From July to the end of September, many Latvian farms, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts of local communities and various tourist attraction objects will open their doors to the guests, transforming into home cafés and inviting to taste the local dishes and beverages, to enjoy the unique atmosphere and offered culture programme.

In our region, from July 2 to 3, home cafés will be hosting guests in the turns of River Abava, namely in the territory of Abava valley from Pūre and Kandava to Sabile, and parishes situated at River Abava, and coastline territories of Amula and Imula Rivers – Zemīte, Zante, Vāne and Cēre parishes. Visit us in the beginning of summer to enjoy the offer of home cafés “Tastes in turns of Abava"!

Tastes in turns of Abava

River Abava is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in Latvia. In ancient times it was called a holy river, and people came for its healing waters even from Lithuanian and Estonia. The nature itself created the Abava valley as one of the most beautiful places in Latvia. The river runs through green forests, old towns, along small waterfalls and legendary caves. The Abava valley is rich in many plant species met only in the western part of Latvia.

In 1999, a nature park “Abava Valley” was established, although its territory has been protected since 1957 as a habitat of rare and endangered plants and animals in Europe.

In early 20^th century this locality gained its unofficial name – the Switzerland of Kurzeme and have kept it ever since. Passionate, creative and inventive people have always lived near Abava. Since ancient times they have grown grapes, made wine, created parks, nature paths, recreation and healing places. The nature holds many energetic places of power.

The River Abava and its tributaries are popular amongst boaters and fishermen. Many routes of walks and sightseeing objects, welcoming tourism accommodations invite everyone to stay in these extremely beautiful places. You can enjoy natural sceneries, variety of plants, culinary wonders of the local hosts and colourful stories.

To spend time at the turns of Abava means tasting your life!

Participants of Home Café Days

“Get your treat in Sprunguļciems” or visit Pūre parish

Normally, this is a place where chickens run in the backyard, fish is jumping in the pond, apple cider and apple cider vinegar is made in autumn from the apples gathered in the orchard.

In the beginning of July, on July 2 and 3, guests will be offered the savoury lamb soup, which will be prepared on a fire, to taste homemade cider and to learn something new, to participate in ceramics and beeswax candle workshops. The new honey, special French cheese, rye bread to mention few, will be available for guests to buy.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place and other offers click here.

Address: “Liepkalni”, Pūre parish, Tukums region. Tel.: (+371) 29205717. Booking is mandatory.

Taste of Latgale at “Ozoli” near Abava

You can taste Latgale only one day, on July 2, in Kurzeme, Pūre parish. You will be welcomed by a Latgalian family with friends and like-minded people who cherish the ancestral heritage, lifestyle, proximity of nature and keeping their traditions alive. Untypical to Daigone locality in Pūre parish, you will be able to taste dishes of Northern Latgale, hear Latgalian language and songs in this home café. Here you can enjoy the local offer of Daigone and vicinity, ride a pony in the hay field and attend a market of seasonal products.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place and also offered activities click here.

Address: “Ozoli”, Pūre parish, Tukums county. Tel.: 29123010. Booking is mandatory.

Home café “With childhood taste” in snail farm “Kangari"

Motto of “Kangari” home café is “With childhood taste", because true Latvian desserts, well remembered by anyone above 40 right now, will be the central food for two days. Mothers and grandmothers used to make them almost in every family. The youngest visitors might have their first bilberry dumplings, oatmeal cream, mousse, cottage cheese pudding or flour and milk mousse. If you want something more satiating after the desserts, you can choose among summer soups.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place click here.

Address: “Kangari”, Cēre parish, Tukums region. Tel.: (+371) 29416000. Booking is mandatory.

“Blacksmith's yard” in Kandava

Café “Blacksmith's yard” is situated on the side of a cobble stone street in the old town therefore the guests are welcome to enjoy the charm of ancient Kurzeme small town for two days. Historically, in the 19^th century, a blacksmith lived here, hence the name of the café.

Typically, the household and participants of the café are not related to catering and hosting guests, but the hostesses love to cook, welcome guests and surprise them with delicious dishes. While visiting, the guests will be able to purchase teas, herbs and handmade textiles.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place click here.

Address: 16 Talsu Street, Kandava, Tukums county. Tel.: 26111257. Booking is mandatory.

“At the joyful hostess with a board” or visit Kitija Švīgere

For two days in Kandava you will be welcome by the truest “Latvian Hostess” who not only knows how to burn down a board (those who watched TV show “The true hostesses of Latvia" will know what it is about) but also cook a tasty meal. You will be served not only the staple food of the hostess but also something she learned from other hostesses in the show. There will be a special menu for kids and plays for children.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place click here.

Address: 8A Priežu Street, Kandava, Tukums region. Tel.: (+371) 26018067. Booking is mandatory.

“Tēviņkalns” home café near Zemīte

Tēviņkalns is usually a place for growing fruit, berries and vegetables, turned into a tasty wine afterwards; but on July 2 and 3 the hosts will treat their guests with a venison soup and pilaf, as well as ice-cream and homemade wines. You will have an opportunity to look around the household.

Gourmands and individual visitors or companies of friends and families are welcome! For menu and conditions for visiting this place click here.

Address: “Tēviņi”, Zemīte parish, Tukums region. Tel.: (+371) 29106705 Booking is mandatory.

