Rozengrāls (Vinarium civitatis rigensis) — Restaurant in Riga

Rozengrāls (Vinarium civitatis rigensis) is certainly one of the most unusual restaurants in Riga. The entrance leads down a staircase into a spacious cellar entirely designed in medieval style. Candlelight, massive stone pillars, an old well, and numerous decorative details create a very special atmosphere. The rooms are elaborate and atmospheric, and the service staff wear medieval-style clothing, which completes the experience. The ambience is without a doubt the restaurant’s strongest point.

The service itself was friendly and attentive – contrary to some reviews, we found the staff quick and courteous. What seemed less well organized was the reception: guests walk down the stairs only to be told at the entrance that there are no tables available without a reservation. A simple sign upstairs stating that the restaurant is fully booked and only accepts reservations for the coming days would make things much clearer.

The menu is deliberately compact and aims to strike a balance between medieval-inspired cuisine (with ingredients such as lentils, buckwheat, or beets) and more modern dishes like salads. The idea of weaving historical elements into the food is certainly interesting. At the same time, one wonders how authentic the concept is intended to be: is it more of a themed experience restaurant, or is the goal to serve historically accurate cuisine – even if that might not align with today’s tastes?

Unfortunately, the execution of the food did not live up to expectations. My rabbit stew turned out to be more of a thin soup with beets and buckwheat, lacking depth and substance. For a main dish in this price category, I had hoped for more. The onion soup, nicely presented in a small kettle with a bread crust on top, also looked appealing but was rather disappointing in taste. Overall, it felt as if the culinary experience could not keep pace with the effort put into the setting.

My personal conclusion: Rozengrāls is an impressively designed themed restaurant with lots of atmosphere, making it a great choice for a special evening or a tourist experience. However, if you are coming mainly for the food, it’s best to lower your expectations. For me, the impression remains: a wonderful idea and great ambience, but still considerable potential for improvement in...

What a disappointment! !!!!! I was so looking forward to our visit to this unique restaurant. Pre-booked the table and have built our plans around the reservation. We were greeted by a surprised seeing us member of staff. who was more interested taking to his colleagues about personal matters in his native language so loud that whole restaurant can hear. However, we have been shown to our seat and menus been thrown at our faces to look at. Then the most fun started when we got approached by the most arrogant waiter who clearly was not interested to be there or show any enthusiasm to represent this establishment. I felt so embarrassed to bring my panther here as I was raving about this place for days! We’ve been dropped a shop bought buns in a weird net followed by dry comment from our waiter - “ this is bread” and walked away. Then I’ve asked for a butter when our waiter became alive and informed us that “only for money payment “ it can be possible. I really wished the ground would swallow me. Food arrived on an iron plate with 90% of dry lentils and 10% protein, not edible roasted garlic and a not completing anything - roasted tomato. My duck was extremely salty, but it was quite tender at the same time. I would not recommend this restaurant just down to staff attitude. I can put it down to medieval theme interrelations, but it doesn’t work in our days and international tourists. I’m born and bred in Latvia and could not be more embarrassed to bringing my British husband here. I could not he proud what I have experienced today. What a shame and true waste of money, could not stay there any longer and unfortunately left a bitter taste visiting Old Riga where anywhere else we have experienced outstanding service and great food.

Avoid! Don’t get fooled by the ambiance and decorations, not worth of your time and money. Staff needs training, they would not be able to run this place...

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the cobblestone streets of Old Riga echoed with the whispers of history, we made our way to Rozengrāls, a medieval tavern steeped in the lore of centuries past. Nestled in the narrow Rozena Street, this historic gem, once known as Vinarium Civitatis Rigensis, has been a staple of the city’s vibrant culture since 1293.

Entering the tavern felt like stepping back in time. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the ancient stone walls, adorned with relics from Riga’s storied past, including a well dating back to the late 13th century and fragments of the original defensive wall built in 1201.

We arrived late in the evening, just as the bustling energy of the day began to wane, and the tavern readied itself for a peaceful close. Seeking to indulge in the local traditions, we ordered the burnt garlic bread—a revered delicacy here, given a special twist that sets it apart from the ordinary. The bread, with its rich, smoky flavor, was a delightful start to our medieval feast.

Yet, a hint of regret lingered as I passed on the onion soup, a staple that I would later wish I had tried. But any longing was quickly dispelled as we delved into the main course—a succulent pork knuckle, hearty enough to serve three. Its tender meat, perfectly roasted, paired wonderfully with the robust red wine we had chosen for the evening. We opted to skip the traditional side of sauerkraut, not being particularly fond of its tartness.

Throughout our meal, the service was impeccable. The staff, dressed in period costumes, added an authentic touch to the medieval ambiance, making us feel like honored guests at a grand feast. The immersive experience was further enhanced by the medieval music that floated through the halls, completing the transportive journey to...