was undercooked and tough, the waiter responded by trying to lecture us that we should have ordered it well-done, an absurd, unemphatetic and defensive reaction.

The saganaki we had as a starter was decent, but nothing memorable.

Overall, the place feels like an attempt to mimic the aesthetics of a Greek restaurant, but without the heart, the flavor, or the warmth of Greek hospitality and the richness and the taste of the Greek cuisine. Despite delivering a subpar dining experience, the pricing is closer to fine dining, which makes it even more disappointing.

This is not a place I’ll return to, nor one I’d recommend...

Potami brings a refreshing take on Greek cuisine, offering a modern twist on traditional flavors through its meze-style menu — perfect for tasting your way through Greece.

We began with the dolmas, which were pleasant but didn’t quite reach the heights of other versions I’ve had. However, the meal took off from there.

The Kaitlin fried sardines were crisp, flavorful, and delicately prepared — a deliciously simple dish that hit all the right notes. Which turned out to be the surprise star of the evening: rich, tender, and deeply satisfying. I’d go back for those alone.

The baked cheese dish was a standout — beautifully balanced between salty, sweet, and tangy. Easily my favorite plate of the night.

The shrimp saganaki, with its bold anise-infused sauce, was another highlight — a creative twist that still felt grounded in tradition.

The bread, unfortunately, was less than perfect — a small detail, but noticeable, especially when paired with such otherwise thoughtful dishes.

Service was a bit uneven. Our waiter was excellent — warm, professional, and knowledgeable — while the rest of the staff didn’t quite match his level.

In all, Potami offers a memorable dining experience for lovers of Greek food with a contemporary edge. A few hits, a few near-misses, but overall a very enjoyable evening. I’d...

This was the first time my wife and I stopped by this lication since the restaurant changed. They did an outstanding job decorating the place. There is plenty of seating available - inside, outside, small tables, large group tables. There are two really nice 8 person tables inside - one beside the kitchen, and the other a great private spot off from the main seating area. We didn't have a reservation, but luckily we were able to sit outside - I would suggest making a reservation to get the table you are looking for. The atmosphere is top notch for sure - sun setting during our meal with a great view of the river scene. Our waitress, Alice, was also great - very nice, helpful with the menu, and made sure everything we received was just as we wanted. All the food we ordered tasted amazing. You could easily make a meal out of ordering several appetizers hahaha. My smallest complaint was the chicken may have been a bit dry, but the orzo pasta and tomato sauce took care of any concern there. I also wanted to point out one of their original desserts - a baklava and cheesecake fusion. Very unique and tasty. Overall, an amazing meal and definitely suggest people take every opportunity to enjoy the remainder of summer at this riverside restaurant for a drink and a Greek meal. We will definitely be...