Kitchen in the manor barn in Zemīte

Zemīte Community Centre was arranged in the old barn of the manor in 1937 with a support of Zemīte Protectors’ Organisation. Now it hosts a community of amateur collectives of Zemīte Community Centre, which invites you to stop at the “Kitchen in the manor barn" on July 2.

The feast will not be as rich in the beginning of summer because the harvest has not been reaped yet, but any mouse living in a barn will have its grain. So, we will treat our guests with what we have. There will be quite a dancing and singing!

For menu and conditions for visiting this place click here.

Address: “Cerības”, Zemīte parish, Tukums county. Tel.: 6527265. Booking is mandatory.

“Stop in Kalnozoli” in Zante parish

“Kalnozoli” is situated between Zemīte and Remte. Both days of the event the guests will have an opportunity to breathe the fresh countryside air infused with freshly baked bread and have the breakfast while gazing around nearby field of crops or cow pastures. “Kalnozoli” yard combines archaic simplicity and modern comfort, and one can feel care for guests and love for human beings.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place and also offered activities click here.

Address: “Kalnozoli”, Zemīte parish, Tukums region. Tel.: (+371) 22457715. Booking is mandatory.

Home café “Smilgāji” in Vāne parish

“Smilgāji" farm is embraced by biologically grown meadows. Here anyone will feel peaceful and in touch with nature: gastronomic enjoyment in a blooming meadow with suitable dishes.

The menu of July 2 will have seasonal plants from the vicinity, introducing the visitors with variety of tastes accessible when living in the countryside.

The visitors will be able to treat themselves with various products from the market with goodies from neighbours and friends. The sales offer includes meadow plant cosmetics “Flos Mili” (distillates, soaps, creams), “BitmanMood” linen towels, eggs of neighbour's happy hens, meadow flower honey and various herbal and flower teas.

Those who are open to creative activities can apply to Focaccia bread painting workshop to create your unique plant and flower painting in a form of bread, and to make a herbal dip to enjoy it with.

There will be also attractions for children: creative workshops for creating meadow plant paintings and stone painting.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place and also offered activities click here.

Address: “Smilgāji”, Vāne parish, Tukums region. Tel.: (+371) 26460588. Booking is mandatory.

Porridge day in “Apsītes" in Vāne parish

A family with children, four-legged and winged pets, invite you to visit this place where main values are unity with nature and daily joys of errands.

This family cooks every day, because they mainly do everything by themselves, experimenting with new tastes and raw materials. It is common to cook on fire during summers – both routinely and for family celebrations when 20-30 people come together. The garden fire prepares the unique coal-baked potatoes with skin, bread skewers, outstanding solanka, pancakes and much more.

You can learn about hosts’ offer and conditions for visiting the place here.

Address: “Apsītes”, Vāne parish, Tukums region. Tel.: (+371) 26488418. Booking is mandatory.

Home café “Kalnēni" and their host Aivars Žieds

The host prepares delicious countryside meals on a daily basis – savoury smoked meat according to the ancient methods, exclusive pickles, juices and other goodies.

During the home café days, the host will serve the delicious king bolete cheese soup and bread, homemade smoked meats and also crepes. You can look at life at the countryside and attend the basement and shop built by the host, as well as to buy his tasty rural treats.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place click here.

Address: “Kalnēni”, Vāne parish, Tukums region. Tel.: (+371) 29293126. Booking is mandatory.

“Birznieki goat” in Vāne parish

“Birznieki” is a certified biological and environmental health farm specialising in goat breeding and goat cheese making. When visiting this farm, you will see the herd – approximately 150 goats, and can also buy and taste the cheeses.

During two home café days, you will be offered tasteful goat products: smoked goat meat soup, grilled goat cheese, yeanling soup, goat milk ice-cream and panna cotta.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place click here.

Address: “Birznieki”, Vāne parish, Tukums region. Tel.: (+371) 29363543 Booking is mandatory.

Home café in “Jaunbirzes” near Matkule

For two home café days this will be an opportunity to taste delicious dishes, unhurried and pleasant ambience, horse-back riding and active recreation for those ready for sports (basketball, volleyball). Children will be able to engage in interesting activities and bunny petting. The guests can buy homemade pastries and “Daina Wines".

For menu and conditions for visiting this place and also offered activities click here.

Address: “Jaunbirzes”, Matkule parish, Tukums region. Tel.: (+371) 26256214. Booking is mandatory.

“Sabile factory"

“Sabile factory” is a home café in the industrial territory of the town. It still holds evidence of disappearing soul of this block where “Sabiles sidrs” cider brewery operates nowadays. For two days home café menu will merge the tastes of past and today, and also the local feel.

The guests will have an opportunity to go to a private excursion and learn about the cider brewery at additional fee.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place and also offered activities click here.

Address: 22 Rīgas Street, Sabile, Talsi region. Tel.: (+371) 28888541. Booking is mandatory.

“Small town charm” in Sabile

The Creative Room has found a cosy place at the Sabile castle mound, which will be open on July 2 and 3 to serve the meal prepared by the Ūdrīši family in a romantic ambience, to visit the Sand Basement and have something to take away from the small shop and to enjoy family plays in the garden.

A herbalist from Sabile, Inita, will sell her herbal teas, infusions, salves as well as products made by the Ūdrīši family. She will also offer kombucha with 3 different flavours.

For menu and conditions for visiting this place and also offered activities click here.

Address: 10 Talsu Street, Sabile, Talsi region. Tel.: (+371) 27791070. Booking is mandatory.

See you at home cafés in turns of Abava!