City dining guide

Best restaurants in Cēsis

4 guide-listed restaurants — Michelin, Bib Gourmand, Black Pearl, Must-Eat List, World's 50 Best and more. Reference quality signals; never ranked by commission, no in-app checkout.

Bib Gourmand 1

H.E. Vanadziņš

Bib Gourmand€€Modern Cuisine, Regional Cuisine

There are plenty of surprises on offer here, from the sleek, modern look of the room that hides behind the traditional red exterior to the lovely terrace secreted out the back. Wherever you sit, there’s a convivial feel, with the wallet-friendly prices only adding to the cheery mood. The concise menu showcases fresh produce from the region, and this local philosophy extends to the bar, where homemade ingredients feature in the soft drinks and cocktails. The creatively topped flatbreads are perfect for flying visits, while bedrooms are available for those who wish to linger a little longer.

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.2/5 · 68 reviews

H.E. Vanadziņš in Cēsis offers modern regional cuisine, generally praised for high-quality food like perfectly cooked steaks, creative tartare, and house-brewed beer. The ambiance is described as stylish and cozy, particularly in the courtyard. However, reviews highlight significant inconsistencies in service and efficiency. Negative experiences include long waits (up to 1.5 hours), rude staff, microwaved mains, and strict Sunday closing times that may limit menu options. While Michelin-recommended, the dining experience varies widely. Reservations are strongly advised to secure a table, especially given the hotel location and limited availability.

Suitable for diners seeking high-quality regional cuisine who can tolerate potential service variability; advance reservations are essential.

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Other guide picks 3

Kest

€€€Modern Cuisine

The town’s former fire station is now home to this two-part restaurant experience. You start in the bright dining room, where you enjoy a modern tasting menu centred around local produce, accompanied by one of two interesting drinks flights – either a non-alcoholic option or an alcoholic version that includes the likes of cocktails. After dessert, it's then on to the dark, moody lounge-bar for the second part of the evening, where you enjoy a post-meal drink to a relaxing jazz soundtrack. The team run the place with genuine warmth and their cheery nature can't help but rub off on you.

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Pavāru māja

€€€€Modern Cuisine, Regional Cuisine

A former maternity hospital on the edge of a rural village plays host to this smart, modern restaurant. Here, you are encouraged to relax in their lovely nature observation garden – a place to sit back, listen and watch – before taking time to really savour your meal. Their raised beds and foraging trips provide the kitchen with vegetables and herbs, while the rest of their produce is locally sourced. The four-course lunch and eight-course dinner are informed by what’s fresh and available each day.

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Akustika

€Modern Cuisine, Regional Cuisine

Set on the ground floor of the well-known Post and Telegraph building, this faux-industrial neighbourhood bistro was created by three friends and designed as a place they themselves would like to dine. Tasty, modern dishes are informed by the seasons, with local produce taking the lead, be it pikeperch from nearby Lake Burtnieks or locally reared lamb, while the Latvian char is a real hit. Be sure to ask the team for their advice when it comes to both the food and the wine. Occasional music performances add to the appeal, as does the terrace in the warmer weather.

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